Very happy that Itasca County opened this trail system again after being partially closed in previous years for logging. It’s a nice, remote area of the county where you can see wildlife that may not be in other areas. I always spend time here to look for moose, but I only actually saw any in 2011. I do usually find some tracks in the snow or browsed vegetation. What I rarely see are other people, but this day, there were two human encounters on the trail! Although the county doesn’t groom this remote area frequently, the whole trail system has been groomed this season!

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Had another lovely ski here Sunday after the new snowfall. Trails were a little slow being so warm and first ones on the trail. Did the Beginner and Intermediate loops. Wonderful range of textures in the landscape with the combination open and wooded. Lots of scraping on small trees since last weekend. By 3:30 the temps dropped a bit and snow got a little faster. Looking forward to doing all three loops next time. Thanks for getting these trails up and open again!

Photos:

(Bethann Perendy)

Overall pretty good condition, but the advanced loop has a lot of twiggy brush poking through. Lots of dried flower heads in the clear logged areas— I’ll bet those open spots are bursting with blooms in late summer. Making a note to visit then...

(John Schroeder)

Perfectly groomed for classic at six feet wide on entire three loops, best in five years of logging. The third, advanced loop in the cedars was enchanting. Many more open vistas due to patchwork logging blocks, but popple growing in clearings quickly. One could take a side trek onto Sherry Lake to the South, next time. Thanks to the groomer and crew for patching this glorious trail system back up.

(Neil Gardner)

From Roger Clark groomer: Stoney Ridge has been groomed and trackset. If you are planning to ski Stoney, now would be a good time before the next snow. The trail is in great shape and all three loops are open. Lots of wildlife tracks.

(Catherine McLynn)

From Roger Clark, County Park Manager: Stoney Ridge is groomed and trackset. Base is thin so look out for rocks and dirt areas. Due to the wet fall and early snow in November, we cleared but were not able to mow the Advance Loop. It is groomed and tracked but there are new shoots and some grass on this loop. ( Fair to good condition) We came across several moose tracks but no moose spotted on this trip. The frosted trees were amazing. Trails go through new harvested areas and the trail provides a great view of the new future forest and fresh areas for moose, deer, grouse, and other wildlife. The forester did a great job preserving and incorporating the trail in the forest plan.

(Catherine McLynn)