Ely, MN Chamber Of Commerce - Winter

February 8, 2010

WE'VE GOT SNOW!!

Snowmobile Trails

The Ely Area received a couple more inches of fresh snow Sunday night so, at this point, we have about 16 inches of snow on the ground. Temperatures remain normal for this time of year during the day, but wind chill values are expected to dip down to minus 10 to minus 20 below by Tuesday. Please use caution when out on the trails.

The 26 mile Stony Spur Trail and Taconite Spur – Taconite Spur to Ely cutoff and Giants Ridge was groomed Monday night, Stony Spur to Mattila Shelter was groomed Sunday. All trails will be groomed Thursday or Friday again. All are in good shape but still need some brush cut. Trails have a 4-6 inch base. 2/2/10

The Tomahawk Trail & Local Trails – After a great weekend of riding, trails are in fair condition. Mud Lake to Lake Vermilion was groomed Sunday night. Expect fair conditions with about a 4 inch base. The trail between Birch Lake and White Iron Lake is impassable. A backhoe is working to clear away the brush on that trail. The Hidden Trail from the Stony Spur to Birch Lake is passable but not groomed. Local trails are a little rough but will be groomed today. The trail from Ely to Knotted Pine is groomed and in fair condition with at least a 4 inch base. Knotty Pine to the North Shore was groomed Tuesday night. As always, all trails will be groomed by the weekend, with a regular twice a week schedule to be in place soon. Please watch for low hanging boughs and debris on the trail from the recent heavy snowfalls. Use caution, slow down on corners, and ride safe! Area lakes are staked. Please follow the staked trail when choosing lake travel. 2/3/10

The Taconite State Trail –The trail stretches one hundred sixty five miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers and forests. The entire trail is being groomed twice weekly. There is ample snow base and trail conditions are good. However, the January 23-24 ice & snow storm left a considerable amount of brush and trees over-hanging the trail. Trail width is narrower in many places. Please use extreme caution and watch for overhanging branches and brush. Use extra caution on corners and hills. Good Condition with a 4 inch base. 2/5/10

Bear Island State Forest (Putnam and Fishing Lakes) – 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. The trail is being groomed weekly. There is ample snow base and trail conditions are good. However, the January 23-24 ice & snow storm left a considerable amount of brush and trees over-hanging the trail. Trail width is narrower in many places. Please use extreme caution and watch for overhanging branches and brush. Use extra caution on corners and hills. Good Condition with a 4 inch base. 2/5/10

Cross Country Ski Trails

The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails – There are over 15 kilometers of trails at Hidden Valley. Most loops have been cleared of debris and have been groomed for both classic and skate skiing except for some inner loops that will be great for skate skiing. Hannah loop has not been cleared at this time. Trails are in great shape. 8-10 inch base. 2/1/10

The Birch Lake White Pine Plantation, 17 miles south of Ely in Babbitt, was established in 1916 from seedlings grown at the Baird Ranger Station. The young red pine were transported 7 miles by horse and wagon and another 11 miles by canoe to this burned and barren area where local residents planted them. There is a continuing research project in progress to determine the optimum number of trees per acre in relation to most rapid growth. These trees will reach maturity at 120 years in 2035. The area east of Forest Road #131 is generally flat, and the areas west are more challenging but relatively easy. This trail is groomed for classic skiing and is in good condition. There are numerous laden branches bent across the trail but should improve with time. A tree harvest is planned by the USFS this winter in this area. The logging contractor is planning to begin cutting next week (Feb. 8) in the Birch Lake Plantation and do the skidding the following week (Feb 15). They are going to try to avoid disrupting the ski trails as much as possible. Their plan is to suspend logging activity by noon each Friday so we can groom the trails for the weekend skiers. Please use extra caution when skiing in the plantation area and we will keep you informed of any changes in plans that we hear. 2/3/10

