Today's ski included loading up a poke sled with the chainsaw and lopper, so I could ski down to junction 18 and clear a 16-inch spruce that came down over the trail. Mission was accomplished along with the clearing of a balsam that came down in the wind on Jensen Trail. It was an excellent ski, met friends that had a fantastic ski up to junction 13>21>20>16 and back to the trailhead. Another dusting of new snow was on the tracks.

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

I continue to be surprised by how nice the trails are. There was a slight covering of new snow over the tracks today. I used my "need to wax" skis and had such a nice glide, I thought I was ready for the Olympics.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

With the 31-degree temps, the tracks were sometimes sticky and sometimes slippery. However, using my waxless skis worked rather well for the warm conditions.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

I was pleasantly surprised to find the tracks that were set last week were covered with about 1 1/2 inches of new snow and still easy to ski on. Skiers had been on half the trails, and the other half I set new track as I went. I went from 1>2>3.17>13>21>22>23>24> past the shelter to 19>18>back to 1. Only encountered one large fir down on the trail near 18 (we plan to clear tomorrow sometime) which was surprising based on the crazy wind that occurred last weekend. It was a 2 1/2 hr ski for me.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Skied the section of the trail where the snowmachine got stuck to see if everything was frozen and the tracks were in good condition. It was in good shape, except there was a covered log at the bottom of a hill that could be a problem. See the area in the photo with an arrow pointing to the location. We will be getting out to clean up this section of the trail in the next couple of weeks if our groomer doesn't get to it before we do. Other than this situation it was a fast ski day compared to yesterday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Good 1 1/2 hr ski from 2>3>17>14>21>24>19>17>1>2. All tracks are in good condition. It was quiet out in the forest, no wind, few sounds, just the sound of silence.

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

About an inch of fluffy new white snow fell on yesterday's newly set tracks. But the going was good. The previous set tracks worked to keep the skis tracking well.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Yahoo, the trails are now tracked and in good condition. The sections of trails that are part of wetlands/bogs have vegetation poking through the 11 inches of fluffy snow, but other than that, it was such an enjoyable ski due to tracks being set for the first time this year.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Skied on 3 inches of fluffy new snow over packed trails (not regroomed). It was a stunning day to be out in the forest. Grooming plans: We plan to set tracks tomorrow.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Packed trails, but no track set yet. Most of the wetland areas are frozen now so can be skied without likelihood of icing up one's skis. (Wetland areas and the trail segments that go through them can be seen on map - blue hatched). The exception is #15 to #5, with some very wet areas. I snowshoe packed them, expect them to freeze up in cold weather. Till then, best to avoid that trail.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd)