Pressure ridges with areas of open water have formed in several places near park snowmobile trails, with a major ridge intersecting the trail at the west end of Kabetogama. With the recent warming and cooling trends, with temps well above freezing, maintenance on trails has been suspended and stakes are being removed from trails. The recent snow has been welcome, but gusting winds have blown much of the snow into drifts. Warm weather in the coming days will reduce snow cover to minimal amounts, especially on land-based portages. If you travel on the lakes, use caution while riding around shorelines and in shallow water areas around sand bars, as ice can be much thinner than expected.
We encourage everyone to remember that ice is never 100% safe. Be aware of conditions and ride in response to them. Our winter trails conditions can always be found on our website: Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Snowmobile Trails:
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) - Closed Not Staked
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) - Closed Not Staked
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) - Closed Not Staked
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) - Closed Not Staked
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) - Closed Not Staked
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) - Closed Not Staked
Ice Roads:
Rainy Lake Ice Road - Closed
Rainy Lake Dryweed Loop - Closed
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road - Closed
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road West and East Spur Roads - Closed
Ski Trails:
Kabetogama Area:
Echo Bay Ski Trail - Packed not tracked
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Rec Trail - Packed not tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail - Closed
Tilson Connector Trail - Closed
Snowshoe Trails: Hiking allowed on trails
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail - Open
Oberholtzer Trail - Open
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail - Closed
Ash River Area:
KabAsh Trail - Open
Blind Ash Bay Trail - Open
Sullivan Bay Trail - Open
Kabetogama Lake Recreation Area:
Sledding Hill - Closed
Ice Rink - Closed
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
Pressure ridge and open water on Namakan Lake near the green trail.
Photo credit: NPS Photo/J. Christenson
Open water on Namakan Lake near Pike Bay along the green trail.
Photo credit: NPS Photo/J. Christenson
