Trail conditionsNOTE! Our Facebook page is updated as-it-happens.
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Rain, rain, go away!
We need some cold and snow to play! Temperatures are above freezing and a light drizzle is falling as I type this, but next week is forecast to be much colder with snow coming here and there. Voyageurs National Park reports that lake ice is highly variable in thickness (ranging 2-8 inches) and strength - with a lot of weaker "white ice". The lake ice is not yet strong enough for equipment, so they have been focusing on doing what is possible with land-based trails and the ski trails. No snowmobile trails are currently open in the park. The DNR is reporting similar to what we are seeing on our trails. There was 6+ inches of snow in the woods with little to no trail base. Some colder temps had started to make ice in the swamps, but this latest warmup will likely change that. Beaver ponds continuing to drain after ice formation mean lots of shelf ice. They also reported less water than usual in many beaver ponds - meaning more hummocks and stumps to watch out for, and the dams have become large steep berms in the middle of a trail. They advise to watch out for these conditions particularly in these areas: from Big Aspen to Pfeiffer Lake and from Black Bear trail to the Y Store Trail on the Taconite State Trail; and on the Arrowhead just south of the Hwy 1 crossing, at the Frazier Bay shelter, and in the Elephant Creek/Blackduck grade segment north of Elephant Lake. Active logging has also started throughout area. Please stay aware of conditions, slow down and give plenty of space to trucks and logging equipment. Also please remember that only snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails. For the latest info, visit:
A special extra thank you to everyone that helped clear and pack trails for a second time after the heavy snow we received - over 90% of our area trails are clear, but rough. Teams are seeing the start of a packed base, but the swamps are not frozen. The groomers are ready as soon as conditions allow! The consensus is that we currently have more base than we did all last season - so that's a plus! We are all ready for colder temps to freeze everything up nicely and get this great snowmobile season going! The DNR reports similar conditions on trails they manage. Trees have been cleared and trails are being packed to help increase the ice thickness. Voyageurs National Park has no open snowmobile trails. Lake ice is highly variable in thickness and density - watch their posts for updates. They do have some ski and snowshoe trails open. We do have some good news to share! There is now a bridge over a small tributary to the Moose River on the railroad grade portion of the trail between Ash River and Crane Lake! This was a major backcountry undertaking. Getting materials to a staging area. Taking it all - plus equipment - across the Ash River to a second staging area. Then into the woods to the site, constructing and finishing just as the weather turned. Pictures can tell the adventure better than words. Thanks to Rob Eldridge and his family for their efforts and photos! Snow and cold mean the start of a great new season. Wishing you safe travels over the Christmas holiday. All of us in Voyageurs Country look forward to your visits this winter!
For the latest info, visit:
Thank you!!! to everyone who came out to help trail clear last Saturday. We think we set a new record for volunteers! Your hard work is much appreciated. Shout-outs also go to The Rocky Ledge and the Echo Trail Tavern for their great pizza!
Two days later the weather changed with 8" of wet, heavy snow that brought down more branches, brush and trees. Snow continued to lightly fall as temperatures dropped, and we now generally have about 11" on the ground. This cold snap has helped, but many areas are still more water than ice and trails are not in any condition to ride (yet!). The DNR reports that their crew spent the past few days re-clearing their corridors, packing swamps, and that they will keep doing this through this coming weekend. Their trails are open, but not groomed and there are some trees still down in places. Lots of water and thin to no ice in swamps - they recommend staying off the trails. In Voyageurs National Park, snowmobile trails are all still closed and the lake ice is not yet sufficient. Area teams will be headed out again to clear out brush, branches and logs. A couple we know of:
Check with your local clubs as others are also working on trails in different areas and the more folks that come out, the faster it goes. It looks to be a snowy start to a great upcoming season! For info, visit:
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