Friends of Oil Creek State Park

The Cross Country Ski Trails Report

This trail report is not being updated. Please visit friendsocsp.org and click on the Ski Conditions button for current conditions.

Conditions Update Log:

3/6/2013: The park did not receive any new snow from the recent storm that tracked south of us. There is a measured average of 2" of condensed snow on the trails. The Blue trail and some White connectors are skiable with the man-made tracks being hard to icy. The snow to the side of the tracks is OK. Areas on the Red trail that are traditionally thin are now bare and we recommend staying off the Red trail and lower White trails. The snow conditions are insuffient for grooming and track setting at this time. We will update as conditions change.

3/4/2013: According to Rob McCall from the Friend’s Group, he skied all 11+ miles of the Cross Country Ski network this afternoon and the skiing was beautiful, even without grooming and setting track! Approx. 5 inches on the trails! He said if you are thinking about it, go for it!

3/1/2013: We are sorry to report there is only about 2" on the ski trails at Oil Creek. The snow keeps missing us! We are unable to groom or set track at this time.

2/14/2013: So sad! No Snow. Not enough snow for skiing. Snow is in the forcast. We will keep you posted.

2/9/2013: As of 6:30 PM today the trails are all groomed and track set. Skiing is decent, especially the blue trail. We should be OK at least through Sunday.

2/9/2013: At 8:30 AM today it was snowing and the trails were being groomed and track set.

2/7/2013: As of 5:30PM today the trails are old corn snow, spring like conditions, but still skiable. We are waiting to see what the wintry mix predicted for Friday brings.

2/4/2013: As of 4:30 PM today there was a base of about 4-5" that John packed yesterday on all the trails. There was about 1/2" -1" of new snow on top with "man made" tracks. The skiing was slightly better than yesterday. The snow is very light and dry. We need about 3-4 more inches for John to be able to set a track. We'll be watching the snow fall carefully and hope we can get tracks set this week.

2/3/2013: Trail has been packed. Snow is too fluffy to set track but skiing should be good.

2/1/2013: Currently there is not quite enough snow to groom the trails. We are hoping for a few more inches today and tonight. Hopefully there will be enough by tomorrow. We'll let you know! Thanks

1/31/2013: It has started snowing again after the warm weather and rain. Report will be updated as conditions improve

1/26/2013: We have only received about 3" of snow barely covering the ground. Unfortunately not enough snow for grooming or tracking the trails.

1/22/2013: Sorry, not enough snow to groom the trails yet but at least the ground is frozen. We'll let you know when the skiing gets good.

1/10/2013: Ok I give up ...... 55 degree and rain for Saturday I have to cancel the Night Ski for January 12th, but let us shoot for the 26th of January

1/10/2013: The ski conditions are marginal but still skiable. The Blue trail is in better condition than the Red trail. With the expected warm temperatures and rain, this may be the last skiable day for a while. We will let you know when conditions improve.

1/8/2013: Conditions are still good. Trail base is holding up well. Days are warmer but below freezing at night.

1/6/2012: Conditions are still good. Hope that the weather stays cold enough to keep the snow.

1/4/2013: All trails have been groomed and track set this afternoon. There has only been a dusting of snow but the cold nights have firmed up the base. Ski conditions have been good and are expected to remain so through out the weekend.

1/1/2013:Happy New Year. Today's report. Ski conditions are great. All trails are groomed and tracked. No sticky snow today

12/29/2012: Trail conditions are very good. There is an 8" base with 3-4" of new snow. All trails are groomed and track set

CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL PASSES

Weekday (Monday-Friday) Passes Can be purchased at the Park Office in Petroleum Center from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Day passes are $5.00

• Kids age 6 and under Free
• Adults 75 and older are Free

SEASON PASS (Unlimited skiing)

• Individual = $40
• Family = $100 (children age 18 and under)

Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) Passes Can be purchased at the Cross Country Ski area from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Same prices as above)

Checks can be made out to: Sun Valley Nordic, LLC

Visit Sun Valley Nordic on Facebook.

Recently a new monitor was added in the breeze-way of the park office. Its purpose is to present a short, continuous slideshow of various things pertaining to the park. These shows will be changed from time to time so be sure to take a look at it often. Some of the things we intend to present are features of the park such as particular places or landmarks as well as historical sites. There will also be photos of wildlife, plants and other subjects found in nature. You can expect to see pictures that were taken at special events like the nature activities or the Biathlon and Oil Creek 100 races.

We want to be able to show through it many of the assets the park has to offer. Hopefully it will spark a desire for the viewer to go out and take a closer look for those things in real life on their own.

And finally, this monitor will be playing all year round. Even though the number of visitors may die down come fall, the park itself doesn’t. It still has more things to do and see, fall through spring, than any one person could ever fit into their schedule.

So be sure to stop by the office and take a look at our new monitor. Maybe you’ll see some things that you didn’t even know were here. Then go out and experience them for yourself.

Kirby F. Neubert, President, Friends of Oil Creek State Park

Gerard Hiking Trail is open year round and winter is a great time to enjoy the trails.

• During Cross Country ski season in areas where the ski and hiking trails run side by side be sure to walk to the side of the groomed trail.

• Dogs are allowed on the hiking trails but they must be on a leash and be under the control of the hiker at all times.
• Dogs are not permitted on the ski trails during the Cross Country Ski season

Black bears are becoming more common in the park. Please read page 5 of the summer 2012 newsletter for tips on how to avoid an encounter with a bear.

If you'r hiking or hunting off trail and you find an unmarked oil well, please record the GPS location and report it to the park office. The Orpah Wells Project will appreciate your help. If your hiking or hunting in the Bull Run area take note of the 63 abandoned wells located during the fall season by the group