The following report was generated by artificial intelligence…
“Hit the slopes this winter and experience the exhilarating feeling of skiing on freshly groomed trails at Alturas Lake! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find the perfect skate lane and classic tracks to glide on. From the bridge to the lake, you’ll be greeted with pristine conditions, while the skate lane from the highway to the bridge offers a thrilling adventure. Despite the amount of snow on the ground, the conditions are surprisingly good, providing an unforgettable skiing experience. Don’t miss out on this winter wonderland!”

WOW!, that sounds way more cheerful than anything Old Davinius could come up with. He is currently researching ways to turn down the positivity knob on his computer… in the meantime, the skiing is actually pretty good to just fine. Look out for rocks and stumps.

I

Trail conditions remain pretty much the same on Sawtooth Valley cross country ski trails. Extremely low snow levels (a few inches) and extremely low temperatures (minus 17 this morning) make it extremely hard to recommend the trails to anyone who is not a real extremist. On the positive side, it is a sunny, extremely beautiful day. Stumps, sage brush and rocks should be expected and appropriate care must be taken.

All trails at Alturas Lake have been compacted and some trails at Park Creek. However, snow levels are very low and trails that follow roads would be your best bet for a cross country tour. This is difficult at Park Creek because most trails are accessed across open sage brush areas. Skating is not recommended and trails with steep hills, like Wapiti and North Cabin at Alturas should be avoided! No appreciable snow is forecast for the next week or so. The Alturas Lake trail and the road to Alturas are navigable. Your prayers to El Niño or his mother would be appreciated.