Today is the UAF groomer's final work day until next August when he will be back to prepare for our next winter season. Even with only 50% of the normal snow fall our groomer did a great job in the words of our UAF ski coach. I sure hope next year we have more snow and coming earlier in the fall. As we've seen this week, the trail system is in that shoulder period changing from winter skiing to summer multi use. We'll soon see biking, running, walking and even horseback riding on many of our trails. For those bringing pets on the trails, please remember to keep your animal on a leash and clean up and dispose of your pet's waste.

So enjoy the summer season's multiple trail uses. Thanks

Hooray for clean white snow! It is so nice out there and the trails are so smooth. Thanks for the grooming. I hope you'll be able to roll again tonight to smooth out our ruts and compact the snow a little more.

I'm hoping that classic tracks will be set, at least on Smith Lake, since these are the last days of the season it's a shame to not be able to classic ski too. Thanks for all the grooming for skate skiing.

Good afternoon The moose activity on the ski trails has been reported to the UAF Police. Signs are being placed at trail heads to advise all trail user groups to be aware that a moose is in the area. Please give the moose plenty of room if you come upon him. If for some reason a situation develops, please call 474-7721 for UAF Police.

Ooops. My number at the News-Miner is 459-7587 or my e-mail is tmowry@newsminer.com

If anyone who has been charged by the moose wants to give me a call, it might be worth a little blurb to notify the public. Has UAF public safety or ADF&G been called about it?

Watch out for the bull moose. He ran at me twice on Sunday on the T-field road. That could get worse as he gets bigger. I've heard from others that have been chased also. Somebody is going to get hurt.

The trails were great today!! Thanks Jason

I'm pleased to see that trails are still being groomed, especially since we are having some cooloer weather.

I agree with comment 134. Thanks, Jason. You have been doing a great job, especially this past week, when the conditions have really deteriorated.

Jason,

You have been doing a GREAT JOB keeping the trails in excellent shape this spring. In fact, the grooming quality improved all winter. Thanks very much and I look forward to a few more days of skiing this spring, as well as next winter on the UAF trails!

A response to message 131 One can park in the pull-off just past the experimental farm and then walk to Smith Lake. This is a nice flat area. You can take trails off of Smith Lake as you feel more comfortable and get tired of the flat skiing. The short connector from the east side of Smith Lake to the T-field road is hard packed and difficult to negotiate as a beginner but worth the effort. From that point on the T-field road you can go to the T-field or up toward the west ridge as you gain confidence. Hang in there. With each session of skiing you will get better and better.

Hope the Skiathon is a CLASSIC event as it has been since it's conception. Please!

Could someone share which trails are easiest and flat for a beginner? Thanks.

The gravel has been taken care of. Stadium has been groomed the upper T-field rd may still have some in the tracks.

Warning!! Someone has sprinkled generous amounts of "pea" gravel in the classic track in the stadium and on the steepest part of the downhill on the T filed road. This could cause a lethal injury.

I was pleased to see the results of grooming Estle on Tuesday.

Hope you can do the same for The T-field-Smith Lake Skate/single classic trail ( last groomed on March 11 and the track set on March 5th). It is in need of some corduroy. The classic track is obliterated near the T-field end and the skating trail is glare ice near the t-field end.

It would be nice is you would completely break up the snow and obliterate the track on the west end of the baseline trail and then reset the track.

I will discuss the issues with the groomer early this week to see the possibilities are. Signs are limited - we'd have to put up laminated ones on stakes for the remainder of the season -short as it seems now. NC manager.

Can the walking trail on Smith Lake PLEASE be marked with signs? It is so unpleasant to be told to get off the lake by skiers. Can a walking path be put in around the perimeter since there is so much space on the lake and it is such a nice place most of the time? It could go either inside or outside the groomed ski path. Thanks for your consideration.

