(KNSI) – Snowmobile season has arrived in the state, but the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds enthusiasts most of the state trails are not groomed and ready to ride.
According to a press release issued by the DNR, three things must happen before the trails are ready:
- The ground must be frozen. Where trails cross wetlands, 15 inches of ice is needed to support the weight of the trail groomers.
- Adequate snow cover, about 12 inches, must be on the ground to allow for trail packing and grooming.
- Trails must be cleared of fallen trees, signs have to be put in place and gates need to be opened. Snowmobile club volunteers and DNR staff are currently working on these tasks.
Paul Purman, State Trail and Snowmobile Program Consultant with the DNR says most of the trails in the state have little or no snow cover. “Unseasonable thunderstorms last week eroded the snowpack in many areas of the state, setting back our trail preparations. Our 23,000-mile system needs two things now: more snow on the ground, and more volunteers stepping up to help volunteer clubs get the trails ready and maintained. We’re hoping for a banner year for snowmobiling and recognize that local clubs are the backbone of that success.”
Local trail conditions are often posted online by local tourism associations, chambers of commerce, and volunteer snowmobile clubs. Contacts for DNR-funded, locally-managed trails can be found at the DNR website. State park and trail conditions are posted on the DNR website.
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