Cook County News Herald

Cook County Trail Conditions





 

 

Bearskin Lodge
“Here in the tip of the Arrowhead region, we didn’t receive nearly as much snow as some areas to the south of us,” reported Bearskin’s updated Web site Dec. 26. “We honestly would have liked to receive more. And of course, we will.” Bearskin staff expects to have much of its system fully groomed by the beginning of the week. “For skiers heading up, keep in mind this is the first grooming of many of these trails this year.” See Bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com for all the latest conditions.

Cascade Lodge
Cascade Lodge reports that “the further from the lake you go the better it gets.” Pioneer Loop and Ridge Run are packed single tracked and should ski pretty well once skiers get past the first half mile. Snow gradually deepens into excellent skiing on the northernmost portions of the loop. Deeryard has two classic tracks set on the entire system except a short loop. It has about a 5-6 inch average base with the highest snow amounts on the southern portion of the fire tower mountain. Check cascadelodgemn.com for the latest trail updates.

Cook County Ridgeriders

and Grand Portage Trail Riders
Dan Anderson of the Ridge Riders reports that the snowmobile trails received about 10 to 12 inches of snow over the holiday weekend. The groomers hit the trail to pack the heavy snow and a good base has been started. Anderson said a few trailers have been parked near The Landing at Devil Track so people are out riding. He measured 14 inches of ice on Devil Track last week. There may be some slush, but open water should not be a concern.

Anderson said, “So get out and enjoy the winter and be alert and safe for yourself and others.”

Check the latest trail conditions on the snowmobile club’s website at www.boreal.org/RidgeRiders/ or call Grand Portage Lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384. Both organizations are also represented on snowmobiletrails.com.

Golden Eagle Nordic Ski Center
Skiing is described as very good at Golden Eagle Lodge, where the snowcat has been busy packing trails at the Logging Camp, Red Pines, Cross Fox, Moose Ridge, Deer Mouse and Wolf Point. “This is a wet snow, and with cooler temperatures coming in, the trails should set up nice,” reports the Golden Eagle website at www.golden-eagle.com.

Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
As of Tuesday, December 29, all trails have been groomed for classic and skate skiing. According to the report on www.pincushiontrails. com, skiing is excellent for classic and good for skating. The new snow has set up nicely with just a few soft spots in the skate lanes. Surface is packed powder with just a dusting of new snow. The base is several inches thick so you can use your best skis.

Sugarbush Trail Association
Snow was too sticky to begin grooming until after the holiday weekend. The Onion River Road has the smoothest, most consistent surface albeit somewhat soft on the upper half. In-track skiing will be the best on the Onion River Road. According to sugarbushtrails.org, the system will take days to pack, roll, remove trees and level out before good tracks can be set. The good news is that this great quality snow that should allow creation of a nice base. In all, about 20 inches of snow fell over the past week, bringing the season’s total to 20 inches.

Banadad Ski Trails
Boundary Country Trekking reports that the Banadad ski trails now have a packed base of 8-9 inches on the eastern end of the trail. There are 15 inches of snow on the ground on the eastern end and 10 inches of snow on the western end of Banadad. Banadad, Lace Lake, and Tall Pines trails have all been groomed and tracked. There is some brush still showing, but Ted Young of Boundary Country says, “Skiing is very good!” Visit www.boundarycountry.com for the latest trail conditions.

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