Wednesday I skied the Dry Creek Trail and part of the Pioneer Trail (both freshly groomed), along with the northern portion of the Deer Creek Loop (no new grooming), and the Mitigwaki/bike trail from the Visitor Center (also freshly groomed). It was nice to have some fresh tracks, although I don't think they were quite as deep as track set last week with the new snow at the time. On the Mitigwaki leaving the Visitor Center area, I started out in the middle track (new), but then went to the left track, which I think was a leftover from the last grooming. That track had better form to it, but all of the tracks were decent or better. It's nice to be out on the sunny days with increasing daylight, even though the temps are cool. No face mask or goggles the last few times out.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I skied out and back to the river side of the Deer Creek Loop. Tracks weren't as pristine as they were Saturday, but still very nice. I don't think there have been too many skiers braving the cold weather. I saw an eagle, a swan on the Deer Creek trail, and a few deer later as I was skiing back to my car. Myself and the animals seemed to fare well with the proper layers of whatever!

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

A chilly but beautiful day for skiing. After taking the hill down the River Access Road, I skied the Deer Creek Loop. Tracks were very nice, and the grooming was even better, especially for the hills and curves on the back side of the loop. I did push through the base or side of the track in a few places. I saw three other skiers while I was out, about three dozen swans in different locations on the loop, a couple red squirrels, a large hawk, and one deer for the Deer Creek Loop. Almost seemed to have lost my sunglasses if anyone decides to turn them in.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Skied most of the classic-only trails, and they were in excellent condition. Deep firm tracks with good kick given cold temps and fresh snow. A very few soft spots on the south end of the Deer Loop, a couple drifts in open areas, and some oak leaves. But this is a great place to classic ski in the cold. Extensive, mostly wooded trails and substantial portions of pine forest. I wanted to snap a few photos of the spectacular tracks, and the swans hunkered down on the river in the cold, but the phone's battery had other ideas.

(Sue Schroeder)

I had no problem staying warm in the late afternoon. Enjoyed the freshly groomed Dry Creek Trail, where I was well sheltered from the wind. Mostly the tracks were good. There were a handful of spots where the base of the track gave way, and a few places where the track was a little bit icy, I presume because of the liquid precipitation on the front end of the last storm. All in all, conditions were good to very good. Some oak leaves had blown into the tracks, but hopefully the strong winds will take them away too.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

What I thought would be a quick out and back on the Dry Creek Trail turned into a tour of a few trails as the conditions were too good to stop skiing. From Dry Creek I picked up the Pioneer Trail, then the north end of Deer Creek. I trudged up the hill by the Visitor Center, finishing on the Mitigwaki Loop. Trails on the first part of my ski were newly tracked and just slightly soft, but very nice.

(Kris Backlund)

Enjoyed freshly groomed trails on the River Access Road, Mondale River Trail, and Old Logging Trail. Shortened the route a bit by parking at the top of the road. Tracks were generally quite good. There are some spots on the River Trail where dirt or debris has worked its way to the surface, but nothing that necessitated stepping out of the track. Watched the full Wolf Moon rise above the St. Croix at the Nevers overlook.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Skied Deer Creek Loop, Mondale River Trail and the Old Logging Trail. Trails are well-groomed and track set is nice. Lots of wolf/coyote/fox and deer tracks on Deer Creek, but didn't actually see anything other than squirrels and swans.

Photos:

(Rita Minnichsoffer)

Classic ski on the Pioneer trail, Deer creek trail in the late afternoon. Trails were recently groomed for classic. The last snow we had over the weekend spruced up the trail conditions, quite nice.

Photos:

(John Grund)

Skied the Old logging trail, River trail and Mitigawi loop. The trail was freshly groomed this morning, after about 3-4 inches overnight of fresh powder made for pretty good conditions. Really nice day out. Not all trails had been groomed yet by about 3 in the afternoon, specifically the Deer Creek loop.

(Ben Mouw)