SOUTH COLTON – Groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, as well as back country trails, are available for free at Higley Falls State Park. The trails are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and night skiing is offered two nights a week.

A Nature Center building located at the trail heads doubles as a lodge in the winter. It has restrooms, a table, chairs, microwave, refrigerator and sink that can also be used. It is open from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Park has a trail network of about 14 miles. Four miles of roads are groomed about 12 feet wide, partially flat groomed for freestyle (skating) technique, and also with a set track, parallel grooves pressed into the snow surface for classic cross-country skiing.

Two of the shorter woods’ trails are also groomed for dual purpose, while most of the other trails are classic technique. Three miles are back country trails. All trails are utilized for snowshoeing as well.

The Friends of Highly Flow State Park maintain the trails throughout the winter.

“The Park trails are so well cared for by the Park staff and volunteers on the spring and fall work days that we can ski with less snow than most areas,” said Friends Board Member Judy Fuhr. She and her husband, Ed Fuhr, have been grooming the trails for 25 years, along with other volunteers.

The Park offers ski and snowshoe rentals starting at 8 a.m., with returns by 2:45 p.m. Both classic skis and a limited number of skate skis are available to rent.

Ski rentals are $7 and snowshoe rentals are $3 per day. Rental equipment for children ages 7 and under are free.

The Friends support adult and children’s ski programs, including a program where schools bring their students for a day of skiing that includes free equipment rentals.

The Friends also offer night skiing on Tuesday and Thursday nights until 8 p.m. Skiing is by headlamp, with the exception of one trail lit with solar motion lights.

The main road through the Park is also a connector for snowmobilers between the trails north and south of the Park. One-half the width of the roads is groomed for snowmobilers the other half for skiers.

“A positive and respectful relationship has developed between the two interests,” said Judy Fuhr.

A trail map can be viewed at http://higleyfriends.org/higleyflowtrailmap.pdf

The Friends of Higley Flow State Park Facebook page has up-to-date snow conditions. There is also a website www.higleyfriends.org with other pertinent information.

Those interested in joining the Friends of Higley Flow can go to their website where there is a PayPal link.

The Friends currently are in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise money to construct a building in which to store the group's grooming equipment. Donations to support the effort can also be made from a link on the website.

Higley Flow State Park is located at 442 Cold Brook Drive, Colton.