Monthly Archives: December 2010

12.31.10

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We’re ending 2010 on a great note — the trail system is in wonderful shape.

Everyone assumed we were hit with the rain that most of Minnesota received yesterday, but actually it had very little effect on our trails.  We had a foggy, misty day without the downpour reported on the North Shore and in other parts of the state.  The moisture turned to big flakes of snow and by early this morning about 4-6 inches of new snow had been added.  All of the trail system on both sides was groomed this morning, with the exception of Oxcart.  Poplar Creek had so many bent down trees (again) that Quinn had to stop the Pisten Bully constantly and get out the chain saw, so he never got to Oxcart before dark.  They expect to groom it tomorrow morning, unless it is snowing again–very possible.

Our trees are all flocked with snow, so it is very beautiful on the trails.  Skiers were reporting fantastic conditions today.  Bearskin is totally full plus the trails were mobbed with day skiers today, so this afternoon we saw dozens of happy people return from their skiing afternoon. Skiers universally reported great conditions.

Just a reminder–the Central Gunflint Trail system is not part of the Minnesota ski pass program.  We are encountering more people lately who don’t  realize this.  You do need to buy a Central Gunflint Trail pass in order to ski our 70+ K of groomed trails. We groom our own trails without any financial assistance  from the state of  Minnesota; it is a very expensive proposition to groom so many trails through the deep woods.   Golden Eagle and Bearskin both sell Central Gunflint Ski Trail passes.  Our groomers and staff members out on the trails do check for passes, so please stop in at one of the lodges and buy your pass.

12.18.2010

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Oxcart Trail 12.16.10

Here on the Gunflint Trail we continue to get a gradual accumulation of new snow. We never received the mega-dump of snow that made headlines in the Twin Cities, but we’ve received a nice amount of snow in regular 2″-5″ increments.  We enjoyed reading about the massive snowfall in southern Minnesota, but we like our snow in smaller doses, thanks.

Almost all trails on both the Golden Eagle and the Bearskin sides of the Central Gunflint have now been groomed at least once.  Many trails have been groomed several times at this point.   A few of the big, refrigerator-sized boulders still protrude from the snow in spots on certain trails, but that is to be expected at this point. A skier can see the big rocks well ahead of time.

There are some trails that have yet to be groomed.  Poplar Creek mysteriously still has running water over it in one area.  We had a run of -20 degree weather, so this is peculiar. 

The area old Old Logging Camp Trail in and adjacent to the BWCA has not been groomed yet, but should be done soon.

Not all lake crossings have been groomed.  Any lake trail that we can do with the snowmobile Tid Tech G2 groomer has been done, but lake trails that must be groomed with the much heavier pisten bully groomers have not been groomed yet.  Inquire at the resort where you buy your ski pass to get the most current lake crossing conditions.

More snow

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Yesterday was gorgeous and sunny, but today we are back in the old cycle — snow, snow, snow.  Bob is planning to make a first pass across the lake from Bearskin to the Campground Loop today with the snowmobile to begin packing down that trail.  It will be quite awhile yet before we dare take the pisten bully across the lake, but this is a good early start.

Skiers have been out almost everyday on the groomed trails and overall they are reporting good early season conditions.  Bear Cub, in spite of several packing runs and being groomed with the pisten bully, still seems to be a little on the soft side.  There’s considerably more snow up there, so it probably will require more packing time.  Skiers are generally pleased with Summer Home, Campground, Lit Loop, Beaver Dam and Oxcart Trails at this point.

The forecast is for Bearskin to receive 2-4 more inches of snow today.  It’s coming down pretty seriously now.  Day by day, we’re building an excellent snow base for the rest of winter

Groom…more snow…groom…more snow…the winter cycle

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Bob and Quinn were out all day yesterday working on grooming trails.  It snowed.  Quinn is back out this morning, redoing yesterday’s work.  This is the endless cycle that helps us build a nice winter snow base, but it does have a sense of futility.

If you’re thinking of skiing, give our front desk a call for the latest news on which trails are ready. This on & off snow cycle makes getting current info via the blog somewhat unreliable, but our front desk staff always know exactly what is groomed.

Please be sure to stop in to buy a trail pass.  The Central Gunflint Trail System is not a free ski trail, nor is it part of the Minnesota system.  We get no monetary or physical help to maintain these trails; Bearskin and Golden Eagle owners and employees spend hundreds of hours and a great deal of fuel to make it possible for you to ski on wilderness trails.   If you use the trails, contribute to their maintenance by buying your pass.  Both Bearskin and Golden Eagle can sell you Central Gunflint Trail System passes. There are many options.  If you plan to ski often, a season pass may be your best bet.  If you are a late starter, the discounted “after 1 PM” pass may be your best bet.  We have discounted kids’ rates and good deals on mutli-day passes.

Grooming today

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Oddly, it STILL seems to be snowing this morning a little. This is the third consecutive day of snowfall, but this morning’s snow is very, very light.  Temps have dropped significantly.   We will be out with both the Pisten Bully and the Tidd Tech grooming trails starting at about 9 AM and will stay out much of today.  Updates later on what trails get completed.