Happy Trails

 

Sugarbush Trail Association

The Sugarbush Trail Association reports Jan. 25 that there is a packed base of 12-20 inches, with total snowfall for the season measuring 68 inches; 13 inches of snow fell during the past week. Groomers describe the trail conditions as packed powder, and note that the Oberg Mountain trailhead trails have been snowmobile groomed and the snow set up very nicely. Summit view and Tofte ski down were also groomed. See www.sugarbushtrail.org for an update.

Bearskin Lodge

Grooming has been done on Lit Loop, Summer Home, Campground, Beaver Dam and East Bearskin Lake crossing from Campground to Bearskin Lodge. Bear Cub, Poplar Creek and Oxcart were done as well. Groomers report Jan. 24 that due to the wind, there are “massive” drifts here and there, and quite a bit of new snow in the higher elevations. For all the latest, see bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com or call (218) 388-2292.

Golden Eagle

The Jan. 24 Golden Eagle ski report says: “More snow last night. We are out grooming and have done Ridge Run, Moose Pasture, Upper Beaver Dam, North South Link from Aspen to Golden Eagle, the west end Logging Camp and Wolf Point. Dan is working on a loop now to include Logging Camp, Deer Mouse and part of Red Pines. We will finish up the rest of the trails later today. More snow forecast for tomorrow so we’ll be back at it.” The Snowcat packed trail base is 10 inches, and there is 24-26 inches of snow in the woods. 70 km of trails are open; snowfall totals 60 inches for the season. See golden-eagle.com for up-tothe minute conditions and groomer’s report, or call (800) 346-2203

Gunflint Trail/Cook County Ridge Riders

According to Forrest of Hungry Jack Lodge, “Old Man Winter has been sending us gifts of snow this season. We have received close to 10-12 inches since last Wednesday. It never seemed to snow extremely hard, just steady for three or four days. Snow levels in the Mid-Trail area are in excess of 24 inches with even more snow between Mid-Trail and Grand Marais. The snowmobile trails are in excellent shape, and are well-groomed.”

Shelé Toftey of the Ridge Riders reports Jan. 23 that this winter is shaping up to be a great snowmobile season, with 2 to 3 feet of snow on the trails, and 3 to 4 feet in the woods. “But there is very, very little traffic,” said Toftey. “We are having a winter wonderland going on, and everyone should come out and enjoy it while it lasts.” For all the latest, listen to the club’s recorded message at (218) 387-9392.

Updated information on the Grand Portage trails may be had by calling the lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384.

West End snowmobile trails

Jerry Gervais, the Snowmobile Doctor, said Jan. 25 that the West End trails are “excellent.” There is a lot of snow. “We just need some people to ride them,” said Jerry. The groomer reports that he is seeing very little tracks, so the Superior Timber Wolves say, “Come on out and enjoy the excellent, excellent, trails!”

The Tofte and Leveaux trails have been recently groomed, and about 3 inches of new snow has made the trail conditions “perfect.”

Lutsen Area

Jan. 25 report: “We have had constant wind and snow for the past week. This has made grooming consistently very difficult. This morning we are laying a single track around the west side of the Pioneer, the Deeryard main loop and the east part of the Pioneer. We will not be grooming Fire Tower, Short Loop or Ridge until later in the week. Excellent conditions.” Go to www.norpinetrails.org for the latest conditions on all the trails.