Good snowmobile trail conditions are reported over much of north and west central Minnesota, according to trail condition reports from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Much of northern Minnesota has eight or more inches of snow, resulting in good to excellent snowmobile conditions.
Trails are in good shape in the Tower area, said Steve Hennessy, DNR Tower area trails specialist.
"We have many miles of riding opportunities and plenty of snow for great riding. There are a few short sections that cross wetlands and are rough because we cannot get the groomers across them. But, the rough spots are marked and the trails are all passable. The vast majority are in good condition," said Hennessy.
In the Itasca County area, snowmobile clubs have been busy grooming, said Bob Moore, trails supervisor, Grand Rapids.
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In the Northwest, trails are in really good shape, according to Mary Broten, trails supervisor, Thief River Falls.
"The snowmobile clubs have groomed the trails and are anxious to have people come and use them. Trails are groomed from the Canadian border down into Minnesota, including the Northwest Angle. The northern connection trail from Baudette to International Falls is open. It took some time to remove blowdown, but now the trail is in great condition," said Broten.
The Big Bog trails are in good condition. There is some logging occurring on state trails, but those areas are open and marked 'Trucks Hauling'. Broten said, "We have plenty of snow on the trails, although we lost some snow cover in open areas during the recent warm weather."
Lake and Cook counties along Lake Superior's North Shore have had lots of snow this winter, so trails there provide a great snowmobiling experience, especially the further north people go.
The DNR Climatology Office updates snow depth information each Thursday on the Web at www.dnr.state.mn.us/current_conditions . Snowmobile trail conditions are also updated on Thursdays and are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling .
