Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail reports plenty of fluffy snow

From staff reports

Following the blizzard earlier this weekend, the Friends of Sleeping Bear, who manage the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, report fresh snow last night and today. Nice, cool temperatures make for fluffy snow and the groomer is leaving a perfect corduroy and classic tracks.

The Friends’ groomer crew was out again this morning and groomed Glen Arbor to Empire with two sets of classic tracks and corduroy in between.

The Palmer Woods groomer crew has been busy, too, and conditions there are also excellent.

The Friends will watch the weather and probably get the groomer out toward the end of the week to prepare the trail for next weekend.

Heritage Trail:

Excellent conditions — groomed with classic tracks between Glen Arbor and Empire. There is an additional loop groomed through the DH Day campground. Snow depth around Glen Haven has improved, but is still light — the wind has blown a lot of the snow off.

The north section of trail from Glen Arbor to Bohemian Road is not groomed, but it is perfect for backcountry skiing. Cut your own tracks.

Palmer Woods:

Excellent conditions — groomed with classic tracks.

Dune Climb Sledding:

The Dune Climb is excellent for sledding. Several families were sledding today. It might be cold at the bottom of the Dune Climb, but by the time you climb to the top with your sled, you’ve warmed up! It’s a great ride back down to the parking lot!

Backcountry ski and hiking trails

Excellent backcountry skiing (Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill). Not groomed, but plenty of snow everywhere.

Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):

These trails are good for hiking or snowshoeing.