Hard to believe but it was a great Spring ski this morning on the trails - I skied much of Jensen Trail (bold green line on our map, the main "spine" of the system) and from just past 10 to 11-24-22-14-and back. "Spring skiing" includes: groomed tracks almost fully flattened out; traill fully sprinkled with light debris - most of which is melted into the snow so does not grab; mostly granular/crystal type snow with a few patches of soft ice; firm base averaging 2-6"; and patches of bare ground. Jensen and 11 to 24 were 100% covered. 24-22 was up to 15-20% bare ground with wet spots in the bog. Not minding the occasional bare spots, I had a good time just being out. And a first for these trails: bear tracks!

Photos:

(Mary Lawler Shedd)

The trails are degrading rapidly in this warm temperature and occasional downpour. I skied the short loop from the trailhead to 17 to 3 to 2 and back to the trailhead. 75% of the trail was snow-covered with lots of debris on top some sections were bare ground. If you are not too particular and just want to ski to the very last day possible definitely come out on the trails.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Plenty of snow remains for those not too particular about conditions. I skied route 1181923222114 and back to 1. Roughly 10% of the trail had exposed ground, and another 10% had heavy debris, with light debris present on most trails. That said, about 80% offered a decent glide on waxless backcountry skis with an average 18-inch base. Tracks were barely visible.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

In spite of about a 1/4" rain and warmth trails are still fully covered with plenty of snow. Tracks are saturated, but very firm and slick for good gliding on top of tracks. Though tracks are somewhat shallow, there is no slush, no caving in. An outstanding Spring ski today!

Photos:

(Mary Lawler Shedd)

Another good day for skiing, plenty of snow still. Tracks were well-defined and slick with firm to slightly soft base, not very slushy. Slow spring skiing in these warm temps. Skiing from trailhead out to #10 on the east end of the Jensen Trail (main artery double-tracked trail) was 100% snow-covered.

Photos:

(Mary Lawler Shedd)

Well, the trails were slower today due to the increasing temps. Still pretty minimal open ground. We talked to two other skiers who had done about 10 miles of the trail, and they also described a slower glide and very little open ground.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

About a 1/2 inch to an inch of new snow came down yesterday. Tracks are still providing a good, smooth, consistent glide. It is a slower glide due to the warmer temps. I used my waxless backcountry classic skis and was living the dream as I skied through the forest and heard the sounds of the returning redpolls and red-winged blackbirds.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Another great day on the trails. Today was without sun, hence the glide was much more consistent, and the tracks are holding up nicely. 85% the trails (only the south-facing slopes) feel like they have at least two feet of base. As I was returning to the trailhead, the snow started to fall; we got about an inch today.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Seven delighted skiers were fortunate to ski today on groomed trails in 20 to 32 degree temperatures. The trails had nice glide going out to junction 10 but as it warmed up it was a bit slower. What a memorable spring ski.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

All the trails were classic tracked after the most recent snow fall. The warm April sun caused changing snow conditions during our ski. The first half hour was pretty icy, the next hour had great kick and glide and the final half hour was getting soft and sticky. A lot of wildlife has been in the forest since the snow. We saw tracks from moose, otter, lynx and many types of birds.

Photos:

(Brad Anderson)