Still really good conditions from the park office to the end of Pike Island. The only part lacking track is the wind blown section by the beach and just south of there. Track picks up again south of the entrance road. Skied some of the interior trails on Pike Island today, too.

Photos:

(Sara Brokaw)

Great classic ski this morning from the park office to Pike Island! Double track is in great shape on Pike Island and Single track is in good shape elsewhere with the exception of some rocks under the Mendota Bridge (usual spot for caution). Noted four bald eagles while out and a coyote crossing the Mississippi while on Pike Island!

Photos:

(Sara Brokaw)

Appreciated skiing the double classical track through the woods around Pike Island. The southside was of course better protected from the wind than the north side. Recommend: ski clockwise, so wind is at your back on the north side.

(Kathie Culhane-Pera)

Skied Pike Island. The south side trails are skiable but icy in places. Not great. The north side, as usual, is in a lot worse shape. It seems this part of the island gets less snow or more wind, not sure which. Between the ice and gravel in places, couldn't get much of a stride going. Wait for more snow to attempt it.

(Steve Young)

Skied around Snelling Lake, and all of Pike Island. Trails open and groomed, but expect to see ice in 90% of the tracks. Need snow!

(Bruce Cibuzar)

The trails on Pike Island were groomed, in pretty good shape and the best of the lot. Those leading to the island were OK, and had some troublesome areas with gravel (stones) in the tracks, and particularly around large tree trunks. The classic tracks on the multi-use trails were virtually non-existent due to walkers, snow shoe and bike riders. Bottom line: Pray for more snow!

(Jim Accurso)

Starting from the top of the Minnehaha Trail, at East 54th Street, the trail was obliterated by walkers and dogs. Two thirds of the way down to Fort Snelling Park, the groomer was rolling the path on the way uphill. I did one pass around Pike Island before making my way back uphill. The Pike Island trail was double tracked and the tracks were in great shape, although a bit shallow and a little gravel exposed on the north side. I cannot comment on the other Park trails because I did not ski them. On my return uphill to 54th Street I found that the groomer had finished work with a nice set of tracks in place. The last quarter of the newly groomed trail was already marked with walker tracks, dog tracks, fat-tire bike tracks. To conclude, trail conditions downhill will be variable.

(Robert Bergad)

Parking lots (note plural) mobbed but by some miracle ski trails tracked and not trampled by hikers. Sheer number of skiers perhaps, plus well-placed signs. Did a quick loop. The actual trail not as crowded as feared. Conditions were super fast with a little blue kick, but trail base very thin! Poles mostly hit hard surface (hopefully ice, not pavement); skis scraped twigs, ground poking through here and there; base very soft. But a gorgeous day and fun to ski on super fresh soft snow.

(Janet Folina)

Skied from 54th Street to Pike Island. The trail downhill was firmly packed by walkers with no tracks set. Although a little slippery for classic skis, nothing was exposed and only a few leaves and twigs showing through the snow. Once in Fort Snelling Park, a double set of tracks were set around Pike Island. The southern side of the trail was perfectly skiable with only a few twigs and no gravel exposed. Lo and behold no walkers disrupted the trail. The northern side of the trail was another matter, however. The tracks here were shallower and gravel was exposed through the thin snow in many places. You could ski off to the side but with caution. My recommendation is to double back on the south side to your starting point. I did not ski any of the other trails in the park so I have no information about them.

(Robert Bergad)

Double classic groom. Pretty good overall, but some rocks on diverse parts of the east side of Pike island mean possible scratches on the skis.

(Christina Ewig)