Minnesota Houseboats

Thanks to the Ely Chamber for sharing the latest trail reports. And if you’re heading up – we suggest you stay at the Timber Bay Lodge!

Snowmobile Trails

The 26 mile Stony Spur Trail: This trail was groomed Thursday night. The Secret Trail from the Stony Spur to Birch Lake is once again open and very beautiful. This trail remains in good condition.

Taconite Spur from Babbitt to Ely will be groomed by the weekend. The Taconite Spur from Babbitt to Giant’s Ridge was groomed on Wednesday night. Both in good to excellent condition.

The Bear Island Lake trail is in good shape. Watch for a small pressure ridge which popped up about halfway across the lake a couple of weeks ago.

The Tomahawk Trail & Local Trails: The trails have been groomed and are in good condition.

The Taconite State Trail and local snowmobile trails – Trail conditions remain very good with a 1-4 inch base. Groomers will be out again this coming weekend as needed.

Bear Island State Forest –These trails are in very good shape with a 2-6 inch base. Trail grooming will continue as needed.

Cross Country Ski Trails

The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails – There are over 15 kilometres of trails groomed and tracked at Hidden Valley. These trails are groomed and tracked regularly. You can expect great skiing conditions at this time. Please, no dogs on this trail.

Birch Lake Plantation is groomed for classic skiing but the deer are wild out there and favor running on the ski trails. Some great wildlife to observe, though, and conditions are still fine.

The Babbitt Golf Course Trails were groomed and tracked over the weekend. Conditions are excellent for both classic and skating.

The Norberg Lake loop was last groomed on 2/20, user tracks have kept the trail in very good condition. Due to staffing, the Becky Lake trail will not be groomed this winter. It is a wonderful loop for snowshoes and snow conditions are wonderful. Visitors continue to see otter, deer, fox, moose and wolf tracks in the park.

The North Junction trails are in good shape – good base, icy in a few spots but well covered.

The North Arm Trails are in great shape. It been a great ski season of deep snow and yet the lakes still seem to be slush free according to skiers getting further out. With the longer and warmer days plan to come on out—it’s beautiful out there.

The Pine Park trails are in great shape!

Trezona Trail –This trail is groomed for classic and skate skiing and is in nice shape.

Silver Rapids Trail – These trails are groomed and are in good condition. People interested in using the trails should check at the lodge as to where they should park. Do not park down by the Retreat cabin.

The Bear Island XC Ski trail adjacent to Escape Road will be groomed again before the weekend—the trail off of Highway 21/Escape Road will not be groomed again unless we receive more snow. Rocks are exposed in areas of full sun.

South Farm Trails – These trails are user tracked all the way and offer opportunities for skiers of all skill levels. If someone is looking for a trail-breaking opportunity, or a little-used wilderness trail, this is it.

Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis. Please call ahead for the most current trail conditions.

Thanks to the Ely Chamber for sharing the latest trail reports. And if you’re heading up – we suggest you stay at the Timber Bay Lodge!

Snowmobile Trails

The 26 mile Stony Spur was groomed Wednesday night and is in good to excellent condition.

Taconite Spur from Babbitt to Ely was groomed on Tuesday night and is in good to excellent condition.

The Bear Island Lake trail was groomed on Tuesday night—strong winds have blown the fresh snow across the trail.

The Tomahawk Trail & Local Trails: All trails will be groomed again before the weekend. Expect good conditions.

The Taconite State Trail and local snowmobile trails – With the recent snowfall and cooler temperatures trails are in good condition with a 1-4 inch base.

Bear Island State Forest – The Putnam and Fishing Lakes Trails traverse forested, rolling topography through birch, ash, and pine stands. Several small lakes dot the landscape along these scenic trails.

Cross Country Ski Trails

The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails – There are over 15 kilometres of trails groomed and tracked at Hidden Valley. No Current Report. Please, no dogs on this trail.

The Birch Lake White Pine Plantation, – is groomed and conditions are excellent for classic skiing.

The Babbitt Golf Course Trails are groomed and tracked for both skate and classic. Conditions are excellent for both classic and skating.

The Bear Head State Park Trails – are machine groomed and accommodate both beginner and expert skiers. Norberg, campground and beach trails were groomed on 2/14. Trails are in fair to good condition due to the warm weather and rain last week. Watch for icy portions of the trail.

The North Junction Trails – The additional few inches of snow have been great for these trails. It has reduced the iciness and the trails are back in really nice shape.

The North Arm Trail – Because they are not machine groomed, they can be challenging at times even for intermediate-skilled skiers. Users should check on current ice conditions and proceed with caution on the lakes as ice conditions can change rapidly. The North Arm Trails were severely made worse this past week by melting temperatures and rain. However, it is currently snowing and this should improve the skiing conditions –hopefully back close to the great conditions we’ve had this winter up till a few days ago.

Trezona Trail –is groomed for classic and skate skiing and is in nice shape. (Dogs are allowed.)

Silver Rapids Trail – groomed by the weekend.

The Bear Island XC Ski trail – groomed by the weekend.

It’s sunny, it’s beautiful, and it’s a little cold. But if you’re looking for a perfect break for a big group to go ice fishing or skiing or just hang out around the fireplace – think about our big Bear Trap Cabin. It’s just a quick trip from Ely, Minnesota.

This is a winter! The Ely Chamber of Commerce tracks the area tracks. We thought we’d give the Readers Digest version – please visit the Ely Chamber for the details:

Snowmobile Trails

• The 26 mile Stony Spur snowmobile trail is groomed and in good condition.
• The Taconite Spur snowmobile trail intersecting Giants Ridge and the Iron Ore Trail is a high traffic section of trail and trail conditions can change rapidly.
• The Bear Island Lake Snowmobile route/trail has been marked.
• The Tomahawk Trail and local are in excellent condition with a 2-6 inch base.

Cross Country Ski Trails

• The Hidden Valley Cross Country Ski Trails are groomed and tracked to perfection several times a week by groomers who are themselves skiers.
• The Birch Lake White Pine is well marked and there is lots of wildlife moving around again.
• The Babbitt Golf Course trails have new snow, are packed, groomed and tracked for classic and skate skiers. Conditions are excellent.
• The Bear Head State Park Trails wind through mixed pine, balsam, birch and aspen stand and skirt four lakes along the way.
• The North Junction Trails consist of a series of loops.
• The North Arm Trail is one of the premier skier-tracked trail systems in the area with 30 km of scenic trails in and out of the BWCA Wilderness.
• The Pine Park Trail is groomed on a regular basis and are in excellent shape for classic skiing.
• Dogs are allowed on this the Trezona Trail.
• Silver Rapids Trails are groomed, cut wide, have an 8-10 inch base and are in excellent condition. Skiers are seeing deer on the trail!
• Bear Island XC Ski trail adjacent to Escape Road was last groomed recently but can change rapidly due to snowmobile and mushing traffic.

And remember we have just the winter cabin here at Timber Bay for you and your group of friends to stay and play!