Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report February 19,09
Good to excellent trail conditions can be found up the Gunflint Trail at Grand Marais. Good to excellent conditions are being reported for cross-country ski and/or snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach, Cascade River, Temperance River, Tettegouche, Gooseberry Falls, Zippel Bay, Hayes Lake, Lake Bemidji, Buffalo River, and Maplewood state parks. The Arrowhead and Taconite state trails, and trails within Elm Creek Park Reserve, and Koochiching, Bear Island, Paul Bunyan and White Earth state forests, and trails at Elm Creek Park Reserve are also in fair condition. Please note that trail conditions can change rapidly–please call ahead for the most current conditions.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails, and all snowmobiles must have a $16 trail use permit. Cross-country skiers must also have a pass to use grant-in-aid and state-operated trails. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. You may order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers at 1-888-665-4236. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR license agents.
Northeast Region
Grand Rapids/Deer River
The Golden Anniversary State Forest Cow Horn and River Road cross-country ski trails have been down-graded to fair condition due to recent warm temperatures. The trails have a 1-4 inch groomed surface. Expect icy sections along the way. And, just to the north, Scenic State Park cross-country ski trails are groomed, and in fair condition, with a 6 inch base. The snowmobile trail that runs through the park is also groomed and in fair condition. The trail base measures 1-3 inches. The historic lodge building is open. There is a stone fireplace, and a supply of wood for a nice warm fire. Roughly 13 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
International Falls
Tilson Creek cross-country ski trails, running through Koochiching State Forest, are groomed for classic and skate skiing. The trails are in excellent condition, with a 16 inch base. Watch for signs of moose, timberwolves, and pine martens along the way. The ground is covered with nearly two feet of snow.
Side Lake (north of Hibbing)
The snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are groomed, with a 4 inch base. Conditions are reported to be good. The ski trails are also in good condition, with a 5 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 11 inches.
Tower
The Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail is groomed and in good condition. The trail base measures 1-6 inches. Riders should expect some icy patches, and the high traffic areas and corners may have bare spots. Trail grooming will continue through the weekend if conditions permit. The trailhead is located ten miles west of Tower, at the intersection with the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail. The snow in the woods measures 17-22 inches. Similar conditions are being reported for the Taconite State Trail. Nearby, the Putnam and Fishing Lakes snowmobile trails running through Bear Island State Forest are reported to be in good condition, with a trail base measuring 2-6 inches. As always, riders should beware of changing conditions and watch for rocks, stumps, slush and flowing water. Stay to the right, and slow down at the corners.
Ely
Bear Head Lake State Park ski trails are in fair condition, with a 9 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are also in fair condition. The trail base is groomed and measures 1-4 inches. Local snow depth is 17 inches.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
The cross-country ski and snowmobile trails have retained their solid base despite last week’s light drizzle. In fact, inland areas have received another 1 foot of snow. The snowmobile trails are groomed, and conditions are very good to excellent. Current cold temperatures will ensure that the base remains stable for quite some time. Snowmobilers will need to watch for slush occurring off the paths and staked trails on some area lakes. Up the Gunflint Trail, the Banadad ski trails are reported to be in excellent condition for both skate and classic skiing, with a 20 inch base. Snow depth is roughly 28 inches.
Lutsen
Cascade River State Park currently offers excellent conditions for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The trails are groomed, with an 8 inch base. Local snow depth is 17 inches.
Finland/Grand Marais
The northeast portion of the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail is in fair condition, with a 4-7 inch base. This section of trail will be regroomed this Friday and Saturday. The section of trail southwest of Finland is in poor condition. Expect some bare spots on the corners and hills. Trail conditions will vary due to use. Trailside snow depth ranges from 11-30 inches.
Silver Bay
Tettegouche State Park trails are groomed and in good condition for both skiing and snowmobiling. The trails have a 7-8 inch base. Similar conditions are reported for snowmobiling at Temperance River State Park. There are lots of signs of wildlife along the trail, including wolf, fox, coyotes, otter, beaver and deer. The waterfalls are stunning due to the ice formations. Local snow depth is roughly 20 inches.
Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park is covered in 17 inches of snow. The ski trails are currently in excellent condition, and the snowmobile trails are in fair condition. Both trails have a 12 inch groomed surface. There are beautiful ice formations on the waterfalls and along the Lake Superior shoreline. Visitors report seeing signs of fox, pine marten, deer, wolf and eagles. At nearby, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, the ski trails are in good condition, with a 7 inch base.
Northcentral/West Region
Warroad
The Algoma cross-country ski trail is in good condition, with a 6 inch groomed surface. Roughly 16 inches of snow is on the ground. Just to the east, Zippel Bay State Park traditional and skate ski trails are reported to be in excellent condition, with a 1 foot base. The snowmobile trails are also considered to be in excellent condition. All trails were recently groomed.
Roseau
Roughly 20 inches of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. Both the ski and snowmobile trails are fully groomed and in very good to excellent condition, with a 12 inch base. The lake has at least 16 inches of ice, but caution must still be used near the springs and river currents. The crappies are biting near the dam face, and the northerns are active near the fishing pier.
Bemidji
The Lake Bemidji State Park snowmobile trails have a 5 inch groomed surface, and are listed in very good condition. The ski trails are groomed and in excellent condition, with a 5 inch base. Local snow depth is 11 inches.
Park Rapids
The snowmobile trails running through the Paul Bunyan State Forest are reported to be in good condition. The trail base measures 2-6 inches, however some corners and hills have bare spots. The nearby Heartland State Snowmobile Trail is in fair condition, with a 1-4 inch base. A foot of snow is on the ground in this area.
Moorhead
Park officials at Buffalo River State Park report good conditions for cross-country skiing. The trails are groomed, with a 6 inch base. Ski rental is available at the park office. There is roughly 1 foot of snow in the woods.
Detroit Lakes
Trails running through White Earth State Forest are considered to be in good condition for snowmobiling. Overall, the trails have a 2-6 inch base, however some bare areas may be encountered at the corners and on the hills. Local snow depth is 12-14 inches.
Fergus Falls/Battle Lake
The Otter Country snowmobile trails are currently in poor to fair condition due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The trails have a 4-8 inch hard-packed and icy base. Approximately 12-14 inches of snow covers the ground. Expect extended bare spots at the road crossings and in the fields. The ski trails running through Maplewood State Park are in excellent condition, with an 8-10 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are icy, and have some bare areas. Conditions are reported to be fair. And at nearby Glendalough State Park, the ski trails are in fair condition, however somewhat icy and hard, with a 4 inch groomed surface. Ski rental is available, and more youth sizes were recently added.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Three Rivers Park District -Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
Warm temperatures and rain have taken their toll on both the classic and skate ski trails. At present, only Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove offers good conditions for skiing. All other parks within the Three Rivers Park District have closed their trails.
All other ski and snowmobile trails have either been down-graded to poor condition or have been closed due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall.
Southern Region
All ski and snowmobile trails have either been down-graded to poor condition or have been closed due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
