Trail Reports
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Minnesota Northeast
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Apr 8 - Magney-Snively Trail (Duluth):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Classic
We decided to see what was left at Magney today. The first hill is bare from gate to sign. From the top of the hill until the intersection that goes right to the connector or up the hill to the loops, about .25 from the start, The snow is about 85% connected. Once you get there, the snow is about 95% connected. We did take skis off a couple of times. We did not explore Bardon's or Ely's. At the junction of Ely's and the right turn, about 1 mile in the snow is much better, 100% connected and only one set of footprints. So, if you are like me and enjoy skiing until the last drop, have good grass/rock skis you can walk over the non-snow areas, or don't mind taking skis off and walking, check it out!
Photos:
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 6 - Magney-Snively Trail (Duluth):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Classic
I knew we got 9 inches of snow at Magney earlier this week, also knew a lot of it was still there so I ventured out today to see what it was like. It is not groomed, which I knew, and the first small hill from the gate to the map is missing some snow (some people went sledding there and left a lot of footprints causing melt), after that it is pretty much all connected except one teeny tiny spot. A couple of small bare spots here and there nothing much at all, I'd say it is 99% covered. There are some footprints, but the snow was soft and I had great glide on my skins!
Photos:
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 10 - Upper Gunflint Trail (Grand Marais):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
We got out on the trails again this morning to get them in shape for this weekend. We had a dusting of snow yesterday and with the base that we have built up over the winter the trails are holding up well. There are some spots where a little ice is building on low spots and where some ground is showing up under pines and on sunny south facing spots, but there are few and easy to avoid. This will probably be the last weekend to get out and get some kilometers on your skis.
Photos:
(John Fredrikson) -
Apr 9 - Upper Gunflint Trail (Grand Marais):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
Spring hasn't come to the upper Gunflint trail yet. It was -6°F when I left to come up here yesterday morning. It looks like they got a half an inch of snow last night. The trails here are all groomed and well covered with snow with beautiful views looking out over Canada across the Gunflint Lake.
Photos:
(Gene Karwoski) -
Apr 9 - Upper Gunflint Trail (Grand Marais):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most ]Observation
Spring has not quite fully sprung yet up at Gunflint. While we are seeing some signs of spring (see the photos of the Cross River flowing). The ice on the lake is still well over 2 feet thick. We did get a dusting of snow this morning and there is still a lot of snow on the ground. Grooming plans: The ski trail base has held up well, so we will be doing one more grooming of most of the trail system to get one more weekend of skiing before spring rains come. We hope you can come up! Friday and Saturday look like they should still have good skiing!
Photos:
(John Fredrikson) -
Apr 8 - Pincushion Mountain Trails (Grand Marais):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Around 20F and sunny this morning at Pincushion. I skated the greens. Twas a bumpy ride on the deck with the thawed and refrozen ski cuts. A number of spots with sheer ice and a few bare spots. But hey, still navigable. The classic tracks looked well intact.
Photos:
(Cory Quirk) -
Apr 6 - Upper Gunflint Trail (Grand Marais):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Grooming
We had a light dusting of snow again last night so we were out grooming again few of the trails again this morning. The trails are holding up well so far. It was great seeing folks out on the trails yesterday and getting the positive feedback on the quality of the grooming! This morning we groomed Big Pine, Little Pine, Amperage and Lonely Lake. They all are groomed with a skate deck and a classic track. The base is nice and firm with a good bite. With warmer weather on the way mornings will be the best conditions. We hope you can come up!
Photos:
(John Fredrikson) -
Apr 6 - Pincushion Mountain Trails (Grand Marais):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
Trail Base: 2-8" with a few bare spots. Thanks to a solid base, a trace of new snow and cool overnight temperatures, all skating lanes have been re-groomed overnight with good results. The classic tracks are well formed and improved by the light snow. There are some icy spots and a few bare spots, so ski with caution. This may be the last grooming session of the season. Conditions are very good late season skiing. During these spring skiing conditions please avoid skiing on the skate deck if it has softened in the warming temps over the next few days. We want to preserve the groomed trails as long as possible. Best skiing conditions will be in the morning before temps rise. Enjoy this late season bonus!
