Very good conditions, plenty of snow. A little tree litter here and there that would only be a concern if using wax skis. Tracks are in great shape.

Photos:

(Tim Grebner)

Was able to ski the western loop trails (6>7>8>9>6) today with Mary. Light snow was falling, tracks were in good shape, and conditions were fast.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Enjoyed a three-hour ski over freshly groomed trails. Light snow was coming down toward the end of the ski. Good glide in 10-degree temps.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

All trails were groomed today using our Skandic. While the grooming work was completed successfully, we're continuing to monitor a battery charging issue with the machine. We're working with our service shop to resolve this and plan to address it fully after the season ends. We appreciate your patience as we work through these equipment challenges. Enjoy the freshly groomed trails!

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Well, so much for freshly groomed trails. About 2 inches of fresh, fluffy snow came down yesterday, covering the trails groomed last Friday. It was easy to glide through, and the tracks were solid with no sloppy edges. I human-tracked from 2>3>17>15>5>13>12>22>21>14>17>3>2. It was a thoroughly beautiful day on the trails, as you can see in the photos.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

It turned out to be a lucky day for the Isabella trails. Al kindly used his own snowmachine to groom the system while our Skandic snowmachine remains in the shop for repairs. Although a few sections-specifically Junction 13 to 21 and Junction 20 to 16-were missed because Al is less familiar with how all the trails are interconnected, they remain in decent skiing condition thanks to previous track-setting by skiers. The rest of the system now offers the smooth, fresh glide of professional grooming. I skied junction 2>1>18>19>20>21>13>5>15>17>3>2 using my waxable skis, and it was the fastest glide I have had this week.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Minus one degree Fahrenheit felt surprisingly warm today after the recent deep freeze. Conditions were fast on waxable skis, though the trails are becoming a bit worn. Grooming plans: Hoping for a grooming session tomorrow-huge thanks to Al for stepping up while the main equipment is under repair.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Our group skied the central trails along Gegoka lake, Jensen Road and the through the bog. The tracks had about an inch of new snow and many had already been packed down by other skiers. The glide was better than expected for the temperature.

(Brad Anderson)

A little more snow came down last night and into the morning. The trails really aren't too shabby. I ran into skiers from Ely they were just finishing a longer ski from Junction 11 to the shelter and back to the trailhead, and they said it didn't faze them in the least that the trails haven't been groomed for a week. Grooves/tracks were still present, getting a little sloppy, but still good. A fresh grooming should be the ticket. But until we get the groomer back from the repair shop, we are just going to have to be patient. I am crossing my fingers that the repair will be done by this Friday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

My expectations were exceeded today. The trails were faster than I expected, and the sun was a real help, making it comfortable in spite of the subzero temps. Come on out and enjoy the trails; they are great. We are still struggling with keeping our snowmachine operating this season. Next year we will have a new groomer snowmachine.

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)