February 2, 2012 Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report

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   February 2, 2012 Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report
   

Many ski trails in the far northeast at Ely, Grand Marais, Hibbing and International Falls are reported to be in good to excellent condition. Some ski trails are also open and in good condition at Twin Cities sites with snow-making equipment. And many snowmobile trails are now open and in good to excellent condition at Finland, Grand Marais, and at International Falls 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.


Northeast Region

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. Nearby, all of Voyageurs National Park's 110 miles of snowmobile trails and over 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are now open and ready for visitors to enjoy. Snowmobilers and skiers will also enjoy the abundance of wildlife and scenic grandeur within the park. Overall, the snowmobile trails are fully staked, and conditions are excellent! Please note that there are hazardous pressure ridges that remain active, with standing water above the ice in some locations along the ridges. Snowmobilers must continue to use extreme caution and only cross the pressure ridges at designated crossings points along the staked routes. Slow travel speeds are highly recommended. Most ice roads are open, packed and tracked. The park has packed and tracked the Black Bay Ski Trails and the Tilson Connector Trail near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, as well as the Echo Bay Trail system in Kabetogama. All trails are in good condition. 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. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They can be reached at 218/286-5258. More information is also available at www.rainylake.org

Ely

Area trails are in the best condition all season. The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails are in great condition, with a 6-plus inch base for classic and skate skiing--these trails are groomed and tracked at least twice each week. The Trezona Trail is in similar condition. The Babbitt Golf Course trails are also groomed for both classic and skate skiing, and conditions are excellent! The Bear Head Lake State Park campground loops and some of the other ski trails are groomed and in good condition, with a 2-3 inch base--skiers should keep an eye out for the great grey owl that has been spotted several times at the boat launch. Some of the snowmobile trails in the Ely vicinity have been freshly groomed and are in mostly fair condition, including the Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trail running through Bear Island State Forest. 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 8-10 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 very good conditions on trails within McCarthy Beach State Park. Roughly 6 kilometers of trails have a 3 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails have also been groomed, and are reported to be in fair condition--the base averages 2 inches. Approximately 10 inches of snow covers the ground. Just to the north, the section of the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail running from Blue Ox Trail to Orr is in fair condition, with a 2 inch groomed surface.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, the ski trails located inland and "over the hills" from Lake Superior received another 4 inches of snow in the past few days. Up the Gunflint Trail, the Banadad and adjoining ski trails are in excellent condition, with a total of 41 kilometers now freshly groomed. In the Central Gunflint Trail vicinity, the ski trails have a 7-8 inch Snowcat packed base, with the trails 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 in this area. In the Upper Gunflint Trail vicinity, total accumulation in the woods is roughly 20 inches. Most trails in this area are now open, and fully regroomed, with a 6-8 inch packed powder surface. Skiers report excellent conditions! And riders report that area snowmobile trails are in decent shape, offering an enjoyable ride. The Gunflint, Expressway, Clearwater Spur, and Hungry Jack Spur are freshly groomed, and temperatures should remain mild--perfect for sledding this weekend! As of late last week, the trails closer to Lutsen, including Muehlberg, Deer and Caribou snowmobile trails, were reported to have a 5-6 inch groomed surface.

Lutsen

Cascade River State Park offers 18 miles of packed and groomed ski trails. The base measures 2-7 inches, and conditions are fair overall. 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. The two miles of snowmobile trails running through the park are partially groomed, and conditions are considered fair. And the nearby Deer Yard Trails Cluster is reported to offer the best ski conditions within the Norpine Trail System near Lutsen. A total of 19.4 kilometers have been groomed for classic skiing. The base averages 4-5 inches deep.

Finland/Grand Marais

The portion of the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail running from the Caribou Parking Lot north to the Cook County Trail junction just south of Grand Marais was groomed earlier this week. The base is 3-6 inches thick on this section of trail, and conditions are reported to be fair to good. Local snow depth ranges from 4-15 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.
Northwest Region

Bemidji

The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park were last groomed January 30, and skiers report very good conditions. The trails have a 3 inch base. The best conditions remain north of County Road 20. The snowmobile trails are ungroomed and in fair condition, with a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is 9 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.
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 Thursday, February 2, Elm Creek Park Reserve, located in Maple Grove and part of the Three Rivers Park District was reported to offer good 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 Wednesday, February 1, skiers reported good conditions overall, however, unseasonably warm temperatures were causing the trail base to deteriorate. There are trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as a practice area, lessons, equipment rental, and a 3.1 kilometer lighted manmade snow loop. The trails are typically very 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 a schedule of practice times and upcoming races. 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. The base is estimated at 4-8 inches thick. 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

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

Lanesboro/Preston

Local snow cover at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is roughly 5 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 has been downgraded to poor condition for skiing due to unseasonably warm temperatures. The trail base is now 1 inch base. The nearby Root River State Trail is reported to be in similar condition. Local snow depth is roughly 3-4 inches. The Whalan Candlelight Ski will be held this weekend, however, participants may need to travel by foot instead of ski.

Altura/east of Rochester

Conditions for skiing are fair to good at Whitewater State Park. The trails have a 1 inch groomed surface overall. Local snow depth measures 2 inches. Unusually warm temperatures have caused much of snowcover to melt--snowshoe events held February 3 & 6 will now be walking events.

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.