Woodpecker/Squire is challenging, but features a soft, semi-speedy powder on a bulk of the system. Foot traffic was limited to 2 rangers as of yesterday afternoon. Some spots are completely wind-blasted ice, so keep your eyes peeled. It might be best to go with metal-edged skis only at this point. However, the trail can be done.
The hill between the corps tower and the visitor's center at the rez is completely wind-scoured ice, so if you were going to go out there to practice your telemark skillz on the last 2 inches, forget about it until we get another 2 inches that falls straight, not sideways. If you want to practice your crud-busting, go for it.
Turkey Creek disc golf course is in surprisingly good form. Sheltered from the wind, this area offers all the snow that fell in the last two days. Eighty percent of it is soft snow on top of a bulletproof ice base. There's no trail per se, however you can follow the golf holes (look out for steep drainages that end in creeks wider than a ski is long) or just make it a free-for-all.
MNRA is ungroomed and the blue trails are in great shape for BC users. Even skinnier BC-type skis, cruisers, or elf-toe skis could probably navigate well as the formerly groomed snow made a bulletproof ice base for the new stuff, which was not too thick. The drifts have been busted by fat skis. Some scoured sections are bare ice, so be careful charging around the corners if you don't have edges. Very little foot and ski traffic as of this afternoon (2 men, 2 dogs, 3 skiers, 1 turkey). The normally ungroomed trail from down the road to the back wolf campsites and pole barn is spicy: be prepared for speed, lumps, and a creek crossing over a small log. For this trail, bring metal edges and some heft underfoot.
Might as well take what they give us. Happy skiing everybody, and pray for snow!
