Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Excellent
Snow Cover: 18″-30″
Date of Report: February 21, 2020
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Trails saw heavy use over the holiday weekend, but they are holding up well and continue to be groomed regularly to keep corners and bumps cut down. Trails overall are reported to be in excellent condition. Several area lakes are now staked, and riders are asked to please ride in staked areas to ensure best conditions. As always, even when conditions are their best, it’s still wise to use caution when venturing onto the ice on foot or machine.
Please be advised that the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race will be running on the Taconite trail as well as Bear Head Lake State Park trail on Sunday. Please use caution and watch for signs indicating areas where the race is in progress.
Area Trails:
All groomers are fully operational and on schedule with grooming all area trails. Trails are reported to be in excellent shape. Tomahawk trail is groomed to the North Shore trail. Conditions on Grassy Loop, Burntside, Shagawa, Little Long, Mud Lake and White Iron Lake are also reported to be in great shape. 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-Excellent Trail – Groomed Base – 1-6”
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 very good condition from the Taconite State Trail junction north to the Blue Ox trail. The trail is hardening up and will be groomed another time before the weekend.
Bearhead Lake State Park
Snowmobiling: Condition – Very good Trails – Groomed Base 5-12”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail and Cub Lake Spur to the Trail Center are both in very good condition. Please be advised that the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race will be running on the Taconite trail as well as Bear Head Lake State Park trail on Sunday. Please use caution and watch for signs indicating areas where the race is in progress.
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 – Very Good Trails – Groomed Base – 1-6”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Trails are in very good condition and were groomed over the last couple of days. For all trails use caution at all times. Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right No motorized vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.
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 – Very Good Trails – Groomed Base – 1-6”
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 entire trail was groomed midweek and will be groomed again before the weekend. Please use caution when riding, travel at appropriate speeds, and stay to the right. Trails are hard and very fast right now. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.
Taconite State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition – Excellent Trails – Groomed Base 1-6”
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 trail is groomed and in very good shape; the surface is hard and very fast right now. The trail will be groomed again before the weekend to flatten the corners and bumps. Please use caution when riding, travel at appropriate speeds, and stay to the right. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails. Please be advised that the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race will be running on the Taconite trail as well as Bear Head Lake State Park trail on Sunday. Please use caution and watch for signs indicating areas where the race is in progress.
Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 2/14/20
Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 2/14/20
Stony Spur East – Last groomed 2/13/20
News and Reports:
More information on area events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events
