Winter in northern Minnesota is anything but routine, and this year we have had record snowfalls with more snow in the forecast. Our winter wonderland is buried so deep in snow already that we may not see the ground until July.
Anyone in the snow removal business is having a very difficult time keeping certain roads and driveways open this winter. There is so much snow that plow trucks have nowhere else to push it, especially when there is eight to ten inches to push at a time.
The banks are high enough that the new snowfall will not throw over the top of the bank and ends up falling back into the road after being plowed. This creates a bad situation for the plow truck, which tends to get stuck in the snow that does not make it off the road.
I am speaking from experience since I have been digging my plow truck out daily while trying to keep a few of my most difficult driveways open on the Gunflint Trail. Last night we decided to throw in the towel and either hire a skid steer to open them up properly or give up on the driveway for the year. The choice will be up to the homeowner since they will be paying the bill if they would like to continue using their driveway.
It has been many years since I have not been able to keep a driveway open the entire year or been hired to shovel roofs – but this is a record year for snowfall and that is what is required to stay ahead of it. If this pattern continues through March, the returning snowbirds will have to learn how to shovel snow again this spring.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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