Photos:
(Timothy Lederle, Pincushion Ski and Run Club) -
Apr 12 - Flathorn-Gegoka Trails (Isabella):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
Last dispatch of the season! Jensen trail portion of trails (1-10-18) is still 95% covered with solid base. Good for both skate skiing and classic: in late and last spring skiing style - very little debris, icy in places unless temps are warm, flat with no set tracks, occasional bare patches. West flatter trails are still largely snow covered (90%) and skiable. The hillier East trails are done I think - at about 75% covered - gotta take skis off here and there. So, another couple of days for any diehards who just enjoy being out.
Photos:
(Mary Shedd) -
Apr 8 - Flathorn-Gegoka Trails (Isabella):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Classic
Bottom line: west trails are great, east trails not as good. Similar to yesterday for when I skied the Jensen Trail portion of the system (1-18-10) and west trails. Today I tried segments of the Eastern trails and found them more challenging: they are hillier and have more bare patches and icy conditions than the flatter trails of the west. I had to take my skis off to walk down some of the hills. But overall still worth it. There is also a small window of opportunity for skate skiing the Jensen Trail road segment. With its full coverage and hard base, and a little bit of warm temps - skate skiing was great. Skiing from 1-10 and back gives a nice 6 mile round trip.
Photos:
(Mary Shedd) -
Apr 7 - Flathorn-Gegoka Trails (Isabella):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
I had a really great spring ski experience Monday. Trail snow coverage is still up over 98% with hard packed base over at least 2-5" with very little debris or rutting on trails. The "spring factors" are there but barely diminish the overall experience: no further grooming; crusty but smooth trails in below freezing temps, with only occasional icy patches; soft, but not slushy in above freezing; and very occasional short bare patches that are easy to get past. In summary: beautiful skiing!
Photos:
(Mary Shedd)
Minnesota Northwest
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Apr 6 - Maplelag Resort (Callaway):
Morning[ Trails: Closed, ]Firsthand: Classic
A beautiful sunny day capped off a great run of April skiing. A hard freeze overnight set last nights grooming nicely and textbook spring conditions were enjoyed by a good number of folks this morning before the trails closed in the afternoon. Jonell and I classic skied on JibFly mid morning timing the transition from fast to slow and conditions were much better than expected. Thanks everyone that came out this past week. Until the flakes fly again.....Just Ski.
Photos:
(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)
Michigan Upper Peninsula
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NewApr 15 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Evening[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Classic
The trails were not groomed after last night's snow, but the skiing was great! Most of the trails had old base remaining, and the new snow on top made it for good conditions to ski in a track.
Photos:
(Jonathon Rulseh) -
Apr 10 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Grooming
Groomed skate lanes this morning. We closed the trail behind the hospital due to washouts and bare spots. Overall still in decent shape for spring skiing.
(Deborah Leonard Greiter) -
Apr 8 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
Our volunteer groomers are the best! Just reported all skate lanes groomed, tracks set again. Cliff Hanger and Pond Loop closed. Everything else open and looking great! Behind hospital has some tough spots but the rest is nice! Go enjoy!
(Deborah Leonard Greiter) -
Apr 7 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Couple inches of soft snow made for slow skate skiing.
But I won't complain because it was sure nice to afternoon ski in below freezing temps with blue sunny sky. One last chance before its over, at least for me.
Photos:
(Brian Ciske) -
Apr 7 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
Mother Nature keeps blessing us -- 6" of beautiful snow last night so we groomed and track set again this morning. Conditions are really good, probably a classic day today. Light snow still falling late morning.
(Deborah Leonard Greiter) -
Apr 6 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
All skate lanes refreshed this morning There are a few thin spots but 95% is really looking nice and ready to ski. Surprisingly good conditions at this time of year!
Photos:
(Deborah Leonard Greiter) -
Apr 6 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
The skate lanes were in great shape this morning with only a few thin spots. The thin spots will likely get bigger throughout the day, but skiing should be good for a while yet. Classic tracks were not reset this morning, but still present. Fun for sure!
Photos:
(Jonathon Rulseh) -
Apr 12 - Swedetown Trails (Calumet):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Classic
Another day of good grooming on plentiful snow! Skiing slowed as temperatures rose, but it was another morning of fine spring skiing. Only Relentless and Papa Bear are not being groomed, but I saw ski tracks heading off on both loops.
Photos:
(Peter Vorhes)