January 6, 2011 Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report In general, good to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can now be found throughout the entire state of Minnesota. While temperatures will be cold, the forecast calls for stable weather conditions, making it a great time to head out and hit the trails!
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, 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. Please note that a new state law requires nonresidents to have Recreational Vehicle trail passes beginning January 1, 2010 if using state or grant-in-aid trails. 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/Voyageurs National Park
The Koochiching State Forest Tilson Creek ski trail is in good condition. The trail has a 6-10 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 20-24 inches.
Side Lake - north of Hibbing
The ski trails at McCarthy Beach State Park have been groomed and are in excellent condition. The ski trail base averages 8 inches. Snowshoers have been out on the ungroomed portions of the hiking trail system - follow their tracks or make your own to explore parts of the park normally not seen in winter. The park snowmobile trails are reported to be in very good shape, with a 5 inch groomed surface. Please note that heavy snow covers unstable lake ice, and caution must be used when venturing out onto the ice. Twenty-two inches of snow covers the ground at McCarthy Beach State Park.
Ely
Snowmobile trails in the Ely vicinity are listed in good to excellent condition overall. The base of the trails averages 4-6 inches. Please watch for over-hanging brush along the trails, and slush and water at some swamps and lakes. Most lakes are staked, and riders are asked to stay on the staked trails when choosing lake travel. All trails will be groomed again before the weekend. And don't forget to sign up for the 10th Annual Fun Run snowmobile ride, January 29, 2011 in the Ely, Babbitt and Tower area. For more information, visit the events page at
www.ely.org. The Hidden Valley, Birch Lake Plantation, and Babbitt Golf Course cross-country ski trails are all machine groomed, and listed in very good to excellent condition, with more than a 6 inch base. Back country skiing is also good, however those venturing out onto the lakes must watch for slush that has developed due to recent heavy snowfall. The Bear Head Lake State Park cross-country ski trails are groomed and in very good condition, with an 8 inch base. Area snowcover is approximately 20 inches. The snowmobile trails have a 6 inch groomed surface, and are considered to be in good condition. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis - please call ahead for the most current trail conditions.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
Up the Gunflint Trail, the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trail has been groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The trail base consists of packed powder and measures 8-10 inches, and conditions are excellent. Area snowmobile trails are groomed, and in good condition, with a 10-18 inch base. Cold temperatures have frozen the lakes and swamps, leaving good solid ice conditions. The Banadad Ski Trail has a 14 inch rolled surface, with a total of 18 inches of snow on the ground. The Lace Lake Trail is tracked 6 kilometers, and the Tall Pines and portions of the Banadad are also tracked. Along the Upper Gunflint Ski Trail, the groomers report 16-18 inches of snow in the woods, with an 8-9 1/2 inch snowcat packed trail base. Conditions are good to excellent. The snow is perfect for setting tracks!
Lutsen
The ski trails at Tettegouche State Park are reported to be in fair condition, with an 8 inch base. The snowmobile trails have a 6 inch base, and are also in fair condition. Snow depth ranges from 8 inches near Lake Superior to 16 inches near Tettegouche Camp. Last week's rain resulted in icy conditions, and there has not been a significant snowfall since to improve trail conditions significantly. The Northwoods Ski Club ski trails near Silver Bay are in similar condition. Deer, moose and wolf tracks have been seen along the trails. The nearby Deeryard and Pioneer loops are groomed and in good to excellent condition. The trail base ranges from 3-16 inches. And the Hall and Massey Loops, and both Connectors to Lutsen and Cascade have a 2-12 inch groomed surface. Conditions range from fair to excellent for ski trails within the Lutsen/Tofte vicinity.
Two Harbors
The trails at Gooseberry Falls State Park are entirely groomed, and in good condition for skiing and snowmobiling. The base measures 3 inches for both trails. Local snow depth is 1 foot. Please note that there are some icy spots close to the lake.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The majority of the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail is reported to be groomed and in good condition. The trail base is 5-8 inches, with 12-25 inches of snow on the ground. Expect some icy patches. Additional grooming will take place Friday and Saturday. There is a bridge on Forest Road 166 over Heartbreak Creek in Cook County just north of Tofte; a temporary crossing is in place just below the bridge site. Please use caution while riding, and note that conditions can change rapidly due to use.
Sandstone
Banning State Park ski and snowmobile trails have a 4 inch groomed surface. Conditions are fair for both trails. More snow is needed before grooming will resume. A snowmobile parking lot is available at nearby Banning Junction Restaurant & C-Store. Local snow depth is roughly 10 inches. At nearby Moose Lake State Park, the ski and snowmobile trails are groomed, but conditions have been downgraded to fair due to last week's rain - please watch for icy sections. The base of the trails measures 5 inches. Snowcover at the park measures roughly 11 inches.
Northwest Region
Williams - northwest of Baudette
Zippel Bay State Park is covered in approximately 20 inches of snow. The ski and snowmobile trails have a 10 inch groomed surface, and both are listed in excellent condition.
Waskish
The snowmobile trails running through Big Bog State Recreation Area are reported to be in very good condition, with a 4 inch groomed surface. Many snowmobilers using the Grant-in-Aid Snowmobile Trail System have been staying at the park cabins overnight. Area snow cover measures 18 inches.
Roseau
Twenty inches of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. The ski and snowmobile trails are groomed, and reported to be in excellent condition. The trails have a base ranging from 5-10 inches.
Bemidji
Lake Bemidji State Park currently offers excellent conditions for cross-country skiing. The ski trails are groomed, and have a 5 inch base. A 2 kilometer skate lane has been set along the Fish Hawk Trail. The snowmobile trails have a 3-4 inch ungroomed surface, and conditions are good. Local snow depth is approximately 20 inches. The lake ice is slushy in some areas near shore due to heavy snow - overall, the ice measures one foot.
