January 19, 2011 Winter Ice and Trails Report

Date: January 20, 2011
Contact: Park Headquarters, 218-283-6600

Snowmobiling conditions on staked trails in Voyageurs National Park are in good condition and ice checking operations are ongoing. The Blue Trail linking the east end of Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake and on to the Crane Lake community is open and staked. Lake surfaces are rough in some spots off of the staked trails due to pockets of frozen slush. Travelers are advised to stay on staked trails and use caution. Overland portages are groomed regularly and are in good condition. Areas of thin ice in the park have delayed efforts to open additional lake surface trails and the Rainy Lake Ice Road at this time. 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) – Open & Staked

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