Snowmobile Trail Conditions
Lake Vermilion Minnesota
2/1/2012
Our weird winter weather continues...forecast for the next several days shows highs above freezing and no additional snow. Trails are holding up for now, but be aware of changing conditions.
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Arrowhead State Trail1/30/2012Snow Depth: 8" + or - Base: 2" + or - Trail is in fair condition. Conditions improving but..the northern section from Blue Ox Trail to Orr is in fair condition; Orr to Cook area fair to poor. The southern part of the Arrowhead from Cook to Tower has between 1-2" base and 7" in the woods, overall condition of that stretch of trail is poor! Need cold weather to set up a base and more snow! Report from the Minnesota DNR |
Iron Ore Trail1/25/2012Trail is groomed and in fair condition. The area received 4 to 6 inches of snow this week. North of Vermilion up to 11 inches fell. A lot of grass is showing, but everything is froze solid. Follow the trail signs near “The Y Store”. This trail was re-routed this year between The Y Store and the Taconite Trail. Also use caution on the Iron Ore Trail. This trail also has a new re-route around private property. Respect people’s property and maintain quiet exhausts. It gets harder every year to maintain our easements. When you see a land owner, don’t be afraid to slow down, stop and thank them for their generosity. Report from the Vermilion Penguin Snowmobile Club |
Lake Vermilion State Park1/30/2012Snow Depth: 6" Base: 4" Trail is in fair condition. Use with caution as rocks are just barely covered and may become exposed as trail use increases. Report from the Minnesota DNR |
McCarthy Beach State Park2/1/2012Snow Depth: 10" Base: 2" Trail is in fair condition. Snowmobile trail conditions are good within the park, but some trails outside the park are only fair to poor. Use caution. Report from the Minnesota DNR |
Putnam and Fishing Lake Trail2/1/2012Snow Depth: 9" Base: 3-4" + or - Trail is in fair/poor condition. Depending where you are "portions of the trail are in fair condition" but other portions are poor. Light snow cover on the hills and in the heavy canopy. Watch out for exposed rocks on portions of the Fishing Lakes Trail. Putnam Trail is groomed. Report from the Minnesota DNR |
Soudan Underground Mine State Park1/30/2012Snow depth: 11" Base: 4" Trail is in fair condition. Use with caution as rocks are just barely covered and may become exposed as trail use increases. Report from the Minnesota DNR |
Staked Lake Trails1/25/2012All of Lake Vermilion is staked. Use caution. Pressure ridges continue to be a problem. Ride on the marked trails. Report from the Vermilion Penguins Snowmobile Club |
Stony Spur Trail1/30/2012Trails is in fair condition. Travel west of Babbitt is not recommended at this time. Report from the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club |
Taconite Spur Trail1/30/2012Trails is in fair condition, but the trail to Giants Ridge is not good. There are lots of rocks and rough spots. Report from the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club |
Taconite Trail1/31/2012Snow Depth: 8-10" Base: 2-4" Trail is in fair/poor condition. The Tower to Ely portion has been groomed, however we would rate it as Fair to Poor. There still are ruff areas as well as exposed rocks and stumps. The southwest portion is poor, however we have packed most of what mother nature gave us to work with, we need cooler temperatures and more snow! Report from the Minnesota DNR |
Tomahawk Trail1/30/2012This trail has been rolled but there is a problem with a beaver dam just off the Kawishiwi Trail that is causing a fast flow of water over the trail. It’s basically not passable at this time, however, the grooming crew and the DNR are trying to find a solution to this problem. There is a 6 inch base on the trails and they are listed in poor condition. This trail is rideable but rough with a minimal base, but you may want to slow it down a bit. If you looking to travel towards the North Shore, you may want to detour across White Iron Lake, then across Birch Lake to the Hidden Trail and then on to the Stony Spur. The trail between Mud Creek and Vermilion Lake is passable, but go slow as it is rocky. Lake riding is very good, but follow the staked trails for safety. Report from the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club |
Vermilion Access Trail1/25/2012Trail is groomed and in fair condition. Report from the Vermilion Penguin Snowmobile Club |
Voyageur Crane Lake Trail2/1/2012Open and groomed. Voyageurs Nation Park Area, Int' Falls, Kabetogama, Ash River, Crane Lake, Buyck and Orr range from good to excellent conditions including Voyageurs Nation Park lake trail system. Grooming tractors are running on a regular schedule. Report from the Voyageur Trail Society |
Voyageur Trail-Orr Spur2/1/2012Open and groomed. Grooming tractors are running on a regular schedule. Report from the Voyageur Trail Society |
