October snow

Been a while since I've seen a decent October snowfall.
Perhaps a bit cold since we aren't used to the cooler temps but the outside is gorgeous!
Go play on your old rock skis, pick your poison, diagonal or skate.
Brett

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

Irv Warren was regroomed this morning for both skating and classical.   The skate deck is quite good and the classical track is fair but getting better with use.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

Skied Irv Warren this afternoon.   Good conditions for both skating and classical.

Prairie Springs Ski Trails - Cresco

Trails are groomed and conditions are great. We have over two feet on the ground. All trails are open (except Hill Trail) and in great condition. I know it's about the end of the season now that the Birkie is over, but if you have one last ski in you, excellent scenery and great trails await. Let the photos do the talking.

Prairie Springs Ski Trails Cresco 2-22

Ski trails are in excellent shape and have been groomed for classic and skate skiers. It is absolutely beautiful on the trails so get out and enjoy them before the next mess hits with rain, freezing rain, etc. Several people out enjoying the trails while I was grooming today. Skiers from Polk, Poweshiek, Fayette and Howard counties on the trails yesterday.

Prarie Springs

Skied the entire trail system at Prarie Springs in Cresco today. I've said it before and will repeat - Cresco has the "go to" cross country trail system in Iowa. If the trails can be groomed they will be groomed and it will be done well thanks to the efforts of Mark. The terrain varies providing something for every skier and the scenery along the Turkey River is beautiful. If you snowshoe bring them along because they have a groomed system of trails for snowshoers as well.

Linn County Conservation Ski Trails

Cross-Country ski trail update as of 02/21 at 0927 am

-Wickiup Hill and Morgan Creek are being rolled and groomed right now.

-Matsell Bridge Natural Area was completed on 02/21. Pinicon Ridge will be done later this afternoon and equipment will be transferred to Squaw Creek.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

Just came off Irv Warren Golf Course.   Excellent grooming for both skate and classical.   Get out and enjoy before the next round of snow.

Linn County Conservation Cross-Country ski trail update as of 02/19

Wickiup Hill is rolled and groomed - Ranger and other skiers reported conditions are beautiful!

Morgan Creek Park is rolled and groomed. Ranger gave that trail a C+, not ideal.

Trails were groomed at Crow Creek Park this morning.  We have about 5K of trails with skate lane and classic tracks.  There are a few areas that have ice under the snow from last week's melt off.  This is mostly in lower lying areas and at the bases of hills.  Skiing should be good for the next couple days until the next snow.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

Skied Irv Warren this AM before warm up.   Skate deck was soft but still relatively good skiing.    They had packed for skating yesterday and were out again today grooming for both skating and classical.   Classical tracked looked relatively good, although there were a few places where the tracks went down to the grass.

George Wyth - Cedar Falls

Skied the classical track from George Wyth to downtown Cedar Falls on 2/14. It's a long way from the glory days of a 10ft. wide skate lane bordered on each side with perfect classic tracks, but the groomed classic track that is there was firm and provided some great skiing. Kudos to the volunteers who did the grooming!

South Side River Trail / George Wyth State Park - Cedar Falls/Waterloo

Skied the South Side River Trail from Pfeiffer Park to 218 bridge this afternoon.   Classical track only, no skating.   Track is in very good condition and relatively solid even with the 7" snow in the last two days.   

Briefly crossed over into George Wyth State Park - appears to be the same conditions there (classical only).

Linn County Conservation Ski Trail Update

Cross Country Ski Grooming Update  2/13/2019 

Matsell Bridge and Morgan Creek are done. 

Pinicon Ridge and Wickiup Hill Learning Center will be completed 02/14/2019. 

Squaw Creek Park will be done once equipment from Pinicon Ridge can be transferred to them. 

Thanks! 

Winter Carnival Today in Bettendorf

Trails were groomed last night for the Carnival event at Palmer Hills Golf Course.  The clubhouse will be open from 9-3 with ski rentals and food from The Grill.  We have some volunteers doing lessons and also providing waxing tip's from 10-1.

Skiing conditions are excellent with  5" of snow on Thursday.

Crow Creek Park has also been groomed.  Both locations have a skate lane and classic tracks.

Southside River Trail

My wife skied from Pfeiffer Park to 218 Bridge on the Southside River Trail.   That trail has been groomed for classical skiing.   The conditions were a little soft but overall good skiing.  Kudos to CVAST for grooming the trails!   CVAST plans to groom on the trail through George Wyth State Park as well so that trail is likely to be in the same condition.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

Irv Warren was groomed for skating and classical earlier today.   Conditions are good for both skating and classical.   The skate desk is a little soft.   Classical tracks looked good other then a couple of locations where grass was sticking through.    Overall trail length is approximately 2.5 mi. 

Linn County Parks Grooming Schedule

Cross-Country Ski trail updates:

Latest grooming schedule (weather and snow conditions permitting)   

Matsell Bridge Park               Feb 1

Morgan Creek Park                Feb 1

Pinicon Ridge Park                Feb 1

Squaw Creek Park                  completed by 1pm Jan 29

Wickiup Hill Learning Center  completed by 1pm   Jan 29

With the dangerous conditions, we remind everyone that they ski at their own risk. Make sure if you go out, you tell someone where you are going and what time you will be done.

Trails at Crow Creek Park were refreshed tonight.  We have 5K groomed with skate lane and tracks.  We have an amazing amount of snow that is ready to ski.

Iowa Winter Games - Trails Ready for Saturday - January 26

Trails were groomed this afternoon.  I did set a classic track; it is very good in some spots and marginal in others.  The skate deck is good to excellent.  Things are ready to go! https://www.facebook.com/skicresco/

Iowa Winter Games Are On! - Prairie Springs Trails - Cresco, IA

We will have the races this year.  We received over a foot of snow last Friday and another inch since.  Skate lanes should be excellent.  Classic track may be hit-and-miss depending on the depth of snow after today's blizzard event.  Will groom for the races tomorrow afternoon so trail will be closed after 2 pm.

Here's the schedule:

9 AM -   Registration Prairie's Edge Nature Center, Howard County Conservation
10 AM - 8K Classical Race
2 PM    - 10K Freestyle Race

To get directions on Google Maps use the following address:

Howard County Conservation Valley Ave. Cresco, IA 

Check our Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/skicresco/

Linn County Conservation Trails

Trails at Wickiup Hill and Matsell Bridge have been groomed. Hoping to get Squaw Creek done once transfer of equipment between parks is complete.
Thanks!

Trails were groomed again today at Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf.  Two recent snow storms have created ideal ski conditions.  We currently have approximately 5K of trails with both skate lane and classic tracks.  We expect to be skiing for at least another week.

Update on Wickiup Hill back trails

Due to a large wetland enhancement project starting soon, the Yellow Lines will not be groomed at Wickiup Hill this year. Here is a map of the back area that will be groomed when possible.