Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 23 Inch
Date of Report: February 23, 2023
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions
February 23th, 2023
Trail base and conditions, in general, have improved with yesterday’s snow, and the additional snow before this weekend will provide more snow to build the base.
Continue to monitor conditions online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
There is active logging happening on a number of spots throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. In those areas, slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.
Please make sure those riding in the Ely-Tower area this weekend are aware of the Wolftrack Classic Sled Dog race happening this coming Sunday. The race will take place on the Taconite State Trail and the Fishing Lakes trail south of Bear Head Lake State Park.
Taconite State Trail: The Taconite is groomed and in good to very good condition. Use caution in the Ely to Purvis stretch, as it remains narrow in spots. We will continue to groom during the ongoing snowfalls this week and throughout the weekend. The Wolftrack Classic Sled Dog Race is taking place between Ely and Tower on the Taconite and Fishing Lakes Trails this coming Sunday the 26th, so use extra caution if you are on those trails on Sunday.
Snow: 15-28 inches with a base of 1-5 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Good to Very Good
Arrowhead State Trail: The Arrowhead is groomed and in good to very good condition from Tower to International Falls. We will continue to groom during the ongoing snowfalls this week and through the weekend.
Along with the DNR trail conditions website, continue to monitor these clubs’ websites (www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html & www.snowmobilevacation.org/trail-updates) for the most current Arrowhead State Trail conditions.
Arrowhead Trail Snow: 15-30 inches of snow with a base of 1-5 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Good to Very Good
Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails: The entire trail is groomed and in good condition, and it will be groomed again before this weekend.
Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Tails: The crosscut/cable bay trail is groomed and in fair to good condition, and it will be groomed again before this coming weekend. The Miner’s loop has quite a bit of brush hanging into the trail and is in poor to fair condition.
Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation: Babbitt golf course is groomed for skate and classic skiing and is in excellent condition. The Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation is groomed for classic skiing and in excellent condition.
Bear Head Lake State Park: Cross country ski track set on Thursday, February 16th with fair results on the campground loops and the Beach Trail. Norberg Trail was last groomed on February 9th.
The strong winds may have caused snow to drift off of Bear Head Lake to the Beach Trail, so use caution. Norberg Trail winds its way through several large stands of white and Norway pines while showcasing our names sake, Bear Head Lake, and one of our designated trout lakes, Norberg. Norberg Loop is our most challenging groomed ski trail with several steep hills.
REMINDER: It is unlawful to walk, snowshoe, have pets, or destroy any part of the groomed ski trails in any manner.
Snowshoers are welcome to explore anywhere besides the groomed ski trails. Snowshoers have been enjoying Becky Lake and Blueberry Lake Loops.
Skiing Base: 10 inches. Conditions: Poor Groomed: Partially
Snowmobiling conditions: Very Good. Groomed Yes. Base: 8 inches.
