Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Not Ridable
Snow Cover: 3 inches
Date of Report: December 15, 2021
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: With the warm-up this week, snow cover has diminished. Most lakes do have ice; however, they are very slushy. For those who are traveling across the ice, do not assume there is a uniform thickness. Test ice along the way. With the warm-up, ice will be thinner in areas of constricted water flow, near rapids, and springs. Use caution at all times.
Area Trails:
Local snowmobile clubs are currently clearing trails in our area and towards Isabella, MN. Lakes are not staked.
Arrowhead State Trail
The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition- Poor; Trail – Not Groomed; Base – 0”
Bearhead Lake State Park
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.
Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails – Groomed; Base 1-3”
Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park
The park has six miles of snowmobile trails that connect 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.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails – Not Groomed; Base – 0”
Putnam/Fishing Lakes – Bear Island State Forest
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: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails –Not Groomed; Base 0”
Taconite State Trail
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers, and forest.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails –Not Groomed; Base 0”
