Ely's Social Media Ban had a lot of people talking yesterday. Check out what these news media reports.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/31/ely-minnesota-social-media-ban_n_2979816.html

http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2013/04/01/April-Fools-Day-Social-040113.aspx
http://mntoday.mprnews.org/2013/04/ely-bans-social-media-as-april-fools-joke/
http://www.elyecho.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=12628

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Katie Welch-Peterson
katiep@newsworthycommunications.com}
952/294-9814

All Minnesota State Snowmobile Trails officially close on April 1. 

The Ely area provides unique opportunities for those seeking hiking experiences.  Depending upon the experience you are seeking, assorted hiking trails can lead you either on a short jaunt, vigorous day trip or an extended wilderness trek.  Hundreds of miles of hiking trails can be accessed in the Ely area.  With good planning and proper trip preparation, a day on a Northwoods trail can be rewarding and memorable.  Hiking trail information and maps are available at the Ely Chamber of Commerce, the Kawishiwi Range District office, and at local lodging facilities.

Minnesota State Snowmobile Trails close on April 1, 2013.

The Ely Area still has about 25 inches of snow on the ground.  Snowmobile trails are listed in good condition at this time.  Slush is showing up on area lakes, so please stay on the staked trail when choosing lake travel.  

Cross Country ski trails are in good condition.  Trails will be fast in the morning and nice in the afternoon.  Enjoy these last few days of skiing before the snow disappears!

The Ely Area has about 23-30 inches of snow on the ground at this time!  Opportunities for winter fun are abundant in snowy Ely!

 Snowmobile Trails

MN State Snowmobile Trails officially open on December 1.  A recent law change:  A snowmobile that is registered after July 1, 2012 and received 06/30/2015 expiration does not need the snowmobile state trail sticker to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.  The snowmobile registration fee was increased to cover the trail sticker cost.  An individual who possesses an unexpired MN snowmobile registration that was issued before July 1, 2012 must continue to display a valid snowmobile trail sticker until the snowmobile is renewed. A snowmobile that is not registered in the state of MN must purchase a trail sticker.  

