It looks like a good weekend to hit the high country and enjoy some “very good snow,” said Chris Sabo, U.S. Forest Service trails specialist.

And there may be more snow coming late in the weekend, which will only improve the already good winter trail conditions, Sabo said.

The winter trails at the lower elevations are “a little on the thin side for snow,” and the summer trails may have “patchy snow to maybe several inches,” Sabo said. Watch out for soft, muddy trail tread conditions on summer trails (lower than 4,500 feet) as they freeze and thaw, a pattern Sabo said to expect as we head into spring.

The Deschutes River Trail has some icy spots, especially around Sunriver, where the road access to recreation sites is likely blocked with snow, Sabo said.

Sabo cautioned recreationists at Phil’s Trailhead to use care. “Watch for soft and muddy trails and avoid those until things set up.”

The slash removal project at Tumalo Falls is complete and the road is clear of heavy vehicle traffic. The road to the falls will need more snowfall before it will be in good condition for skiing, Sabo said.

Crescent sno-parks are in fair to good condition, Sabo said. Near Sisters, Three Creek Lake Sno-park is in good condition, as are ski trails out of the Ray Benson Sno-park. The Metolius River trails and Petersen Ridge trails “will likely have varying degrees of ice, snow and possibly some muddy conditions,” Sabo said.

Backcountry users should maintain caution and assess their routes and the snowpack stability carefully to avoid areas with avalanche hazards.

— Lydia Hoffman, The Bulletin