The Babbitt Golf Course – This trail is groomed for classic and skate skiing and is in excellent condition. The Babbitt Golf Course is a great option and offers both classic and skate groomed trails. The golf course parking lot has been plowed to accommodate skiers with a safe parking area. Thanks to the Babbitt street crew and the Golf course association for making the new parking area available. Please use caution when crossing the new snowmobile trail at the entrance to the golf course. 2/3/10

The Bear Head State Park Trails wind through mixed pine, balsam, birch and aspen stand and skirt four lakes along the way. Great views of Bear Head Lake can be seen from varying vantage points. Many exciting hills, both gentle and more demanding, await the skier. These trails are machine groomed and accommodate both beginner and expert skiersThe woods are covered in snow! It is a great time to visit the park. Due to recent heavy snowfall, there are still a few overhanging trees and brush over the trails. Classic ski tracks were set on Norberg Lake, Beach and Campground loops with very good results. Ely Winter Festival February 4-14 is a great time to visit the area. Very Good conditions with a 5-7 inch base. 2/4/10

The North Junction 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. Please respect camp property and watch for vehicles. The trails are pretty well cleared, although there are a few spots that larger trees fell across and they are in the process of sawing them in half and clearing the debris. Other than that, there is a good snow base and they are in good shape! 2/1/10

The North Arm Trail is one of the premier skier-tracked trail systems in the area. It boasts 30 km of scenic trails in and out of the BWCA Wilderness. (A Wilderness Permit is required and available at the trail head.) These trails are classic in every sense of the word (though skate skiing can be fabulous in late winter on the hard crusted lakes). Because they are not machine groomed, they can be challenging at times even for intermediate-skilled skiers. They are 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. Users should check on current ice conditions and proceed with caution on the lakes as ice conditions can change rapidly. The snow that was needed to get above the rocks and roots finally arrived –about 10” that first started out very wet. So there now is a great trail base, but lots of brush leaning into the trail which crews will work on cutting back over the coming days and weeks. Expect more slush on the lakes as the new snow pushes down on the ice so carry a scraper. Some of the trails have already been skier tracked, but expect that some won’t be until someone ventures out this weekend. Bright blue skies and snow flocked trees today—sure is gorgeous out there. 1/27/10

The Pine Park Trail is located between the Hidden Valley connector trail and the trails at Silver Rapids. These trails can be accessed from Ernie’s Road. The trail is cleared of trail-blocking alder-laden snow. It is skier tracked and in good condition. This trail should be groomed by the weekend. 2/2/10

Trezona Trail – Dogs are allowed on this trail. This 6.4 Km trail is relatively flat and has great views of the old Pioneer Mine headframe. It circles Miner’s Lake which is a designated trout lake. The Trezona continues to be well groomed for classic and skate skiing. Expect good conditions on this trail. 2/3/10

Silver Rapids Trail –These trails may not be groomed this year, but they are open to the public. The fresh blanket of snow hanging on the trees is beautiful. Base is 8-12 inches . 2/3/10

The Bear Island Ski Trail – This trail is a multi use 20km user tracked trail for easy to intermediate level skiers. No trail permit is required. The trail winds through Superior National Forest to Perch Lake with short side loops that are waiting to be explored! The trail offers a peaceful and solitary ski setting with many opportunities for wildlife sighting and tracking. There is also a 1-mile groomed trail along the shoreline of Bear Island Lake. The trailhead is located at the intersection of Highway 21 and the Escape Road. Skiers should park along the shoulder of the Escape Road and walk across Highway 21 to the wooded trailhead.

South Farm Trails – These trails are user tracked all the way and offer opportunities for skiers of all skill levels. If someone is looking for a trail-breaking opportunity, or a little-used wilderness trail, this is it. (A Wilderness Permit is required and available at the trail head.) No current report.

Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis. Please call ahead for the most current trail conditions.

A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. All cross-country skiers on state park or forest ski trails, or on state or grant-in-aid trails, who are aged 16 and above must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. Snowmobile Trail Stickers and MN State Ski Passes can be purchased at several locations in Ely, on-line at: dnr.state.mn.us and by phone at: 888/665-4236.

Thanks for supporting our trails!