December 17, 2009 Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report
In general, the southern one-half of Minnesota has 5-15 inches of snow on the ground. Many trails in this area of the state have been groomed and offer fair to good conditions for skiing and snowmobiling. Very good to excellent conditions can be found on trails in the Winona, Caledonia, and Owatonna vicinities. The western half of the state is expected to receive additional accumulation late this weekend, and snow is expected to fall on the eastern half of the state throughout the weekend. Please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Explore Minnesota Tourism will report winter trail conditions each Thursday afternoon throughout the winter season, with updates as conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources Climatology Office and the Three Rivers Park District.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. All cross-country skiers on state park or forest ski trails, or on state or grant-in-aid trails, who are 16 years old or older must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. To order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers, dial 1-888-665-4236. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.
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Northeast Region
Ely
The Ely vicinity has roughly 4 inches of snow on the ground. The Hidden Valley, Trezona and Babbitt Golf Course trails are groomed. Hidden Valley and Trezona Trails are tracked, however, due to the lack of snow you may encounter areas where the tracks are not visible. There is approximately a 3 inch base on the ski trails, and skiing is considered good despite the lack of snow. Back-country skiing is not good at this time, with rocks still visible. One good snowfall should improve conditions immensely. The snowmobile trails are in the process of being cleared and packed, however grooming will not occur until the ground is covered in at least 12 inches of snow. Conditions are reported to be poor. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis - please call ahead for the most current trail conditions. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state either remain closed or are reported to be in poor condition.
Northwest Region
Lake Bronson -southeast of Hallock
As of late last week, skiers were out breaking trails in the day-use areas at Lake Bronson State Park. Skiers reported fairly good conditions. There is a 3 inch base, with 3-4 inches of snow on the ground. A warming area with flush toilets is available at the Visitors Center. Similar conditions were reported for nearby Old Mill State Park as of December 11. More recent information is not available. Please contact the parks to verify conditions.
Williams - northwest of Baudette
Zippel Bay State Park was open for skiing and snowmobiling as of late last week. On December 11, park staff reported packed ski trails and good conditions. The snowmobile trail had not been groomed, but was reported to offer good riding conditions. Both trails had a 3 inch base, with approximately 6 inches of snow in the woods. No further information is available - please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state either remain closed or are reported to be in poor condition.
Central Region
All ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state either remain closed or are in poor condition.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Minnetonka/Glencoe
The Luce Line State Trail is reported to offer fair conditions for cross-country skiing and for snowmobiling. The trail base measures roughly 2 inches. The trail runs along an old railroad bed, past trees and wetlands, and is mostly flat. The first seven miles of the trail, from Vicksburg Lane to Stubbs Bay Road is non-motorized. Snowmobiling is only allowed west of Stubb's Bay Road. Please note that there are bare spots along the limestone surface from Watertown west to Zebra Avenue. Local snow depth is 2-4 inches.
Three Rivers Park District -Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
Packed and tracked trails, as well as good classic and skate ski trail conditions, can be found at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Trails remain lit until 10:00 p.m., and the Chalet is open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake and Eagle Lake Regional Park in Plymouth both offer fair to good conditions for skiing. Fair conditions can be found at French Regional Park in Plymouth, Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. For the most current trail conditions, dial 763/559-6778. Rentals are available at many of the parks within the Three Rivers Park District - please call ahead to secure equipment rental.
Almelund -east of North Branch
Much of the ski trail system within Wild River State Park has been groomed. Trails have been groomed and tracked for classic skiing on the River, Old Logging and Mitigwaki trails, with about 8 miles reported to be in fair or better condition. Overall, the classic ski trails have a 2 inch base. For skate skiing, check out the 15 miles of groomed and packed Advanced Loop, Sunrise and Amador Prairie trails. Conditions are reported to be fair in the woods, and the skate trails on the Advanced Loop are in fair to good condition. Trumpeter swans can be seen on the river below Never's Dam. A warming house is available at the Trail Center. Wild River offers ski and snowshoe rental throughout the winter season when trails have suitable snow cover. For rental information, dial 651/257-0685.
Afton
Afton State Park is covered in roughly 7 inches of snow. The ski trails are partially groomed, with a 3 inch base. Conditions are reported to be fair. The entire park was packed on December 15, and track was set along the river. The base is too thin to set track in other areas of the park.
Southern Region
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
The ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed at Frontenac State Park. Due to windy conditions there are sections of the trails with little or no snow, especially across the prairie making it difficult to set a track. The base ranges from 0-4 inches. The ski and snowmobile trails are in good condition. Approximately 8 inches of snow covers the ground. And just to the south, near the city of Winona, Great River Bluffs State Park is blanketed in 15 inches of snow. Park staff have packed and tracked all cross country ski trails in the King's Bluff area. A one mile skate ski lane has been completed to the campground. The ski trails are reported to be in excellent condition, with an 8 inch base.
Elba - west of Winona
Whitewater State Park ski trails are entirely groomed, and conditions are excellent. The trail base averages 4 inches. Snow cover measures 11 inches. Snowshoes are available at the Visitors Center. The Whitewater River remained open and steaming as of December 17. Last week's snow still clings to the trees and cliffs. Exploring the park in winter is always memorable.
Preston
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park ski trails were reported to be in good condition late last week, with a 4 inch base. Trails should be fully groomed. Area snow depth ranges from 12-13 inches. The nearby Harmony-Preston Valley Trail is currently in good conditions for skiing, with a partially groomed 3 inch base. Similar conditions are reported for the Root River State Trail. Snow depth measures 10-11 inches along the trails.
Caledonia
There is 14 inches of snow on the ground at Beaver Creek Valley State Park. Skiers and snowshoers have set their own trail and the base measures nearly 14 inches. Cross-country ski trail conditions are reported to be very good.
Rochester/Pine Island
The Douglas State Trail has been plowed 2 1/2 miles for walking from the Rochester lot to Gibbs School. Skiers have set their own track from Gibbs School. The base is roughly 3 inches and conditions are good. The snowmobile trail has been groomed, and conditions are fair. Nearly one foot of snow is on the ground in this area.
Owatonna
The ski trails at Rice Lake State Park have been groomed and are in very good condition. Snowmobilers have begun to use park trails as well, and report fair conditions. The trail base measure 6 inches on the ski trails and 4 inches on the snowmobile trails. Local snow depth is 8-9 inches.
Waterville - west of Faribault
Sakatah Lake State Park ski trails are in good condition overall, with a 1-3 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trail are partially groomed, with a 0-2 inch base. Conditions are fair. Trails may be re-groomed late in the week due to trail use by two-legged visitors and four-legged residents. Local snow depth ranges from 5-8 inches.
Mankato
Minneopa State Park ski trails are considered to be in fair condition. The trails are fully groomed. Local snow depth is roughly 8 inches.
NW of Montevideo
The ski trails at Lac qui Parle State Park are in fair condition, with a 2-3 inch groomed surface. Roughly 4 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.
