Voyageurs National Park Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report - Mar. 4, 2015

All trails remain open and in good condition. Due to wolf interaction, short sections of the Green and Yellow Trails on Namakan Lake near the Moose River Grade have been closed and rerouted. The Green Trail Reroute is now staked and groomed from the closure on Namakan Lake to the connection of the Yellow Trail (Kettle Falls) and Orange Trail (Rudder Bay). The trail reroute follows the south side of Namakan Island to near Cemetery Island and the Green, Yellow, and Orange Trail junctions.

Park staff will monitor the cause of the temporary closures, and the closures will remain in place until conditions change or the winter season ends.

Due to high winds, snow drifts are widespread. Lake surface conditions are considered rough. Riders should use caution both on and off the trails.

The most up to date winter trail conditions are available at www.nps.gov/voya.

Important: Green and Yellow Snowmobile Trails Rerouted in Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park staff and visitors have recently witnessed a lone wolf near the Ash River area. The wolf appears to be alone with no pack and has followed three snowmobilers. In order to ensure visitor safety, park staff are taking precautions by monitoring the wolf and re-routing small sections of the park’s Green and Yellow Trails. Superintendent Mike Ward stated, “We are taking precautions for the protection of the visitors and the wolf. Visitors are encouraged to continue to enjoy the winter wonderland by accessing the open trails throughout the park and multiple gateway communities.”

Temporary Closures:

• The Green Trail (Voyageur Trail) from the Moose River Grade to Namakan Lake will be closed.
• A short section of the Yellow Trail (Kettle Falls Trail) from the Green Trail and Yellow Trail connection in Moose Bay to the Orange Trail (Rudder Bay Trail) and the Yellow Trail connection will be closed.

Reroute:

• The Green Trail will be rerouted from the closure on Namakan Lake to the connection of the Yellow Trail (Kettle Falls) and Orange (Rudder Bay Trail) running along the south side of Big Namakan Island.
• When travelling from Ash River south to Crane Lake, a visitor may take the Ash River to Crane Lake land trail. If travelling through the park, they may take the Green Trail northwest to the Rudder Bay Trail, then head northeast to the newly formed Rudder Bay Trail, Kettle Falls Trail, and Voyageur Trail connection.
• When travelling from Crane Lake to Ash River, a visitor may take the Crane Lake to Ash River land trail. When travelling through the park, a visitor may take the Green Trail to the Yellow and Orange Trail connections, turn onto the Orange Trail (Rudder Bay) until the Green Trail connection, and turn southeast to Ash River.

Voyageurs National Park Announces New Chief Ranger

"We are excited to announce Ben Welch as our new Chief Ranger at Voyageurs National Park. Ben brings a long list of experience, and the right characteristics to help the park and our communities continue to work towards successes,” says Superintendent Mike Ward.

Starting in 2002 as a Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern at Arches National Park, Ben has worked at Capitol Reef, Theodore Roosevelt and Everglades National Parks as an interpretive ranger. As a Visitor and Resource Protection Ranger, Ben has worked at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Redwood, and Yellowstone National Parks. Most recently, Ben served as the East District Ranger in Big Bend National Park.

Ben is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the visitors and other park stakeholders of Voyageurs National Park and to serve the community of International Falls and other communities of northern Minnesota. Although Ben thoroughly enjoys his work with the National Park Service, he is happiest when spending time with his beautiful wife Nancy and their two year old daughter, Marin, and one month old daughter, Sheridan. “We look forward to welcoming Ben and his family to Voyageurs and our surrounding communities,” says Superintendent Mike Ward.

Welch replaces Chuck Remus who faced mandatory law enforcement retirement in late October. Remus will stay on in the new position of Recreation Fee Specialist at the park. “Remus served in the ranger division for over 22-years at Voyageurs National Park and while we will miss him in that position we are very happy to keep his expertise and his great relationships working for the park.”

Voyageurs National Park Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report - Jan. 14, 2015

All winter trails within the park are now open. Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center (see details below). Snowmobile portages are groomed. Full grooming on lake surfaces will occur as ice conditions allow. Conditions on frozen lake surfaces are rough. Snowdrifts have frozen and create hazardous conditions off-trail. Use caution at night and during low visibility.

The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open from the visitor center to Cranberry Bay, and around portions of Dryweed Island. The Kabetogama Lake Ice Road is now open from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Boat Launch to the Ash River Visitor Center Boat Launch.

Ski trails are open, packed, and tracked. Conditions are fair to good. Snowshoe trails are open, but not packed.

Please remember the snowmobile speed limit within the park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and portages. The speed limit for the ice road is 30 mph.

When ice fishing, please remember holes must be drilled at least 50 feet from ice roads and snowmobile trails. To reduce hazards to snowmobile users, all ice blocks are to be immediately chopped up, submerged, or hauled to land. Placement of equipment or any type of structure must be greater than 50 feet off the edge of all ice roads and 50 feet off the centerline of all snowmobile trails. Written authorization from the park is required for individuals to plow greater than 300 feet on any lake surfaces within the park.

