Trail Detail

Center City, MN
55k
Skating/Classic
No
No
651-583-2125
[ NWS ]
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Notes

With trails from beginners to expert and a very modern, heated trail center, Wild River State Park is one of the hidden gems for cross-country skiing in eastern Minnesota. The Aspen Knob loop is extremely challenging.
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Trail Reports

2020-2021 season
Reports 1 to 10 of 34    Month: Mar | Feb | Jan | Dec
Monday, March 1, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Good skis ]
Waxless classics on Mitigwaki, Old Logging, Trillium, and Amador Prairie. Everything freshly tracked except Amador was still being packed and rolled. The fresh 4” of snow Sunday have produced the best conditions of the year, too bad it’s so late.
Photos:
(Bryan Lueth)
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Beautiful trails and ski. Completed my favorite trails to ski. From Trail Center, skied to Pioneer Loop (west and south) to Deer Creek Loop (south) then north along the river, up the hill by the Visitor's Center, then back along the Mitigwaki trail to the Trail Center. The swans must be thinking spring...they sure were active and loud.
(Donna McNear)
Friday, February 19, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Finally back out on the ski trails. I skied the Mitigwaki Loop, plus a little bit on the River Trail. Tracks were mostly quite good. Despite being freshly groomed, by the time I skied in the afternoon, there were scattered spots where the track was washed out. Tracks were a little shallow in some stretches with no recent significant snow.
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Skied Mitigwaki to Amik’s Pond to River trail to Nevers Dam trail and Amador Prairie. Good track with no debris. The recent dustings of snow seem to have helped. Only a couple other skiers out. Pleasant temperatures in teens.
(Wayne Nelson)
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Good skis ]
I used waxless classics, followed the groomer setting track on Pioneer and down the hill to Deer Creek, but it appeared the plan was to make a pass to roll and pack before setting track on that loop. I cut over on "old" but very good track across the north end of Deer Creek, then Amik's Pond to Mondale River, up the hill at Nevers and back on Old Logging and Mitigwaki. Excellent conditions, the new cold snow was a little slow but covered up any debris. Felt good to be out after a week of arctic blast, saw 10 deer along the way, including a trio of fearless fawns along the river at Amik's Pond. Get out and enjoy before it melts!
(Bryan Lueth)
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Both 
[ Good skis ]
Skied Wild River for the first time in a long time. It was fantastic for classic today. My wood skis and polar wax were perfect. I saw 3 deer on the trail, 2 swans near the trail and a whole flock of swans way out in the river. Tracks were firm and very minimal walking damage. The woods and the river valley provided protection from any wind and with the sun, I was quite comfortable. I checked out the skate only trails at the end. Very fun hills though a little slow today with the cold, loose snow. The skate trail gets a little uneven in places, but no major issues. The skate trail was full of animal tracks - just wish I could identify them.
(Peter Aggen)
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Wednesday I skied the Dry Creek Trail and part of the Pioneer Trail (both freshly groomed), along with the northern portion of the Deer Creek Loop (no new grooming), and the Mitigwaki/bike trail from the Visitor Center (also freshly groomed). It was nice to have some fresh tracks, although I don't think they were quite as deep as track set last week with the new snow at the time. On the Mitigwaki leaving the Visitor Center area, I started out in the middle track (new), but then went to the left track, which I think was a leftover from the last grooming. That track had better form to it, but all of the tracks were decent or better. It's nice to be out on the sunny days with increasing daylight, even though the temps are cool. No face mask or goggles the last few times out.
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Monday, February 8, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I skied out and back to the river side of the Deer Creek Loop. Tracks weren't as pristine as they were Saturday, but still very nice. I don't think there have been too many skiers braving the cold weather. I saw an eagle, a swan on the Deer Creek trail, and a few deer later as I was skiing back to my car. Myself and the animals seemed to fare well with the proper layers of whatever!
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
A chilly but beautiful day for skiing. After taking the hill down the River Access Road, I skied the Deer Creek Loop. Tracks were very nice, and the grooming was even better, especially for the hills and curves on the back side of the loop. I did push through the base or side of the track in a few places. I saw three other skiers while I was out, about three dozen swans in different locations on the loop, a couple red squirrels, a large hawk, and one deer for the Deer Creek Loop. Almost seemed to have lost my sunglasses if anyone decides to turn them in.
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Skied most of the classic-only trails, and they were in excellent condition. Deep firm tracks with good kick given cold temps and fresh snow. A very few soft spots on the south end of the Deer Loop, a couple drifts in open areas, and some oak leaves. But this is a great place to classic ski in the cold. Extensive, mostly wooded trails and substantial portions of pine forest. I wanted to snap a few photos of the spectacular tracks, and the swans hunkered down on the river in the cold, but the phone's battery had other ideas.
(Sue Schroeder)

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