Trail Conditions: Excellent
Snow Cover: 17"
Date of Report: February 9, 2022
Area Report:
The new snow we got late last week improved our trail bases quite a bit, and there is more snow in the forecast for the next few days. Expect some slushy areas on lakes, so please follow the staked trails when traveling on the lakes.
Taconite State Trail: The entire trail from Ely to Hwy 73/Side Lake is groomed and in very good condition. Watch for exposed rocks in a few of the big hills going west from Hwy 53. SLOW DOWN in the ten-mile segment from Ely to Purvis Lake, the trail is narrow here. And be aware on the Taconite just east of Hwy 169, there is some slush on either side of the junction with the trail north to the Y-Store. 7-21 inches of snow with a 1-6 inch base.
Arrowhead State Trail: The trail is groomed and in very good condition. There is active logging on and around the trail north and south of the Hwy 115 crossing, so use caution in that segment. 8-23 inches of snow with a base 1-7 inches
Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: The trail is groomed and in very good condition. Watch for occasional rocks throughout the trail, mainly on the hills.
Soudan Underground Mine Lake Vermilion State Park Trails: These trails are groomed and in good condition. Watch for occasional rocks on the hills.
The Ely Area trails have all been groomed and in excellent shape along with the Tomahawk trail. Some slush on smaller lakes. Riders should follow the stakes.
Bear Head Lake State Park received some beautiful white fluff and it has not yet been molded into a cross country ski track. Campground loops and the Beach Trail were groomed last on Saturday, January 22nd. The Norberg Loop was groomed for the first time this season on January 28th with varying results from very good to fair dependent upon location. Snow depth is 15-18 inches. Skiing conditions: Poor with a base of 1-3 inches. Snowmobiling conditions are excellent, trails are groomed with a 2-4 inch base.