It was a cold morning, around 5*F (or -15*C if you prefer). We started out from the parking area next to the warming hut. We then went down The Loop Trail, along the way we met up with a Nordic Skier. He said he was having a good day other than his fingers were cold. Guinness wanted to say hi but I kept him going on down the trail. We got to the intersection on the trail where we could continue on to Lippos Loop by going straight, turn left onto the Bill Albert’s Trail, or turn right and head to the ski lodge for Laurel Mountain Ski Resort. We went straight to Lippos Loop, when we got to that trail we went to the right. When we got to the fork to stay on Lippos Loop or head over to the Towhee Trail we went towards the towhee. If it had been a few degrees warmer we would have gone down the Towhee Trail to Locust Camp Rd, but as it was we went to the left to the Bill Alberts Trail. Where the Towhee Trail ends you have a choice go to the right and down hill where you will eventually hit Laurel Summit Rd, or go to the left and back to the intersection I described earlier and if you stay on the B. A. Trail you will eventually end up at Locust Camp Rd. We went to the right, just at the road there was someone on skis who was fixin’ to turn onto the Bill Alberts. We got to off the trail and waited for him to go by before we continued on our way. We then walked up Laurel Summit Rd until we got to the access trail for the Summit Trail. We then went up that way, we followed that trail back to the warming hut then to the truck to finish up the hike. 
Guinness on the trail today.
I stayed to the right of the nordic ski tracks out of courtesy but they need to quit taking up the entire trail unless they want people who are hiking or snowshoeing to walk in their tracks. Whenever a tree was close to the trail it was also tracks right up to the base of the tree. And the exact same thing if the trail went to the left around the base of a tree. I am NOT going to be going off trail through the briars and fallen logs and risking hurting myself when out hiking with or without my dog. If I was out hunting it would be a different story.
As I said the temp was 5* this morning, the wind was blowing at a steady 6.9 mph from the West-Northwest. Overall it was a good hike and a beautiful day for one. Until next time stay safe on the trails and enjoy the gifts of the creator in all their glory.
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