Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 18″-36″
Date of Report: February 13, 2020
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Colder weather and high traffic took have compacted and frozen any slush remaining on staked trails. In spite of the colder temperatures, higher trail traffic is expected over the holiday weekend, so use caution and travel at appropriate speeds. Trails overall are reported to be in fair to good 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.
Area Trails: Tomahawk trail is groomed to the North Shore trail and reported to be in fair condition. Conditions on Grassy Loop, Burntside, Shagawa, Little Long, Mud Lake and White Iron Lake are reported to be in pretty good shape. Mud lake trails were recently groomed, and there may be an extra grooming of area trails this weekend in anticipation of higher holiday weekend trail traffic. 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-Very Good 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. With the recent dip in temperatures, 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.
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: These trails were groomed on February 6 and will be groomed again before the weekend. Trails are in very good condition. 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 February 5 and is in very good condition. 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.
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 entire Taconite is groomed from Ely to Hwy 73. The trail surface has hardened up with the colder weather and extra moisture in the snow. 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.
Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 2/9/20
Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 2/8/20
Stony Spur East – Last groomed 2/8/20
News and Reports:
More information on area events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events