Great job getting out and grooming Friday. The trails that you groomed are terrific and those pesky little ridges are starting to go away. It would be great if you could do some grooming over on the east side of the trails as well.

I agree that it is REALLY frustrating to see the fresh groomed corduroy walked on by disrespectful walkers. However, I don't think more signs will help. Sadly, walkers like this do not read or care. A friendly reminder given to anyone walking where they should only be skiing is about all we can do.

I was sad to see fresh footprints damaging the fresh grooming. Can't more signs be posted? Sure the walkers may ignore the signs but skiers will point the signs out to them.

In reference to comment #120, Birch Hill has been a bit warmer than UAF and therefore softer conditions. Tom Helmers made a comment about not grooming because he didn't want to expose more surface area of the snow to melting. Fairbanks is hosting USSA Distance Nationals the last week of March at Birch Hill. I imagine they are wanting to preserve the trails as much as possible for those races in case it continues to be warm, considering that we have had less than average snowfall. I found that the trails at UAF that were groomed on Friday were in wonderful condition and appreciated that they had been groomed.

Should trails be groomed when it so soft? The Birch Hill groomers are waiting until it cools down.

Is there any way to get the ridges that appear to be left by the roller evened out? Other than that I wish we had more snow to cover up the wind blown debris.

I have been pondering possible causes of tracks being partially obliterated less than 24 hours after they were set.

Could it be possible that the time of day trails are set affects the longevity of a track. Last year grooming seemed to be in the afternoons more often than morning. Fewer skiers traveled the freshly set trails before darkness, which allowed them to set up harder before carrying a lot of traffic.

Just an idea!

I cannot groom the western half of the Baseline with the same groomer as the eastern half. This summer we will be widening the western half so that the good groomer will fit all the way through. I did run the really small tracksetter through the western half recently but it doesn't do nearly as good of a job.

The classic track on Smith Lake yesterday (Thursday) was deep and nice most of the way around. I wish the skarland trail could have nice deep track like that.

The eastern half of the baseline trail is quite nice. The western half has not been set for a long time and is absolutely horrible. I hope you have a chance to finish grooming the baseline trail.

I ski both at UAF and Birch Hill sometimes at both places in the same day and nearly always am disappointed in the condition of the tracks at UAF compared with Birch Hill. UAF's tracks are shallow and usually soft and not well defined even though the tracks were set in the last 24 hours with no new snowfall. The tracks at Birch Hill are firm, deep and well defined. As I ski I ponder what makes the tracks at Birch Hill better and wonder if they have more appropriate equipment for Fairbanks conditions and/or more experience in knowing how to set a good track. I wonder if placing more weight (if possible) on the track setter would make firmer, deeper tracks. I do appreciate that the feedback is read and that many of the suggestions have been incorporated to improve the trail grooming. Although I don't skate nearly as frequently as I stride, I have been satified with the condition of the trails for skating most of the time.

I have been skiing here at the University since the early 70's and the grooming has gone from skiers skiing the tracks in through student employees doing the grooming and then the ski club and now back to the University. I feel the grooming now is only slightly better than when the students were doing it. Yes the trails are skiable, but they are not up to what the ski club used to do. I say bring the ski club back.

I ski almost every day and I am more than happy with the trail conditions. Most trails get groomed 1-2 times each week. The tracks do get beat up before they get reset. Other than that I think the trails are in good shape.

In the past I classic skied UAF several times each week. This year I can count my total number of outings there on two hands. My main reason is the lack of quality tracks on the Skarland and other classic trails. More frequent grooming deeper tracks would make it much better.

The classic track on the skarland trail is in serious need of work. It is shallow and smushed out to the sides and hasn't been redone for a long time.

The classic track disappears at the north end of Ballaine lake. I miss having those few yards of classic track from Ballaine lake north to the Reishus trail near the trailhead parking.

For the most part the ski trails are moderate to poor. I would encourage the groomer to observe the well prepared trails at birch hill. classic tracks at UAF are shallow, skate lanes soft. I am dissappointed every time.

