Snow Cover: 19+ inches
Date of Report: February 9, 2017
Area Report:
Ely Area Lakes & Trails: Several inches of fresh snow and colder temperatures have vastly improved trail conditions. Most snowmobile trails are in very good condition. Area Lakes may have some frozen ruts making travel by lake rough riding.
Echo Trail: Fenske Lake and other short trails along the Echo Trail are staked and groomed.
Taconite Trail: Snow – 14-27” depth Base – 2-8” Groomed – yes Condition – very good The entire Taconite from Ely to Hwy 73 is groomed and in very good condition. There is a small section of open water between Big Aspen and Pfeiffer Lake. This section is flagged and passable.
Arrowhead Trail: Snow – 14-29” depth Base – 3-9” Groomed – yes Condition – excellent The entire Arrowhead is groomed. Use caution when crossing the bridge in the Lost Lake swamp due to thin ice and open water. This bridge is located two miles north on the Arrowhead from the Hwy 1 crossing. Also, be aware of and slow down for logging activity on the Arrowhead north of Hwy 1, north of Hoodoo Lake, and north of Elephant Lake Rd.
Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: Trail base – 2-8” Groomed – yes Condition –very good
Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park: Trail base – 3-5” Groomed – yes Condition –good
Taconite Spur Trails and Stony Spur Trails: Base – 2-8” Groomed – yes Condition – very good The HIDDEN BAY portion the trail linking up to Stony Spur has been closed due to logging and will reopen by this weekend.
Tomahawk Trail & Local Trails: Base – 4-6” Everything is groomed and trails are being groomed twice a week. Hidden Bay is reopened and will be completely groomed by the weekend. Trails are in very good condition. Mud Lake to Vermilion still has a swampy area that has not frozen, so the unfrozen area is not currently groomed.
News and Reports:
WolfTrack Classic Vet Check & Meet the Dogs & Mushers February 25, 2017 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm The vet check runs from 11 am – 3 pm at Vermilion Community College. Meet the dogs and mushers. Wilderness Club Concessions Fund Raiser during Vet Check
WolfTrack Classic Pre-Race Dinner February 25, 2017 | 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm Our pre-race lasagna dinner runs from 4 pm to 7 pm. Social hour 4-5 pm, dinner 5-6:30 pm, musher meeting from 6:30-7 pm and presentation of the bibs at 7 pm. Fee is $10.00/person at the door. Credit cards welcome. Ely Senior Center 7 S 1st Ave E., Ely, MN, 55731
WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race February 26, 2017 | All Day Join us for this premier mid-distance sled dog race spanning 65 miles through northern Minnesota’s State Trail system. The WolfTrack Classic is known for its unrelenting hills that test the stamina of mushers and dogs across the scenic north woods terrain. Race starts at 9 am. Fees: No spectator fees Softball Fields Old Airport Road and State Highway #1, Ely, MN, 55731
Snowmobile Information:
Pink Ribbon Riders 11th Annual Snow Run February 24, 2017 – February 25, 2017 | All Day The Snow Run is an event open to both men and women, including a welcome social, snowmobile ride(s), awards banquet and more! Fees to participate. Grand Ely Lodge 400 N Pioneer Road, Ely, MN, 55731