Upper Loop trails are good today, softer snow with warm temps. Classic with fish scales, and skating. A few spots where edges have melted out, but trails are firm enough, not punchy. Getting to the UL is tougher as much of lower mountain is melted off. You can hike in ski boots fine but hiking boots or extra toughs would also be fine.
Groomed this morning. 45 degrees and melting fast. The first 1 1/2 k (1 mile) is ice. But after the landslide the skiing is pretty good. Just a lot of walking to get there. Bring grippers.
Del groomed Montana Cr for skate. Excellent skiing above landslide. Bare pavement and ice to just above Montana Cr bridge.
Al Clough graciously donated a shelter for the upper loop. He and Scott successfully installed it this morning. Skiers can now get out of the elements to wax skis, switch gear/clothing, have a snack or just take a break. Thanks, Al!
Still good snow on Montana Ck. with more than adequate cover above the first turn upstream of the bridge. Groomed out nicely for skate with existing track left for classic. Skate in place from about slide area up to the end. Sunny and blue skies out there as of about 10AM.
I finally got around to setting the kilometer markers on the Montana Creek trail this morning. I started measuring from just inside the gate, even though you can’t put your skis on until the first hill. The trail still measures about 3.2 kilometers one way. Very pleasant classic and skate skiing this morning despite the rain that started just before noon.
Any word on Upper Loop today?