Skied 7 miles round trip from the Cannon Falls ballfield access. Trail was in poor to fair condition; basically boiler plate with ice in the open field leading to the driveway and a little bit more after until you hit the bluffs. The previously foot-traffic-roughed up skate deck over the first mile to the driveway has pretty much disappeared I guess due to new snow and its compression with the recent warmth. Per my car's thermometer it was 32 degrees at my 1:15 start and 37 degrees upon my return. I used FastWax Yellow LF buffed with fluoro paste. I was looking for some easy skate skiing. Despite poor conditions (that improved to a smooth but frozen surface once I hit the bluffs), I found it here. Despite not pushing it, I managed a 7 mph pace even though I had to be a little judicious navigating around a moderate amount of leaf or twig/branch litter. A stiff west wind helped my initial ascent of the grade to the driveway and I was sheltered from the wind on a good part of the ascent coming from the Anderson rest stop to the last view overlooking the river. The sun-exposed snow that had further softened during my trip slowed me some, in one case a lot, during my descent from the driveway to the ballfield. Nice to get out so quickly to a satisfying ski after my little scare.

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(Keith Carlson)

I classic skied from the ball fields to the rest stop at mile 3.8 and back. Trails were pretty beat up for the from the start to the bluffs. Classic tracks were there, but were shallow in spots and the skate deck looked like there'd been some hikers/snowshoers on it. From the bluffs onward, conditions were much better. Classic tracks were decent and the snow was good since the trail is shaded by the trees. Saw a ton of turkeys, a few deer and a couple bald eagles so along with the nice weather it was a good day to ski!

(Nick Miller)

I skated 6.6 miles round trip from the ball field access in Cannon Falls. Conditions varied from poor due to foot and deer traffic to good when you got beyond the trail section that crosses the valley after the drive and before trail starts running alongside the bluffs. The footpath from the parking area to the trail was ice-covered and thus pretty treacherous. Once foot traffic petered out by the drive and you got beyond the dense concentration of deer tracks, there was consistent glazed corduroy. The only thing detracting from the otherwise good skate deck thereafter was the depression in the middle of the trail left by the groomer's snowmobile track and the snow would frequently collapse on my "strong side?" stride (opposite the side where I start poling). Despite challenging conditions, it was a nice, easier skate. It 28 degrees. I used FastWax Red LF.

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(Keith Carlson)

Was very nice/scenic down on the trail this morning. Skied to Welch and back. The first mile not great with foot traffic and lots of animal traffic in spots, but the further out you went the better the trail improved. There was some slight rutting from the groomer track early on but again, better with distance. Although I skated, classic tracks were really deep and complete the entire length of trail!

(John Witzmann)

Such a nice ski down there. The trail appeared to not be re-groomed since the report on the website of a week ago. Could have used a freshening. First mile from Cannon Falls had foot traffic and very hard pack but beyond that, better. Tree debris along with some animal debris and tracks along sections. Per their website, closed (ungroomed) beyond Welch ski area.

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(John Witzmann)

Great ski before the deep freeze. Virgin corduroy and actual sunshine. The west wind slowed me some in the open on my return, there was the usual foot traffic damage from the Cannon Falls ballfield access to the driveway crossing 1 mile later and it was a little soft but that was not all bad when I went down hard on the final descent when I hit some bark litter. I did the first 4 miles nonstop at a 7.5 mph pace despite another fall when I apparently hit some grit just after I walked across the snow-covered driveway with my skis on. Saw three separate groups of Trumpeter Swans on the river, one that took off as I passed. It was 24 degrees according to my car when I started around 2:30 and 20 when I left at 5. I used FastWax Blue LF. One snowshoe-er and two classic skiers I met on my return were all I saw in the 10.3 miles I skied. Thanks to the trail groomers for such a great ski.

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(Keith Carlson)

First time here this year and the trail is in great shape. Parked at the Welch Station trailhead and noted that the trail is closed from that point to Red Wing. Heading the other way towards Cannon Falls I was a bit concerned at first because the left hand track was washed out in several places for the first .2 or so miles, but after that it was pristine! Single track classic and skate deck all the way to Cannon Falls, and I didn't see a single person on the trail. Tons of wildlife sightings along the river including deer, swans, an eagle, and pileated woodpecker. I went about 3 miles and hated to turn back but I know my limits! I'll be back soon to do another section.

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(Tricia Dikeman)