The Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club shared this photo taken on a Gunflint Trail area trail to show what the recent heavy, wet, snow has done to the trails. Major cleanup is needed and the Ridge Riders— and other snowmobile clubs, as well as ski clubs—are encouraging winter sports enthusiasts to join the cleanup.
Local ski and snowmobile clubs are always seeking volunteer assistance, however after all the wet, heavy snow that fell in recent days, urgent “All hands on deck” have gone out, as well as cautions to ride extremely cautiously.
Caution from Cook County Ridge Riders
Dan Anderson of Cook County Ridge Riders contacted the News- Herald to advise snowmobilers that it will likely be two weeks before trails are safe to ride.
Anderson said because of this winter’s warm weather, lakes still have open water. And, the recent heavy, wet, snow has taken a toll, felling many large trees on the trail. Anderson said Ridge Rider groomers Harley Toftey and Tyler Smith have been working feverishly to clear the trails from Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail with a skid steer and dozer, as well as chainsaws. “They are only making about two miles a day,” said Anderson.
There is extra concern because the trails maintained by the Ridge Riders are also used in upcoming sled dog races, the January 9-10, 2016 Gunflint Mail Run and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon starting in Duluth on January 31, 2016.
Anderson asked anyone who could help clear trails to contact the Ridge Riders to launch a coordinated effort. Anderson can be reached at (218) 370-0645 or email cookcountyridgeriders@hotmail.com.
Grand Portage trails
Tony Swader of the Grand Portage Trail Riders said the Grand Portage trails are also not all open yet. He said he and Bob Vogel were out on the trail for eight hours on December 22 and had “hardly made a dent” in the downfall. He said the trail had not been cleared all the way to the Arrowhead Trail yet, but said it should be open all the way by Christmas weekend.
However, he also cautioned that riders should be extremely cautious, as there are wet spots on the trail.
To find out the latest trail conditions, find the Grand Portage Trail Riders on Facebook.
Lutsen trails looking better
Larry McNeally, president of the Lutsen Trailbreakers, also reported challenging conditions. He said club members have been concentrating on getting the “main artery” trails cleared and packed down. He said the groomer is being used with a brush hog to clear downed trees and branches where possible.
At press time, McNeally said the club had pushed through to the North Shore State Trail from the Lutsen access and they were working on the Caribou snowmobile trail to the State Trail. He said those main arteries—to allow riders to get to services in Lutsen—should be open by press time. “Barring any breakdowns,” said McNeally.
McNeally added that the Lutsen club too, could use help if anyone wanted to help clear trails. He said the club does pay qualified workers $20 per hour for trail clearing. Anyone who would like more information on helping the club is encouraged to contact McNeally at (218) 370-9268 or email LMcNeally1@gmail.com.
Finally, McNeally also added a caution for riders. Although the club is getting the trees cleared, there are some creeks that are not frozen.
Riders using Timberwolves trails
The Superior Timberwolves in Tofte are also hopeful that the trails will be open soon. Tofte’s “Snowmobile Doctor” Jerry Gervais said Timberwolves groomer Eric Nelson has been hard at work on the trail, pushing tree limbs off the trail with the groomer and using the chainsaw on others.
Gervais said snowmobiles have been on the trail already, so that has kept it somewhat open. Nelson will be out grooming at press time.
DNR working on CJ Ramstad North Shore Trail
The News-Herald reached Area Parks and Trails Supervisor Joe Russell and Area Trails Technician DuWayne Larson at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways headquarters in Two Harbors. Russell said it’s been a slow start to snowmobile and ski season. Russell said he knows the local clubs are struggling with maintenance of grant-in-aid trails.
He said DNR crews were out working on the CJ Ramstad North Shore State Trail in late summer/ early fall and the trails were looking good before the recent rain and snow.
“We have about 8-12-inches on the State Trail off of the Caribou and Gunflint Trail, but conditions are wet. We haven’t had the freezing temps we need,” said Russell.
Larson said the DNR is running two groomers; one without a drag and one with to first pack and then groom the trail. “We’re trying to set a base,” said Larson.
Some ski trails need work
The U.S. Forest Service also recently sent out a notice that although trails like the George Washington Pines cross country ski area in Grand Marais are packed and trails are cleared, there is water in spots on the trail, so skiers should be cautious.
Some ski trails are also impacted by frozen brush and trees and tree branches in the tread way. The Norpine Trail Association in the Lutsen area reported on December 18 that because of the dense snow, brush was tipped into the trail. That needs to be removed before packing and grooming can take place. Norpine said it might be a week before all trails are open.
The Banadad Trail up the Gunflint Trail reports that there is 14 inches of snow. However, the trail, which was cleared by volunteers in November, is now littered with downed trees and brush. Trail manager Ted Young said it is going to take quite a bit of time to get the Banadad open for skiing this year.
Anyone interested in helping on the Banadad again is encouraged to call (218) 388-4487.
All winter trail users are reminded that conditions are far from ideal at this time. Russell said, “We are cautioning riders—and skiers—that we have early season conditions, even though it is the end of December.”
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