Photo by Travis Novitsky on December 28.

A few new trails in the system were groomed and opened in the past few days.  Quinn was able to take the Pisten Bully through the entire Poplar Creek Trail for the first time on Wednesday.  The wet spots are now frozen.  He thought that for a first run-through Poplar Creek looked surprisingly good.  It’s a long, long trail, so not all sections are equally snowy at this point, but it’s always great to get that one open.

On the other end of the trail system, the small section of Logging Camp that passes through the BWCA has been groomed.  Because it’s in the BWCA, all trimming has to be done by hand, not machine, and it can only be groomed by a small snowmobile, not the Pisten Bully.  It’s always challenging to make a good trail in there.  Bob reports that it’s open now, but it’s no joy to ski on.  More snow is needed in there before it will rate as “good.”  Luckily, it’s short section and you’ll get back into well-groomed trails pretty fast.

Here are the latest numbers from the Golden Eagle measuring crew:

• New Snow Last 24 hours:  1.5”
• New Snow Last 7 days:  5.25”
• Trail Base, Staked:  Average 5 – 7”
• Snow in Woods, Staked:  Average 11 – 13”
• Groomed with classic track:  68.2 km
• Groomed with skate lane:  62.7 km
• Surface Conditions:  Groomed fresh snow
• Last grooming day:  12-28-16
• Total snowfall since Nov. 1:  32.75” 

Comments:  It’s full blown winter on the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System! All trails are open, groomed, and in great shape. There is wonderful skiing up here right now! Lakes have good ice, but are still a couple inches shy to cross with the big groomers. For the time being, Aspen and Flour lakes are still being groomed by snowmobile; remaining trails are being groomed with the Kassbohrer groomers. The trees look beautiful with their fresh blanket of new snow and more is forecasted in the upcoming days! We will be grooming daily or as needed. Only a couple trails showing minor stubble remain.

For the most up to date grooming information, as well specific trail conditions, please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203). Central Gunflint Ski Pass required.

Snow Totals

November Total 2016 – 15.0 inches

December 2016

• Dec 1 – 4:  0.0 inches
• Dec 5 – 11:  7.75 inches
• Dec 12 – 18:  1.0 inches
• Dec 19 – 25:  3.75 inches
• Dec 26:  3.75 inches
• Dec 28:  1.5 inches

December Total 2016 – 17.75 inches

Total Snowfall 2016-2017 – 32.75 inches

Photo by Travis Novitsky.