Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report: January 22, 2009
Snow-coated branches. This is the Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report as of Thursday, January 22, with information provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Excellent cross-country ski and/or snowmobile trail conditions can be found throughout the state, and specifically at Cascade River, Gooseberry, Banning, Hayes Lake, Itasca, Maplewood, Beaver Creek Valley, and Lac Qui Parle state parks. Trails in the Detroit Lakes, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Ely and Kabetogama vicinities also offer excellent conditions. Please remember that trail conditions can change rapidly–please call ahead for the most current conditions.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails, and all snowmobiles must have a $16 trail use permit. Cross-country skiers must also have a pass to use grant-in-aid and state-operated trails. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. You may order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers at 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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Northeastern Region
Bigfork (north of Grand Rapids)
Scenic State Park cross-country ski trails are groomed, and in very good condition. The trails have a 9 inch base. The snowmobile trail that runs through the park is also groomed, and riders report good conditions. The base of this trail is 5-8 inches. The historic lodge building is open. There is a stone fireplace, and a supply of wood for a nice warm fire. Roughly 21 inches of snow covers the ground in this area. And, just southeast of Grand Rapids, the Golden Anniversary State Forest Cow Horn and River road trails are in good to very good condition for cross-country skiing. These trails have a 5 inch groomed surface.
International Falls
Tilson Creek cross-country ski trails, running through Koochiching State Forest, are groomed for classic and skate skiing. The trails are in excellent condition, with a 10 inch base. Watch for signs of moose, timberwolves, and pine martens along the way. Two feet of snow covers the ground.
Kabetogama
Area land trails are in very good to excellent condition, with a solid base covered in 3 inches of fresh snow. Trails are well groomed, and have not received much traffic. The park service has staked more trails, but they are not expected to be groomed this week. Riders should be cautious on the ice and be prepared for slushy conditions.
Ely
The ground is covered in roughly 3 feet of snow. Most snowmobile trails are groomed twice a week, and are reported to be in excellent condition, with a solid 6 inch base. Most flowages and swampy areas are firming up nicely. Many area lakes are staked, and riders are encouraged to stay on the staked trails if choosing lake travel. Most cross-country ski trails in the area are groomed, tracked, and in excellent condition, with a 6-10 inch base. At Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed and in excellent condition, with an 8 inch base. The portion of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail that runs through the park has a 2-6 inch groomed surface, and riders report conditions as very good. Local snow depth is 21 inches. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis–please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
Cross-country skiers and snowmobilers are enjoying excellent trail conditions, as well as breathtaking scenery throughout the Grand Marais vicinity. At present, there is 40-50 inches of snow on the ground. Most trails have a packed powder base measuring at least 18 inches, and trails are groomed on a regular basis. Volks Ski Fest, a new family-oriented ski event, will take place throughout Cook County from Saturday, January 31 through Sunday, February 8, with ski and snowshoe outings, clinics, bonfires, dog sled rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a scavenger hunt, and much more! For further information, check out
www.grandmarais.com, or dial 1-888-922-5000. Up the Gunflint Trail, the Banadad, Lace Lake, Knapp, and Tall Pines trails are reported to be in excellent condition for both classic and skate skiing. On average, these trails have a 16-18 inch base. There is roughly 2 feet of snow on the ground.
Lutsen
Cascade River State Park currently offers excellent conditions for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The trails are groomed, with a 10 inch base. Local snow depth is roughly 22 inches.
Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park is covered in 21 inches of snow. The ski and snowmobile trails are currently in excellent condition. Both trails have a 12 inch groomed surface. There are beautiful ice formations on the waterfalls and along the Lake Superior shoreline. Visitors report seeing signs of fox, pine marten, deer, wolf and eagles.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The North Shore State Trail is in fair to good condition for snowmobiling, with a 4-5 inch base. The entire trail has been groomed this week, and it will be regroomed on Friday and Saturday nights. Trail conditions vary–please use caution while riding. Trailside snow depth ranges from 16-30 inches. Please note that the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon starts this Sunday, January 25, and runs the entire length of the North Shore Trail through Thursday, January 29. The trail remains open to snowmobiling, however EXTREME CAUTION must be used if riding this trail during the sled dog races. A recorded message on trail conditions is also available at 218/834-1439.
