The Park's cross-country ski area features three main trails, Red, Blue, Green (based on blaze color) with six White connecting trails. Most of the trails utilize old oil lease and lumber roads and are generally about 10 feet wide.
At the parking lot you will notice a warming hut at the trail head and restrooms on the west side. These are available from 8 AM till sunset.
Inside the hut you will find a wood burning stove and several picnic tables.
The Green and Blue Loops are suitable for, beginning skiers. The Blue Loop (2.6 mi.) is relatively flat with one steep section and is longer than the Green Loop (0.6 mi.). The Red Loop (5.8 mi.) is very challenging due to its distance, several steep hills and some sharp turns, it also leads to a very impressive scenic view.
Ski Trail Map
Wooden signs showing the trail map are located throughout the ski area.
lf you would follow the red color trail 1.5 miles westward or clockwise from the warming hut you will see the Benninghoff Tableau Site, the railroad bridge at Pioneer and six derricks with oil related buildings, machinery, equipment and materials. Though this is not a working site, it can give you a feel for what the area was like in the 1860's and 70's. During this period, John Benninghoff leased small parcels of his 240 acre farm to oil developers making him an estimated daily income of $6,000, according to Paul Giddens in his famous 1938 book, “The Birth of the Oil industry.”
Beyond the scenic vista the trail merges with the Gerard Hiking Trail(Yellow blazing) several times for short distances. You will want to stay with the red blazing to stay on the Red Loop. By utilizing the Red, Blue, Green loops and six.White connector trails the skiing possibilities are almost endless making some very unique, exciting and challenging combinations.