I am happy to report that after a huge effort by club volunteers, they were able to sufficiently clear the December storm damage from the trail that we had used our new brush cutter (purchased with a grant from the North Star Ski Touring Club) to widen last Fall. I was able to groom it double-wide for the first time. It will take another snowfall or two to fully recover the ski deck from sled damage caused during the cleanup, but for the first time (that I am aware of), Cass County has a trail available for skate skiing. Our original plan includes setting a track to the side to make it dual purpose, however there is still too much overhanging brush to make it usable for both this season. But our goal has been reached on 4.9 KM of trail! This is a big deal!

Photos:

(Paul VanderWaal)

North Ski trail groomed this afternoon. Trail in excellent condition with a nice deep track. Should be ready for this weekend. Working tomorrow on clearing the SE loop of the South trail. Possibly will be open by this weekend. Thank you Mark and John.

(Gary Anderson)

I groomed the north trail this afternoon. The groomer layed down a nice deep track on most of the trail but it was shallow under the pines at the start of the trail. It should make for some excellent skiing for the club ski on Saturday. The track was not icy at all.

Photos:

(Gary Anderson)

North loops are in good condition, a little slow with warm temps and fresh snow in the tracks. South loops have not been groomed, and has snowmobile tracks for as far as I went. Great snow base with some avoidable tree debris.

(Ross Haugberg)

Mark groomed Washburn North trail. Trail is in excellent condition for classical skiing . Snow depth is 22" Track base depth is 6".

(Gary Anderson)

Thank you for grooming the north ski trails. I skied Central Corridor, Cut-thru, East leg. A fantastic ski with lots of sunshine, a beautiful day. Happy trails!

(Diana Olson)

After the latest 6-8" snowfall, which has covered up the messed of needles and leaves from the first storm, the full north trail segments have been groomed.  The track laid was excellent.

Photos:

(Paul VanderWaal)

Thank you for all the work on clearing the branches and trees off the north trails. Appreciate the grooming. There is some debris on the trails where the pine trees. Skied Central Corridor, Cut-thru, East Leg. A nice ski. Happy Trails and thanks again.

(Diana Olson)

After the extensive damage caused by the pre-holiday snowfall, and about 36 person hours, we have opened up the north trails at Washburn and groomed this afternoon. As for the south trails at Washburn, they may not get opened this winter - we are recruiting volunteers, so it depends on how many we can get.

Photos:

(Paul VanderWaal)