Trail Reports

[leech~~]

It sure would be nice to setup a "Trails Report" for snow depths and just fun reports from around the state throughout the winter, kind of like the Ice Report on the Ice Fishing forum. What say you?

[mabr]

Yeah for sure. Id have thought we would have heard more by now.

Isanti area- a good 10 inches plus around noon on top of about a foot from our last storm.

The ditches were great today soft and fluffy , Imagine its like out west with all the powder. But hard to see through it all both blowing and pushing it.

[trackerbrent]

I was the first one out and only saw one other group. I do not recommend going out. I could not see anything going through fields and ditches. I could barely follow the trail signs and had no tracks to follow. The ditches were blown full off snow and were a blast. It took all my 144" track could do to keep me moving. If it weren't for the wind it would have been a perfect day.

[Dave S]

Once the wind settles and the groomers get out, the trails should be in excellent shape. I saw a few sleds in town. I think most riders are waiting until conditions improve before venturing out. Good choice. It's bad out there.

[Wanderer]

OMG!

It was absolutely terrible out there in the Isanti area today. Man, hardly any tracks on the trails, big deep soft drifts that required big leans and a heavy thumb to explode through through them blasting powder all over like a commercial.

I could hardly stand it!

If you can't tell, I enjoyed myself. BUT it was a lot of work to ride it out. I had my RMK out and even with the paddle track I got stuck 3 times and tossed myself off the sled once trying to recover from blowing out of a deep ditch. The reverse got me out of two stuck situations but one time I needed a tow. A very kind Jesse Ferguson pulled me out of waist deep snow on the SE corner of Co 56 and Hwy 47.

Be careful of the downwind side of the east/west roads as they are LOADED with snow. It's fun to dip in and duck out a little but in some spots tapping the throttle and rocking the machine can barely keep you moving. There are plenty of nice drifts on the upwind side so stay there until the groomer packs down the deep side of the ditch trails.

BTW, I should add the trails around town have changed a bit. On the west side of town where the trail turned south off Co. 5, is no longer a trail. You have to follow the road. Also, the trail coming into town following Whiskey turns off at Martin's Landing. It doesn't look like they want us going through town to go to the gas station any more.

[mabr]

BTW, I should add the trails around town have changed a bit. On the west side of town where the trail turned south off Co. 5, is no longer a trail. You have to follow the road. Also, the trail coming into town following Whiskey turns off at Martin's Landing. It doesn't look like they want us going through town to go to the gas station any more.

Wanderer, Im a little confused. Im pretty sure the trail on whiskey is still there. Its marked at least. You do need to cross to the east if headed south before the landing road but then it picks back up around south passage or sooner. I alwasy cross at south passage and whiskey.

It sure was neat out there today that for sure. Now I see why they have paddle tracks in the powder. Like you said I had to punch my way through a few ditches and even fields.

[Wanderer]

Well, I noticed as I was headed north on Whiskey toward 5 (west side of Whiskey) the trail arrow went left at Martin's instead of cutting across to the east side like last year. I didn't see any trail markers the rest of the way to 5.

Then, when leaving the gas station I went west on 5 across the river and down to where the trail used to go south across the two fields, small swamp, then west again on that little road. I thought it was odd there were no tracks or trail markers in the fields then came upon a caution ribbon where the trail met the swamp. I turned around there and went back to 5, then headed west till Co. 10.

When I got back to 5 the "T" at that trail sign was upside down, meaning I wasn't on the trail. It really surprised me.

My next stop will be to pick up the latest copy of the Rum River Trails map. Should have done that before hand I guess.

[Jack Peterson]

I enjoy taking my 700 RMK out in these "deep" snow conditions. lol.

[tipup]

came into work this morning at 730 on my old Indy 500, was fun!!! Bad time for my 700 RMK to be in the shop getting carb work!!! Oh well I am sure the snow wont go anywhere, the little 500 did well as long as I kept in the gas!!! cant wait to go home, the long way!!! anywhere from 12-16" here in Waseca!!

[mabr]

Wanderer,

I think you right. Just went and got gas for the blower and payed attentio lol. Looks like it does go to the landing. Theres no restrictions in Isanti though at least none I know for sleds in town.

Im going out as soon as I get done eating lunch . Cant wait.

[leech~~]

Wanderer,

I think you right. Just went and got gas for the blower and payed attentio lol. Looks like it does go to the landing. Theres no restrictions in Isanti though at least none I know for sleds in town.