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. During business hours, the visitor center offers maps, information, and hot cocoa. Visitors may borrow snowshoe and cross-country skis, but must be returned the same day.

The most up to date winter trail conditions are available at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails

• International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open and staked
• Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open and staked
• Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open and staked
• Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open and staked
• Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open and staked
• East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open and staked

Ice Roads 

• Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Cranberry Bay, and around portions of Dryweed Island
• Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Open

Ski Trails

• Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
• Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked – Pine Loop rocky in places.
• Tilson Connector Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
• KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails

• Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail – Open, not packed
• Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open, not packed
• Oberholtzer Trail – Open, not packed
• Sullivan Bay Trail – Open, not packed

“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”

ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARDS

Blue Trail on East Namakan and Sandpoint Lake Now Open

From the National Park Service, 1/13/12: Snowmobile Trails  - see trail status list at end

The park has staked the Blue Trail from East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake.

Please remember that hazardous pressure ridges continue to be an issue along the Green Trail on Kabetogama Lake. Staff continue to re-route the trail in problem areas to provide a safer passage through the pressure ridges. Due to frequent and extreme changes to the pressure ridges, snowmobilers should use extreme caution and only cross the pressure ridges at designated crossings along the staked route.   Slow travel speeds are highly recommended.  Snowmobile land portages have rough riding conditions due to minimal snow cover.

Outstanding scenery is one of the reasons why Voyageurs National Park was established. Please enjoy the scenery as you ride and follow the snowmobile speed limit of 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages.  Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages

Regular weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open & Staked Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open & Staked Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open & Staked Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open & Staked East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open & Staked

Ice Roads Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Rainy Lake City Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Starting, Saturday, January 14 – Open between the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Boat Launch and the Ash River Visitor Center Boat Launch

Ski Trails Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open with minimal snow cover Black Bay Ski Trail– Not Open Tilson Connector Trail– Not Open KabAsh Trail– Open with minimal snow cover

Snowshoe Trails Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open with minimal snow cover Sullivan Bay Trail – Open and tracked Oberholtzer Trail – Open with minimal snow cover

“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”

ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARDS

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 395 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report: 1/11/12

From the National Park Service, 1/11/12: Snowmobile Trails  - see trail status list at end

Winter weather conditions have allowed the park to open the Green Trail from Ash River to Crane Lake. Now, the entire Green Trail is open from Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Crane Lake.

Hazardous pressure ridges continue to be an issue along the Green Trail on Kabetogama Lake. Staff continue to re-route the trail in problem areas to provide a safer passage through the pressure ridges. Due to frequent and extreme changes to the pressure ridges, snowmobilers should use extreme caution and only cross the pressure ridges at designated crossings along the staked route.   Slow travel speeds are highly recommended.  Snowmobile land portages have rough riding conditions due to minimal snow cover.

Park staff are checking ice along the Blue Trail from East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake today and will determine if there is sufficient ice to stake the trail. At this time the trail remains closed.

Outstanding scenery is one of the reasons why Voyageurs National Park was established. Please enjoy the scenery as you ride and follow the snowmobile speed limit of 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages.  Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages

Ice Roads  - see trail status list at end

In addition to the ice road on Rainy Lake, Voyageurs National Park will open an ice road on Kabetogama Lake. The anticipated date of this opening is Saturday, January 14, 2012. Ice and snow conditions this winter have allowed the park to provide this opportunity for visitors to enjoy a scenic drive, watch wildlife, ice fish and explore the park. Similar to the Rainy Lake Ice Road, the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road will have two-way traffic. The road follows a route along the south shore of Kabetogama Lake between the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and the Ash River Visitor Center. Written authorization from the park is required for individuals to plow any lake surfaces off an ice road.

Snowshoe Trails  - see trail status list at end

The Sullivan Bay snowshoe trail is now open and tracked. This trail is located along the Ash River Visitor Center entrance road. Travel about two miles in on the entrance road and look for the snowshoe sign on your right that marks the trail.

Cross-Country Ski Trails - see trail status list at end

Snow conditions are limiting the opening of park ski trails. Forecasted snowfall has the potential to improve trail conditions.

Regular weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open & Staked Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open & Staked Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open & Staked Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open & Staked East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Not Open

Ice Roads Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Rainy Lake City Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Starting, Saturday, January 14 – Open between the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Boat Launch and the Ash River Visitor Center Boat Launch

Ski Trails Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open with minimal snow cover Black Bay Ski Trail– Not Open Tilson Connector Trail– Not Open KabAsh Trail– Open with minimal snow cover

Snowshoe Trails Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open with minimal snow cover Sullivan Bay Trail – Open and tracked Oberholtzer Trail – Open with minimal snow cover

“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”

ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARDS

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 395 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.