Trail clearing of downed trees continues, grooming to begin soon

Many local user groups and lodge owners in the Arrowhead Region are busy clearing and prepping trails for the winter. 

While a handful of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails have already been prepped and packed down, much work still remains throughout the area.

In recent weeks, Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club members have been busy clearing downed trees from the X Trail and numerous others. Earlier this year, in June, Cook and Lake Counties experienced a significant flooding event, which damaged roads and led to downed trees across much of the region. More recently, the November Gale winds along the North Shore have further added to the downed trees workload.

“We have a lot of new blowdown getting taken care of,” Malorie Brazell, the Cook County Snowmobile Club Ridge Riders event coordinator told WTIP.

As of Dec. 12, the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club is still working to clear the X Trail of trees and isolated areas of blowdown following the spring flooding event and more recent Gale storms. “Expect trees down & brush, and for maintenance being done on those trails,” the Ridge Riders said in a Facebook post.

The Ridge Riders said the G Trail is fairly nice and rideable, but there are open swamps and water holes along the route. With the uncertainty of ice conditions in mid-December, the club advised snowmobilers to “Ride at your own risk.”

As of Dec. 12, the snowmobile club said all trails had been packed down or rolled, and riders should expect better trail conditions later this week.

Find the latest Grand Marais & Gunflint Trail snowmobile trail conditions here.

Farther down the shore in Lutsen, the Lutsen Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club said the groomer has been hard at work this week. According to the club, all trails have been cleared of downed trees and compacted with the roller.

As for the cross-country ski trails, many user groups are also working to clear downed trees.

In recent days, members of the Banadad Trail Association have begun clearing and packing the 25-mile-long trail up the Gunflint Trail. Work will continue on the trail throughout the week.

Over at Bearskin Lodge, grooming operations have already begun. On Dec. 10, Bearskin Lodge said in a Facebook post, “We re-groomed Summerhome, Campground, the Lit Loop and Beaver Dam.” Since then, the Gunflint Trail area has received additional snow, and Bearskin grooming operations have returned to touch up some of the trails.

Nearby, Golden Eagle Lodge has officially groomed all of their cross-country trails as of Dec. 10.

While much of the Arrowhead Region has 8 to 17 inches of snow depth, more snow is needed for grooming operations and safe riding conditions, particularly on snowmobile trails.

Minnesota DNR Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions

Kalli Hawkins December 15, 2024