Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 18″24″
Date of Report: March 5, 2020
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Grooming operations are continuing with additional attention given to spots on the trail that have thinned out due to the transition from winter weather to spring and heavy late-season traffic. Several inches of snowfall on Wednesday night and Thursday and additional grooming taking place before the weekend is sure to improve trails that had become hard and icy with the recent melting. Area lakes are staked. As always, even when conditions are their best, it’s still wise to use caution when venturing onto the ice on foot or machine.
Area Trails:
All trails continue to be groomed and recent snowfall has improved conditions for the upcoming weekend. Trails are still rideable with a few rough spots where recent warm temperatures have melted the trail base. Birch Lake is staked for snowmobile trails to Hidden Bay. Cedar Lake is not staked; snowmobilers should use Cloquet Line instead. Everything else is staked. As always, please stay on staked trails.
Arrowhead State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition-Poor to Fair Trail – Groomed Base – 0-6”
The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The entire trail is groomed and in poor to fair condition from the Taconite State Trail junction north to the Blue Ox Trail. Prior to the snow on Wednesday and Thursday, the portion of the trail from Cook GIA trail north to Arrowhead Link Trail had many bare spots on hilltops, corners and sunny sections. The entire trail will be groomed another time this week before the weekend, and we will groom next week if we are able to after the coming warm weather and predicted rain this weekend.
Bearhead Lake State Park
Snowmobiling: Condition – Good Trails – Groomed Base 1-5”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail and Cub Lake Spur to the Trail Center are both in good condition.
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 – Fair Trails – Groomed Base – 0-6”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Trails were groomed on March 4, and trails are in fair shape. Most of the trail is still snow-covered, but please use caution and watch for rock and bare ground.
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 – Fair Trails – Groomed Base – 0-6”
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: The trail was last groomed on March 4. Most of the trail is still snow-covered, but please watch for rocks and bare ground.
Taconite State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition – Fair Trails – Groomed Base 0-6”
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 entire Taconite has been groomed from Ely to Hwy 73 in the last couple of days and will be groomed again before the weekend. Operators have been able to keep bumps and corners levelled off and cover bare spots, and several inches of snow on Wednesday and Thursday could help to improve trails for the upcoming weekend. With predicted warmer temperatures on Saturday and Sunday and rain in the forecast for the end of the weekend, it’s likely that the Taconite will not see continued grooming after this week.
Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 3/2/20
Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 3/2/20
Stony Spur East – Last groomed 3/3/20
If the snow holds up, the trails will continue to be groomed until March 31. Trails are currently in good shape.
News and Reports:
More information on area events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events
