Pilot Knob

 Pilot Knob was fantastic again today. Jeff does a great job of grooming for a great trail. Get to Pilot Knob before the snow is gone, great conditions, great trail.

Pilot Knob State Park

 This area hasn't seen as much snow as the new snow belt through central Iowa has this year. 🙂 And it's great to see your areas thriving. I enjoy seeing pictures of other trails! So here's a picture of the road through Pilot Knob Saturday.  Fortunately we've got enough to play too!  I typically post about grooming at forestcityski.blogspot.com 

Happy skiing!

chichaqua bottoms

Classic tracks at their best! Fast and firm!

Brynes Park/Irv Warren

 Groomed this morning, best conditions we have had in my memory. Get out and enjoy the weekend!

CLEAR CREEK TRAIL - IOWA CITY

Excellent classical today. Between Ashton and Clear Creek the conditions were awesome for classic, skating and fat bikes!

Kent Park

 I skied classical at Kent Park yesterday and what a treat! The trails were in fantastic shape with well formed classic tracks and a wide smooth skate lane. It was about as perfect as I’ve ever skied on. Get out there if you can! 

Crow Creek Park

Trails were groomed at Crow Creek Park on Wednesday.  We have about 4 miles of skate lane and about 70% of that is tracked for classic skiing.  Very nice skiing conditions even with the hiker foot traffic. The tracks are some of the best I have have seen for CCP and they have firmed up the last couple days.  We'll be grooming later today to clean up the hiker foot traffic.  Note that CCP grooming is supported 100% by volunteers - time, money, blood, sweat, and tears. :-)  And we love doing it!

The City of Bettendorf also has groomed ski trails at Palmer Hills golf course.  They have a free XC ski clinic planned this weekend for today and tomorrow.  They have ski rentals, as well.  Here is a link to more info on the event.  https://sites.google.com/view/qc-nordic-ski-clinics

Morgan Creek Park

It just doesn't get any better - ever. Freshly groomed and both the skate lane and classic tracks are perfection. The walkers didn't get the message that it is a ski trail but they never do.

Brynes Park/Irv Warren

 Thanks again Waterloo Leisure Services, the trails are great! Classic track is just perfect and the skate trail has a lot of snow on it. It was soft today and got chopped up a bit, but with some packing of the trails this week they should be perfect by the weekend.

Crow Creek Park

Skied at Crow Creek Park again. Trail conditions are the same as yesterday- excellent. Pretty cold out there and I only saw a couple hardy souls. I stayed in the wooded area for protection from the wind. It’s amazing how quickly you can get your camera out, take the picture and put your camera away when it’s 3 degrees. 

Crow Creek Park

 Trail conditions at Crow Creek Park are excellent!  It was cold out there today, but very worth it.  The skate lane was firm and I think there is more groomed trail for skate then there was a couple weeks ago.  Lots of options to do loops with hills or stay on the flat.  The wooded area is my favorite area to ski in Crow Creek Park and there are a couple of loop options down there.  The classic tracks were in good shape as well.  I'm not sure, but I suspect the city of Bettendorf is supporting the grooming efforts at CCP.  Chapeau!

Irv Warren Golf Course – Waterloo

 Skied Irv Warren with my classical skis today and skated yesterday.   The classical tracks are in excellent shape – the best I have seen at Irv Warren.   The skate deck is very good too.   It has been a couple of days since grooming but the skate deck is holding up very well.

 A special thank you to Peter and Waterloo Leisure Services for grooming in this cold weather.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

 Re-posting from Waterloo Leisure Services web page.

Ski skating and classical tracks were groomed on 2/8/21 at 1:30pm.

Pilot Knob State Park

 Thoroughly enjoyed skiing at Pilot Knob today. Jeff does a wonderful job of grooming the road and down to the lake, which is one of the best if not the best place to ski in Iowa. Slow skiing because of the cold temps, but just a beautiful environment to spend time skiing. Thanks Jeff!

 Linn County Conservation cross-country ski trail update

Location	Miles	Date of Last Maintenance	Rolled	Groomed
Matsell Bridge Natural Area	5	2/05	✔	✔
Morgan Creek Park	3.8	2/05	✔	✔
Wanatee Park	3.5	2/01	✔	✔
Wickiup Hill Learning Center	3.3	2/05	✔	✔

Drifting snow currently is an issue along the trails.

More information about cross-country ski trails available at LinnCountyParks.com Look for the Cross-Country Ski Trail grooming button. 

KENT PARK

The trails at Kent Park today were a work of art. I guess it's our reward for surviving 2020!

Brynes Park/Irv Warren

 Conditions are as good as it gets! Thanks Waterloo Leisure Services to your commitment to provide freshly groomed trails. I have been skiing Brynes for years, with Mother Nature doing her part, these are the best conditions that I can remember. If you want to have a fun day skiing, I recommend you visit Brynes this winter.

Irv Warren Golf Course – Waterloo

 Irv Warren was re-groomed yesterday (2/1/2021).   The skiing is excellent for both skating and classical.    Enjoy before the next storm and the coming very cold weather.

