Good evening. Friday was an incredibly busy day up at the north end of Katahdin Woods and Waters. The groomer guy was busy setting perfect track, double in some places all along the Old River Road Loop. We have a great base of 15-20+ inches of snow. We will stay off the trails as the temps rise over the weekend and will be back at it once things chill out again. Conditions are beautiful packed powder right now.

Before he was done grooming, cross-country skiers showed up from Shin Pond Village and Matagamon Wilderness, and a big group of snowshoers from Mt Chase Lodge.

At the same time, Katahdin Learning Project hosted 32 snowshoers from Katahdin Elementary School in Staceyville. For many, it was a day of exciting firsts. First time up north as far as Matagamon, first time on snowshoes, first time observing wildlife trails, first time meeting a VIP (Volunteer-in-Parks), first time at a snow picnic, first time listening to a snow story while sitting on the snow outside in Maine in the winter, and first time in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument!

Katahdin Elementary School students are taking part in the month-long Winter Games with WinterKids. Thank you to WinterKids for inspiring a month of getting outdoors and discovering the magic of Maine in winter for Katahdin Elementary School.

Thank you to our VIPs for the day, Vicki Richardson, Lou-Ellis Grant, and Kathy Case. It was a fun, busy, busy day in the Monument. I hope some of these photos capture the magic!