Now that the white stuff is around (and looks like it will be for some time) it is a prime opportunity to get out and do some x-country skiing. Here is a list of places to ski with my own trail report.
Arrowhead GC - (located on Butterfield Rd in Wheaton) There is a big loop that has been groomed for skating. Skate lane is fair. There are a LOT of diagonal tracks that have been skied in and appear to be fair to good. You can rent ski's here if you don't have your own for a minimal cost. Many links into Herrick Lake FP
Herrick Lake FP - Good to very good. Skated a couple of the loops yesterday and was very surprised. Very little foot traffic and the tracks were in good condition. The DuPage FP does groom this as well as other places. More info on where the FP grooms can be found on their website.
Bartlett Hills GC (located just west of downtown Bartlett) - Good to very good. There are trails that have been groomed for diagonal striding. The tracks are solid in some places and ok in others. There is no ski rental here so you must do so from somewhere else(???) or have your own equipment. This is a nice workout as there is very little flat areas and you are either climbing or descending
Deer Grove FP (Palatine - Parking lot 1/4 mile east of Rt 14 and Dundee Rd) - If you skate this is the place to go. From the parking lot there is a unused road that is about 5K out and back that is human-groomed (i.e. skied in) The conditions today were about as good as it gets. The terrain rolls a bit and is challenging. There are also many skied tracks that are also in good condition.
Rock Cut State Park - I have not been out to RC yet this year. It is groomed by the IL DNR. There are typically reports on ninordic.org
Finally if you are willing to drive to the So. Kettle area, McMiller and Nordic are in very good condition also. More info on these can be found on skinnyski.com or the Wis. DNR website. There is a fee to park and for a trail pass.
Enjoy,
Jim
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