Returned to the new Pence to Hoyt extension of the Uller to snip some of the brush on this new trail. But apparently the trimming was completed by locals and the rangers, so I mostly took an easy ski with my pruning shears. This is a great extension of the already epic Uller that will allow skiers to ski from the Rose Wreath trailhead of the Montreal Trails to Weber Lake, with two blocks of walking to get through town and across the highway in Pence. Tracks on the Pence Hoyt section were not fresh, but still decent.

(Sue Schroeder)

Main Uller between Webber Lake and Hoyt road is in great shape. Two inches of light powder over a nicely set track. The Pence Connector is a bit rough, and drifted in places. Skiing Uller is an adventure to be had. There's plenty of snow in the woods. Should be a great weekend!

Photos:

(Jonathon Rulseh)

The wind chill blowing across Weber Lake froze our fingers in 30 seconds as we got our skis out of the car. We wondered if we could survive skiing the Uller Trail but persevered, and are glad we did. It has the feel of skiing in the mountains as the trail winds around granite knobs of the Penokee Range. The wind didn't bother us once we entered the woods on a bright sunny day. We stopped for lunch and started a fire in the rustic cabin at Scribner Meadow, but failed to heat it to above freezing. Next time we'll start skiing at the Pence trailhead so we can warm up in the new cabin just 1 km from the Weber Lake trailhead. That would be about a 15 km ski one-way.

Photos:

(David Byrne, Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club)

The Uller is remote and rugged and requires deep snow, so it is always a great day when a skier gets the opportunity to enjoy the full Uller in all its glory. A tip of the cap to the Penokee Rangers for their persistence smoothing a base and setting tracks. Another 3-4” had fallen since the grooming so conditions were slow, and that is a good thing on these technical, old-school trails. We started in Pence to test out the new trail connecting Pence to the Hoyt Rd Trailhead. This section is less established and more exposed to wind than the rest of the trail so there was substantial drifting and brush on some parts of this section. Once we hit the more established portion of the trail at Hoyt the tracks were clear and not drifted. We skied to Weber Lake including all loops there, had a snack in the new warming cabin on the blue loop then skied back with a stop to visit with some other skiers who had started a fire in the warming cabin at Scribner Meadow. Great to enjoy the solitude and beauty of this epic trail.

Photos:

(Sue Schroeder)

I only had time to ski the Blue loop adjacent to Weber lake today. However the conditions were good. The trail was well groomed. Track has been set, but in some areas has blown over due to winds yesterday and today. The snow conditions were great.

(Marla Lind)

Great ski from Weber lake to Hoyt Rd. The trail has been rolled by not tracked. Beautiful new cabin on trail. Stopped at Scribners Meadow cabin for a late lunch. Had whole trail to ourselves. Decent snow cover. Some in our crew used snow shoes. Get out and enjoy this ultimate back country trail. Some downhills are a bit bumpy. Be careful.

Photos:

(Daniel Stattelman-Scanlan)