The weather has cooled the last few days and the area received an inch to an inch and a half of new snow. The groomed trails held up well during the warm rainy period of the last week and a half. The area was groomed today, but just the inner core trails and Skateaway were groomed and no track was set. The surface is currently too hard to effectively set track. The rest of the area was not groomed, because packing of the new snow on the surface below hardened by rain only made the runs faster. In addition, there was a incursion into the core area by a wood cutter. He drove just beyond the Panhandle Hut and turned around causing quite a mess and deep groves in the surface. A good deal of Pulaski and shovel work and grooming passes with the scarifying equipment corrected most of the problem, but it took many passes by the groomers. This took time from other trails they could have visited. In response to this incursion, we have turned closed the big green front gate. We apologize for this measure that makes the trail head less than welcoming, but with the hard undersurface and an open lane in, it is the only means to terminate any further incursions. Depending on snow conditions we may need to operate in this mode for the rest of the season or until deep soft snow again removes this treat to the trails. We will have a solution to this problem next season. Even though the gate is closed the trails beyond are groomed. We are expecting snow on the trails late Saturday so Sunday may provide great cross country ski conditions.
Snowshoeing on the area was little affected by the thaw. Those visiting the upper snowshoe trails report them in good snow depth condition with a few obstructions but none impassible

Hi, all!
On the schedule we have an outing to Farragut State Park next weekend. A short synopsis for your perusing:
Meet at Hayden Super One parking lot, east side, at 8:45am, if you wish to carpool out to the Park. We will leave at 9:00am to drive the short 20 minutes out to the Visitors Center parking lot in the park. If you do not want to carpool, just meet us there. You will need a parking pass; if you did not buy the annual pass, you can buy one at the Visitor Center that day($7 Idaho resident, $14 non-resident). This is NOT the Park and Ski pass, but a State Park Pass.
Depending on the conditions, we will break into groups and decide what we want to do. It is always best to go into the Visitors center and buy a current trail map ($1-2) as the trail system is tricky,and get a winter activity map. Often on the weekends the trails from the Visitor Center are crowded. I myself prefer the North Side Fat Bike trails that start from Thimbleberry parking lot, just a short half mile up the highway from  the Visitors Center. Those trails are multiple use for skis, snowshoes, bikes and dogs. Often there is not a groomed track at Thimbleberry; if that is important to your skiing, you will need to use the Visitor Center trails.
Now, about the conditions......Right now there is not enough snow for skiing, but the forecast holds out a little hope for fresh snow this week. So we will just have to wait and see. I usually bring my skis, snowshoes and walking cables, just so I'm ready for whatever. 
We will recreate for 2-3 hours and then, for those who are inclined, we can go down to Bayview and have a nice meal at the Captain's Table restaurant.
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Anyone else who would like to join, please contact me at: Nancy Lewis gnranc@gmail.com 208-451-4649

Thanks all,
See you out on the trail!!
Nancy L

When: February 17 - 19th Where: Palouse Divide Lodge off Highway 6 between Potlatch and St. Maries (milepost 23) Directions to the Palouse Divide Lodge, take 95 south turn left onto Hwy 6 go through Potlatch and stay on 6 for about 23 miles the lodge is on the right at the top of the pass. The Palouse Divide Nordic ski area borders the lodges property you do not need a Ski Park Permit when you park at the lodge. Cost: $95 per person per night for lodging, breakfast and dinner. Lunch is on your own in large activity room with a kitchen What to do: 20 miles of groomed xc- ski trails, snowshoe routes, just sitting around the lodge admiring the realistic animal mounts, quilts and historic winter transportation devices
​Sign up by Feb 7th

Pine Street woods is part of the Kanisku Land Trust project and is located 3.5 miles west of downtown Sandpoint. There are about 7 kilometers of trails the offer both snowshoe and groomed cross country ski trials. There about 4 K of ski trails that are mostly easy skiing.

I would rate the snowshoe trails as moderate to moderately hard. The area is fairly low elevation and snow conditions can deteriorate with warmer temperatures. I will provide snow conditions the week of the outing

We will meet at Super One parking lot in Hayden near the east side of the parking lot at 9AM. There will be a sign up sheet at the January club meeting.

Betty Schneider
​208-659-7426

Found on Fourth of July Ski Trails
A pair of Head Ski Gloves. These appear to be for a small hands perhaps a woman’s hands. Contact Geoff Harvey 208-762-1246

Round Lake State Park snow shoe hike Jan 14, 2023 1.8 mile loop considered easy level terrain. Meet @ Hayden Super One Parking lot 8:30 am Leader/Contact Don Garringer (donaldgarringer@gmail.com) phone 208-819-2778