Voyageurs Nat'l Park Area Trails

[let it snow]

From the ash river - kab Snowdrifters web site

ARROWHEAD STATE TRAIL - thanks to the MN DNR

Conditions: Very Good Trail Base: 1-6" Local snow depth is 17-22"

3/2/09: Trail conditions remain very good. Groomers will be out again this coming weekend as needed. Riders can expect to encounter some icy spots, especially in the corners. Ice may be hiding under fresh snow in the corners. Use caution. Riders should beware that mid-season conditions can change day to day. Stay to the right and slow down in the corners. Some trail segments are being used as logging roads. Trail conditions are poor where there is active logging. Use extra caution if you see logging activity. Lake conditions have improved but watch for slush and frozen ruts.

ASH RIVER/KABETOGAMA AREA - thanks to VTSI

3/2/09: Ride Report: Lake and land trails in exceptional shape, great snow base and incredible grooming.  My friends and I rode 350 miles total on Saturday and Sunday.  This week temps will reach up to +30 or so and all days are to be cloudy with the 30 temp.  Then cooling off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Hope to see you on the trail this coming weekend.

Trail system, both land and lake are exceptional.  Temps this week and this coming weekend will present excellent riding conditions along the border area.

If you missed last weekend then this is your chance!

The trails along the Border are perfect. Lakes in Voyageurs Park are now near perfect as the slush that existed off the groomed trails is now frozen.  On land trails and lakes are near perfect and temps are to be perfect for snowmobiling this coming week and weekend, partly cloudy, Thursday night -2, Friday +26, night +5, Saturday +17, night +5 and Sunday +27 for highs.  As well, the next week looks great right thru the weekend with highs in the 20’s and lows around zero. Come and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Couldn’t be more perfect!

Grooming tractors will be running twice this week, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, after dark.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS AREA - thanks to Int'l Voyageurs Snowmobile Club

2/25/2009: 2+" of new snow last night, steady cold temps all week and the groomers have been out. Things are looking great for this weekend! Land trails continue to stay in excellent condition. We had a lot of traffic last weekend but groomers have thing looking good as always. A special Thank You to all the groomer operators who put it some long, late hours. The lake trails just get better every time it snows. Plenty of fluff making things pretty smooth. Slush can still be found in few spots but overall not a problem. Days are getting longer, get out and enjoy while it's good. Ride Safe.

CRANE LAKE AREA - thanks to Crane Lake Visitor & Tourism Bureau

2/16/09: The holiday weekend riders had plenty to say about the trails. By and large the majority of the comments were that trails were in great shape. Groomer's were out in force to lay out the trails riders were ripping up. Since the warm up we have had an additional 5 inches of fresh snow, a welcome addition for lube! Lakes have tightened up again and the fresh snow will make for a softer ride. Midweek riding is fantastic, with less traffic and freshly groomed trails. Don't forget about the Crane Lake Challenge (previously Hyper Viper) snowmobile speed run March 7th, right here in Crane Lake. Over 45 classes and a one lunger shootout!! Call early for room reservations!

VOYAGEURS NAT'L PARK

2/26/2009: All snowmobile trails in Voyageurs National Park are open and staked. The lake trails are in very good condition and are now providing the best riding conditions this season. Grooming has occurred on the Green Trail from Black Bay on Rainy Lake to Grassy Bay on Sand Point Lake. The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open to Rainy Lake City and is in good condition.

Please remember that the snowmobile speed limit within Voyageurs National Park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages.

Snowmobile Trails  in the park

International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open & Staked

Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River – Open, Staked & Groomed

Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open & Staked

Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open & Staked

Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open & Staked

East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open & Staked

[Black_Bay]

Our group rode this past Thursday and returned home Sunday. The trails were in excellent shape. For most of Friday I was the first sled on the trail. Anyone looking for a great place to ride this weekend I strongly suggest getting up to the area. In addition to the riding there are a few other activities to enjoy. There is the Crane Lake Challenge speed runs, Ash Ka Nam resort has a beach party planned for March 7th, plus all the other fun the area has to offer.

[Macgyver55]

I was up last weekend too! Nothing short of perfect. We put on 520 miles over Friday and Saturday and a good part of that was off the trails on Saturday afternoon. We also found freshly groomed trails in the mornings with not another sled track on them, and ran nearly 100 miles before seeing another sled on Saturday morning. It was a bit chilly in the AM but warmed up nicely during the day. Planning to go back up if the weather holds.

[SledNeck]

I was up last weekend too! Nothing short of perfect. We put on 520 miles over Friday and Saturday and a good part of that was off the trails on Saturday afternoon. We also found freshly groomed trails in the mornings with not another sled track on them, and ran nearly 100 miles before seeing another sled on Saturday morning. It was a bit chilly in the AM but warmed up nicely during the day. Planning to go back up if the weather holds.

did u see any cops?

[Black_Bay]

I did. They were on the Kab side of the portage between Rainy and Kab, where the chain of lakes trail ends. If you're familiar with that spot, the trail comes out on a small bay then goes through a narrows before the lake opens up. The rangers or C.O.'s were hiding behind the rocks. One was using the radar and the other was on a sled ready for hot pursuit.

[Macgyver55]

Not a one.....

[Black_Bay]

Hey Mac where did you guys stay?

[Macgyver55]

North Country Inn in Orr, how about you?

[Black_Bay]

Our group stayed at Frontier Resort on the Ash River.