Lake Itasca - north of Park Rapids
Plenty of fresh snow has fallen since New Year's Eve, reviving trails within Itasca State Park. The ski trails are packed, and tracking will be completed today. The trails are in very good to excellent condition, with a 6 inch base. Some drifting is occurring in open areas adjacent to lakes. The new skijoring trails should be entirely packed by the end of this week. The snowmobile trails running through the park have been groomed, and should also be in very good to excellent condition. One and a half feet of snow covers the ground at Itasca State Park.
Central Region
McGregor
Conditions for skiing within Savanna Portage State Park are poor due to heavy snow and freezing rain. Sections of ski trail will be groomed as they are cleared. The snowmobile trails, however, are fully groomed, and reported to be in very good condition, with a 3 inch base. The snowmobile trails running through Savanna State Forest are in similar condition. Local snow depth is approximately 15 inches.
Fergus Falls/Otter Tail County
The Otter Country Trail Association's 273 miles of snowmobile trails will be entirely groomed prior to the weekend. The trails have a 6-12 inch base, with 2-3 feet of snow covering the ground. There are also numerous connections to other trail systems in the Fergus Falls/Otter Tail County vicinity. Please use caution around lakes and streams as ice conditions vary due to the blanket of heavy snow. The ski trails running through nearby Maplewood State Park are in very good condition, with a 10 inch partially groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in fair condition, with a 5-10 inch ungroomed surface. And at nearby Glendalough State Park, the ski trails are in excellent condition, and fully groomed, with a 7 inch base. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available, and the lodge and trail center are open on weekends and daily when staff is present. Approximately 20 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Ottertail/Perham
The Otter Trail Riders Snowmobile Trail is open, and riders report excellent conditions! Overall, the base measures 6 inches. There are over 140 miles of groomed trail running through the Ottertail vicinity, including the cities of Henning, Deer Creek, Bluffton, New York Mills, Perham, Vergas and Dent. Groomers were out early in the week, and the entire trail system will be regroomed by the end of the week.
Brainerd Lakes Area
Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are out enjoying the trails at Crow Wing State Park - both trails are reported to be in excellent condition, with a 5 inch groomed surface. The trails are considered to be the best they've been in years! Just under a foot of snow covers the ground within the park. The Paul Bunyan State Trail at Pequot Lakes is listed in very good condition for snowmobiling. The trail is fully groomed, with a 3-4 inch base. Local snow depth is 16-18 inches in this area.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Center City
Despite the December 30 rainfall, some of the Wild River State Park skate ski trails are in good condition, including the Amador Prairie, Advanced Loop, and Sunrise skate ski trails which have all been regroomed this week. The trails have a 1-4 inch base. Local snow depth is just under 1 foot. Ski and snowshoe rental concessions are available on weekends and holidays at the park's Trail Center. For more information, dial 651/257-0685.
St. Paul/Stillwater
The Gateway State Trail is reported to be in very good shape. The base is roughly 6 inches thick, with snowcover measuring 16 inches. The section from Cayuga to Hwy. 12 has been plowed. The section from Hwy. 12 to Pine Point Park has been groomed and track has been set. Parking lots are at 55th Avenue and Hwy 96 - they have been cleared of snow, and parking is available.
Monticello -north of Buffalo
All Lake Maria State Park ski trails have been groomed and tracked. Overall, conditions are good. The base averages 2-3 inches, and snowcover is roughly 1 foot. Recent rain has left some areas icy - please use caution. There are 22 kilometers of classic ski trail, and 5 kilometers of skate ski trail within the park. In addition, 3 miles of packed trail are available for winter hiking and snowshoeing, and there are ski-in camper cabins and secluded log cabins with wood stoves for rent. Reserve on-line or at 1-866-857-2757.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
All traditional and skate ski trails within the Three Rivers Park District are packed, tracked and in fair to good condition, including at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake, Eagle Lake Regional Park in Plymouth, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, French Regional Park in Plymouth, Glen Lake Golf Course in Minnetonka, Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. The sliding hill is open at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. For the most current trail conditions, dial 763/559-6778. Please note that high school Nordic ski races are held in some parks during the winter season - skiers are asked to check the race schedule prior to planning an outing. Rentals are available at many of the parks within the Three Rivers Park District - please call ahead to secure equipment rental.
Southern Region
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park trail conditions have been downgraded due to last week's rainfall. All cross country ski trails are reported to be in poor condition. The snowmobile trails, however, are in good condition after being regroomed. The base of the trails measures 6 inches. Snowshoes are available for rent once conditions improve. Area snowcover is just over one foot.
Preston
A light, fresh coating of snow has improved conditions at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. The ski trails are in fair condition, and the snowmobile trails are in good condition. Both have a 6 inch base. Local snow depth is just under a foot.
Waterville - west of Faribault
Sakatah Lake State Park trail conditions are fair for skiing and snowmobiling. The trail base ranges from 3-7 inches. Area snow cover is 16 inches. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail that runs through the park currently offers fair conditions for skiing, and good conditions for snowmobiling. Both trails have been groomed, and the base of the trails is 2-10 inches. Local snow depth is 8-12 inches.
Fairfax - northwest of New Ulm
Fort Ridgely State Park ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed, and are in excellent condition! A 6-8 inch base covers these trails, with just under a foot of snow on the ground.
Lynd - southwest of Marshall
Camden State Park ski and snowmobile trails are in good to very good condition, with a 6-8 inch base. The park grounds are covered in 15 inches of snow.
