Winter trail conditions are going from bad to worse. Rain and moderate temperatures are wreaking havoc on an already inadequate snowpack in the Cascades, and the weather forecast for February is sounding like much of the same.

Currently, Dutchman Flat is the only sno-park that has any level of adequate snow, but even that is nothing to write home about.

Conditions at Dutchman Flat are starting to get challenging, with some bare patches on a few of the snowmobile trails. And with the rain, the number of open creek channels and water hazards is growing. The main No. 5 trail out of Kapka Sno-park to Dutchman Flat was showing patches of bare ground this week, which could become very muddy with the heavy rainfall. Riding out of Kapka Sno-park is not recommended. Wanoga Sno-play Area is about 50 percent bare ground. Wanoga, Swampy and Meissner sno-parks have poor to inadequate snow conditions. Many visitors are foregoing the snowshoes and skis and simply hiking on the few inches of packed snow.

The trail from Dutchman Flat to Elk Lake Resort is readily passable by snowmobile, but it, too, is showing patches of bare pavement and could get worse with continued rain.

President’s Day weekend is typically a very busy holiday weekend for sno-parks, but with the current conditions there is concern about the potential crowds and very limited access to decent winter trails. People are encouraged to explore other outdoor recreation options.

Lower elevation trails are a bit on the soggy side. Deschutes River trails, Phil’s Trail system, Peterson Ridge and Horse Butte will likely have sections of saturated mud. People are asked to avoid soft and muddy trails.

Seasonal closures of state Highway 46, state Highway 242, Road 21, Road 370, Road 16 and Road 60 remain in effect. There are no immediate plans to open any of the winter closed roads.