Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 14
Date of Report: February 7, 2018
Area Report:
Ely Area Lakes & Trails: All trails along the Echo Trail are groomed. Hidden Bay is now open. There is logging between Birch Lake and White Iron, so please use caution and remember the trails are shared with logging equipment. Overall trail condition is good. Please use caution traveling across lakes – stay on marked trails to avoid slush areas. Current areas (rivers, narrows and streams) may still have unsafe ice, please test before traveling across.
Taconite Trail: Snow – 8-20” depth Base – 1-3” Groomed – yes Condition – very good The entire Taconite is in good to very good condition. Trail divots exist on some hilltops between Ely and Tower due to heavy use and cold weather. These will be repaired as the weather warms up and as we get more snow. Use caution in the area between Pfeiffer Lake and Big Aspen as there is logging activity and also a small section of thin ice remaining. This is flagged and signed. The trail base from Side Lake east to Hwy 25 (Wooden Table spur trail) is thin, and there is bare ground in spots. Use caution while riding, especially on high ground areas where rocks and ruts are more evident.
Arrowhead Trail: Snow – 12-24” depth Base –1-4” Groomed – yes Condition – Excellent The entire Arrowhead is groomed and in very good to excellent condition. Please be aware of and slow down for logging activity throughout the trail, especially a large section between Elephant Lake and the Elephant Lake Road to the south. Also take note: the East Camp 90 Rd (between Sheep Ranch Rd and Ash River Trail) has heavy logging traffic and is closed to snowmobiles. Please stay on the snowmobile trail rather than using the road.
Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: Base – 1-3” Trail is groomed and in fair to good condition. The trail remains rough in spots due to rocks and low snow.
Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park: Snow 13-14”, Base – 4”, Trails are groomed and in good condition.
Tomahawk Trail & Local Trail Sections: Snow 15-18” depth, Base – 1-4” Groomed – yes Condition – good The Tomahawk is open and trails are groomed to the Knotted Pine in Isabella.
On trails between Hwy 53 and Side Lake, the base is thin in places due to lack of snowfall, especially on high ground where rocks and ruts are more evident. There are also active logging operations on multiple sections of the trails. Please use caution, travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right.