This is one of the best years of grooming I've seen in quite awhile. It's good to see the innovation in trial setting. Thanks, Jason.

The tree on Midnight express has been taken care of. Thank you for posting it and letting us know.

Beware! A tree is down across the trail, right at head level on the second half of Midnight Express. It's on the fast downhill section parallel the T-Field trail, snuck up on me today and I nearly got clotheslined....

The turn around trail is classic only and starts at the top NE corner of the T-field and goes over to the trail to LARS.

What is the Turn Around Trail?

Thank you for grooming the baseline trail.

It would be wonderful to have the Skarland trail groomed between the north end of the Beaver Slide Trail and the north end of the Estle Connector!

Tonight the lights weren't on even when I was finishing around 6:30 p.m. Is there a possibility that the timer for the lights hasn't been reset since the Tuesday power outage? Thanks for checking.

Jason,

Thank you for grooming the beaver slide (my favorite trail), but I was wondering why you didn't continue grooming on the the trail connecting the beaver slide to the Estle connector? The ungroomed link is no narrower than the beaver slide and completes a nice little circuit route. Similarly, I've noticed that you haven't groomed the "classic only" trail that leaves from the west side of the t-field and connects up with the Skarland trail before ending on the wider T-field to Smith Lake connector. I realize that you've had a lot to groom after the several major snowfalls, but hope that you might be able to groom these trails if the weather remains cold and clear.

I've also noticed that the narrower drag makes a firmer pole line than does your wide (skate and classic combination) drag--so I really appreciate when you set both firm classical tracks and two firm pole lines.

Thank you for all your work. Grooming the UAF ski and walking trails requires a huge amount of effort and we appreciate your efforts.

The baseline trail needs attention.

The grooming is very good and website is a great resource. I was very fearful when UAF decided to take over grooming this year, but so far it has worked out well.

One comment, set tracks seem to be farther from the edge than in previous years; it is hard to not skate over them in some of the tight spots on the 6-mile loop.

Thanks for setting the track on the short steep hill on the 6 mile by the road to nowhere!

Hello, We just got 8" of fluffy snow. All trails have been packed at least once as of Thursday. Some tracks have been set, see conditions page to see which ones. All trails will need more packing and grooming. Most tracks should be set before this weekend.

The spreadsheet with the information about each trail on the Current Conditions page is a great addition to this website.

There has been a verification code entry feature added to this comment page to try and limit spam events. Following writing any comments here, enter the code shown in bold below this text box. Hope this helps. Thanks

The trails looked beautiful today and I appreciate efforts to groom the classic only trails.

I do have a couple other comments/suggestions: I have noticed that UAF classic tracks are much less firm than at Birch Hill where they are rock solid. Perhaps Jason could consult with one of the grooming gurus like Tom Helmers to see what their secret is to making fast hard classic tracks.

Many of the classic tracks end in odd places and I am wondering why as in years past they did not abruptly end. A good example is going up and coming down the T-Field hill at the north end.

Thanks for your hard work!

People can see what trails have been groomed recently on the link on the left, Trails Conditions then current conditions. Whenever a trail gets groomed the tracks get reset.

The trails looked beautiful today and I appreciate efforts to groom the classic only trails.

I do have a couple other comments/suggestions: I have noticed that UAF classic tracks are much less firm than at Birch Hill where they are rock solid. Perhaps Jason could consult with one of the grooming gurus like Tom Helmers to see what their secret is to making fast hard classic tracks.

Many of the classic tracks end in odd places and I am wondering why as in years past they did not abruptly end. A good example is going up and coming down the T-Field hill at the north end.

Thanks for your hard work!

Funny how Luke didn't complain when someone took a jab at me but then complains when I defend myself! If you have more general comment/camplaints/etc. people are free to use the Trails-L listserve but they won't be anonymous. Susan Todd set up the listserve to facilitate the free discussion of North Campus issues. Send me your email address and I will add you to the list. My email is ffsrj@uaf.edu

The trails looked beautiful today and I appreciate efforts to groom the classic only trails.

