Skied from the Cannon Falls Ball Fields to just short of the Anderson Rest Stop. I think about 7 miles over an hour and 20 minutes. The west-facing uphill grade was in good to fair condition because it had melted down to the pavement in the more sun-exposed spots. The eastern facing downhill grade beyond the driveway was in very good to excellent condition, the only issue being the track getting perilously close to the bluff's drop off into the the river nin spots. I used a wide temperature range- 32 to 40 degrees - Swix Violet Klister. After striding off the clumping loose snow, it worked great on the initial 1 mile uphill grade. However, once I reached the flat leading to the downhill grade, the track washed out for a while and the snow softened and started clumping up on my skis again. It could not be removed by just striding. So after unsuccessfully trying to scrape the skis clean on the wooden fence rails at the high point overlooking over the river, the snow reclumped up immediately on my skis. I had inadvertently removed my scraper from my butt pack before leaving my home so I ended up using my Three Rivers Season Pass to scrape off the snow instead. Thank God it worked. Only problem I ran into on the return is I ran into just a spot of soft snow on the downhill return to the ball field trail head and it took me down.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

We are groomed and open. A very thin base, won't last long in warmer weather.

Photos:

(Dan Forsythe)