Carlton
The ski trails running through Fond du Lac State Forest are reported to be in excellent condition, with a 4-6 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails have a 6-8 inch groomed surface, and are listed in very good condition. Fourteen inches of snow covers the ground.
Sandstone
Banning State Park currently offers very good to excellent conditions for both skiing and snowmobiling. The trails are fully groomed, with an 8-9 inch base. The ground is covered in roughly 20 inches of snow. Snowmobile trailer parking is available at Banning Junction Restaurant.
East of Hinckley
The snowmobile trails running through St. Croix State Park are groomed and in very good condition, with 4 inch base. The Kettle River ice crossing is open with approximately 18 inches of ice. The ski trails are also groomed, and in fair to good condition, with a 6 inch base. Just over 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
Northcentral/West Region
Roseau
Roughly 2 feet of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. Both the ski and snowmobile trails are fully groomed and in excellent condition, with a 12 inch base! The lake has at least 16 inches of ice, but caution must be used near the springs and river currents. The crappies are biting near the dam face, and the northerns are active near the fishing pier.
Waskish
Snowmobile trails running through the Big Bog State Recreation Area and the surrounding area are groomed and in excellent condition. The trails have an 8 inch base. Camper cabin users have been snowshoeing in the bog on a nice base of snow, and anglers are having lots of success fishing on nearby Upper Red Lake. Twenty inches of snow is on the ground in this area.
Lake George/Lake Itasca (north of Park Rapids)
The ski trails within Itasca State Park have an 8 inch groomed surface, and conditions are reported to be excellent. The snowmobile trails are also groomed, but considered to be in good condition, with a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is averaging 20 inches. Please remember that the Itasca Suites are open during the winter months, with ski and snowmobile trails beginning right outside the door, along the south shore of Lake Itasca!
Detroit Lakes
The Winter Wonderland snowmobile trails in Becker County are groomed and in very good to excellent condition. The trail base is measuring 6-12 inches, and there is 25-30 inches of snow on the ground! The Detroit Lakes area has over 200 miles of snowmobile trails that run through rolling prairie and secluded woodlands. There are connections with neighboring trails in all directions.
Fergus Falls/Battle Lake
Otter Country snowmobile trails are groomed and in good to very good condition, with an 8-12 inch base. Approximately 28-32 inches of snow covers the ground in this area. The ski and snowmobile trails running through Maplewood State Park are in excellent condition, with an 8-10 inch groomed surface. And at nearby Glendalough State Park, the ski trails are in very good condition, with a 9 inch groomed surface. Ski rental is available, and more youth sizes were recently added.
Brainerd
The ski and snowmobile trails within Pillsbury State Forest are reported to be in good condition, with a 5.5 inch base. Both trails are fully groomed. Local snow depth is 15-16 inches. Nearby, the section of the Paul Bunyan State Snowmobile Trail running through Pequot Lakes is reported to be in good condition, with a 5-6 inch groomed surface. Riders should note that there is still quite a bit of slush on area lakes. At Crow Wing State Park, both the ski and snowmobile trails are reported to be groomed and in very good condition. The ski trails have a 5 inch base, and the snowmobile trails have a 4 inch base. Local snow depth is 14 inches.
