Minnesota Weekly Winter Trails Update - Feb. 4, 2016
Temperatures will increase tomorrow, and remain mild through the weekend. The snowstorm earlier this week improved trail conditions throughout the southern one-third of the state, making this weekend ideal for a cross-country ski or snowmobile adventure.
At the time of this report, very good to excellent ski trail conditions could be found at International Falls, Ely, Grand Marais, Two Harbors, Detroit Lakes, New Ulm, Red Wing and Winona. Good to excellent snowmobile trail conditions were reported at Luverne, Albert Lea, Northfield, Orono, Winsted, Garrison, Detroit Lakes, Pine City, Carlton, Two Harbors, Grand Marias and Ely. As always, please call ahead for the most current trail conditions before traveling.
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Northeast Region
International Falls
The Koochiching State Forest Tilson Creek Ski Trail is groomed, with very good conditions on a 3-4 inch base. Local snow depth ranges from 14-18 inches.
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
The Cow Horn and River Road ski trails running through Golden Anniversary State Forest are groomed and in good condition, with a 4-5 inch base. Local snow depth is roughly 10-12 inches.
Ely
Local snow depth is roughly 14-18 inches in the Ely vicinity. The Babbitt Golf Course and Birch Lake Plantation trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing. These trails have a solid base and conditions are described as excellent. More than 3.5 kilometers of classic ski trails are groomed at Bear Head Lake State Park. The trails are in very good condition with a 3-5 inch base. The Tower to Ely section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed and conditions are reported to be good. The trail base measures 2-4 inches. Similar conditions are reported for the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail. Many other area snowmobile trails are in good shape as well. All Ely area lakes have been staked, but there is quite a bit of slush on some lakes. It is recommended that snowmobilers stay on the staked trails to avoid complications.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail , most of the Central Gunflint Trail ski trails are groomed and in excellent condition. The trail base measures 9-10 inches on average, with 18-22 inches of snow in the woods. The snowmobile trails in this area are in good shape with an 8-10 inch base. At Cascade River State Park, 4-14 inches of snow covers the ground. The ski trails are fully groomed, with a base measuring 2-8 inches. Conditions are reported to be good. Similar conditions are reported for the snowmobile trails running through Cascade River.
Two Harbors
Very good conditions are reported for Gooseberry Falls State Park 's 12 miles of traditional cross country ski trails, with good conditions reported for the 3 miles of snowmobile trails that connect to the North Shore State Trail. The base of these trails measures 4-5 inches, and both have been groomed. Local snow depth is 10 inches.
Carlton
All ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park have been groomed. The trails have a 7 inch base, and conditions are considered fair. The snowmobile trails also have a 7 inch groomed surface, and conditions are considered good. Local snow depth is 1 foot.
Moose Lake/Pine City
The Matthew Lourey State Trail running through Nemadji State Forest is groomed for snowmobiling, and conditions are considered good. The trail base averages 4 inches with 1 foot of snow on the ground. Most of the Willard Munger State Snowmobile Trail, running between Hinckley and Duluth, is groomed and in good condition. The trail base measures 2-4 inches, with 12-14 inches of snow along the trail.
Northwest Region
Roseau
Nearly a foot of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. Snowmobilers are enjoying the park's trails, and conditions are reported to be fair.
Walker
The Paul Bunyan State Snowmobile Trail is groomed and in fair condition, with a 0-1 inch base. The Heartland State Trail running through the Walker vicinity is in fair condition for snowmobiling. This trail has a 2 inch base. Snow cover measures roughly 7 inches in this area.
Detroit Lakes
The northern White Earth (200/300) and Chippewa Trail (400) loops of the Winter Wonderland Snowmobile Trails running through Becker County are freshly groomed. The trail base measures 2-3 inches, and conditions are good. Over 250 miles of trails traverse this area, offering views of rolling prairie to secluded woodlands filled with wildlife. Nearby, the Maplelag Resort ski trails are also freshly groomed. Skiers report good to excellent conditions.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Central Region
Fergus Falls/Battle Lake
As of Jan. 29, the ski trails at Glendalough State Park were reported to be in excellent condition with a 2 inch groomed surface. Last weekend's warm temperatures have likely caused the trails to deteriorate -- please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Willmar
Glacial Lakes State Park snowmobile trails are ungroomed and in poor condition, with a 0-1 inch base. Local snow depth is 3-5 inches.
Onamia/Garrison
As of Jan. 30, most Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park ski trails were groomed and in good condition, with a 2-3 inch base. The snowmobile trails were also groomed and in good condition. Groomers reported a 2 inch base. A total of 7-8 inches of snow covered the ground.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Orono/Winsted
The section of the Luce Line State Snowmobile Trail running between Watertown and the McLeod County Line was groomed Feb. 3, and the section between Stubbs Bay Road and Watertown will be groomed on Feb. 4. Overall, the trail is in good condition with a 2-3 inch base. Roughly 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
Most traditional and classic cross-country ski trails are reported to be in good condition at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Clearly Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake, Eagle Lake Regional Park in Plymouth, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, French Regional Park in Plymouth, Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. Please contact the Three Rivers Park District for the most current trail conditions before traveling.
St. Paul
Ski trails running through Fort Snelling State Park are packed and groomed following the snowstorm earlier this week. Conditions are considered good. Local snow depth is 10 inches.
Ramsey County
Ramsey County cross-country ski trails are groomed and in good to excellent condition at Battle Creek Regional Park, Grass Lake, Tamarack Nature Center, and Vadnais-Sucker Lake. The Winter Rental Shack is open at Tamarack Nature Center for ski and snowshoe rentals. Please contact these parks directly for the most current conditions.
Marine on St. Croix - north of Stillwater
The classic and skate ski trails at William O'Brien State Park are freshly groomed, and skiers report good conditions. The trail base averages 4 inches, with 11 inches of snow covering the ground.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Northfield
The ski trails at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park are in fair condition, with an 8 inch base. The trails are ungroomed, but skiers are making their own tracks. The snowmobile trails are groomed, and riders report good conditions on an 8 inch base. Approximately 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park is covered in 6 inches of snow. The ski trails are packed and tracked, and skiers report good conditions. The trails have a 3 inch base. The snowmobile trails are closed for the season.
Winona
All ten miles of Great River Bluffs State Park ski trails have been groomed. The trails have an 8 inch base, and conditions are very good. Local snow depth is roughly 9 inches. Nearby, the Saint Mary’s Ski Trail has been freshly groomed following the recent large snowstorm. The trails are solid and in perfect condition.
Caledonia
While the ski trails at Beaver Creek Valley State Park are not groomed, skiers report good conditions. The trails have a 9 inch base, with approximately 12 inches of snow on the ground.
Albert Lea
The snowmobile trails at Myre-Big Island State Park have been groomed, and riders report good conditions. The trails have a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is roughly 7 inches. The ski trails will not be groomed this year. Snowshoe rental is available at the park office.
New Ulm
Flandrau State Park ski trails are freshly groomed and tracked, and conditions are considered very good. The trails have a 4 inch base in most areas. Roughly 9 inches of snow covers the ground.
Luverne
The snowmobile trail running through Blue Mounds State Park is reported to be in good condition. The trail has a 12 inch ungroomed surface. Local snow depth is also 1 foot.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Explore Minnesota will report winter trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as changes in conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, Voyageurs National Park, the Three Rivers Park District, and communities throughout the state.
Please note that 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 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.
