Last dispatch of the season! Jensen trail portion of trails (1-10-18) is still 95% covered with solid base. Good for both skate skiing and classic: in late and last spring skiing style - very little debris, icy in places unless temps are warm, flat with no set tracks, occasional bare patches. West flatter trails are still largely snow covered (90%) and skiable. The hillier East trails are done I think - at about 75% covered - gotta take skis off here and there. So, another couple of days for any diehards who just enjoy being out.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

Bottom line: west trails are great, east trails not as good. Similar to yesterday for when I skied the Jensen Trail portion of the system (1-18-10) and west trails. Today I tried segments of the Eastern trails and found them more challenging: they are hillier and have more bare patches and icy conditions than the flatter trails of the west. I had to take my skis off to walk down some of the hills. But overall still worth it. There is also a small window of opportunity for skate skiing the Jensen Trail road segment. With its full coverage and hard base, and a little bit of warm temps - skate skiing was great. Skiing from 1-10 and back gives a nice 6 mile round trip.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

I had a really great spring ski experience Monday. Trail snow coverage is still up over 98% with hard packed base over at least 2-5" with very little debris or rutting on trails. The "spring factors" are there but barely diminish the overall experience: no further grooming; crusty but smooth trails in below freezing temps, with only occasional icy patches; soft, but not slushy in above freezing; and very occasional short bare patches that are easy to get past. In summary: beautiful skiing!

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

Trails have just been groomed. It went better than expected, 3 inches of new snow made grooming possible. I used my waxless skis, it was a little sticky, and there was an occasional open ground where wetland boggy humps protrude. I am enjoying the beautiful spring ski that it is.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

By 3 o'clock today an inch and a half of new snow arrived and it is still snowing. There are no tracks that were visible however, the skiing was delightful. The hard packed base with fresh snow on top makes you feel like you are floating through the forest. Depending on how much snow accumulates will be the determining factor if grooming is to occur this week. Don't let that deter you though because it is indeed beautiful spring conditions.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

In above-freezing temperatures spring skiing is good. Still 80% snow-covered - a few bare spots in the bogs where the tops of the hummock are losing snow. Debris on the trail is increasing, but didn't cause any problems since we were using waxless and the debris has sunk below the surface of the snow. Tracks are disappearing however with folks skiing on them they are somewhat still visible.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

In above freezing temperatures spring skiing is very good. Still 99.9% snow-covered - just a few bare spots in the bogs where the tops of the hummock are losing snow. Debris on the trail is increasing, but didn't cause any problems since in the melty conditions it is mostly sunken in. Tracks are still visible and useable, but they are shallow and offer no real support. We have no plans for grooming through the weekend, but believe the snow coverage to stay with us for awhile (even if we start gaining more bare spots). In frozen (<32°F) weather, trails will be icy and rough - wait for the warm.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

Still plenty of snow on these trails. Tracks are becoming a little broader and shallower in warm weather, but they are still distinct, have a firm base, and have minimal ski-slowing debris. Almost no bare spots. Truly lovely spring skiing that should hold up for awhile.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

Conditions are very good for spring skiing: plenty of snow here - no bare ground and very little debris. I skied today in mid-40's temps. Skiing was a little slow and occasionally sticky for my wax less skis. The segments I skied (see photo of map) were all skier-tracked on top of an inch or two of snow that has fallen since previous grooming (March 6th): tracks were a soft 1/4" on top of well defined and firm base. No ice (as of yet). The outer western loops will be slow for the first skiers since they are not yet skied on. And I have no info on the eastern trails north of Flathorn Lake. Just beautiful out here.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)

Though 2 inches of snow had fallen this morning, the shorter loops from the parking lot were skied in. Two feet of snow in the woods up there and minimal sun exposure on some of the loops so should be good for a while.

Photos:

(Sparky Stensaas)