I do have a couple other comments/suggestions: I have noticed that UAF classic tracks are much less firm than at Birch Hill where they are rock solid. Perhaps Jason could consult with one of the grooming gurus like Tom Helmers to see what their secret is to making fast hard classic tracks.

Many of the classic tracks end in odd places and I am wondering why as in years past they did not abruptly end. A good example is going up and coming down the T-Field hill at the north end.

Thanks for your hard work!

great site, luke!

Thoroughly enjoyed skiing in the recently set classic tracks today. It's nice to have good tracks when the temperatures are below zero. Keep up the great work!

It is unfortunate that comments and opinions referencing individuals and groups are posted to this web site. It was my hope as NC manager to offer Users a place to post issues about trail conditions and grooming; not finger pointing. I also hope this space does not become a blogger's site and require a moderator's overview.

When was the last time classic tracks were set on any of the trails? If any of the trails have had classic tracks set recently, which ones?

Some history of the WWTL(Winter Walk to LARS) might help #28. It was me that first proposed the WWTL some 8 years ago. My suggestion was to use the CIGO road. Jack Townsend of USGS opposed people walking on the road and Susan Todd didnt like the idea of cutting more trees to make a 3rd clearing so she pulled the idea from the draft plan. With the latest planning effort for winter walking trails I again proposed using the CIGO road. The road is now under the GI and they opposed people walking on it thus we arrived at the current plan of cutting a new trail.

So there is 8 years of delay caused by USGS and the GI  who caused the delay last fall? Facility Services could have worked with interested parties early in the summer to arrive at the best alignment. They could have even worked with volunteers to get the brushing done. But instead they flagged a route late in the summer with no input from anyone! Nearly by accident I learned of the flagging and went and took a look. The issues I raised were accepted by the North Campus Committee and a better route flagged which is now ready to be cleared. I maintain it was FSs failure to work with interested parties that caused the delay.

I also point out that the informal WWTL has been available and used for 8 years. I was out there today and can see where people have walked up the power line, along the fence to the CIGO road and walked down the road. Anyone that wants to walk to LARS is free to do so.

Concerning comments #32 and 33 (and also 25 to some extent) and the response #34, I am not finding when classic tracks have been set/reset indicated on the Current Conditions pages. Whereas 6 trails are listed as having tracks set, it doesn't list when. I prefer to ski at UAF because of the location and terrain but this season often have found that the condition of the classic tracks is dissappointing and wished that I had gone to Birch Hill. I think there are many classic skiers like myself who prefer to ski at UAF because of the flatter terrain. I greatly appreciated all the Smith Lake classic tracks when there wasn't enough snow to set good tracks on all the trails, but now that there's more snow, let's have consistently good classic tracks on all the trails. Thanks.

I hope that classic tracks will be set/reset on all the groomed trails soon. Grooming the trails wider is nice, but please set the classic tracks on the flat part of the trail, not so far over that they are in the ditch or on a slope on the side of the trail. Thank you.

We have a narrower classic trail groomer on the way!!

I hope you can find some narrower equipment in order to set classic track on the baseline trail. It is heavily used, especially after warm spring days when the first part of the 6-mile trail ices up.

It is great to have the walking trails. I appreciate the absence of foot print holes on the ski trails.

For latest trail conditions go to Trail Conditions link on the left and click on UAF Trail Statistics. Classic tracks have been set on all trails except for the Skarland loop where it is discontinuous. There is less snow on that trail due to the big spruce trees and the tracksetter was going right down to the dirt.

It was fantastic to see the new inner loop on Smith Lake last week. In the past the UAF trails were great for all levels of classic skiing. It sure would be nice to see when and where the tracks are set. The Beaver Slide and other classic only trails are favorites. Thanks for keeping us informed.

