What a difference a week makes! We inspected the South trails in the County Forest area and they are much drier now. Last week’s mud bogs are now dry trails with the odd wet patch, and the rest is in good shape. The Northern trails are great riding and hiking right now too, so come on out and enjoy.

We’d ask that you stay off the trails after heavy rains, and of course Southern Crossing, Quiet Pastures and Trail to the Summit are Winter-only and closed to riding.

-Kolapore Trail Guide

We inspected Paradise Highway, Marc’s Folly and Kolapore Church trails recently, and for the most part, they are dry enough to ride and hike. In places, our new mud grids will help you get over wet areas. There are a couple of other wet spots where dismounting would protect the trail more than riding through, but it’s generally good.

Update after inspecting County Forest- Still several areas with mud there that can be easily damaged, especially near intersections 11,2 and 4. Best to give this area another week or 2 to dry before riding or hiking.

It looks as though the ski season has come to an end. There is still deep snow in some sections but most of the trails are wet and muddy. At this point please avoid going on the trails while they dry out. It does significant damage to hike or bike early in the season in wet conditions. We will let you know! Thanks to all the volunteers who kept the trails clear through another great season. Remember to clean and summer wax your skis for the season. You will be glad you did. 

There is still snow on the trails in some areas.  Looking in at the County Forest entrance from the parking lot there is full coverage.  So, it might be possible to ski, although I think the quality of the skiing would be poor.  If you do come out to ski, it would be important to find the times when it is warm enough to soften the crust without turning to slush.  Someone left a pair of Fischer skis in the County Forest parking lot last Saturday.  They are still there, leaning up against the sign.  If they don't get picked up this weekend, we will put them away, and they can be picked up by contacting info@kolaporetrails.org  Kolapore Trail Guide

It's hard to estimate how much snow fell in the past 24 hours because there was a lot of drifting.  It is at least in the 15 - 20 cm range. I'm not sure what the skiing conditions will be like.  The underlying icy crust may be quite rough, because the ski tracks had melted down to reverse tracks - i.e., the old tracks were higher than the non packed snow.  There may be enough snow to remedy that problem.  In addition, before the snowfall there were some bare areas and wet patches.  Some of the old lanes in the County Forest should be quite skiable.  Kolapore Trail Guide

I didn't update the Saturday post - "Glazed trails" - because that continued to be the accurate description.  With the much warmer weather today, we are moving into spring skiing.  At noon today the Kolapore temperature was about +6.  This, combined with the strong sun, will soften the trails.  It might soften them enough that they will provide marginally acceptable conditions, without turning to slush.  Overnight they will likely freeze again.  (I'm not a fan of spring cross country skiing at Kolapore.)  FYI, I skied early this morning at Scenic Caves, and the freshly groomed trails were very enjoyable.  Kolapore Trail Guide  

With the mild temperatures and sunshine yesterday, the snow surface melted and is now refrozen.  The tracks will be icy.  I don't think skiing will be either enjoyable or safe.  I'm hoping for new snow.  Kolapore Trail Guide  

Skiing yesterday was great.  I think conditions will be good early this morning.  Unfortunately with the warming temperatures, by later morning the snow could start to become quite sticky.  If you do go out today, be sure to prep your skis with glider/skin treatment, etc.  Kolapore Trail Guide   

Kolapore received another 5+ cm of snow in the past 24 hours.  Skiing should be great today.  Get out and enjoy peak winter conditions before the warmer weather predicted for Friday.   Kolapore Trail Guide

Over the past 24 hours, Kolapore received somewhere between 15 to 20 cm of fresh powder.  Skiing should be great if you don't mind doing some trail breaking.  It's peak winter!  Kolapore Trail Guide