Winter Trails Report 12/18/2024
Winter Trails Report 12/18/2024
Voyageurs National Park staff have been paying close attention to winter trail conditions. However, there is not enough solid ice to open the frozen lakes for snowmobile or vehicle travel.
Although ice is 8” thick in some locations, much of it is weaker “white ice”, rather than stronger clear ice (see photo of core sample). Staff have found as little as 2” of ice in many locations, including the Beaver Pond off the Gold Portage trail.
Ice core sample taken on Black Bay of Rainy Lake. The 7 inches of white ice is much weaker than the 1 inch of clear ice. NPS Photo/Heibel
Because the lake ice is not yet strong enough to support equipment, our crews have focused on working in the areas they can travel to safely. They have begun clearing and packing snow on the land-based portions of the snowmobile trails, as well as the ski trail systems.
If you are on the frozen lakes, be particularly careful near pressure ridges, sand bars, shorelines, and shallow areas. Ice in those locations have been found to be inadequate and unsafe. There may not yet be enough snow in many places to provide lubrication for your snowmobile.
Remember that ice is never 100% safe. You can always find the most current winter trails report on our website at Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
SNOWMOBILE TRAILS
Purple Trail (International Falls to Kettle Falls): CLOSED
Green Trail Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River: CLOSED
Green Trail Ash River to Crane Lake: CLOSED
Dashed Black Trail Chain of Lakes: CLOSED
Yellow Trail Ash River to Kettle Falls: CLOSED
Blue Trail East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake: CLOSED
ICE ROADS
Rainy Lake Ice Road CLOSED
Rainy Lake Dryweed Loop CLOSED
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road CLOSED
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road Wes and East Spur Roads CLOSED
SKI TRAILS
Echo Bay Ski Trail 1st loop packed and tracked 2nd and 3rd cleared
Rainy Lake Rec Trail Packed not Tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail Closed
Tilson Connector Trail Packed not Tracked
SNOWSHOE TRAILS
Rainy Lake Rec Trail Open
Oberholtzer Trail Open
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail Closed
Kab/Ash Trail Open
Blind Ash Bay Trail Open
Sullivan Bay Trail Open
KABETOGAMA LAKE RECREATION AREA
Sledding Hill Closed
Ice Rink Closed
The Black Bay Ski Trail before it is packed. A "Flat Stanley" from an elementary school accompanies the trail crew as they maintain the trail. NPS Photo/Hiebel
For further information on land trails in communities surrounding the park check out these links:
Voyageur Trail Society - Trail Updates Voyageur Trail Society - Trail Updates (snowmobilevacation.org)
Trail Report http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html
Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions | Minnesota DNR Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
Buyck Portageurs Snowmobile Club https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057218389432
Ash River Kabetogama Snowdrifters - Ash River Kabetogama Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068157102512
Polar Polers Ski Club: Polar Polers | International Falls MN | Facebook
