Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report January 26, 2012 Many ski trails in the far northeast at Grand Marias, Lutsen, Ely and Hibbing and in the far southeast at Winona, Lanesboro and Rochester are reported to be in good to excellent condition. Some trails are also open for skiing at Twin Cities sites with snow-making equipment. And some snowmobile trails are now open up the Gunflint Trail, in the Ely vicinity, and within Voyageurs National Park! Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis; please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Explore Minnesota will report winter trail conditions each Thursday afternoon during the winter season, with updates as changes in conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources Climatology Office, Voyageurs National Park, the Three Rivers Park District, and communities throughout the state.
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 or access the DNR Online License Sales web site. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.
International Falls
The Koochiching State Forest Tilson Creek Ski Trail is in very good condition for classic and skate skiing. The base of the trails measures more than 3 inches, with more than 8 inches of snow on the ground. The entire Tilson Creek Trail has been groomed with double skate lanes and tracks except for the Blue (VNP connector) which is rolled and combed just for skating. Within Voyageurs National Park, up to a foot of snow fell last weekend and riders are reporting excellent conditions on the park's snowmobile trails. Please be aware that hazardous pressure ridges have become active again as temperatures rise, and pressure ridges have the potential to rise rapidly and create standing water during these conditions. Snowmobilers must continue to use extreme caution and only cross at designated crossings along the staked route. Slow travel speeds are highly recommended. Crews have begun grooming the trails and will continue to do so as ice and snow conditions allow. Snow drifts do exist on some trails that have not been groomed, creating rougher riding conditions. For the most current conditions and information, please check out the Voyageurs National Park website. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls has adult-sized skis available for rent and children's skis available for loan during business hours. Snowshoes are also available for loan. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:30pm. They can be reached at 218/286-5258. More information is also available at
www.rainylake.orgEly
After an additional 3 inches of snow, area trails are in the best condition all season. The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails are in good condition, with a 3-4 inch base--these trails are groomed and tracked a couple of times each week. The Trezona Trail is in similar condition, and especially good for skate skiing at this time. The North Junction and Babbitt Golf Course trails are also reported to be in good condition. On January 25, the Bear Head Lake campground loops and some of the other trails were groomed and in good condition, with a 2-3 inch base--skiers should keep an eye out for the great grey owl that has recently been spotted several times at the boat launch. Some of the snowmobile trails in the Ely vicinity have been freshly groomed, just in time for the Fun Run in Ely, Babbit and Tower this Saturday, January 28. Overall, these trails are rough in areas, but very rideable with a 1-2 inch base on average. And Shagawa, Little Long, Fall, White Iron and part of Burntside lakes are staked for snowmobiling. Riders are asked to please use caution and stay on the staked trails due to several pressure ridges on some of the lakes. Area snowcover measures 6-8 inches. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis--more information is available at
www.ely.org.
Side Lake/north of Hibbing
Skiers report good conditions on trails within McCarthy Beach State Park. Roughly 6 kilometers of trails have been groomed, and approximately 10 inches of snow covers the ground.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
In Cook County, the ski trails located inland and "over the hills" from Lake Superior received 6-11 inches of snowfall in the past 4 days. The Sawbill Campground ski loop, George Washington, Deer Yard, and Gunflint Trail ski systems are freshly groomed and in great condition for skiing. Trails nearer to Lake Superior, such as the Onion River Road and Oberg Ski Trail System near Tofte, received an additional 2 inches of snow. These trails are open and also freshly groomed. In the Central Gunflint Trail vicinity, the ski trails have a 6-7 inch Snowcat packed base, with reported to be in excellent shape. There are 70 kilometers of trails groomed for traditional skiing, and 40 kilometers groomed for skate skiing. Roughly 17-20 inches of snow covers the ground after more than 6 inches of new snowfall this past week. In the Upper Gunflint Trail vicinity, 4.5 inches of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours, with a total accumulation of 18-20 inches of snow in the woods. Most trails in this area are now open, and fully regroomed, with a 6-8 inch packed powder surface. Skiers report execellent conditions! Some Lutsen area trails were groomed January 25 for snowmobiling, including Muehlberg, Deer, Caribou and Tofte trails. The base measures 5-6 inches. Up the Gunflint Trail, trails were groomed January 24, at which time the trail base was also 5-6 inches. Snow depth in the woods was 14-18 inches after Monday's 4-6 inch snowfall. All three Cook County Snowmobile Club groomers hit the trails on the 24th.
