Before and after. On the left is the view local snowmobile and cross country ski clubs were faced with after recent heavy, wet, snows. There is a trail under all that brush. Ice- and snow-coated branches, as well as trees blocked the path. On the right, after some major cleanup is a scenic trail, ready to ride.
Winter sports enthusiasts are once again reminded to check in with friends or area businesses on trail conditions before heading out snowmobiling or skiing. The recent heavy, wet snow has wreaked havoc on area trails, toppling a tangled mess of brush and trees that will take some time to clear away. A major effort is under way to get trails in riding condition for the first weekend of the year.
In addition, Dan Anderson of Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club cautions that many lakes and swampy areas are not yet frozen. On December 23, the Ridge Riders reported that Devil Track Lake had only two inches of ice.
But progress is being made on the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail. On December 26, the Ridge Riders reported that the trail had been cleared from the Devil Track campground to the Two Island campground. Visit the Cook County Ridge Riders Facebook page for up-to-the-minute reports.
Anderson asked anyone who could help clear trails to contact the Ridge Riders to continue a coordinated effort. Anderson can be reached at (218) 370- 0645 or email cookcountyridgeriders@hotmail.com.
Other area snowmobile clubs are also working hard to get trees off trails. Tony Swader of the Grand Portage Trail Riders said the Trail Riders hoped to have trails all open this week. However, Swader too, cautioned riders to be extremely cautious, as there are still wet spots on the trail.
To find out the latest trail conditions in Grand Portage, visit the Grand Portage Trail Riders Facebook page.
Larry McNeally, president of the Lutsen Trailbreakers, reports that Lutsen trails are looking a lot better. On December 27, the club reported that the Lutsen Access Trail is open and groomed from the state trail to “downtown Lutsen.” The Caribou Snowmobile Trail is open and groomed from the State Trail to downtown Lutsen. The Beaver Trail is opened up but not yet groomed. It is narrow, but does provide access to Cascade Lodge.
McNeally said there were several unfrozen creeks, but nothing that presented major problems. He advised going slower closer to the lake.
Anyone who would like information on helping the club clear trails is encouraged to contact McNeally at (218) 370-9268 or email LMcNeally1@gmail.com.
The Superior Timberwolves in Tofte have also been working hard on getting trees and brush off the trail. 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.
Ski trails also hard hit
The heavy, wet snow has also impacted North Shore cross country ski trails. Ted Young of the Banadad Ski Trail Association up the Gunflint Trail said unfortunately the association may have to close the west end of the Banadad. Young said clean up has been challenging because the ground is not yet frozen. The heavy snow on unstable trees is toppling them and creating a “tangle of trees and alder brush.”
Young said he has a good crew working hard, but after clearing a two-mile section, they returned three days later to find another 10 hours worth of downed trees to clear off.
He said right now the Banadad has about 5K of trails open, but expects about 18K to be open soon.
Golden Eagle and Bearskin lodges are both out working on trails and getting more open every day. However, as of December 23, with open water on Flour Lake and questionable ice on Aspen, that area’s north-south link was closed.
David Williams of the Bally Creek Ski Trails in Grand Marais, maintained by Bear Track Outfitting, said much the same on December 26. He said progress is slowly being made, but encouraged anyone interested in lending a hand to call him at 218-387-1162.
Many other trail groups are reporting progress, but urging caution. The best advice is to talk to others. For information on Cook County trail conditions, visit www.visitcookcounty.com and click on the cross country trails or snowmobile trails links.
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