I got out to an early start, hoping to take advantage of the still frozen snowpack before it warmed up too much. Skied down 50 to the end of Lac Phillippe. From there I skied up 54 Black to Lusk lake, explored old trail 10 for a bit before looping back to Lusk cabin. Found the rental occupants of the cabin still asleep so I left them to their slumber and skied down to Renaud cabin. Sun was trying to peek out so I took up occupancy at the Renaud lake bench... but the sun never truly broke through so I eventually retreated to home (probably passing Terry on my way out!).

Fresh grooming on the main trails was solid and fast in the morning and started to soften about 10am. The backcountry was quite nice with the snowpack solid enough that I could crust cruise where needed. This was a good thing as there were parts of 54 that have started to open up in small water hazards. I could easily bypass these on the surrounding crust before regaining the trail further up. Came to a much larger water hazard on old Trail 10 where the end of Lusk lake had opened up completely. This forced a larger detour and by the time I got part way around, the crust was starting to soften. Not wanting to tempt fate I decided to retreat to the ski trail and eventually back onto the groomed track lest I find myself post holing with my skis and forcing a long trudge out of the woods.

Universal worked well for grip in most spots and didn't ice up on the backcountry trails even with the fresh dusting of snow. There were a few icy sections where water collects but no bare trail on the groomed tracks. That may start to change this afternoon. Hopefully another cold night tonight means some fast trails first thing which slowly deteriorate in the warm sunshine.