Wilderness News Online

The warm, largely snow-less winter is keeping officials at Voyageurs National Park from opening  many seasonal snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in the park.

Currently, only the Purple Trail from International Falls to Kettle Falls, the Green Trail from Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River, and the Blue Trail from East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake are open for snowmobiling in the park.

For cross-country skiers, only the Echo Bay and KabAsh Ski Trails are open, and both have only minimal snow cover. Only the Sullivan Bay Trail is open for snowshoeing.

Even the open snowmobile trails can present concerns for travelers. Hazardous pressure ridges remain along the Green Trail on Kabetogama Lake. Park staff has re-routed the trail in some spots to provide a safer passage through the pressure ridges. Park staff continue to find insufficient ice along the trail from Ash River to Crane Lake, requiring this section of the trail to remain closed. Staff will evaluate ice conditions early next week as cooler temperatures are expected to settle into the area.

Read the complete Voyageurs trail condition report HERE.