This is a great website, but would appreciate more information as to when and where classic tracks have been set or reset. For example, do all groomed ski trails have classic tracks set on them? If, not which ones do? Keep up the good work on the trails and website.

To those wondering about a proposed walking trail route to the LARS that the NC manager laid out: A request was made by the UAF Trails Club, a campus club, to consider a possible route relocation that would have fewer crossings of existing ski trials and less impact on the physical and biological integrety of the NC lands. The NC subcommittee considered the issue and they decided to delay the cutting of the proposed walking trail, requesting a further review of possible routes. The current status is that another route will be laid out and reviewed by members of the of NC subcommittee before or during their next meeting on Dec 18, at noon. Hope this provides a clearer overview to comment #28. Remember, I would like to cut in the best walking trail the first time.

The new trail groomer is doing a great job--covering rocks with snow after the equipment sometimes kicks them up, making new loops in the T-field, combing the thin trails and making them skiable. As someone who uses the trails every day and notices what's been done, thank you!

I'm feeling uncomfortable with the comment from #28....

Stan- Wasn't that walking trail all set to be put in until you interfered and caused the delay?????

Has anyone been out on Smith Lake, Tfield, etc. since the "thaw" on Saturday? Birch Hill is pretty icy in spots; are UAF trails better? Thanks!

I will attempt to respond to comment 21. After years of discussion, public hearings, etc. a comprimise plan for expanded winter walking trails was approved. Parts of the plan have been constructed but the winter walk to LARS has not. Coming to agreement on the alignment has been difficult. Some suggested that the walkers simply use the CIGO road since it is cleared and plowed. The GI opposed this thus the plan to cut a new swath for the walking trail. The North Campus Committee directed the manager to try and establish the alignment between the ski trail and the road. But with winter darkness, Luke being out of town, etc. it does not look like it will get constructed until next summer. People have to keep in mind that the ski trails have taken some 80 years of effort to build. We are playing catch-up to bring the new walking trail sytem up to reasonable standards. We will get there!!

it's great to have this new website for checking trial grooming status. it would be great to have a trail report similar to Birch Hill: http://home.gci.net/%7Eblackspruce/TRAIL%20REPORT.htm the table format that indicates date last groomed for individual trails would be really nice. When I went out at noon today it appeared as though the road and the T-field had been groomed recently...but it hadn't been noted on the website. thanks for the great job!

well, it's snowing.... maybe i'll see ya'll out there saturday!!!! ENJOY

The trails are in quite nice shape for only having a 1-2 inch base and are in prime condition to receive a good dumping of snow. Well Done Jason! Keep up the good work and lets all start praying to the snow gods!

I agree with comment 19. UAF's public trails should be truly multiuse. Why should skiers have sole use of the trails all winter long, while walkers, snowshoers and everyone else gets kicked off the trails. Where is the walking trail to LARS?

trails are in great shape ...esp. considering the lack of snow. the new signs designating walking vs ski trails seem to be working well...I've seen walkers on the walking trails...and no new 'boot marks' on the section of ski trail I was on!

I am very disappointed to learn that the outdoor/overnight portion of the survival classes that have been conducted for researchers for the past two decades are no longer allowed to occur on north campus. The instructors and students always cleaned up after themselves and restored the site to its natural state. North campus provided a perfect environment for this life safety aspect for researchers, students and staff who conduct field work in Alaska. This appears to be an example of how the critical needs of researchers on north campus have been minimized. Although we have been offered an off-campus site, the convenience factor does not exist and has created other complications that will, no doubt, detract from the effectiveness of the classes. I would have hoped that research and recreation could co-exist and that both needs could be accommodated, however, this action clearly shows that has not been the case.

I dropped by the ski hut tonight to see if the deck had been cleared. I saw a few folks ski by, they all smiled and looked like they were having a great time. Jason is doing an outstanding job! The trail system is just going to get better and better. Well, if it ever snows again. :-)

I think it is great to have the groomed oval on the field accross for the SRC. Many skiers are taking advantage of it.

