Minnesota Weekly Winter Trails Update - Feb. 11, 2016
Cross-country skiing at Saint Mary's University in Winona on Feb. 6, 2016
[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [ Southern]
A cold front has settled in, but a warming trend will arrive by the end of the weekend. At the time of this report, very good to excellent ski trail conditions could be found at Winona, Preston, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Two Harbors, Grand Marais, Ely, and International Falls. Good to excellent snowmobile trail conditions were reported throughout the northern one-third of the state. 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 4-5 inch base. Local snow depth ranges from 20-24 inches. All snowmobile trails are open and staked within Voyageurs National Park , and riders report good conditions. Most of the cross-country ski trails are packed and tracked. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls offers adult- and child-size ski and snowshoe rental. Snowshoe hikes are offered from 1-3 p.m. at Voyageurs National Park each Saturday through March 19.
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
Most area cross-country ski trails have been groomed following a significant snowfall earlier this week. Skiers report excellent conditions along classic ski trails that have been freshly tracked, and along the skate ski lanes that have been freshly combed. Nearby, 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. Most area snowmobile trails have been groomed, and riders report good conditions. In particular, the Grand Rapids section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed and conditions are reported to be good. The trail base measures 4-5 inches. The ground is covered in roughly 10-12 inches.
Ely
Local snow depth is roughly 20-24 inches in the Ely vicinity. The Hidden Valley and Trezona cross country ski trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Both are in great shape with a solid 8 inch base. The Babbitt Golf Course and Birch Lake Plantation trails are also groomed and in excellent shape for classic and skate skiing. The Tower to Ely section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed and conditions are reported to be very good. The trail base measures 4-6 inches. Similar conditions are reported for the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail. Many other area snowmobile trails are also in great shape. 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 , the Banadad ski trails are freshly tracked and in excellent shape. The trail base is 20 inches thick, and average snow depth is more than 2 feet. Area snowmobile trails are also in great shape, with snow depth in the mid-trail area measuring 24-36 inches. The trail base measures 8-12 inches. At Cascade River State Park, from 8-24 inches of snow blankets the ground. The ski trails are fully groomed, with a base measuring 6-16 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 5-6 inches, and both have been groomed. Local snow depth is 10 inches.
Duluth/Grand Marais
From 11-28 inches of snow covers the ground along the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail. The trail is fully groomed, and it will be regroomed again Friday and Saturday nights. The trail base measures 3-8 inches. Overall, the trail is in good condition.
Moose Lake/Pine City
The Matthew Lourey State Trail running through Nemadji State Forest is groomed for snowmobiling, and conditions are considered very 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 10-12 inches of snow along the trail.
Northwest Region
Lake Bronson, far northwest corner of Minnesota
Lake Bronson State Park snowmobile trails are groomed and in good condition with a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is approximately 10 inches.
Roseau
One foot of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. Snowmobilers are enjoying the park's trails, and conditions are reported to be good.
Bemidji
The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are groomed and in very good condition, with a 3 inch base. The snowmobile trails have also been groomed, with good conditions reported. These trails also have a 3 inch base. Local snow depth is 9 inches.
Walker
The Paul Bunyan State Snowmobile Trail is groomed and in fair condition, with a 1-4 inch base. The Heartland State Trail running through the Walker vicinity is in good condition for snowmobiling. This trail has a 2-3 inch base. Snow cover measures 8-12 inches in this area.
Park Rapids
Itasca State Park is covered in 9 inches of snow following 4 inches of fresh snow earlier this week. The ski trails are in very good condition. The snowmobile trails are in good condition.
Detroit Lakes
The northern White Earth (200/300) and Chippewa Trail (400) loops of the Winter Wonderland Snowmobile Trail System running through Becker County are freshly groomed. The trail base measures 6-8 inches, and conditions are excellent. Nearby, the Maplelag Resort ski trails are also freshly groomed. Skiers report excellent conditions.
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
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
Most classic and skate ski trails are in good condition at Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, 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 tracked. The trails have a 1 inch base on average, and conditions are considered fair. Local snow depth is 10 inches.
Alma -east of North Branch
Wild River State Park staff have groomed most of the ski trails, and conditions are good overall. The trail base measures 2 inches, with roughly 6 inches of snow on the ground. Ski and snowshoe rental are available on the weekends at the Trail Center when conditions allow. Please call ahead for availability. 651/257-0685
Most other ski and snowmobile trails are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park is covered in 4 inches of snow. The ski trails are packed and tracked, and skiers report fair 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 tilled and tracked, with one pass made on the skate lane. The trails are solid and overall in perfect condition.
Preston
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park ski trails have a 5 inch groomed surface, with excellent conditions reported. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot. The Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails are groomed and in very good condition for cross-country skiing. Local snow depth is 6-10 inches.
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 5 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 good. The trails have a 3 inch base in most areas. Roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground.
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.
