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.

You Are Invited to Antlers, Fangs & Fur

Please join us for Antlers, Fangs & Fur on the evening of Thursday, November 6, at REI in Bloomington, Minn. We'll start the evening with hot cider and delicious appetizers from Whole Foods at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., the featured presentation will begin. Dr. Steve Windels will explore the latest wildlife research being conducted at Voyageurs National Park, and share his incredible photography and entertaining personal stories of working in the field.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to radio collar a wolf, have been curious about how beavers shape the landscape of the park, or want an inside look at Voyageurs National Park, please join us. This member appreciation event is free and open to the public - but please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Special thanks to the generous sponsors of this event:

For Our Park,

Christina Hausman Executive Director

P.S. Give to the Max Day is almost here - it's November 13. If you've never been a member of Voyageurs National Park Association before, but you love the park and have thought about joining, it's the perfect time. Every dollar we receive that day, up to $6,000 will be matched by a generous donor so that we can reach our goal of $12,000. And each donation we receive increases our opportunity of winning additional prizes from GiveMN.org, ranging from $500 to $10,000. We've created a Facebook event for you, in case you'd like to participate and want a reminder. Thank you so much to each and every one of you for helping us!