First grooming tonight since it was very windy several days ago. All of the north is groomed and open except for the segment along Lake Washburn. I found a snowmobile had gone in on the trail and down to the lake but didn't come out the other end. At the north end of the trail that goes down to the lake someone had stuck a branch in the middle of the trail as to provide a warning about going on the trail. There was another branch near the south end of the trail that the groomer would go on. I interpreted that to mean that there is excessive drifting along the lake that the groomer might not get through. As it was, I encountered very deep drifts on the very north end of the trail, which I had to stomp down first with my feet hoping it would be enough to get me through - and it was. But if there is that or worse along the lake, it would be much more extensive and too much to do on foot. I'll ski in the morning and investigate. Similarly, concerned about access across the power line on the south trail, so no grooming yet on the south. I need to investigate that first.

(Paul VanderWaal)

Skied the central corridor, north loop and the east leg, a good ski. The track conditions are good, a fun ski. With only a skiff of new snow.

(Diana Olson)

Groomed just the north 3 loops tonight. Set an excellent track. Snow is 26" deep with an great base.

(Gary Anderson)

I skied the North Trail - the central corridor the North Loop and the East leg. Great skiing. Lots of skiers on the trail. Thanks for having maps in the sign in box and names for each loop.

(Diana Olson)

Skied part of the South trails and North trails. Trails were in great shape. It would be nice to have more trail maps posted om the south trails. We didn't really know where we were at and had gone a good distance so we decided to turn around and ski the north side instead. Thanks to those who groom and keep up the trails!

(Amy Gapinski)

All of Washburn was groomed Thursday. With another 7-9 inches of fluffy snow, there was lot of drifting along the lake. That section was groomed twice, and on the second time through it was already drifting over again, so we will try to groom that section again before our Saturday night moonlight ski event sponsored by the Lake Country Nordic Ski Club.

(Paul VanderWaal)

Groomed two NE loops of the trail after we received about 10-12" of new snow over the week. Condition is excellent. Did not groom the NW Loop because of excessive drifting on the lake side. Got the snowmobile and groomer stuck but was able to get them out easily with the winch. There is 2 feet of snow so you don't want to get off the track. We hope to get the NW loop and the south 3 loops by Saturday for the Moonlight Ski.

(Gary Anderson)

Today I groomed the south trails at Washburn - they had not been groomed for the last few snowfalls. Had to run the sled without the groomer over a couple of times to pack it down, then followed up with the groomer. The snow and base are awesome! Wish I could get out and ski more than I've been able to.

(Paul VanderWaal)

After 8-12" of new, dry fluffy snow I got out to groom late this afternoon. The grooming sled was stressed under the load, but I was able to get the full north loops groomed. The south will have to wait until we have more time, but we'll get to it.

Photos:

(Paul VanderWaal)

Skied the north trail. Excellent skiing, great track conditions. Thank you for grooming the trails!

(Diana Olson)