The Ely Area received a very nice snowfall Monday.  About 5-7 more inches were added to the snow depth in our area, bringing that total to about 23-30 inches!  Opportunities for winter fun are abundant in snowy Ely!
Snowmobile Trails
MN State Snowmobile Trails officially open on December 1.  A recent law change:  A snowmobile that is registered after July 1, 2012 and received 06/30/2015 expiration does not need the snowmobile state trail sticker to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.  The snowmobile registration fee was increased to cover the trail sticker cost.  An individual who possesses an unexpired MN snowmobile registration that was issued before July 1, 2012 must continue to display a valid snowmobile trail sticker until the snowmobile is renewed. A snowmobile that is not registered in the state of MN must purchase a trail sticker.  
Taconite Snowmobile Trail - This trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers and forests. There are several trail shelters along the trail located at popular stopping points offering scenic vistas.  Groomers will continue to be out on a regular schedule.  This trail is in very good condition with a 7-15 inch base with no sign of spring in sight.  The trail will continue to be groomed on a regular schedule until we start getting warmer weather.  This is a great time to be out there.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  Snow depth is about 18-30 inches in this area.  Groomed Mileage:  165 Miles
Stony Spur Trail – This trail stretches from Babbitt east across Hwy 1. The trail will be groomed this week and is good condition.  It has a very good base with just a few bare spots on corners.  
Tomahawk Trail – All trails will be groomed this week and again over the weekend.  They are in good shape with a 7-10 inch base.  Crews have staked area lakes.  If you choose lake travel, please be sure to follow the staked trail.  Lake ice is never 100% safe.   Taconite Spur Trail – This trail stretches from the Taconite Trail to Babbitt and then from Babbitt to Giant’s Ridge. These trails will be groomed this week and are in very good shape with just a few bare spots on corners.    Fishing Lakes Trail -The Putnam and Fishing Lakes Trails traverse 17 miles of forested, rolling topography through birch, ash, and pine stands. Several small lakes dot the landscape along these scenic trails.  This trail is in very good condition with a 7-10 inch base.  Snow depth is about 23-30 inches in this area.  Groomed mileage:  17 Miles  Cross Country Ski Trails
Bear Head State Park - This trail provides rolling topography through birch and pine stands. You can expect to see wildlife ranging from deer, wolves, moose, martens and squirrels.  A classic ski track will be set in the campground loops and from the office through the beach trail on Monday afternoon, March 11th.  The Norberg Loop was packed on March 16 and will be tracked when the snow depth is sufficient.  Conditions are good with a 6-8 inch base.  The area has about a 15-19 inch snow depth. 
Hidden Valley Ski Trails -  30k trails pass though rolling hills, paper birch and pine stands and newly planted red and white pine plantations.  They are nicely groomed regularly by volunteers of the Ely Nordic Club and funding provided by MN DNR Grants-In-Aid, and membership dues and donations.  The trails are marked by ‘You are here’ maps.  This trail will be groomed again this week for both classic and skate skiing.  Skiing is awesome.  Cold nights and warm days makes perfect skiing, probably the best in the state!  A MN Ski Pass is required to ski this trail and donations are welcomed and appreciated.  Look for the box at the trail start/end.    
Trezona Trail  - This 6.4 km trail winds around Miners Lake, a historic mining pit and old mine shaft head frame.  The flat to rolling terrain is machine groomed.  Skiers, walkers, snowshoes and dogs are all welcome.  Ski in the morning, during the day or at night, right in the center of town!  Please consider dropping a donation in the red box near the parking lot.  Those funds go specifically to the grooming of the Trezona Trail.  Following 5 inches of new snow which fell on Monday, the Trezona Trail is in top shape and groomed and tracked for both classic and skate skiing.  With the advent of daylight saving, it is now light enough to ski in the evenings until about 7:30 pm.  Take advantage of the extended season and longer days for the spring melt down can’t be too far off. 
Babbitt Golf Course Trail – This trail is groomed for skate and classic skiing and is in excellent condition with a solid base.  
North Arm Trails - The North Arm Trails are skier-tracked and are classic in every sense of the word (though skate skiing can be fabulous in late winter on the hard crusted lakes.)  Because only some of the trails are occasionally machine groomed, they can be challenging at times even for intermediate-skilled skiers.  They are some of the most beautiful in the area as they roll up and down over forested ledge rock and across lakes through the wilderness.  The trails are easy to follow and each intersection has a ‘you are here’ map.  Beginner skiers can first test their proficiency on the Moose Horn Loops.  Warning!  - Ice conditions may be unsafe.  Users should check on current ice conditions and proceed with caution on the lakes as ice conditions can change rapidly.  No current report.
Hegman Lake Pictographs – Currently one good outing would be to drive up to the Hegman Lake BWCAW entry point, about 15 miles north of Ely off the Echo Trail.  Walk the portage down to the lake and then ski the lakes to the pictographs.  North and South Hegman are very nice small scenic lakes that have the bonus of the pictographs.  Of course, wind can always be a factor for lake travel. Use caution to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.  
North Junction Trail - These trails consist of a series of loops.  There are two loops south of the North Arm Road.  The Beaver Meadow Trail is a beginner to intermediate trail that goes through an area occupied by beaver.  The Moose Trail is an intermediate level that goes through hilly upland areas, a spruce swamp, and a beaver pond.  The west end of the Beaver Meadows Trail leads to Camp Widjiwagan, where the trail follows the road through the camp.  While on the road, watch for vehicles and respect camp property.  The trails are skier tracked and maintained by volunteers from the Camp.  These trails have great snow.
Birch Lake Plantation Trail - This trail system is partially within the first white pine plantation in the Superior National Forest, covering 120 acres.  The plantation was planted in 1915 and has been thinned out in recent years.  While touring the area, you may see white paint on some of the trees.  These mark out research plots to study growth of the trees which remained after the logging operation.  The area east of Forest Road #131 is generally flat.  Those areas west are more challenging but relatively easy. This trail is groomed for classic skiing and is in excellent condition.  
All cross-country skiers on ski trails in State Parks or Forests, or on State or Grant-in-Aid Trails, who are age 16 and above must have a current Minnesota Ski Pass.  Ski pass fees support Minnesota’s Cross-Country Ski Trail System.  You can purchase your ski pass at several locations in Ely, at Minnesota State Parks, at the DNR License Center, on the internet or by phone.  

The Ely Area received a nice snowfall overnight with more snow a possibility tonight.  We are now at well over 25 inches of snow on the ground.  All trails will be groomed this week and are expected to be in excellent shape.  More details to follow.

The Ely Area received a more snow over the weekend, approximately 4 inches, bringing our snow depth to about 18-28 inches. Great conditions for your winter fun!

Snowmobile Trails

The Ely Area received a light dusting of snow on Monday night and then another inch or so of snow on Wednesday morning bringing our snow depth to about 18-23 inches. Great conditions for your winter fun! 

Snowmobile Trails 

MN State Snowmobile Trails officially open on December 1.  A recent law change:  A snowmobile that is registered after July 1, 2012 and received 06/30/2015 expiration does not need the snowmobile state trail sticker to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.  The snowmobile registration fee was increased to cover the trail sticker cost.  An individual who possesses an unexpired MN snowmobile registration that was issued before July 1, 2012 must continue to display a valid snowmobile trail sticker until the snowmobile is renewed. A snowmobile that is not registered in the state of MN must purchase a trail sticker. 

The Ely Area received a light dusting of snow over night.  There is a chance for more snow today.  We are at about 18-23  inches of snow on the ground.  Great conditions for your winter fun! 

Snowmobile Trails 

MN State Snowmobile Trails officially open on December 1.  A recent law change:  A snowmobile that is registered after July 1, 2012 and received 06/30/2015 expiration does not need the snowmobile state trail sticker to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.  The snowmobile registration fee was increased to cover the trail sticker cost.  An individual who possesses an unexpired MN snowmobile registration that was issued before July 1, 2012 must continue to display a valid snowmobile trail sticker until the snowmobile is renewed. A snowmobile that is not registered in the state of MN must purchase a trail sticker.