The fresh snow helped and glad to see the trails rolled with the nice rollers with built in comb. Good job. But I did get to pondering the lack of set tracks. Could tracks be set around Smith lake?

An issue we are dealing with is all the equipment is brand new so we of course we don't want to break it. I wish we had an old beater track sled. Sure the tracks would be two brown lines in places but with a little snowfall like we got Fri - Sat the tracks would be useable. Past user surveys have found majority of users are classic skiiers.

The revised walk around T-Field is a great improvement over the original alignment but I don't understand the comment about it going through the woods to Smith Lake. Not along the classic ski trail (thanks for rolling it)or the skate/classic trail I hope. Thanks for all your work.

Trails look great thus far... I have used them as both a skier and runner in the past week, and love having both options.

I do have concerns though regarding the walking trails where they cross the ski trails in two spots: at the bottom of the road just prior to the smith lake turnoff and estle, and then again at the top of the t-field. At both intersections the walkers are to cross the ski track at precisely the spot where skiers are going fastest through blind corners. I worry less about direct walker/skier collisions than I do nasty snow blemishes for skiers to deal with at high speed. Thanks.

Thank you all for the feedback. I check the feedback comments almost everyday. I tested the new groomer on the T-field road on Friday. With this new snow I should be able to set some classic tracks on the T-field road and field this coming week. Enjoy!!

Jason has done a great job on the trails with the snow that's fallen and the conditions of the trails before the snow fell. Unfortunately, even his signs hasn't kept runners/walkers from putting their deep footprints into the center of the skate lane. After Jason groomed today, someone had walked up the center of the Whizzy loop. Nonetheless, I still had a delightful ski and thank all involved in making the skiing as good as it is.

The trails are the best anyone could possibly ask for with such little snow. Nordic Ski Club couldn't have done any better grooming in these conditions. Keep up the good work UAF! Looking forward to a GREAT ski season!

For what snow he has to work with the ski trails are in great shape. Keep packing what we get and before you know it we'l have enough snow to set tracks and get on with our winter season. I too like the way trails are being groomed as wide as possible, unlike past years. Thanks for all you do! Go UAF!!

For this little snow itis impressive to see what the groomer has been able to do. Thank You!

Stan and others concerned The UAF Groomer has many to do items, one of which is measure the ice thickness. So when that is done on the water bodies the info will be updated on the " trail conditions" page and grooming will be done across the lakes. Thanks for the comment. Luke

Do you want me to measure ice thickness? The sunny North shore of Smith Lake is perhaps the weakest ice due to solar effect. That is where the grooming vehicle broke through years ago.

The grooming today looked great. I really like the effort of working to get the trails groomed as WIDE as possible. It is nice for skiers to pass without tripping up on ski tips!

If and when you groom the lake I'm hoping you continue with the wide lanes!!!

To answer Stan's questions: Comments were for all types of tracks on the trails, skis and foot traffic. I saw many attempts to skate ski and those herringbone marks were not all covered up on Monday's packing, plus classic stride tracks were over many sections. And, yes, there are walkers still out on the packed trails.

With the added snow today, Wed, there is a better chance to develop smoother packed trails. The lakes are not being driven on by our machines until we sample the ice thickness in the deeper areas. I've seen skiers going across the lakes, just as ice skaters were out on Smith Lake before we had a few inches of snow.

As with most trails, there is not enough snow yet to remove all the tracks. It well take a bit more snow cover.

Skier hear "tracks" and they see two parralel groves in the snow. Do you mean the people tracks? Might be more logical to say "Not enough snow to set tracks". What is the status of the lakes? Enough ice to groom? These low snow periods people will want to know when the lake will be groomed and tracks set. Thanks for all your work Luke

Is this site going to be maintained?