Onamia
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park ski and snowmobile trails are groomed and in very good condition, with a 7 inch base. Local snow depth is roughly 16 inches. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. Camper Cabin reservations can be made by calling 1-866-857-2757, or by logging on to the reservation website at
www.stayatmnparks.comOrrock (west of Zimmerman)
The Ann Lake Trail, running through the Sand Dunes State Forest, offers very good conditions for both skiing and snowmobiling. The trail is groomed, with a 3 inch base. Roughly 15 inches of snow covers the ground.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Monticello
Lake Maria State Park ski trails are in very good condition, with a 3 inch base on all 22 kilometers of traditional ski trails and 5 kilometers of skate ski trails. Ski-in cabins are also available–please call the state park reservation line at 1-866-857-2757 to reserve a cabin. The ground is covered in more 1 foot of snow.
Long Lake
The Luce Line State Trail, between Stubbs Bay Road and the McLeod County Line, is open for both skiing and snowmobiling. The ski trails have 3 inch ungroomed surface. The snowmobile trails are groomed, with a 4 inch base. Both are reported to be in fair condition. Local snow depth is 6 inches. The westernmost section of the Luce Line State Trail between the McLeod County Line and the town of Cosmos, is in good condition for snowmobiling, with a 5 inch base. Snow depth is measuring 9 inches in this area.
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 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. 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)
The ski trail system within Wild River State Park has been groomed and tracked, and conditions are reported to be very good. The trails have a 5 inch base. Roughly 1 foot of snow is in the woods. Wild River offers ski and snowshoe rental throughout the winter season when trails have suitable snow cover. For rental information, dial 651/257-0685
Marine On St. Croix (north of Stillwater)
The William O’Brien State Park ski trails are in very good condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. The ground is covered with 7 inches of snow.
Oakdale/Stillwater
The Gateway State Trail currently offers fair conditions for cross-country skiing. Trails are ungroomed, with a 2.5 inch base. Local snow depth is 6-7 inches.
Southern Region
Frontenac (south of Red Wing)
The Frontenac State Park ski and snowmobile trails are groomed, with a 4 inch base. Conditions are reported to be fair for skiing, and very good for snowmobiling. The prairie ski trails have some areas where the snow has drifted and filled in the tracks. Local snow depth is just over 1 foot.
Preston
Ski and snowmobile trail conditions within Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park are reported to be very good. Both trails have an 8 inch. At the city of Caledonia, within nearby Beaver Creek Valley State Park, there is a 10 inch base on tracked, but ungroomed, cross-country ski trails. Ski trail conditions are reported to be excellent. The ground is covered in approximately 16 inches of snow.
Elba (north of St. Charles)
The ski trails within Whitewater State Park are in very good condition, with a 5-6 inch groomed surface. Overall, there is 1 foot of snow on the ground.
Waterville (southwest of Faribault)
From 9-11 inches of snow covers the ground at Sakatah Lake State Park. The ski trails are in good condition, with a 3-4 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in good condition, with a 1-3 inch base. The Big Woods Loop was packed and combed. New and blowing snow has filled in some of the tracks that were set. There are also some snow drifts on sections of trail closest to the lake. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail, which travels past Sakatah Lake State Park, is reported to be in very good condition for skiing, and in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail is partially groomed, with a 1-3 inch base. Please note that drifting and heavy use last weekend has left the trail rough in some areas.
New Ulm
Flandrau State Park ski trails are groomed and in good condition, with a 4 inch base. Overall, there is approximately 8 inches of snow on the ground in this area. Flandrau State Park rents cross-country skis, boots and poles, as well as snowshoes.
Watson (northwest of Montevideo)
The ski trail running through Lac qui Parle State Park is in excellent condition, with a 13 inch groomed surface. The ground is covered in 16 inches of snow. The WPA shelter building is open–bring some marshmallows, make a fire, and enjoy a wonderful day of skiing!
New London
Sibley State Park ski trails are groomed, and in very good condition, with a 6 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 3-4 inch groomed surface. Over 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area. The sliding hill is snow covered, and in good condition. The heated trail center has a supply of wood for the fireplace. Towards the city of Willmar, the Glacial Lakes State Trail is in very good condition for snowmobiling, with a 2-5 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 15 inches.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