Lutsen
Cascade River State Park has finally been able to set track on their ski trails. The base measures 1-4 inches. While the base is thin and patchy in some areas, overall the trails are in fair condition. Please note that the base is thinnest near Lake Superior. The frozen waterfalls are spectacular, and a quick hike or snowshoe from the Trail Center--snowshoes are available for rent at the park office. From 5-9 inches of snow covers the ground at Cascade River State Park.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Northwest Region
Bemidji
The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are groomed and reported to be in good condition, with a 1/2 inch base. The best conditions are north of County Road 20. The snowmobile trails are ungroomed, and in fair condition. Local snow depth is 5 inches.
Waubun-Callaway/north of Detroit Lakes
Some resorts north of Detroit Lakes offer well-groomed and well-maintained trails which skiers report to be in good to very good condition, despite scattered thin spots. Approximately 4-8 inches of snow covers the ground in these areas.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Central Region
All ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
As of Tuesday, January 24, Elm Creek Park Reserve, located in Maple Grove and part of the Three Rivers Park District was reported to offer good to excellent conditions along the full 2.5 kilometers of the Valley Trail. The trail is packed and tracked for traditional and skate skiing. The lesson area is also packed, tracked and in great shape for both types of skiing. The lights have been turned on, and rentals are available at Elm Creek. The chalet is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. These trails typically receive heavy use from area ski teams--please call ahead for scheduled race and practice times. 763/559-6778, ext. 2
Minneapolis
Theodore Wirth Park, part of the Minneapolis Park System, has snow-making equipment and continues to offer skiable trails. As of Tuesday, January 24, skiers reported that conditions ranged from excellent on the snowmaking loop to fair on the back 9. The snowmaking loop had a firm base and good, deep tracks--the skate lane and classic tracks were considered to be in the best condition this season. Overall, there are trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as a practice area, lessons, equipment rental, and a 2 kilometer lighted manmade snow loop. The trails are typically well maintained. The lighted loop is busiest from 3:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays when high school cross-country ski teams use the trail--please call ahead for scheduled race and practice times. 612/230-6400
Lake Elmo
Green Acres Recreation Area has 6 kilometers of trails overall, and 2.5 kilometers with manmade snow. Skiers are reporting great conditions, with well-groomed trails for traditional and skate skiing, and lots of fun hills! Skiers also report very well-maintained trails. Please note that these trails generally receive heavy use from area ski teams during late afternoon and early evening hours--please call ahead for scheduled race and practice times. 651/770-6060
Afton/north of Hastings
Skiers were reporting good conditions on January 25 at Afton State Park, despite a very thin, 1 inch base. The trails should be skiable until temperatures rise later this week. The trails are closed to hiking and ski passes are required. Afton offers 14 miles of ski trails and 6 miles of snowshoe trails. A Candlelight Snowshoe/Hike is scheduled for February 4, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended for snowshoe rentals. Local snow depth is roughly 2 inches.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Nerstrand/south of Northfield
The cross-country ski trails at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park are open and groomed. The trail base varies from 1-2 inch deep, and conditions are fair. Watch for roots and rocks in some areas--"rock" skis are recommended. The best locations to ski at this time are White Oak, Beaver, and Hope trails. Local snow depth is 4-6 inches.
Winona
All cross country ski trails have been packed and tracked at Great River Bluffs State Park and conditions are reported to be excellent! Roughly 6 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Lanesboro/Preston
Local snow cover at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is roughly 7 inches. While there is not enough snow to groom the ski trails, those breaking their own trails are reporting fair conditions. The Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail is in very good condition overall for skiing. The trail base measures 3 inches, and is partially groomed. The nearby Root River State Trail is reported to be in similar condition. Local snow depth is roughly 6-8 inches.
Altura/east of Rochester
Conditions for skiing are good at Whitewater State Park. The trails have a 1 inch groomed surface overall. Local snow depth measures 5 inches.
Albert Lea
Skiers report good conditions along the ski trails at Myre-Big Island State Park. While there is not enough snow to groom, skiers have made their own tracks. The trail base averages 2 inches, with roughly 5 inches of snow on the ground.
New Ulm
Flandrau State Park ski trails were groomed on January 23, and the wooded areas are reportedly in good condition--fair conditions are reported for sections of trails running through open grassland. The trail base measures roughly 1 inch, and local snow depth is 5 inches. Anyone wanting to rent skis, boots and poles, or snowshoes will find them at the Flandrau's park office.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
