Trails newly groomed on Sunday. With the new snow over last couple days (~ 6”), there is finally enough snow and Terry was able to widen and reset the deck before setting new tracks. Additional inch of snow on Sunday evening means tracks will be waiting for the first skiers on Monday to open them back up. Snow is soft, slippery (but not icy) for a great, if somewhat slow, glide. Note: Lighted loop not available this season.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)

Although we have a cabin nearby, I had not skied these trails near Tower before, and very glad I did. I mostly skate ski, so it was fun to classic ski these trails that are set up for classic skiing. It was snowing, so there was about two inches of fresh snow on the groomed trails. A little slow, but had more time to take in the great scenery. Lots of tall red and white pines to see. The trails were well marked, so very easy to navigate. Started at North Trailhead and skied down through Golden Eagle loop and back to Trailhead, about 5.5 miles total. Great ski.

(Jon Clark)

Trails groomed Sunday. What can I say...they are great. New cold, light snow and quite cold temps (below zero to teens) in dry air means that tracks aren’t hard set or deep. But they are quiet. Hills and curves are easy to navigate.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)

Trails are still great skiing in spite of no new grooming - thanks to very good snow and skiers packing the tracks. Jan 18th trail report sums it up - even 5 days later. We do think we have had enough snow now (a couple inches) to try grooming - so we will get out there and try tomorrow morning . Fortunately we have not had any more snowmobile incursions other than recent one between 18 and 17 and have put a new “No Snowmobile” sign up at the an intersection in the problem area.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)

Great conditions again with another inch dusting of light powder in well established tracks. Skied through out the system, often being the first person on the tracks. This area is great for groups of mixed skill levels who want a deep woods experience that is easily accessible and close to other premier cross country ski areas. As has happened more frequently in the past, a pack of enthusiastic snowmobiles blew through the skiing only signs and obliterated about a half of mile of trail east of 135. Always disappointing for the skier, maybe a more prominent caution tape across the trail may help demarcate the two trail systems, and better contain the different excitabilities present in the two sports.

(Michael Wilke)

Great conditions with a one inch dusting of snow on a firm base. They seem to have avoided any deleterious effects of the recent warm up. Social distancing is easy here. The local ski club is maintaining these extraordinary trails like new lovers under a spring moon...oops, I mean very well.

(Michael Wilke)

The trails, if I can just say it, are dreamy! That doesn’t mean they are perfect - we need more snow in order to groom and freshen up the tracks. Until we get that, any further grooming might impair the trails by raking up debris, possibly soil or pebbles. We got about 1/4” to 1/2” slightly wet snow. Temps did not get warm enough to create any ice. So tracks are smooth, good for glide, quiet, still a little shallow. On some of the hillier curves and steeper slopes, tracks are almost gone from snowplowing or herring bone ascents. Trees were still frosted - so the setting, like the skiing, was beautiful. Note: Trail lights on fritz so bring your headlamp if you want to try night skiing.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)

Skied Pine Hills, West Rivers, and East Sherman Loops early afternoon. First time on Howard Wagoner trails. Snow coverage was pretty good, although the trails are getting packed hard, thin in some places, typical woodland debris here and there. Tracks pretty good on flats, getting beat up on hills and curves. Downhills on Pine Hills were hard and rutted making it difficult to set a good edge and trying to take the skis in directions I didn't necessarily want to go. The back-to-back hills between 9 and 8 were pretty rugged. West Rivers snow about the same, but it's such a gentle trail that ski control wasn't a problem, same with East Sherman, but crossed two sets of boot tracks on the latter, size 7 - 8 and 10 - 11, along with a couple of small dogs that seemed to be trained to do their "business" in the tracks. All in all, a nice afternoon, but the snow conditions just made it a little more work.

(Dave Sonnenberg)

In spite of no new snow, shallow tracks that are being somewhat obscured on hills and curves - the trails are really just superb right now. I think it is the upper 20s temps keeping the snow so fresh for a great glide. Note: Lighted loop is on the fritz - if you want to ski evenings, bring a headlamp. The Wagoner Trails Club is working on fundraising to install new LED lights - hopefully this winter yet...

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)

Skied all the East trails and all the West trails except Tower link. Trails last groomed Jan 3rd after light snowfall. Tracks are holding up really well - thanks to cold temps, hard pack base and light use. The tracks are a little shallow - hard pack but we could use a little more snow. I noted B skis here, but that is because I saw one small rock peeking through in one place and there are some needles in some places. But I was on my best skis and had nothing but beautiful track.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Howard Wagoner Trails Club)