Skiing at Cleary right now is as good as it gets. It was groomed at 9 this morning for skating, and the surface is glorious, lightly tilled and firm. The track was not newly set but is in great shape from last grooming, apart from the usual leaves.

(Dan Steger)

First time skiing Cleary and I'll go back. Conditions were great for classic skiing, tracks were pretty good throughout, aside from some of the hills. Nice snow coverage aside, a few oak leaves. Trails well marked and made for a beautiful night of skiing. Skied Lakeside and Poplar.

(Katie De Carvalho)

Fresh grooming after 2" snowfall. A bit soft but not bad! Tracks looked good also. Calling it 100% open cause I think they've decided to never clear the short Ironside swamp section. Seams between groomer passes a bit uneven but not complaining and keep up the good work!

(David Pramann)

Perimeter trail was in excellent condition for skate. Had been packed and groomed since last night's snow. Lower Ironwood remains closed. It was probably a few degrees below zero. I used FastWax Teal LF. Despite the low temperatures, I moved okay. Fast Wax Teal LF performed better than the Swix CH3 powder I used Friday in 7 to 10 degrees higher temperatures. Still walked the steeper hills but was able to maintain sustained skate otherwise.

(Keith Carlson)

Trails were groomed on Thursday morning and much better than Wednesday's icy conditions. Skating deck is very firm and, in some cases, icy and very difficult to hold an edge especially in the 2K. There are tracks for classic but they were iced over and sections filled with leaves and tree debris. Fewer rocks poking through compared to last week.

(Eric Spieler)

The lighted trails were in very good condition. A little soft in spots but pretty well packed down in general. It was about 8 degrees at my 6:00 start; down to 3 degrees when I left half an hour later. I used FastWax Blue LF which was too warm. Slowed considerably when I hit any loose or soft slow. Groomers did a great job in getting yesterday's snow packed as well as it was.

(Keith Carlson)

I classical skied the Ironwood loop a couple times this afternoon. Medium-depth tracks were set and it was so great to be on natural snow again! There were a couple spots where grass poked through (most noticeably just beyond where the Ironwood and Lake trails rejoin), easily avoidable by stepping out onto the skate deck. The skate deck had very good coverage but was still a bit soft. Watch for a rock midway up the first major hill on the Lake trail; I saw it while climbing but it was easy to avoid. Many thanks to the Cleary groomers for doing a great job with our recent snowfall.

(Mike Maiers)

Good coverage first time this season. A little soft and slow (me too) after the 5" snowfall and morning grooming. Classic tracks looked fine.

(David Pramann)

Trails packed and groomed. No classic tracks. Rocks poking through the snow and a lot of debris on the trails. Bare spots in a few areas of the trail. Recommend rock skis.

(Eric Spieler)

Conditions ranged from generally good through end of Ironwood to poor when course gravel started showing through at Norway group camp. Usual rocks on the uphill before 1st intersection with Ironwood. Twig litter frequent except open section of Ironwood. Snow was fairly hard packed but generally was able to get bite. No discernable classic track. Snow was squeaky cold at I would guess -2 to -4 degrees. Even colder and slower on bridge at the end. I used Swix CH3 powder My first experience with CH3 powder. Noticeably faster than my experience with appropriate temperature CH and LF waxes in the past. Still slow compounded by hard surface, twig litter and my heavily fogged glasses. Only met one other person on the trail. My heaviest socks and Toko mitts with both light and wool liners underneath worked to keep my feet and hands warm for once. HellyHecht (sp) thermal long sleeve t shirt underneath wicking t and fleece were just adequate to keep my trunk from being really uncomfortably cold. My forgotten shell would have probably sufficed to keep me warm if I had it. Glad to be able to endure the cold and get out to ski regardless of the challenges.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)