Minnesota Weekly Winter Trails Update - Jan. 14, 2016
[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]
Light snow has fallen throughout the state this week, improving ski and snowmobile trail conditions in many areas. For good to excellent ski trail conditions, head for trails in the International Falls, Ely, Grand Marais, Carlton, Monticello, Afton and Northfield vicinities. Additional snowmobile trails are now in fair to good condition. In the northeast region, check out trails in the Ely vicinity, or travel the North Shore, Matthew Lourey and Willard Munger state trails. In the northwest, consider trails in the Roseau, Lake Bronson, and Argyle vicinities. And in the southern part of the state, decent snowmobile trail conditions can be found at Northfield, Preston, Faribault, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Luverne. 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 has been groomed, with reports of very good conditions on most of the trail. Local snow depth ranges from 8-10 inches, and the trail base is 3-4 inches. Within Voyageurs National Park , most of trails are now staked and open to snowmobiling. Several pressure ridges have formed on Kabetogama Lake. These ridges have been marked and are safe to cross at the designated crossings.
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 6-8 inches on average, with 11-13 inches of snow in the woods. The Upper Gunflint Trail ski trails are in similar condition.
Ely
In the Ely vicinity, the Hidden Valley and Trezona cross country ski trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Skiers report that conditions are excellent. The trails have a nice solid track and a hard skating deck. The Babbitt Golf Course is also groomed for classic and skate skiing. These trails have a solid base and conditions are excellent. More than 3.5 kilometers of classic ski trails are groomed at Bear Head Lake State Park. The trails are in fair to good condition with a 2-4 inch base. Snow cover throughout the park measures 5-9 inches. The snowmobile trails remain in poor condition. The Tower to Ely section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed, and conditions are reported to be fair. The trail base measures 1-2 inches. Roughly 8-10 inches of snow covers the ground.
Silver Bay
Tettegouche State Park is covered in 4-14 inches of snow with deeper snowcover inland. The ski trails are partially groomed and some of the trails are in fair to good condition, with a 1 inch base.
Duluth/Grand Marais
From 7-17 inches of snow covers the ground along the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail. The trail has been packed and groomed all the way from Duluth to Grand Marais this week, and the trail is scheduled to be regroomed Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15 & 16. There is a 2-4 inch base from Duluth to Finland, and a 3-5 inch base from Finland to Grand Marais. The trail is in fair to good condition. Please note that these conditions do change due to use and weather. Please slow down and use caution, especially where logging operations are taking place and when meeting a groomer.
Carlton
Most ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park have been groomed. These trails have a 3 inch base, and conditions are considered good. The snowmobile trails have an ungroomed 3 inch surface, and conditions are considered fair. Local snow depth is 8 inches.
Moose Lake/Pine City
The Matthew Lourey State Trail running through Nemadji State Forest is groomed for snowmobiling. Conditions are considered good. The trail base averages 2 inches. There is roughly 1 foot of snow in the woods along the trail. Most of the Willard Munger State Snowmobile Trail, running between Hinckley and Duluth, is groomed and in good condition. The trail base measures 2-3 inches, with 10-12 inches of snow in the woods.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Northwest Region
Lake Bronson, far northwest corner of Minnesota
The snowmobile trails at Lake Bronson State Park are groomed, and riders report good conditions. Approximately 10 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Roseau
Nearly a foot of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. Snowmobilers have been riding the park's groomed trails, and conditions are reported to be good.
Argyle/northwest of Thief River Falls
The snowmobile trail running through Old Mill State Park is reported to be in fair condition, with a 2 inch base. The trail has been groomed. Local snow depth is approximately 10 inches.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Central Region
Most ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Monticello -north of Buffalo
All Lake Maria State Park ski trails are fully groomed and tracked, with good conditions reported. There are 22 kilometers of ski trails, and 5 kilometers of hiking and snowshoeing trails within the park. The trail base averages 1 inch, with 8 inches of snow in the woods. Ski-in camper cabins, secluded log cabins with wood stoves, and snowshoe rental are available within the park.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
As of Jan. 14, some traditional and classic cross-country ski trails were open and in good condition at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, and at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. These trails consist of machine made snow. Fair conditions were reported at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, French Regional Park in Plymouth and Glen Lake Golf Center in Minnetonka. Please contact the Three Rivers Park District for the most current trail 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 fair conditions. The trail base averages 2 inches, with 4 inches of snow covering the ground.
Afton - north of Hastings
Ski trails at Afton State Park are in good condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. Snow cover in the woods is roughly 7 inches. Snowshoe rental is available at the park, and there are eleven miles of snowshoe trails. Reservations can be made by dialing 651-436-5391
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 a 4 inch base. The trails are ungroomed, but skiers are making their own tracks. The snowmobile trails are groomed, and riders report good conditions on a 4 inch base. Approximately 9 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Caledonia
While the ski trails at Beaver Creek Valley State Park are not groomed, skiers report fair conditions. The trails have a 3 inch base. Local snow depth is approximately 6 inches.
Preston/Harmony/Lanesboro
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park has opened their snowmobile trails, with fair conditions reported along a 3 inch base - please watch for icy sections. Local snow depth is 6 inches. The Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails are partially groomed and in fair condition for cross-country skiing. Roughly 3-8 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Waterville -east of Faribault
The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail has been groomed for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 1 inch, and conditions are considered fair. Local snow depth is 6-8 inches.
Owatonna
The ski and snowmobile trails at Rice Lake State Park are ungroomed. The base of these trails measures 1 inch, and conditions are reported to be fair.
Albert Lea
The snowmobile trails at Myre-Big Island State Park have been groomed, and riders report fair 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.
Luverne
The snowmobile trails running through Blue Mounds State Park are reported to be in good condition. The trails have a 6 inch ungroomed surface. Local snow depth is also 6 inches.
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.
