Trail Detail

Isabella, MN
29k
Classic Only
No
No
218-830-2457
[ NWS ]
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Notes

These classic single-tracked trails are set in the remote boreal forest of Isabella on Superior National Forest. The trails wind along lakeshores and through spruce/tamarack bogs and old pine, fir, aspen, and birch forests. Skiers can experience a wilderness character on mostly beginner to intermediate loops. Trailhead located at Jensen Trail Trailhead.
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Trail Reports

Reports 19 to 28 of 70    Month: Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | Dec | Nov
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Morning
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Skied out with the poke and chainsaw to remove a large aspen on the main trail. It was 30 degrees, and the tracks were fast despite debris on the track. I used waxless skis.
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Monday, March 2, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Debris on the tracks is still a problem; using waxless skis helped. The glide was better than Sunday's ski; the debris must be settling into the track. It was a mixed slide due to some areas being soft from the sun and warm temps, and others being really fast, with a bit of a glaze over the track bed. We skied the wetland trails on a 32-degree day with the sun shining.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: Most, B skis ]
The high winds on Friday made covered many sections of the trail with tree litter; bark, pine needles, moss, which made it impossible to use kick wax. Shifted to skin skis which worked, but still slow. Many downed trees across the trail.
Photos:
(Rick Vatsaas)
Friday, February 27, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Wow, what a difference a day makes. With 21 mph winds and 33-degree temperatures, yesterday's ski was completely different from the perfectly groomed trails that Thursday provided. Lots of debris covered the trails, and I cleared several small tree blowdowns along the way. I used my waxless skis and still experienced a little sticking problem at the start; however, as the day progressed, the trails crusted over slightly as temperatures dropped. I was able to see the scars and challenges the groomers faced working through all that deep, deep snow.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Afternoon
Grooming 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
After an entire week of Mary patching together volunteers and grooming equipment, today we accomplished grooming/tracking all the trails after the big snowfall last Tuesday and Wednesday. A few of us were able to ski a short distance and experienced the best tracks we have ever produced to date. Check out the photos to see if you agree.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Friday, February 20, 2026
Afternoon
Grooming 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Grooming update: we were able to pack and clear another bunch of trail segments today. See attached photo of map. 20km out of 24km are now packed (but not tracked). Snow is good, cold, not icy.
Photos:
(Mary Shedd)
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I am in charge this week of grooming operations, and I skied some segments. The bottom line is that trails are not yet skiable. 20 inches of new snow fell in the blizzard this week. Temperatures stayed cold, so the snow is good (not heavy). However, the snow is so deep (20 inches, plus deeper drifts) that any attempts are more like snowshoeing and hard going. Most trails have not yet been packed or groomed. Grooming plans: We are hoping to get them all at least packed in the next couple of days. (See attached photo of the map to see which trails have been packed so far.) The parking lot is plowed out.
Photos:
(Mary Shedd)
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I was able to ski for a couple of hours today, and the tracks were fantastic. It was 27 degrees, and I used my waxable skis and just flew down the trail like an Olympian. I also noticed that from the Jensen Trailhead to junction 18 and partway down 18 to 19, a snowmobile drove down this part of the trail and ruined one set of the double set trails. Just a heads up if you are out there and wondering what the heck.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Very good conditions, plenty of snow. A little tree litter here and there that would only be a concern if using wax skis. Tracks are in great shape.
Photos:
(Tim Grebner)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Good skis ]
Was able to ski the western loop trails (6>7>8>9>6) today with Mary. Light snow was falling, tracks were in good shape, and conditions were fast.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

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