Snowmobile Trails
MN State Snowmobile Trails officially open on December 1. A recent law change: A snowmobile that is registered after July 1, 2012 and received 06/30/2015 expiration does not need the snowmobile state trail sticker to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails. The snowmobile registration fee was increased to cover the trail sticker cost. An individual who possesses an unexpired MN snowmobile registration that was issued before July 1, 2012 must continue to display a valid snowmobile trail sticker until the snowmobile is renewed. A snowmobile that is not registered in the state of MN must purchase a trail sticker.
Taconite Snowmobile Trail - This trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers and forests. There are several trail shelters along the trail located at popular stopping points offering scenic vistas. Groomers will continue to be out on a regular schedule. The trail is in very good shape. Groomers will continue to be out on a regular schedule. Watch for exposed rock in a few locations as well as stumps in new timber harvest areas. 4-8 inch base. Groomed Mileage: 165 Miles
Stony Spur Trail – This trail stretches from Babbitt east across Hwy 1. This trail is groomed twice weekly and is in good condition.
Tomahawk Trail – This trail was groomed on Sunday night and is in good condition, including the Grassy Lake and Mud Creek trail. Trails will be groomed again before the weekend. Crews have staked area lakes. If you choose lake travel, please be sure to follow the staked trail. Lake ice is never 100% safe.
Taconite Spur Trail – This trail stretches from the Taconite Trail to Babbitt and then from Babbitt to Giant’s Ridge. These trails are groomed twice weekly and are in good shape.
Fishing Lakes Trail -The Putnam and Fishing Lakes Trails traverse 17 miles of forested, rolling topography through birch, ash, and pine stands. Several small lakes dot the landscape along these scenic trails. This trail’s conditions are improving as we get new snow. Watch for exposed rock in a few locations. Good condition with a 3.5 inch base. Groomed mileage: 17 Miles
Cross Country Ski Trails
Bear Head State Park - This trail provides rolling topography through birch and pine stands. You can expect to see wildlife ranging from deer, wolves, moose, martens and squirrels. A classic ski track was set (1/31) in the campground loops and from the office through the beach trail. With the fresh snow, the track set very well. Folks have been skiing on Bear Head Lake, but caution is advised as ice is never 100% safe. Very good conditions, partially groomed with a 2-3 inch base.
Hidden Valley Ski Trails - These trails pass though rolling hills, paper birch and pine stands and newly planted red and white pine plantations. They are nicely groomed regularly by volunteers of the Ely Nordic Club and funding provided by MN DNR Grants-In-Aid, and membership dues and donations. The trails are marked by ‘You are here’ maps. After the fresh snow received on Monday night, trails are in excellent shape. Birch Highland, Bambas, Sommer and Trezona trails have been groomed for skate and classic skiing. More trails will be groomed as the week progresses. Additional snow is expected later in the week with a possibility of significant accumulation this weekend. A MN Ski Pass is required to ski this trail and donations are welcomed and appreciated. Look for the box at the trail start/end.
Trezona Trail - This 6.4 km trail winds around Miners Lake, a historic mining pit and old mine shaft headframe. The flat to rolling terrain is machine groomed. Skiers, walkers, snowshoes and dogs are all welcome. Ski in the morning, during the day or at night, right in the center of town! Please consider dropping a donation in the red box near the parking lot. Those funds go specifically to the grooming of the Trezona Trail. This trail is groomed for both classic and skate skiing and is in great shape!
Babbitt Golf Course Trail – This trail was groomed on Tuesday and is in excellent condition for skate and classic skiing with a 5 inch base.
North Arm Trails - The North Arm Trails are skier-tracked and are classic in every sense of the word (though skate skiing can be fabulous in late winter on the hard crusted lakes.) Because only some of the trails are occasionally machine groomed, they can be challenging at times even for intermediate-skilled skiers. They are some of the most beautiful in the area as they roll up and down over forested ledge rock and across lakes through the wilderness. The trails are easy to follow and each intersection has a ‘you are here’ map. Beginner skiers can first test their proficiency on the Moose Horn Loops. Warning! - Ice conditions may be unsafe. Users should check on current ice conditions and proceed with caution on the lakes as ice conditions can change rapidly. With the few more inches of snow the skiing keeps on getting better. Trails have been groomed recently and the skiing is general great right now.
Hegman Lake Pictographs – Currently one good outing would be to drive up to the Hegman Lake BWCAW entry point, about 15 miles north of Ely off the Echo Trail. Walk the portage down to the lake and then ski the lakes to the pictographs. North and South Hegman are very nice small scenic lakes that have the bonus of the pictographs. Of course, wind can always be a factor for lake travel. Use caution to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
North Junction Trail - These trails consist of a series of loops. There are two loops south of the North Arm Road. The Beaver Meadow Trail is a beginner to intermediate trail that goes through an area occupied by beaver. The Moose Trail is an intermediate level that goes through hilly upland areas, a spruce swamp, and a beaver pond. The west end of the Beaver Meadows Trail leads to Camp Widjiwagan, where the trail follows the road through the camp. While on the road, watch for vehicles and respect camp property. The trails are skier tracked and maintained by volunteers from the Camp. These trails are in pretty good shape with a 4 inch base. These trails are not machine groomed.
Birch Lake Plantation Trail - This trail system is partially within the first white pine plantation in the Superior National Forest, covering 120 acres. The plantation was planted in 1915 and has been thinned out in recent years. While touring the area, you may see white paint on some of the trees. These mark out research plots to study growth of the trees which remained after the logging operation. The area east of Forest Road #131 is generally flat. Those areas west are more challenging but relatively easy. This trail was groomed on Tuesday for classic skiing and is in good condition with a 4 inch packed base.
All cross-country skiers on ski trails in State Parks or Forests, or on State or Grant-in-Aid Trails, who are age 16 and above must have a current Minnesota Ski Pass. Ski pass fees support Minnesota’s Cross-Country Ski Trail System. You can purchase your ski pass at several locations in Ely, at Minnesota State Parks, at the DNR License Center, on the internet or by phone.