I need to correct a common misbelief; in a phone conversation with the MN DNR this morning, I was corrected that only grant-in-aid trails close April 1st. The North Shore State Trail does not close on April 1st, as previously stated on http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/ and http://www.snowmobiletrailsblog.com.
Though riding grant-in-aid trails without the landowner’s permission is trespassing, if the trail crosses private land. Trails that are currently open for riding include the Expressway and the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System, both are grant-in-aid trails, but no longer use private property, after these trails were moved. So these trails including the Grand Portage trails and the North Shore State Trail are open for use, snow permitting.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. Including the Expressway Trail, and the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. The annual trail sticker is valid from November 1 - April 30 and costs $16 ($15 permit fee plus $1 filing fee). A $31 three-year sticker has been available beginning October 1, 2005. The three-year permit can only be purchased in conjunction with a registration.
Anyone stopped by enforcement and found operating on a state or grant-in-aid trail without a sticker may be subject to enforcement action and will be required to purchase a $31 annual sticker. ($30 permit fee plus $1 filing fee.) How to purchase a State Trail Sticker; http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/snowmobile/trailpermit.html
The North Shore State Trail from Two Harbors to roughly Grand Marais has a lot of downed trees and may be impassable, use extreme caution if you use this section. The State is no longer grooming snowmobile trails this season.
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