 Linn County Conservation

Find the link to Cross-Country Ski trails at LinnCountyParks.com 

Location	Miles	Date of Last Maintenance	Rolled	Groomed
Matsell Bridge Natural Area	5	2/01	✔	✔
Morgan Creek Park	3.8	2/01	✔	✔
Wanatee Park	3.5	2/01	✔	✔
Wickiup Hill Learning Center	3.3	2/01	✔	✔

Morgan Creek Park trails are rerouted due to wetland construction on south side of the park.

Wickiup Hill Learning Center trails are groomed only on prairie side due to derecho damage.

Trails are no longer groomed at Pinicon Ridge Park.

Irv Warren Golf Course – Waterloo

 

The skiing conditions are excellent for both skating and classical.    The classical tracks are deep and well formed.   The skating deck has firmed up nicely.   Thanks to Peter at Waterloo Leisure Services for the great grooming this morning.

Ashton Cross Country Course

Regardless of your choice of snowsport, conditions at Ashton are awesome! Hopefully we make it through the weekend

Mines of Spain

 

Classic skied Thursday night under a full moon with temperatures in the mid-teens.  Tracks were deep and level.  Kick was very good with blue & Blue-green blend.  Skate deck looked a little soft.  Should still be very good Friday and Saturday. 

Crow Creek Park

 Beautiful sunny afternoon at Crow Creek Park. I got out there as the groomer was finishing up so the top layer was a little sugary, but overall the skate deck is in great shape. Saw some rough classic tracks. I wasn’t out very long so not sure if the classic track is better further in. More field work is planned.

KENT PARK

Skated, classiced and even ended with a little snowshoeing. Conditions do not get much better.

Brynes Park/Irv Warren

 Both classic tracks and skate deck were groomed today. Classic track looked like it was set nicely with plenty of snow...no bare spots for awhile. Skate trail was as expected with the amount of snow we received, soft and a little slower. Once again, the Waterloo Leisure Services and Peter have done a fantastic job of grooming. It shows by the amount of skiers out today.

 Linn County Conservation cross-country ski trail update (skate and classic tracks)

1/26: Matsell Bridge Natural Area - groomed

          Morgan Creek Park -  groomed

          Wickiup Hill Learning Center - groomed

updates when new maintenance occurs can be found at LinnCountyParks.com 

        

South Side River Trail & George Wyth - Waterloo/Cedar Falls

 Both the South Side River Trail and George Wyth paved recreational trail (excluding the closed section) have been groomed for classical skiing.   Good conditions except one spot in Hartman Reserve where foot traffic damaged the track.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

 Repost from the Waterloo Leisure Services Web Site;

Irv Warren Golf Course

Ski skating and classical tracks were both groomed on 1/25/21 at 9:00am.

 Linn County Conservation managed Cross-Country Ski Trails

1/24 update: Morgan Creek Park - regroomed (route detoured due to wetland construction this winter. Please follow signage.) classic tracks, skate track on edge.

1/24 update: Wickiup Hill Learning Center (prairie only) - rolled

1/22 update: Matsell Bridge Natural Area - groomed, classic tracks, skate track in center.

Brynes Park/Irv Warren

 Trails were very good today...expect the same for Sunday, should be a good day to ski.

Irv Warren Golf Course – Waterloo

 Irv Warren was groomed today for both skating and classical.    The conditions are excellent for both styles of skiing!  Kudos to Peter at Waterloo Leisure Services for setting a solid well defined classic track and breaking up the crust layer on the skate lane so that it is fast but yet with great control.    There are two bare spots on the classic track but those are easy to avoid.

 Linn County Conservation ski trails:   

1/21/20  Matsell Bridge Natural Area - re groomed (classic tracks each side, skate track in center) 

No updates to Morgan Creek Park, Wanatee Park, and Wickiup Hill Learning Center at this time.

No Iowa Winter Games in Cresco

 Re-posting from Prairie Spring's Facebook page, just in case:

"It is with regret that we have to inform you that the Iowa Winter Games Cross Country Ski Races to be held this Saturday, January 23, have been Canceled! This decision was not made lightly and has been wrestled with for quite some time. We look forward to seeing you next year, hopefully, with fewer health concerns and better ski conditions. Thanks to all who have been faithfully following this page for information on the the games. The skate deck is still good, but the classic tack is marginal. Many Iowa Winter Games events have been canceled because of COVID - we now join that list."

Brynes Park-Irv Warren

 Freshly groomed this morning, thanks Waterloo Leisure Services and Peter! Conditions were fantastic, fast and firmer than the last couple days. Looks like after today, we won't have to worry about the warm temps for a while. Should be a great weekend for skiing.

Jester Park

Skiing is limited at Jester. Golf course trails are closed. Plenty of snow in the woods but the base is hard and a little icy. The groomers have done an excellent job as usual but it is a little difficult to groom snow that comes down as slush. Hopefully we will get new snow soon.

