Trail Conditions: Excellent
Snow Cover: 15-35"
Date of Report: January 23, 2020
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Trails are reported to be in excellent condition, groomed and holding up well. 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. Also, there are two organized rides going on – the Northland 300 and the Fun Run- so above average traffic on some of the area trails is expected.
Area Trails: Tomahawk trail is reported to be in great condition, and conditions on Grassy Loop, Burntside, Shagwa, Little Long, Mud Lake and White Iron Lake are also reported to be really good. Grooming is complete to Mattila’s shelter and Birch Lake is now staked for snowmobile trails to Hidden Bay. Cedar Lake is still not staked; snowmobilers should use Cloquet Line instead. Everything else is staked and groomed. As always, please stay on staked trails.
Arrowhead State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition-Very Good Trail – Groomed Base – 2-6” 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 has been groomed from the Taconite State Trail junction north to the Blue Ox trail.
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 – 2-6” TRAIL CONDITIONS: These trails are fully groomed and in very good condition. For all trails use caution at all times. Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right. There are two organized trail rides this week, the Northland 300 throughout the week and weekend, and the fun Run on Saturday between Ely, Babbitt, and Tower/Fortune Bay. 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 – 2-6” 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: Riders should be aware that there are active logging operations on multiple sections of the trails. Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right.
Taconite State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition – Very Good Trails – Groomed Base 2-6” 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. With the recent snow in the last week, and early-season traffic, the trails are holding up well and looking great!
Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 1/22/20
Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 1/22/20 – Beware of continued logging operations underway!
Stony Spur East – Last groomed 1/20/20
News and Reports:
Upcoming snowmobile events include:
2020 Snowmobile Fun Run January 25, 2020
Northland 300 Snowmobiling for Special Olympics January 22-26
Black Wood Blizzard Tour January 29- February 1
More information on these events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events