Im going out as soon as I get done eating lunch . Cant wait.

Good reports guys. Changes in trails would be one of the things that will help others on a Trails Report. mabr, maybe you have to start watching for trial signs and stop just blasting through town willy-nilly!

[mabr]

Yep , they changed the trail. Wanderer is correct, slight detour around whiskey and 5 intersection

Whats funny is the signs have been removed sinse last weekend. I think the city got tired of folks driving on the plowed sidewalks.

[tipup]

Went out for a 50 mile ride this am. Man was it awesome!!! Hard to see as everything is white and looked white even if it wasnt. We got about 6 more inches today and the ditches are full, trails are still spotty believe it or not. We need the groomers in this area to get out. I have 19" in my back yard not measuring the drifts!!! Man what a year so far!!! Have fun guys and be safe it is a little tricky!!!

[Dave S]

I don't have a sled but from what I can tell of the trails around my area as I drive by, the groomers need to get out. They look a little beat up yet and haven't been broke down since the fall tillage.

I'm about an hour Northwest of Waseca and we've got close to 2 feet plus in some areas.

[Surface Tension]

Groomer North of Duluth have been waiting the bog areas to freeze before they can get out.

It shouldn't be much longer.

[ripstick]

Duluth area: North shore fair to good.fish and island lake. Swamps need to freeze. trails need snow to pack down so they can freeze up. Groomers are getting dusty. Up towards cotton and virgina trails are groomed pretty much.

[leech~~]

Duluth area: North shore fair to good.fish and island lake. Swamps need to freeze. trails need snow to pack down so they can freeze up. Groomers are getting dusty. Up towards cotton and virgina trails are groomed pretty much.

Any reports from up over the hill by Finland? Seems to always be a little more snow on top of the hill.

[ripstick]

Talked to a couple who ran up there last sunday and no complaints.

[troutkingmaster]

Went up to the cabin this weekend between Grand Rapids and Bigfork and to my surprise, all the trails, except the Taconite were awesome. Groomers have not touched the tac. but had been on everything else we rode and we were the first ones down most of them. Hopefully the Tac gets done pretty quick here since it is the main corridor.

[ripstick]

Best I could tell today is that the groomers were out just about everywhwere today on my travels. We got hit good here so maybe our trails might get packed down and groomed. Blasted swamps.

[sunniewally]

how are the trails down around morton and granite falls area

[knoppers]

groomers are out working plenty hard on the trails in aitkin co, some swamps still are not frozen, but most trails are groomed and in great shape. put 90 miles on wednesday in only a couple hours.

[leech~~]

Thanks Mr Foss.

Here's what the Ely Chamber of Commerce report is saying:

The Tomahawk Trail-On Monday the trail was groomed from the Tomahawk Road to Mattila Shelter. Groomers were unable to groom completely from Ely to the Tomahawk due to one of the bogs along the way that was not frozen enough to cross. The trail from Knotted Pine to the North Shore trail is packed and rolled and is being groomed today. It's in fair condition with a 3-4 inch base. A trail was made around a beaver pond east of Isabella due to a pond in that area not completely frozen. The local trails around Ely have been rolled and groomed. The Grassy Lake loop is not done as of yet. Grooming will be done today from Burntside Lake to Vermilion Lake. Lakes have not been staked in the Ely area yet, but crews hope to get out and accomplish that task within the next week or so. 12/22/10

Taconite Trail - St. Louis County - The West end of the trail has been groomed. Grooming on the East end to Ely has begun. As always, please use extreme caution and watch for ice flowages and brush over-hanging on the trail. Fair Conditions with a 2-3 inch base. 12/22/10

Bear Island State Forest - Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trail - is not groomed, but is packed. Please use extreme caution as many of the swampy areas are still very wet and seeping up. Poor Conditions with a 2-4 inch base. 12/22/10

Stony Spur and Taconite Spur Trails- All trails are groomed and in fair condition. We still need more snow for the power line sections. Some rocks are not covered. Crews will be out on Thursday and Friday grooming. 12/21/10

[tipup]

Was out last night in Waseca County and the trails are great! Plus it looks like overnight we got 3"-4" more snow! Put on 70 miles last night.

[311Hemi]

Looking like NW MN could be getting dumped on in this next round of storms....possibly 16-20" around the DL or Bemidji areas at this point. Should help out the trail conditions!!