First with basic report. All trails have been trackset and are in excellent condition. Only the new snow has trackset without any disruption of the hard base underneath - this means that in some places the classic tracks are a bit shallow. Regardless there are great mid-winter conditions for both classic and skating.

This was a day to visit an "old friend" - in this case Osprey Lake. Osprey Lake is a very attractive little lake that is snuggled into the west side of the Wolf Ridge. To get it you go over the Wolf Ridge on #1 and then turn right into the bog/fen on the north side of #1 before crossing the creek - I've attached a map of my route into it. Intent did not become resolution: when I started to cross the fen I realized that the bushwacking conditions would probably be too difficult for me to get into the lake. The crust from the rain will only marginally support a ski - there's about 50 cm of powder under the crust with about 7 cm of powder on top. It's not too bad on level terrain but it would have difficult to climb where you have to put more force onto the crust. My fear was getting stuck in difficult place with one ski trapped underneath the crust. It might be possible with proper back country gear - wider, softer skis and poles with real baskets. For me I'll wait until things firm up in March before I bushwack my way into the lake.

I headed back east along #1 to the water tank and then returned to P12 via #24 and #40. My return was leisurely, stopping whenever the sun was inviting. It's a truly magic day - the snow conditions of early February and the sun of the end of February. Nevertheless, as I write this I'm listening to a weather report on radio that counsels me to "bundle up" because it's dangerously cold out there - two diametric views!