On Saturday, Dec. 26, Michael Arndt and Sam Beard “skied” the Ellis Trailhead-Crest-Kiwanis Meadow Loop on very hard packed snow trails.

After getting no traction on lower Switchback Trail, we put on skins that we used for the remainder of the outing. We did not see anyone else skiing.

Here are the conditions that we found on the trails:

1. Switchback Trial – Very hard packed snow, sliding to the side in places due to the out-slope of the surface.
2. Kiwanis Meadow Road – Hard backed snow. Tracks in the snow made by a vehicle that was wider than a pickup. Tires were  the width of pickup tires. Vehicle turned around at Kiwanis Meadow.
3. Kiwanis Meadow – Covered with firm wind slab, grass, and hiker tracks.
4. Kiwanis Meadow Trail to Service Road – We walked down this trail (including the chute) to the Service Road.

In general, the trail conditions were appropriate for walking with boots or snowshoes with traction devices.

Capulin Snow Play Area – Open and very busy with shedders. The Crest Highway was dry with heavy traffic.

If you know which type of vehicle made the wide tracks on Kiwanis Meadow Road, I would appreciate an email about it.

Sam