Warm weather has led to additional loss of ice and snow this week, continuing to make trail conditions challenging in the Park. Slush and standing water have been found in several locations near beaver ponds and pressure ridges on frozen lake surfaces. Notably, a large pressure ridge near the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center has led to over 12 inches of standing water along the Green Trail. Currently, there are only a few inches of hard packed snow on the lake trails. There may not be adequate snow to provide lubrication for snowmobiles, and you may find your machine overheating. Land portages continue to be difficult and slow going. Trail crews continue to monitor conditions for establishing ice roads but have found spots with less than the required 12 inches of ice. No ice roads have yet been opened.
Without a significant amount of snow and longer periods of cold temperatures, we don’t anticipate trail conditions improving in the immediate future. It will have to wait and see what the coming days will bring. We encourage everyone to remember that ice is never 100% safe. Be aware of conditions and ride in response to them. You can always find the most current trail conditions on our website: Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Snowmobile Trails:
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) -Open Staked Not Groomed
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) -Open Staked Not Groomed
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) - Open Staked Not Groomed
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) - Closed
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) - Closed
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) - Open Staked Not Groomed
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 https://www.snowmobilevacation.com and https://www.facebook.com/VTSIGrooms
Trail Report (ridetheborders.com) http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html and https://www.facebook.com/IVSClub
Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions | Minnesota DNR https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
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
A pressure ridge on the Green Trail near Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center - Credit: NPS Photo/C. Nevalainen
