I skate skied a few laps around Cedar Lake this morning between about 9:30 and 11. For the most part, the groomed trails were iced over, and I therefore spent most of my time on the thin crust adjacent to the trails. There were some large icy patches to double pole across, but the lake was otherwise skiable with a “glass half full” attitude. Unfortunately the conditions noticeably deteriorated as the weather warmed up during my ski, so my guess is that within a couple hours it will all be pretty lousy.

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(Thomas Blackstock)

I skied Ceder Lake around 9AM and I would say about 40% was really good crust skiing and the rest was pretty icy. Great day to be skiing.

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(Steven Dolan)

There was a big wind out on the lakes this morning! The classic tracks had been set, but were frequently blown over with all the strong winds. The tunnel between Cedar and Brownie is all ice. Brownie was in better shape than Cedar for both classic and skating. Still had a good ski even with the varying conditions.

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(Bill Lundberg)

Good morning -- Skied Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake last night and early this morning. East side of Cedar is uneven but lovely snow. West side is pretty rutted and icy. Brownie was fantastic. The tunnel connecting the two -- walkable or rock-skiable. Super windy made headwind direction essentially a hard interval. Really enjoyed the sunshine. I suspect this morning may have been my last ski of this season. Hugh props to the groomers all season! I've had fun skating, classic skiing and fatbiking. Thank you!

(Lee Penn)

Skied Canal, cedar, brownie, south Wirth. Saw lake of isles. Skied like only brownie was groomed overnight. Canal is passable but soft over ice Cedar is an adventure, probably both freestyle and classic, no grooming and the water ice snow under the recent soft stuff. The skate deck was hammered with ruts, but still skiable. Rough going but with the wind at your back it can be fast. Brownie was in best shape, almost worth doing a million short track laps. Seems to have caught the blowing snow. South Wirth was pretty much an average between brownie and cedar. Some good, some bad, in the end worth the trip. Tunnel was walkable, lots of dirt on the south end, would recommend skiing it. Looks like debris from the path.

(Aaron James)

Brownie Lake = amazing. Cedar Lake = worth your time, but not the absolute best. It's March so beggars can't be choosers. The east side of Cedar Lake is actually really nice; the west side has icy patches. The open water under the bridge between Cedar and Brownie is now frozen over. My husband and I skated over it without a problem, though I probably wouldn't jump around on it. Everything is groomed and Brownie looks like fewer than ten people have been on it. Get out there and enjoy it while you can!

(Melissa Noel)

Groomed Isles, Kenilworth Channel, Cedar and Brownie Lakes this morning at sun up. The slush from yesterday set up well into a solid base with a half inch of fresh snow to mix in when tilled up. The skate deck set up and packed well with several passes made, and classic tracks were set where snow made it possible on all 3 lakes and the channel. There are thin/icy spots for sure, with poling being a challenge slipping/hitting the ice underneath, but hey...it's March 1st. Areas under all bridges and the entrance to Cedar from the channel are icy and thin as well - so use caution. Pics posted are Isles, Cedar, Brownie and the Channel. Go get some while you can...cause like Jim Morrison says, "This is the end, beautiful friend, This is the end, my only friend, The end.".

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(Craig Rittler)

Great grooming at Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles! Skate deck and classic tracks both had some icy and bumpy sections, but overall very pleasant skiing. The canal between Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska was groomed, but Bde Maka Ska itself did not have any grooming. I steered clear of canal between Cedar Lake and Brownie based on weekend reports of open water.

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(Thomas Blackstock)

All the lakes and the Cedar Lake Park Trail in the woods have been groomed and new tracks have been set on most of the lake. The snow on Bde Maka Ska is getting thin and slushy in places. Isles and Cedar have a good skate deck and solid tracks. The bike/walking paths have been groomed as well. Cedar Lake Park Trail in the woods (Hidden Beach to N. Cedar) is groomed and tracked. Caution: There is open water at the tunnel going to Brownie from Cedar.

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(Michael Bono)

Since I’m a “glass half full” kind of guy, especially about Minnesota in the winter, let me put it this way: If you don’t mind a few ruts, and occasional water, and maybe a few more ruts, and you aren’t trying to break any speed records...then this is the course for you. But generally I’d wait a day for it to set up a bit. Cedar was in best shape, especially the east side which I assume was because it got sun later in the day. Isles was really mushy but I was able to get in a nice tour of a run, just enough to assuage my guilt for not training more so I could be at the Birkie.

(R.T. Rybak)