SnowAngel Trail Report for Ely Area

[snowangel]

People are under the impression that there isn't any good snowmobile riding in the Ely area, which includes Ely, Babbitt and Tower.  WRONG!!!

We've heard that clubs are cancelling reservations for the Fun Run Jan. 27 thinking the riding is bad.  The Fun Run ride is all doable on lake trails.  If interested, go to:
http://www.ely.org/events/index.php?event=1619

Also, remember... money from the Fun Run will help our are clubs improve trails by getting rid of the rocky areas for flatter trail base.

Just got back from another 60+ mile ride.  Our 3rd such ride in the past week. 

Surprisingly, even with the little snow we have in the Ely area, the trails aren't that bad.  Trails are snow covered with NO bare spots.  What helps is we also have the options of lake trails.
Most lakes in the Ely, Babbitt & Tower area are all staked. Birch Lake still needs some staking.  Pressure ridges on White Iron Lake and Vermilion, and alot of exposed rocks due to low lake levels.
Connecting trails between lakes are all in good shape and being groomed.  The Grassy Lakes Trail is still a nice ride even without the Chainsaw Sisters.  The trail from Birch Lake to Bear Island Lake is a bit rough, but not bad.  The trails between Burntside Lake, Mud Lake and Vermilion are a bit rough, but being able to ride 26 miles of Vermilion is great.
The Stony Spur from Babbitt to the Mattila Shelter is in very good shape.
The Babbitt Spur to the Taconite Trail is very good.
The Taconite Trail is a bit rough in spots, but still in good shape.  We've ridden worse.
This from Scott up at Knotted Pine in Isabella as of 1/18/07:
The trails have been adequate enough for weeks to get to the fire and
logging roads, which have been excellent. 

Off trail to the north has been good.   We've had full bookings every
weekend since Christmas and no one is complaining.  Of course,
it's not easy trail riding and traffic is far less than normal. 


We've gotten 3" today and it's still lightly trickling down here at
midnight.  Two Harbors is going to give a shot at grooming up
this way in the next couple of days.


***Think snow!!!***

SnowAngel - Nancy

[Bufflehead]

 Nancy, thanks for the great trail report

 Five of us will be up to Ely on the 27th

Thanks, Bufflehead