Trail Conditions: Poor
Snow Cover: 8-18"
Date of Report: March 19, 2020
Area Report:
Trail Report for 3/19/2020
Snow Depth 8-18” inches
GENERAL INFORMATION: Most grooming operations have ceased for the season, however, with 3-4 inches of new, fluffy snow, there may still be some late season snowmobile fun to be had. Trails are reported as rideable, but icy and hard with numerous bare spots. Be sure to use caution if venturing onto the ice on foot or machine. If heading out, please keep in mind that many of the usual stopping points will be closed in compliance with the governor’s mandate regarding business closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so be sure to pack snacks and water as it will be more difficult to get those things while out on the trail.
Area Trails: The Tomahawk trail is still being groomed and is in fair shape. Grassy Lake Loop is not being groomed, but Mud, Birch and White Iron Lake will be groomed before the weekend. Lakes are still reported to be okay for travel near staked areas.
Arrowhead State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition-Poor Trail – Not Groomed Base – 0-5”
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 Arrowhead is in poor condition. The trail base is thin due to warm weather and heavy trail use, and there are many stretches of exposed rock and ground throughout the trail, especially on hills and corners. The last groom of the season took place on March 10, from Highway 53 east to Tower and from Tower east to Babbitt Spur.
Bearhead Lake State Park: Snowmobiling: Condition – Fair Trails – Groomed Base 1-5”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail and Cub Lake Spur to the Trail Center are in fair 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 – Poor Trails – Groomed Base – 0-6”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Trails were groomed at the beginning of the month and are in poor condition.
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 – Poor Trails – Groomed Base – 0-6”
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 trail was last groomed on March 5 and is in poor condition.
Taconite State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor Trails – Not Groomed Base 0-5”
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 Taconite is in poor condition. The trail base is thin due to warm weather and heavy trail use. There are many areas of exposed rock and ground, especially on hills and corners. Grooming was attempted on March 10, but the groomer was breaking through in the swamps, so additional grooming has been suspended for the season.
Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 3/9/20
Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 3/9/20
Stony Spur East – Last groomed 3/10/20
All trails are reported to be in good spring condition with some bare spots.
News and Reports:
More information on area events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events