Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 17 Inches
Date of Report: February 15, 2023
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions
February 15th, 2023
TRAIL CONDITIONS ARE CHANGING WITH TODAY’S RAIN, AND WEEKEND CONDITIONS ARE DEPENDENT ON IF WE GET SNOW BEFORE THE WEEKEND AND HOW MUCH WE GET.
Continue to monitor conditions online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
President’s Day Weekend is coming up. Please use extra caution on the trails this weekend and stay to the right; also, be aware of snow changing from soft during the day to hard and icy after dark.
There is active logging happening on a number of spots throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. In those areas, slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.
Taconite State Trail: The Taconite is groomed and in fair condition. With the warm weather over the last week and the rain today, the trail base has thinned out, especially on hills and trail segments exposed to sunlight. Use caution and be aware of changing conditions throughout the trail system.
Snow: 12-23 inches with a base of 1-4 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Fair
Arrowhead State Trail: The Arrowhead is groomed and in fair condition. There is generally a bit less as you get further north on the trail. With the warm weather over the last week and the rain today, the trail base has thinned out, especially on hills and trail segments exposed to sunlight. Use caution and be aware of changing conditions throughout the trail system
Along with the DNR trail conditions website, continue to monitor these clubs’ websites (www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html & www.snowmobilevacation.org/trail-updates) for the most current Arrowhead State Trail conditions.
Arrowhead Trail Snow: 10-22 inches of snow with a base of 0-4 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Fair
Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails: The entire trail is groomed and in fair condition. Those sections of the Putnam that were brushed and widened last week have some sticks remaining on the trail surface.
Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Tails: These trails are groomed and in poor to fair condition. The Miner’s loop has quite a bit of brush hanging into the trail. We continue to work on knocking that back
Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation: Babbitt golf course is groomed for skate and classic skiing and is in excellent condition. The Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation is groomed for classic skiing and in excellent condition.
Bear Head Lake State Park: Cross country ski track set on Thursday, February 9th, with fair results on the Norberg Trail, campground loops, and the Beach Trail.
The strong winds may have caused snow to drift off of Bear Head Lake to the Beach Trail, so use caution. Norberg Trail winds its way through several large stands of white and Norway pines while showcasing our names sake, Bear Head Lake, and one of our designated trout lakes, Norberg. Norberg Loop is our most challenging groomed ski trail with several steep hills.
REMINDER: It is unlawful to walk, snowshoe, have pets, or destroy any part of the groomed ski trails in any manner.
Snowshoers are welcome to explore anywhere besides the groomed ski trails. Snowshoers have been enjoying Becky Lake and Blueberry Lake Loops.
Skiing Base: 10 inches. Conditions: Fair Groomed: Yes
Snowmobiling conditions: Excellent. Groomed Yes. Base: 8 inches.