What a shame that the cross country season often ends just as the corn snow begins to form and the days become sunny, long, and filled with views in all directions. Took the day off to hike up the ski slope under the Silver Fir chair lift, and traversed up to Grand Junction (probalby the shortest route up to the groomed trails above Hyak-- took us only 25 minutes. Snow was firm and nearly perfect for climbing, and then there was even some fresh snow up on top on the edges of the groomed trails. Sunday we think was the last day the upper trails will be groomed, but they were still in very good shape on Monday. Saw several skaters, 2 with ecstatic dogs jogging along. The day was cloudless, views of Rampart Ridge particularly handsome. Even though the day was pretty warm and sunny, the skating held good-- and the snow stayed corny, not sticky, all day long. If the temperatures stay in this range, we should be able to find a bit more skating terrain up on these trails, or on the Iron Horse, which looked like it still holds about a 3-4 foot pack. Nordic skiiers need to get together to advocate for a longer grooming season to enjoy these great ski trails.