Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 1-7"
Date of Report: December 17, 2020
Area Report:
Trail Report for 12/17/2020
Snow Depth – 1-7” inches
GENERAL INFORMATION: Many area trails are still closed for the season, or they are open, but not yet groomed. Below normal snowfall in December has contributed to trails still showing much exposed ground.
Area Trails: Most of the trails have been cleared of fallen trees. Groomers are being prepared to be up and running for the 15 plus inches of snow needed to start grooming. No lakes have been staked yet because of poor ice condition in some spots.
Arrowhead State Trail Snowmobiling: Condition-Poor Trail – Not Groomed Base – 0”
The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Very little snow is on the trails or in the woods, and ice in swamps is inconsistent – 5-8” in some spots, 1-2” in others. The trail crew is making a final pass clearing deadfall from trails, and is also packing swamps/wetlands where possible to knock down grass and cattails and help the ice freeze thick enough to support grooming equipment. Trail use is not recommended, please use extreme caution and travel at your own risk.
Bearhead Lake State Park: Snowmobiling: Condition – Closed Trails – Not Groomed; Base 0”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail and Cub Lake Spur to the Trail Center are both closed at this time.
Bearhead State Park trails provide rolling topography through birch and pine stands. You may see a variety of wildlife ranging from deer, wolves, ruffed grouse, and pine martens. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for another activity, such as snowmobiling or skiing.
Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor Trails – Not Groomed; Base – 0”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The park trails are open, but snowmobile travel is no recommended. Very little snow is on the trails or in the woods, and ice in swamps is inconsistent with 5-8” in some spots and only 1-2” in others. The trail crew is making a final pass clearing deadfall from trails, and we are also packing swamps/wetlands where possible to knock down grass and cattails, to help the ice freeze thick enough to support grooming equipment. Trail use is not recommended; please use extreme caution and travel at your own risk.
The park has 5 miles of snowmobile trails that connects from the Taconite State Trail to the Lake Vermilion ice trail. The ride takes you through old growth pines and young aspen forests with large wetland complexes to view along the way. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for another activity, such as snowmobiling or skiing.
Putnam/Fishing Lakes – Bear Island State Forest: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails – Not Groomed; Base – 0”
The Putnam and Fishing Lakes Trails traverse forested, rolling topography through birch, ash, and pine stands. Several small lakes dot the landscape along these scenic trails.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Trails are open but snowmobile travel is not recommended. Very little snow is on the trails or in the woods, and ice in swamps is inconsistent – 5-8” in some spots, 1-2” in others. The trail crew is making a final pass clearing deadfall from trails, and is are also packing swamps/wetlands where possible to knock down grass and cattails and help the ice freeze thick enough to support grooming equipment. Trail use is not recommended, please use extreme caution and travel at your own risk.
Taconite State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor Trails –Not Groomed; Base 0”
Taconite State Trail stretches one hundred sixty-five miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers and forest.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite is open (except from the Taconite State Trail – Raven Ln portion temporarily), and snowmobile travel is not recommended. Very little snow is on the trails or in the woods, and ice in swamps is inconsistent – 5-8” in some spots, 1-2” in others. The trail crew is making a final pass clearing deadfall from trails, and we are also packing swamps/wetlands where possible to knock down grass and cattails and help the ice freeze thick enough to support grooming equipment. Trail use is not recommended, please use extreme caution and travel at your own risk.
Taconite Spur West – Not groomed
Taconite Spur North – Not groomed
Stony Spur East – Not groomed
News and Reports:
News and Reports:
More information on area events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events