Minnesota snowmobile trail season officially opened earlier this month, but trails are not ready for riding.
Many snowmobile trails cross into private land requiring riders to obtain landowner permission prior to using the trails.
That date is generally set at Dec. 1, but several conditions need to be met before the trails are ready for travel, according to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources release.
The ground must be frozen, have about 12 inches of snow cover, landowner permits must be in place and trails must be cleared of deadfalls, signs must be in place and gates must be opened.
“Although we have had a few cold days and many northern Minnesota lakes are forming ice, the ice is not yet thick enough in most lakes to support foot travel or snowmobiles,” said Bob Moore, Grand Rapids area supervisor for DNR Parks and Trails Division, in a release. “Ice thickness can vary greatly from one lake to another and from different areas of the same lake.”
It’s important for riders to be aware that trails aren’t yet in mid-season form, said Scott Kelling, operations manager for DNR Parks and Trails Division.
A minimum of five inches of new clear ice is recommended for snowmobiles, according to the release.
Before trails are ready for riding they need to be groomed and to do that the ground must be completely frozen and have an adequate amount of snow, Kelling said.
“Mostly for riders’ safety concerns,” he said. “Early snow can cover hazards like stumps, holes and uneven terrain.”
Those things can be smoothed out by groomers. Grooming of state trails is done by the DNR and local groups maintain the local grants trails, Kelling said.
Most local trails are currently closed including those at McCarthy Beach State and Scenic State parks, Taconite State Trail-Grand Rapids and trails managed by local snowmobile groups.
Snowmobile clubs and trail crews are working to prepare trails, said Kelling, adding that trails typically aren’t ready until the holiday season.
A full listing of snowmobile trails may be found at www.mnsnowmobiler.org. The DNR posts state trail conditions each Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
