Both access points are posted closed at Boomer Blue and Danson Road parking lots due to active logging. Trail looks skiable but not groomed. Alternative is to Ski Golden Anniversary on River Road and avoid this trail system.

(Catherine McLynn)

A boxspring and other refuse dumped in the parking lot some time in the last 24 hours or so. Very disappointed. I have already removed deer carcass trimmings and cardboard this winter. Stay vigilant!

Photos:

(Meadow Kouffeld)

Trail will be closed starting Jan 30th. Logging in the area has necessitated additional plowing of trails. Due to this the entire system will be closed until further notice.

(Guy Lunz)

Logger has plowed down to bare ground and left huge frozen ice berms crossing loop 3 four times! Two crossings are marked but two are not including one on a curve and downhill.
Warning: Avoid loop 3 altogether (marked with yellow ribbons) and enjoy the rest of the system. Light skiff of snow on the groomed trail provided good kick with some brown Norwegian wax I had in my pack.

Photos:

(Catherine McLynn)

Tracks decent from the north/Wendigo, has not been groomed since last dusting. Bulldozer recently active on timber sale related roads/trails. Wish they would keep the trails clear of burms where they push snow. Have to take skis off or side step. Crossed the dozer tracks four times. Beautiful though, and all to myself until the end when I ran in to some folks.

(Meadow Kouffeld)

Trail just groomed. Snow soft in tracks still so a little extra workout involved. Wind was blowing leaves etc. in to the track. Logging road still active. Came in from the north off Wendigo. Happy to have the trail open again!

(Meadow Kouffeld)

Trails are still posted closed at both entrances. County forester and DNR groomer are working to resolve hazardous conditions on loops 1 and 3. Caution signs have been put up on only two of the four newly plowed logging roads crossing the ski trail on Loop 3. More snow, grooming and setting track is planned for Friday which should result in re-opening the trail for the weekend.

(Catherine McLynn)

Glad to see trail posted closed and DNR posted notice on this website. I did notice snowshoers have gone in alongside the tracks. Better choice than skis!

Photos:

(Catherine McLynn)

Due to poor trail conditions the ski trails at Cowhorn have been closed until they can be groomed.

(Guy Lunz)

Warning: Very hazardous conditions exist! Not groomed as of 1 pm today. Avoid loop 1 from Danson Road parking lot! Advanced hills on that loop are covered with frozen ruts from snowmobile rescue of skier with broken leg last Sunday. Loop 2 is crossed three times by plowed road for logging. Each crossing there are frozen ice berms so sidestepping or taking skis off is necessary. Skiers on the trail have no warning and are on a downhill when they come to one of the plowed sections. The icy crust underneath the skiff of new snow makes snowplowing difficult in the rough areas.
DNR Trails and Itasca County forester have been contacted about the urgent need to groom.

(Catherine McLynn)