I was out at Hickory Ridge on Tuesday for a lunchtime hike on the snowshoe trails. It was a beautiful day for a hike, downright warm in the sun, with lots of melting taking place on the South-facing slopes.

As far as the cross country ski trails, there has been no grooming for some time.  The base still looked fine, from my inspection.  The tracks looked well worn and shallow.  With continued warm weather and daytime highs in the 40’s, any attempts to groom will need to wait for colder weather or new snow.

Ross put in the time grooming, finishing in the middle of the night. The new snow was rolled and groomed with the Tidd-Tech multiple times, but the skate lane was not setting up well.  He says, it was Very squishy snow. Ross managed to set a very nice classic track, so that is his suggestion until the skate lane can be touched up on Wednesday. Also, Tram Lake was not groomed due to the difficulties with the snow conditions. And, Dog Island was just rolled, not groomed.

Today I skied at noon, as Ross and Dave finished the initial grooming at Hickory Ridge.  The snow was still somewhat soft after grooming, so Ross will return this evening for another pass on the skate trails as he sets the second classic track.

Keep those donations and memberships coming – - the Friends of Hickory Ridge appreciate the support.

Ross was out grooming on Saturday to refurbish the skate deck – - and it really needed it.  Skating should be fast and stable.  The classic tracks still looked good, so no changes were made.  Hickory Ridge is ready for your enjoyment!

Ross is already getting ready for the snow – - according to John Dee, we are in for major snowfall Monday thru Tuesday.  Stay tuned for trail updates early in the week.

Dave and Ross groomed the trail system on Monday afternoon.  Approximately 2 inches of fresh fluffy snow fell Monday evening.  Ross has plans to regroom the skate deck Tuesday evening.

The skiing should be wonderful this week at Hickory Ridge.

Thankfully the trails survived the warm up in weather last week and the rainy, slushy weather over the weekend.  The slush turned to snow on Sunday and dropped about 3 inches of heavy wet snow in Chippewa County.

A ski report on skinnyski.com said there were lots of branches, sticks and trees down.  I went to help Ross and Dave groom on Monday morning, not knowing what to expect.  I was on stick-n-flick snowmobile duties and led the way.  Ross and Dave followed, grooming side-by-side, resetting the classic track too.  The whole system was re groomed for skate and classic.  In my opinion the trails look immaculate and should firm up on Monday night.  I will be out on Tuesday to give them a try with skis.

I just received a report from Ross.  Groomers were out last night to scratch up the skate lane on the system.  The majority of the skate lane is still in very good to excellent condition.  The classic tracks are holding up well and are still in very good shape.  However due to some feedback about the challenging terrain on Dog Island, it was re-groomed for skating only.  After last night’s grooming, Dog Island is in very good shape.

Also, the cabin at Dog Island Lake is open and available for use as a warming house.  Please be respectful and enjoy!

NOTE: Dog Island is groomed for skating.  No classic track is groomed on Dog Island.

I was out early on Sunday morning, trying to beat the rush.  I heard about a record breaking number of skiers and snowshoers on Saturday.  The warm weather has not disturbed the trail whatsoever, conditions and coverage on the skate deck are still very, very good and the classic tracks are excellent.

I was on skinnyski.com, reading the good things that skiers are saying about the trails, especially the new Highland Lake and connector trail.  I ran into local skiers on the trails this morning, that had nothing but good things to say about the Highland Lake trail.  With the added ‘kilometers’ of trail, a trip to Hickory Ridge sure beats the amount of time spent driving to Hayward.  “You get more time on the trail and less behind the windshield.”  I have to agree.

The Friends of Hickory Ridge want you to share your thoughts on skiing, trail conditions, etc. And donate, donate, donate at the trailhead, without your support the grooming and trail maintenance cannot happen.

Dave and Ross had just finished grooming at noon on Friday.  The classic tracks were reset and the skate deck was touched up on most sections.  I was lucky enough to be the first to skate on the deck.  I hopped into the tracks, and they were super – - best yet this year!  The super snow conditions are still present, thanks to great grooming and overcast conditions, during this heat wave.  I can tell that the hills are shrinking out there, or possibly its my fitness coming around, either way, its a great testing ground before the Birkie.

Enjoy the weekend and ski Hickory Ridge.  Let us know what you think.

I wasn’t the only one with the idea of getting outside on Sunday.  I saw a handful of cars in the parking lot when I arrived.  All the trails were groomed to perfection.  I had a fabulous ski and saw some friends along the way.

Actually, I made a new friend on the North Loop, a slow moving porcupine.  When I arrived back at the lot, I saw a group of snowshoers and lots more skiers.  I counted 20 cars and lots of happy faces.

Thanks to all those that donated at the trailhead, the Friends of Hickory Ridge appreciate your support.

To all those who had a good time at Hickory Ridge this weekend – - We’d love to hear your comments!