Although Kolapore had two good snowfalls in November, the warm spells and rain have eliminated all the snow.  It is disgustingly green!  Conditions on the trails are quite damp - we need a good freeze to make the trails skiable.  Trails at the east end of the County Forest (east of intersections 5 and 11) will be closed for at least the first part of this winter due to logging.  This isn't a theoretical possibility - the logging has started.  Don't think of coming in from Entrance E (at Grey Road 2) - the trails will be a mess.
Once again this winter, I will be doing regular postings of trail conditions.
Kolapore Trail Guide

There is still snow at Kolapore, although the depth varies considerably.  In flatter areas in the forest there is still 30 to 40 cm of snow.  On south facing slopes or in open areas, snow cover can be very thin.  The snow consists of a solid base plus about 5 cm of  powder.  Although not everyone will agree, I think the best skiing today was off track - the crust is so solid that you don't break through, and there is enough new snow to soften it and give some control.  In open forest, it was possible to ski anywhere.  The condition of the track is variable - in some areas it is quite rutted, and we are starting to get reverse tracks (i.e., the compacted tracks are melting more slowly than the adjacent snow, and may be higher.)    Given the weather forecast, today may have been the last day of decent skiing (I'm not a fan of skiing on slush).   Let's hope we have a decent winter next year.  If you haven't already done so, please consider joining the Kolapore Wilderness Trails Association. The first annual meeting of the Association is on Saturday May 5 at 10 AM in the Ravenna Hall.
Kolapore Trail Guide
  

Kolapore has received about 15 cm of snow in the last 36 hours, so the skiing should be good today, with a few cautions.  The snow fell on top of slushy snow, and the slush is still there in some cases.  Be sure to take a good scraper when you ski, since there is a chance that you may ice up periodically.   The winds yesterday brought down a lot of branches, and you will need to exercise caution.  Where possible, please help other skiers by removing branches that you encounter.  If you come across a big tree down that requires a saw or chain saw please post a note here or send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org
Kolapore Trail Guide       

The Kolapore parking lot has been plowed since the last post.  However, today is probably a good day to stay at home.  The high winds are bringing numerous branches down, and driving is not advisable.  As I write this at 11:15, the temperature is -1 and there is probably about 3 cm on top of the slush resulting from last night's rain, and it is still snowing.  We will need more new snow to make the trails enjoyable.  When you are able to get out on the trails, be prepared to encounter branches or even downed trees.  Help make the trails safe by removing branches where possible.     

There have been some challenges with the plowing (lack thereof) of the Kolapore parking lot recently.  This lot is normally plowed as a public service by Grey County.  For some unknown reason it was not plowed this past weekend, when we probably had the heaviest snowfall of the winter.  It was still not plowed when I went by on Tuesday, although enough brave souls had bashed there way in that most vehicles would now be able to get in.   We will be following up on this issue.  When this type of problem arises it is possible to park on the roadside at Metcalfe Rock and pick up the Kolapore trails there. 
Kolapore Trail Guide

As I write this at 9:15 (don't believe the time stamp), there has been about 20 cm of new snow since early Friday, and it is snowing hard.  Environment Canada is suggesting we could get another 10 to 15 cm.  Skiing should be great.  In the short term parking may be a consideration - the Kolapore parking lot may or may not be plowed.  The town plow has plowed the Townline, so roadside parking is available at Entrance E.

Kolapore has received about 5 cm of snow overnight and today, and there is a blizzard as I write this posting at 12:30.  There is a crust under the new snow, but if we get as much as is predicted, there should be good skiing this weekend.   I was delighted to see that someone else did a posting last weekend - please follow their lead.  (I didn't do a posting because I was away cross-country skiing in the Laurentians and in the Quebec City area.  Quebec has so many fabulous trails, and many areas have good snow conditions.  There is a metre+ of snow a short drive north of Quebec City.)   Kolapore Trail Guide  

Beautiful day in the County Forest this past Saturday.  Soft snowfall most of the morning, but warm temps made us wonder about our "no wax" skis.  36 cm on the gauge at stn.11.  Great to see John's Portage Open again! Hemlocks snow-loaded like a Lawren Harris painting!

Kolapore had 15cm+ of snow overnight.  The snow gauge is up to 40 cm, which is the highest it has been all season.  Skiing was generally very good, although you will still hit the occasional rock.  Enjoy it while it lasts!

As you can see in the previous post, Kolapore has about 4 cm of new snow.  The Scenic Caves website this morning claimed that they had 12 cm of new snow, so several Kolapore Trail Guides went there to check it out.  Yes, they did have the 12 cm, and skiing was excellent.   (Skiing at Scenic Caves is relatively expensive - $18.50 on weekends.  Two for one passes are available on page 17 of the 2011- 2012 Winter Guide published by the Ontario Snow Resorts Association.  Copies of the Guide are available in the Georgian Triangle Tourist Information Centre in Collingwood.)  We are hoping that the potential squalls will improve Kolapore conditions in the near future. 

Kolapore Trail Guide