The Park reported flat packing with no track set, so skated Pioneer, Deer Creek, and Dry Creek. A rough, icy base, but just enough new snow on top to make it manageable. I had to shorten my stride and use a lot of pole for balance with the rough conditions, but couldn't pass on above freezing temps in January. There were a lot of what I thought were wolf tracks using the Deer Creek trail, then got a good look at one as it ran across the trail in front of me through the grass on the very north end! Abut 30 swans on Deer Creek, and a few more on the river downstream of the shelter.

(Bryan Lueth)

Today's route was nearly 7 miles: Dry Creek, northeast portion of Pioneer, north end of Deer Creek Loop, Walter F. Mondale River Trail, River Terrace Loop with a single track set, Old Logging Trail, finishing on the paved portion of the Mitigwaki Loop. Overall, pretty good conditions, and a really nice day for skiing. Wooded trails were definitely the best. Some spots had overlapping ski tracks from different grooming passes, which sometimes made it hard to follow the track. The track on the River Terrace Loop was variable due to an overly packed base from hiking and snowshoe traffic. There were a few areas with exposed dirt, which were easy to get around. Just a single swan near Nevers, and two swans flying overhead. Great to see the sun today!

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(Kris Backlund)

Waxless classics on Deer Creek loop starting from the trail center. Overall very good track, some occasional dirt, especially under the pines by the shelter. Parking lot was nearly full, but didn't encounter many others except some congestion on the hill. Over 50 swans on Deer Creek, and deer along the river.

(Bryan Lueth)

The trails were groomed well in most areas. There were areas where the classic tracks were not set however it was a pleasant ski.

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(Tanya Piatz-Sandberg)

I skied the Dry Creek Trail for a second day in a row, and a portion of the Pioneer Loop. These trails were regroomed between yesterday and today. Conditions were good throughout, with scattered areas that had a bit of dirt or leaf litter. Easy enough to get around. Heard swans from the Pioneer, presumably in the Deer Creek backwaters.

(Kris Backlund)

Skied Mitigwaki to Old Logging Road, then to the northern apex of Trillium -- did an out-and-back rather than deal with the foot traffic down along the river trail. The groomer didn't appear to go up Sunrise, but skied-in tracks were set. Overall, grooming was very good in the woods, but pole plants would hit asphalt on the paved trails. Amador Prairie Trail immediately north of the trail center was rolled but appeared too shallow to set tracks -- groomer hit bare dirt (gopher mounds) and gravel on the trail. Nice day to be out and a lot of skiers, snowshoers, and picnickers took advantage of the beautiful conditions.

(Gerard Haines)

Lot of people are coming to the State Parks and I think that drives them to keep up with grooming (not complaining!); I met one around 10am by the Old Nevers Dam site. They must have done the whole park because all trails were in excellent shape except the Amador Prairie but that is tough as always. I did the Old Logging - River Trail - Deer Creek - Pioneer Trail loop and then the Armador - Trillium-Old Logging around noon. I haven't seen Mitigwaki groomed triple lane before but good idea with all the people on the trail system.

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(Karoly Horvath)

Good to very good skiing on the Deer Creek Loop. A few places where one track was higher than the other due to the dishing of the horse trail base. At least two dozen swans in the northern reaches of the Deer Creek backwaters. You can tell the trails are getting used, but tracks are mostly holding up well.

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(Kris Backlund)

Skied Mitigwaki to Amiks pond to River trail to Nevers Dam and Amador Prairie trails. Good to very good classic tracks. Pretty busy but had the River trail to myself. Some of the Amador Prairie trail lacked a classic track.

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(Wayne Nelson)

Really lovely conditions at Wild River today. Great coverage - only a few dirt spots. No wind, clear sky and great temps made for a really good day of classic skiing. While there were others skiing here, it was not crowded. Several swans were seen along the river. A great start to 2021.

(Chip Treen)