January 11, 2011 Ice and Trail Report

Date: January 12, 2011
Contact: Park Headquarters, 218-283-6600

Over the past week, snowmobiling conditions in Voyageurs National Park have improved and ice checking operations are ongoing. Ice safety checks have shown that there are still areas of thin ice in the park which have delayed efforts to open additional lake surface trails. Currently the entire length of the Green Trail from Rainy Lake, through the Kabetogama Lake and Ash River communities and on to Crane Lake is the only snowmobile trail that is open and staked. Snowmobiling conditions on lake surfaces are rough in some spots due to frozen slush and overland portages have been groomed and are in good condition. Travelers are urged to use caution. Regular weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

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
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Not Open
Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open & Staked
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open & Staked
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Not Open
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Not Open

Rainy Lake Ice Road – CLOSED

Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, tracked and in good condition
Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, tracked and in good condition
Tilson Connector Trail – Open, packed, tracked and in good condition
KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails
Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open  
Sullivan Bay Trail – Open
Oberholtzer Trail – Open

“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”
ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARD