I was in the area Friday (9/30) and had an afternoon off so I decided to stop by 7 Springs for a hike and to check out the progress on the new (as yet unnamed) trail on North Face.

http://www.leacar.com/7SP9301.JPG
This was taken about halfway down where the new trail flattens and makes a gentle S curve. I am standing in the adjacent and freshly cleared Turtleneck Glades. Snowmaking infracstructure is in place between the new slope and glades.

http://www.leacar.com/7SP9302.JPG
Looking down through the adjacent Turtleneck Glades at the lower section of the slope as it makes its final drop into the flat section midway down North Face. These glades should see some benefit from the adjacent HKD snowmaking towers.

http://www.leacar.com/7SP9303.JPG
The new slope as seen from near the bottom. Gunnar is on the left, Turtleneck Glades to the right.

http://www.leacar.com/7SP9304.JPG
The new slope where it joins Gunnar.

Although I did not get over into the new condo area due to heavy construction traffic, they appear to be installing the short lift (the relocated Sunrise/Sunset Triple?) that will carry skiers from the Cortina unloading area to the upper condos. Also saw lots of snowmaker infrastructure work including a set of new towers on the upper Giant Steps Slope.

Thanks. Looks like they drove a lawn mower thru those glades. Very nicely cleared out. New trail should add to the fun of that part of mtn.

Great pix, Robert. Hopefully they'll get some water on it soon so that the grass seed puts up some shoots. I was at 7 Springs Sat, and I took a peek at the trail map - I think the map shows the new slope as a Black, although it doesn't look very steep in the pix.....but a camera lens always seems to flatten out the pitch somewhat.