Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club

A bit of snow left at Mt Itasca. Nothing to ski bet a remnant of a long winter. Will be back in about 6 months.
(Joe Muller)

Logging road was gated so skied from there. Someone had broken trail yesterday on the approach and around the outer loop of the Alder Pond trail group. It looked like they'd gone over to the South trails, as well, though I didn't ski that. It was pretty nice, overall. There are numerous shallow micro-streams that were easy to sidestep across and a few larger areas I had to skirt. There's one swampy area about 30 yds across that is on the west segment of the Spruce trail. I don't recommend crossing this. Go around the area. I followed the tracks across and the last slushy spot was deeper than I expected, my ski tips submerged under the snow covered slush on the exit side, an ugly thrash ensued, and water overtopped one of my boots. Fortunately with the moderate outside temperature, I was able to ski on and not stop to build a drying fire.
(Brad Bensen)

Somewhat like backcountry skiing. Decent snow cover almost everywhere, but a little thin in spots. Was able to avoid the debris pretty well. On the paved trail sections, you'll want to take care your skis stay flat to avoid slicing an edge down to the blacktop. My old non-waxable, non-sintered base skis worked well in these conditions.
(Brad Bensen)

A bullet proof base and an inch plus of powder made for fun skating conditions. Even got to try telemark turns down the big hills. Any classic ski would work in these conditions too. Recent grooming was restricted to Snag and Lake Loops, but a few of those laps make for a good workout.
(Jeff Pesta)

There's still a pretty solid track intact. The Amen Lake loops are holding up a little better than the South Suomi network. Feet (plural) of snow on the forest floor. After the afternoon thaw it was very enjoyable to stride the hills in slow motion as Mother Nature intended.
(Jeff Pesta)

Skied midday. There were usable tracks everywhere except a couple short sections. My old extruded base non-waxable skis provided decent glide in the mid 30sF and granulated snow conditions.
(Brad Bensen)

Blackwater was groomed on Thursday since winter won't end!
(Stephanie Kessler)

Portage was groomed on Wednesday. Winter won't end!
(Stephanie Kessler)

Packed and set track on south suomi trails. Didn't do the connecting trail to orange lake road. Got stuck at the bottom of the mean hill, use caution when coming down.
(Randy zupan)

Skied Doan Lake trail (left loop). High drifts on lake section, boot prints and chevron steps roughed up hill tracks. Icy, sticky depending on sun exposure. Always a beautiful day on skis.
(Jane Moore)

The snow was wet and heavy when I was out. There are no bare spots. The track varies from shallow to nice and deep due to how the snow compacted.
(Alan Dettmer)

Prelude loops groomed and tracks set. Snow conditions were perfect midday where I had been skiing north of Marcell. I was too tired to ski again at Blueberry, but grooming looked good.
(Catherine McLynn)

County groomed and set tracks. Clearwater Creek likely to be open and flowing, Very pretty against backdrop of snow covered banks.
(Catherine McLynn)

County packed only part of the system, no new track setting due to warm temps.
(Catherine McLynn)

DNR alert: Groomer broke down on the trail Thursday and was retrieved with a skid steer damaging north loop 1 from Danson Road parking lot to south loop 2. Boomer Blue, Loop 3 and north loop 2 to the shelter were fully packed and tracked on Thursday and are in great condition.
(Catherine McLynn)

No logging quite yet other than old E/W road just south of parking lot pushed in up to loop #2. Skied entire system on excellently groomed three loops. The Sherry Lake Loop goes through two very special groups of old growth white pine and upland white cedars. Sadly, no moose tracks this time for first time in twenty years. Cross my fingers that this logging cut doesn't wipe out Stoney Ridge Loop forest. There was a DNR Fire Tower near ski trail/ logging road intersection fifteen to fifty years ago. I got in the tower forty years ago, what a view!
(Neil Gardner)

Good, hard tracks for classical. I was skate skiing today. There's been no grooming for 1.5 weeks but for classic, you'll be fine. Skate skiing us only in the middle where snowshoeing and dogs are allowed. A bit mushy and slow going.
(Neva Kueffer)