Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report: February 12, 2009
Warm temperatures and rain have taken their toll on ski and snowmobile trails throughout the state. At present, very good ski trail conditions can be found up the Gunflint Trail at Grand Marais. Fair to good conditions are being reported for cross-country ski and/or snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach, Cascade River, Tettegouche and Temperance River state parks. The Arrowhead State Trail, Heartland State Trail, and trails within the Golden Anniversary State Forest, Bear Island State Forest, Beltrami Island State Forest, Paul Bunyan State Forest, the Three Rivers Park District, and in the Ely, Bemidji and Detroit Lakes vicinities also offer fair conditions. Please note 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.
Northeast Region
Grand Rapids/Deer River
The Golden Anniversary State Forest Cow Horn and River Road cross-country ski trails have been down-graded to fair condition due to recent warm temperatures. The trails have a 1-4 inch groomed surface. Expect icy sections along the way. Approximately 8-12 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Side Lake (north of Hibbing)
The snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are ungroomed, with a 3 inch base. Conditions are reported to be fair. The ski trails are in poor condition. Two days of rain and warm weather have severely damaged trail conditions. Ski trails will not be groomed again until a significant amount of fresh snow is received. The snowmobile trails are either very soft or hard and icy depending on the temperature, and some bare spots can be found in the open areas and at the corners. As temperatures fluctuate, the lakes are either covered with standing water or glare ice–please use extra caution on area lakes. Local snow depth is 13 inches.
Tower
The Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail has been down-graded to fair condition. The trail base measure 1-4 inches. While 1-2 inches of fresh snow fell Thursday morning, temperatures remain above freezing. Groomers will hit the trails once temperatures fall enough for grooming to be effective. Riders should expect some icy patches, and the high traffic areas and corners may have bare spots. Trail grooming will continue through the weekend if conditions permit. The trailhead is located ten miles west of Tower, at the intersection of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail. The snow in the woods measures 17-20 inches. Similar conditions are being reported for the Taconite State Trail. Nearby, the Putnam and Fishing Lakes snowmobile trails running through Bear Island State Forest have turned somewhat icy with the recent warm temperatures and rainfall. At present, conditions are fair, and the trail base measures 2-6 inches. Trail grooming will be dependent on the weather. As always, riders should beware of changing conditions and watch for rocks, stumps, slush and flowing water. Stay to the right, and slow down at the corners.
Ely
Most trails are in fair condition due to warm temperatures and rainfall earlier in the week. If the area receives the forecasted 5-7 inches of fresh snow, groomers will hit the trails. Please note that lakes have become slushy so riders are encouraged to use land trails at this time. Conditions are reported to be fair, and the land trail base is measuring 1-4 inches, with just a few bare areas.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
The cross-country ski and snowmobile trails have turned somewhat icy due to recent warm temperatures. Snow is in the forecast, therefore trail conditions are expected to improve by this weekend. Up the Gunflint Trail, the Pincushion Mountain ski trails are reported to be in very good winter condition for both skate and classic skiing, with a 12-18 inch base. Snow depth is roughly 2-3 feet.
Lutsen
Cascade River State Park currently offers fair conditions for cross-country skiing. The trails are groomed, with an 8 inch base. Local snow depth is roughly 15 inches.
Finland/Grand Marais
The northeast portion of the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail is in fair condition, with a 4-7 inch base. The entire trail was groomed last weekend, but it has not been regroomed this week due to warm and rainy conditions. The trail is reported to be in typical spring riding condition, with some bare spots on the corners and hills, and possible flooding and icy patches along the way. Trail conditions will vary due to use. Trailside snow depth ranges from 11-30 inches.
Silver Bay
Tettegouche State Park trails are groomed and snowmobilers report fair conditions. The trails have an 8 inch base. Similar conditions are reported for snowmobiling at Temperance River State Park. There are lots of signs of wildlife along the trail, including wolf, fox, coyotes, otter, beaver and deer. The waterfalls are stunning due to the ice formations. Local snow depth is roughly 30 inches.
Northcentral/West Region
Warroad
The eastern portion of the trail running through Beltrami Island State Forest is in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail has a 4 inch groomed surface. There is roughly 1 foot of snow in the woods.
Waskish
The snowmobile trails running through the Big Bog State Recreation Area and the surrounding area are groomed and in fair condition. The trails have a 4 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. Eleven inches of snow is on the ground in this area.
Bemidji
The Lake Bemidji State Park snowmobile trails have a 5 inch groomed surface, and are listed in fair condition. The ski trails are in good condition, and also have a 5 inch base. Nearby, the Bemidji-Itasca State Trail is in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base ranges from 0-3 inches. Please note that river and lake ice is unsafe in some areas. Ten to 15 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Walker/Nevis
The northern section of the Heartland State Trail is groomed and currently in fair condition. The trail base averages 1-4 inches. Roughly 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area. Similar conditions are reported for the western section near Nevis. The northern section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail is also considered to be in fair condition. Please note that area river and lake ice is unsafe in some areas.
Park Rapids
The snowmobile trails running through the Paul Bunyan State Forest are reported to be in fair to good condition. The trail base measures 2-6 inches, however some corners and hills have bare spots.
Detroit Lakes
While recent rain showers reduced some of the snow cover, the Winter Wonderland trails running throughout Becker County are still considered to be in good condition. There is 10-20 inches of snow on the ground, and the trail base measures 4-10 inches. Please note that pooling has occurred in some of the low-lying areas, and some of the lakes may be covered in slush. Grooming is expected to continue once the temperatures drop and standing water along the trails becomes frozen. Trails running through the nearby White Earth State Forest are also considered to be in good condition for snowmobiling. Overall, the trails have a 2-6 inch base, however some bare areas may be encountered at the corners and on the hills.
Fergus Falls/Battle Lake
The Otter Country snowmobile trails are currently in poor to fair condition due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The trails have a 4-8 inch hard-packed and icy base. Approximately 12-14 inches of snow covers the ground. Expect extended bare spots at the road crossings and in the fields. And at nearby Glendalough State Park, the ski trails are in good condition, with a 4 inch groomed surface. Ski rental is available, and more youth sizes were recently added.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Three Rivers Park District -Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
Warm temperatures and rain have taken their toll on both the classic and skate ski trails. At present, only Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove offers good conditions for skiing. All other parks have closed their trails.
All other ski and snowmobile trails have either been down-graded to poor condition or have been closed due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall.
Southern Region
All ski and snowmobile trails have either been down-graded to poor condition or have been closed due to recent warm temperatures and rainfall.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
