New snow has greatly improved conditions and covered much of the woody debris evident this weekend; but still occasional scattered leaves, etc. Some typical drifting on trail West of chalet. The longest, and arguably best skiing of the Metro venues, all on natural snow. I was the only skier there at noon.

Photos:

(Tom Berscheid)

Skied Hill, Island, Timber and Prairie. Very good coverage, hard skate deck with an occasional icy spot. Classic track is set. Occasional thin spots as well and lots of leaf debris, but overall pretty good. There were some frozen ruts on the downhills on Island and the drop into Timber. It was really good skiing, but I'd leave the good skis at home for now. Only area to be careful at is the turn out of Hill towards Island and Evergreen. The normal one-way section is currently 2-way and can get a little tight.

(Steve Hum)

Contrary to some reports, I found the trails to be in good to very good condition. I skated the entire perimeter except Evergreen. They must have had more snow than Cleary, Lake Elmo and Elm Creek because there was a consistent machine-set classic track. One skier I spoke to specifically about Island's conditions as I arrived said it was icy but not from what I could observe. Yes there were leaves on the trail but there were very little dirt spots and little ice. There was a rough ice spot at the bottom of the hill at the start of Timber but I did not have any trouble getting across it and sustaining a glide all the way across the causeway to the next hill. I used FastWax Blue LF. It was 23 degrees when I arrived and 19 degrees when I left.
My new Fishers freshly waxed did not give me the speed boost I hoped. They were slow on the drier snow but okay on the wetter sun-exposed portions of the trail.

(Keith Carlson)

After seeing the positive reviews of Baker, I headed out early afternoon to one of my favorite trail systems. Well, most was good and fun, but there were some problem areas besides the plethora of oak leaves. Some portions have gotten a bit icy and there are some ruts to beware of, especially at the bottom of the hills (which were fast!). And some mysterious small craters as you enter the Timber Trail. And, as pointed out, the 2-way trail before you get to the Island Trail isthmus has been extended up the hill, so you have to watch out for oncoming skiers as you come down the hill. I found Timber, Prairie and Fairway Trails to be the best. Point of interest: A seemingly new iced-over wetland near the picnic table about 4/5 of the way around Island Trail!

(Dave Carlson)

From what I could see, all trails were open. I did not do Evergreen (out on the golf course), but that might have been best for classic, even without it being tracked. Kudos to the groomers for setting track everywhere else--they really did a good job. Unfortunately, the leaf debris and some icing just made them not so great. I am a mediocre classic skier, and even I found the skate lane better for classic. The skate, though was pretty darn good, having done it all. Island has leaf debris, as usual, and a couple "holes" but nothing that really trips you up/you can't avoid. Same with Timber. Getting on to Timber was a little adventurous, though. Since the snow is relatively thin, sure: the skate lane isn't perfectly even, and there are some ruts here and there, but what can one expect this early with natural snow? Better than nothing! Getting to Island, and Prairie were probably the best sections.

(Andrea Ochmann)

Baker Park is fabulous, sure there's a few oak leaves and a couple of dirty spots and one little icy hill but the rest of it is fantastic and worth the drive! Even classic tracks are ready to go!

Photos:

(Jan Guenther, Gear West)

Rated fair but many great firm sections and well groomed. Be careful and slow in the right arcing hill that leads down into the access to island. They have oncoming traffic coming up the trail at the worst spot because the other side was flooded. Bottom of first hill bypass has some pockets at bottom and middle island trail also a tight run out. Glorious.

(Andy Larson)

Drove by at noon. Trails were closed, and parking lot was equally closed.

Photos:

(Andor Langski)