Plenty of snow, good classic track most of the way. Lots of deer traffic. It's a multi-use trail and some of the multi-use from walkers unfortunately included the ski track, but still very skiable. Wetland Loop trailhead was not plowed and featured a sheet of ice under the snow, so you may want to park on the roadside, as many did.

Photos:

(David Zarkower)

Other than heavy deer track damage in the far northeastern end of the Wetland loop, the trail was in excellent condition. Groomer had done an amazing job of setting the classic track with perfectly located "breaks" in the track for the downhills and uphill climbs. With the temperature at about 16 degrees at our 1:30 start and partial sun throughout our 3 hour, 9 mile ski, my skis waxed with Swix Green Extra performed perfectly. I was skiing with at least 50% less effort than my companion with no wax skis.
Driving notes: For those of you coming down from the north beware that Google Maps directions off of 52 are inaccurate. It took me to two gated, closed roads and two driveways turning off of Co. Rd. 46 that are signed as roads but do not go through. Instead exit 52 onto Co Rd. 46 west-bound and go all the way to Biscayne, turn left and then turn left again at 170th St. and then right on Staton Trail to get to the traihead. I would not attempt if your vehicle and its tires are not good on ice because the uphill, one-lane drive to the parking lot may be challenging. However, my front wheel drive mini van with Blizzak snow tires had no problem.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

Great conditions! Tracks in excellent shape. Lots of evidence of critters along the trail but only one section where deer tracks made it hard to use. Skied all sections except pine loop, some leaves and sticks but I felt fine using good skis. Even sections along roads had good coverage.

(Amber Glawe)

Skied the past four days at Whitetail, so I skied the Farm, Lone Rock and Pines loops today at Lone Rock. The trails were groomed the same day as Whitetail (last Friday) so conditions are similar. Good track and coverage throughout, including the section on Blaine Rd. A little more debris in the wooded areas. Hills are a bit bigger and rougher in a couple spots (due to boot prints, allowed here, these are multi-use trails) than at Whitetail. The trails here have an isolated feel; a few farms in the distance, otherwise you just see woods, fields and hills. The "road" to the main trailhead on the Farm Loop is snow-covered and a bit rough, take it easy there.

Photos:

(Dave Gardner)

Skied over to the westernmost loop when skiing the loops at Whitetail. At least that loop was recently groomed and in good condition. These are multi-use trails; single tracked with an adjacent groomed area (where I suppose you could skate until the walkers start using it). The multi-use lane was untouched when I was there.

(Dave Gardner)

Explored these trails more today. Trail map Does not exactly match how trails are groomed. Annette avenue between posts 3 and 4 is a plowed road and not skiable (the end of Annette Ave. is a trail head at post 4 and good place to park.) I had expected these trails were regroomed with the rest of the Dakota County trails, but I was disappointed. The tracks have gotten quite icy. Only the section nearest Whitetail Woods was regroomed (around post 4). I started and at the wetland trailhead on the east end of the trail and I cannot recommend. You have to traverse a 3 kilometer snowshoe trail to get to the tracks. Park at Annette Avenue or the Farm Loop Trail head instead. Grooming is unusual at the Farm Loop trailhead, as the grooming starts and stops at opposite ends of the parking area. Intrepid skiers have made their own track to connect the trail segments. Lots of debris on the Northern trails especially hence the B ski rating. Southern section of the Wetland Loop (between Posts 6 and 10) were fairly treacherous due to frozen in boot prints.

Photos:

(Rick Vatsaas)

Skied most of the trail except for the bottom the wetland loop. Trails were in fantastic shape in the open areas, but in the wooded areas the deer were determined to stomp out the trail. Beware of some branches packed in the trail in pine shaded areas. There were also weird lumps on some downhills to be on the lookout for. So long as the wind isn't blowing, this trail will be a new favorite!

(Rick Vatsaas)

Received this from another skier: For the most part, it was in great condition and really lovely. There were a few locations of "seams" in the grooming and pine tree debris. Most notably this created a few bumpy downhills in the trees in the northern section (I was heading east) and the pine loop. I'd definitely go back - I imagine this trail can't get much better, especially on a sunny day.

(Rick Vatsaas)