Excellent conditions on the Palisade Valley Trail! Single track groomed for classic skiing by State Parks staff. This is a remote, hard-to-groom trail. Big thank you to park staff for their efforts. I used my skinny skis, and had no trouble. Some other people I met on the trail were using their backcountry skis, but I would say that's unnecessary. The track is excellent, and the skiing was fast. There are a few rocks showing, and a lot of raspberry prickers poking through the snow in places. Don't let that stop you! The scenery is unparalleled! If you've been dreaming of skiing from Tettegouche Camp to the Northwoods Ski Trails system, you will not be disappointed. I went out and back, but I also met another gentleman through-skiing from Silver Bay up the Palisade Valley Trail all though to Baptimism River Campground in Tettegouche State Park. This is an amazingly scenic trail for those who love a wilderness setting. Fast skiing was an added bonus. Thank you to Minnesota State Parks!

Photos:

(Chris Pascone)

We skied the 7.5k loop groomed for skate and classic from the High Falls parking lot/trail center, with a side trip to Tettegouche cabins on the classic trails around Mic mac lake. The main skate/classic trail had been heavily walked on by dogs and humans and the classic only trail was still fairly bumpy with lots of plants exposed, but it was still such a pretty day that it was worth it.

Photos:

(Deanna Erickson)