I stayed almost exclusively on the re-groomed trail sections, including the Mitigwaki Loop and Old Logging Trail. The paved base portion of the Mitigwaki was the best of the two trails. Old Logging was mostly good, but there are a few places along the way that get more sun exposure, and those spots were just slightly icy. In some locations on these trails, there was a third, old track. I stepped into that to avoid oncoming skiers, and that was definitely more icy. The track running down the boat landing hill was still pretty good, but fresh grooming there would be nice. Fair to good overall in the locations I skied. Happy Trails!

(Kris Backlund)

Trails were more icy today, especially on the southern side of the Mitigwaki Loop. Skiing is still better on the sections along the paved base. Tracks are getting more washed out in places, and still no evidence of new grooming this week. There is more leaf and bark litter as well. I would rate the paved base portions fair or a little better, and the other areas fair to poor, with increasing ice and base thinning.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I was concerned how low 40s would impact conditions, but found the trails to be in decent shape, despite heavy use last weekend with the candlelight event. Without any new grooming yet, the paved base portions were definitely the best. A nice run down the boat landing road, but icy in the flat section at the bottom with the marsh on either side. Trails north along the river were also more thin and not as good, skiable but fair in that section. Scared up a beaver and got a tail slap near the outlet of Spring Creek.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

The Deer Creek Loop was in very good condition on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Tracks were in great shape. Even the stretches under the pines had very little ice. Good coverage throughout. I actually saw a deer on the Deer Creek trail! I only saw a couple other skiers. Trails are holding up nicely with the cool temperatures.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Trails that were groomed were near perfect for classic. Overnight, the crunchy snow set up well. No glazing. They did have a candlelight event Saturday night so the tracks involved may be worn down a bit. Go down to the trails near St. Croix River Trails and watch for eagles. Also watch for Kingfishers in the beaver pond. Amazing. Minimal bark and leaves in trail, easy to avoid.

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(Beth Robelia)

I skied the Dry Creek Trail and a portion of the Pioneer Trail. These trails were clearly tracked prior to Tuesday night's light snowfall, so that provided a silky surface in the tracks. Didn't care for double tracks on the steepest hill on this trail, which also has a curve at the bottom. Tracks were more sketchy on the open section of the Pioneer Loop, but better in the woods. Fair to good conditions overall.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I headed out on the freshly groomed Amador Prairie trail today. I took the east side of the loop which is typically better than the west. The single track along this stretch was mainly fair, and the base of the track had a crushed snow/ice mix. As I headed east toward the river on the Nevers Dam Link, I found double tracks that were in better condition. I finished my ski on the Old Logging Trail. With a little bit of overnight snow in the tracks, it was like skiing on silk. Good conditions here, and a nice ski.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I encountered a combination of skied-in tracks and freshly groomed track on a cold, quick ski Sunday afternoon. A couple inches or so of fresh snow improved conditions noticeably. I would rate the trails fair or better in the woods. Snow is thin in places along the river, and I kept my pole plants at an angle on the paved base portion so they weren't hitting quite as hard. Found a large group of swans by the Nevers Dam site overlook.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I skied both Tuesday and Wednesday, and the trails clearly were impacted negatively by the very warm weather last Friday. But the tracks on the trail portions with a paved base (Mitigwaki and Old Logging) were at least skiable. Elsewhere the tracks were really icy Tuesday, as were other parts of the trail. However, by the time I skied yesterday, other trails (south side of Mitigwaki, River etc.) had been worked on so there was a much more skiable ground snow surface. There weren't any tracks other than on the paved base trails, but it was a definite improvement. Even the light dusting of snow Tuesday night added more grip to the existing tracks. I would say the trails I skied were getting closer to fair. I'm sure trails in the open are in poor condition.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Tracks were still pretty well formed, but on the slick side. I stayed on the summer bike trail portions (Mitigwaki, Old Logging) and skied a couple miles. With temps reaching well into the 40s, conditions are not what they were earlier in the week, but at least the wooded trails are still skiable with adequate coverage. The wind has brought some leaves into the tracks, which I could mostly step over. Hoping for more snow!

(Kris Backlund)