Irv Warren Golf Course Waterloo

 Both the skating lane and classical track were re-groomed this morning.   There is good snow depth on the skating lane although it is a little soft.    The classical track is fairly good also with some bare spots as before.  Overall good skiing.

 

Note there is a new connector going from the small loop at the Trailhead to the large full course loop.   Instead of branching off the west side of the small loop the connection is on the southeast corner going towards the club house.   This is a good change as it avoids a gravel driveway and a ditch.   The overall trail length is still approximately 2.5 miles.   A trail map is attached.

Prairie Springs-Cresco

 Had a great afternoon skiing in Cresco. I thought there was plenty of snow and was freshly groomed when I skied. Both the classic and skate deck was just fun. A beautiful place to ski with just enough elevation change to get the heart rate moving.

Like everywhere, there are plenty of walkers and their dogs out, but highly recommend a trip to Cresco. 

South Side River Trail _ Cedar Falls/Waterloo

 Classical skied South Side River Trail in Cedar Falls this afternoon.   The track is fairly good and walkers for the most part are staying off the ski track.

6K Groomed Trails at Crow Creek Park, Bettendorf

With the snow last night we were able to groom trails for the first time this season.  We have a crusty 4" base with 1-2" of new snow.  Skate conditions are ideal.  Classic tracks were set, but are not very deep.  We expect to be skiing through the week.

Irv Warren/Brynes Park

 Groomed this morning. Out early for a good 90 minute ski, skate deck was in great shape. Thanks to Peter with the Waterloo Leisure Services. Doing a great job of grooming with what Mother Nature has provided us with.

Kent Park - Monday, January 11

Conditions still good at Kent Park. Some bare spots starting to poke through but 95% percent of the trails, both classic and skate, are in great shape. Some damage from the obligatory hikers that will be troublesome as temperatures warm but all trail systems in Iowa unfortunately seem to have that.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

 

The ski trail at Irv Warren was re-groomed this morning.   The skate deck and classic track are mostly in good condition.    Hurry and ski before the approaching warm temperatures does in the snow.

Big Woods decent for Classic

 I did something uncharacteristic and tried classic skiing in town. Started just behind Gateway, by road into compost facility. There are tracks from Gateway all the way around Big Woods. It's not bad--a few rough spots/grass, and of course, some road crossings, but a nice flat 4 mile loop all tracked.

Prairie's Edge, Cresco

 Hi friends,it's been great to see so many skiers at Irv Warren skating and classicking! Fun to get new skiers out there trying out the sport. 

I skied at Cresco today, and it is definitely thin, but still very skate-able. No tracks though for classic. Only loop not open is the high prairie (knocks off just one kilometer). Some areas are well covered, but on the bike trail your poles will definitely hit pavement, and it was dicey with some loose gravel on the campground loop (use rock skis unless you don't care about a scratch or two!). I enjoyed it though. Best trails I've found in Iowa. Hopefully we'll get a little more snow.

Irv Warren/Brynes Park

 Skate trail is holding up nicely, with classic tracks remain unchanged. Thanks Waterloo Leisure Services as you have provided a very good 11 day run of skiing. It looks like we might be in good shape for a few more days.

Irv Warren Golf Course – Waterloo

 Waterloo Leisure Services re-groomed the skating lane this morning.   Although the snow is thin in places the skating is good.

 

Some fresh snow was scratched into the classical track that helped to rejuvenate it.   There are several places where it has melted down to the grass but those spots can easily be avoided.

Irv Warren Golf Course - Waterloo

 The skate deck was re-groomed this morning and is in good shape.   The trail is very thin in places.  The groomer also scratched over the classical track which helped to fill some of the melted spots and left a little new snow all along the track helping to cover the glazed surface from yesterday’s warm up.

Linn County - County Parks

 The following note was posted on the Linn County Conservation website.    Unfortunately no information on the type of grooming or on the ski conditions.

Cross Country Ski Trails 

(This content is updated when there is new trail maintenance information)

1/5 update:

Matsell Bridge Natural Area - groomed

Morgan Creek Park - groomed

Wanatee Park - groomed

Wickiup Hill Learning Center (prairie only) - groomed

Chichauqua Bottoms

Awesome day on this trail! For those unfamiliar.............if you are looking for hills this is not for you. Classic only but very nice grooming. Some through the woods and some striaght stretches on the perimiter. If you dont mind traveling to Polk County go for it!

Irv Warren in good condition

 32 Degrees and freshly set! good conditions. Don't know why my video won't post.

Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mound WI

 Classic ski at Blue Mound today.  I got out there early.  The parking lot was full at noon when I left.  The classic tracks were firm and the snow had a lot of moisture in it, so the downhills were pretty fast.  I assume they will regroom early this week.  Lots of elevation change.  A great place to get some Birkie training in.

Mines of Spain - Dubuque

 As of Satirday, January 2, the classic track was really quite decent.  The skate deck was a bit on the soft side, but that made it easy to control your skis.

 Thanks Leisure Services...trails are in excellent shape through today. Hopefully, Mother Nature will keep the temperatures down.