Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 17-21″
Date of Report: January 8, 2020
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Lakes are not staked for snowmobile trails. We continue to have slush layers on the lakes, which prohibits staking and grooming. Please use caution if venturing out on lakes by foot or machine. Areas around moving water have not developed thick ice. Test ice depth before proceeding.
Wetland areas have not frozen solid in some areas. Trails may divert around wetlands, so please follow the groomed trail sections. Forest trails are groomed for snowmobiles and skiing and are in good condition with the recent snow.
Arrowhead State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition-Fair Trail – Partially groomed Base – 1-4”
The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: As with other trail systems, the wetland, swamp, and water crossing areas have not frozen enough to support grooming equipment. Please use caution traveling in these areas.
Bearhead Lake State Park
Snowmobiling: Condition – Very good Trails – Groomed Base 4-8”
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 – Partially groomed Base – 2”
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 – Not groomed Base – 2”
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.
Taconite State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition – Fair Trails – Partially groomed Base 1-4”
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: Fully groomed between Ely to Side Lake except for two portions: from the junction with the Arrowhead State Trail going west a couple of miles to the first creek crossing, and for a 2-3 mile portion of trail west of Pfeiffer Lake. Wetlands and swamps have not frozen solid to support the grooming equipment. Use caution in these areas.
Taconite Spur West is not groomed due to open water in the swamp areas.Taconite Spur North Last groomed 1/3/20 Stony Spur East last groomed 12/30/19
News and Reports:
Snowmobile Fun Run – January 25 http://www.snowmobilefunrun.com/
Northland 300 for Minnesota Special Olympics – January 22-26 northland300.org
