I often use the trails near my house, some of which intersect with state snowmobile trials. I do stay off the trails as much as possible and move off the trail if a snowmobile comes by. As a xc skiier, I have contemplated this same question. We get mad if people walk on the groomed ski trails, shouldn't I respect the snowmobile trails? Most ski trails have signs that say they are not to be used for hiking trails and dogs, but I have never seen signs like that for the snowmobile trails. I realize it should be "common sense" but we all know how well that usually goes.

The problem for me is the trails that are not specifically marked for snowmobilers, I consider them multi-use. The area I am talking about is widely used by people like you are describing - dog walkers, skiers, bikers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. 

I guess the best we can do is politely ask that people who shouldn't be on the trail - snowmobile or ski- to not use the trail, and do our best to avoid accidents.

I often run on the closed section of skyline parkway / seven bridges road in the winter time. In the winter it is a snowmobile trail.
It is a closed road and two or three time wider than a regular snowmobile trail. Snowmobiles are loud and when I hear one coming I move to the edge of the road.

I don't see snowmobiles very often, usually every 3rd or 4th run, if that.  I always see at least one deer. 

Given the minimal snowmobile traffic, I figure that it is safer than running on the side of a road with automobiles.

I do not go on any other snowmobile trails.

Man Swan, those snowmobilers like to drink. Crazy stuff.

Does anyone know what the law is re: mixed-use on snowmobile trails? Is it illegal to walk on them in the winter? Of course it's important to be courteous and cautious, but what is the law?

State snowmobile trails are multiple-use.  Hikers are allowed, and as snowmobiles are motorized, hikers and skiiers have the right of way.

DNR: Find a state trail

Now quit your crying.

There are two places where snowmobile trails connect to Lester River Road that are marked "no cross country skiing." But you can cross country ski on the closed portion of the road. At least, there's no sign saying not to, and lots of people do. There's plenty of room for skiers and snowmobilers. Most of the snowmobilers I see there seem to understand that the road is heavily used by walkers, runners and skiers, and they keep the speed reasonable. 

There are terrific hiking/biking trails that run off Seven Bridges Road and back into the woods. There's no reason to hike on the designated snowmobile or ski trails. 

Whatever the rules may be for snowmobile trails, it's not legal to hike on ski trails. It wrecks the grooming when folks punch footprints into it. It doesn't seem like it would, but it really messes up the skiing.

Given the vast amount of snowmobile trails within easy reach of town, I'd sure like to see folks take their smog belching machines out of the city limits which would eliminate the need for this discussion.

I walk the trails all over this town with and without dogs. However, if a trail is used by snowmobiles and is posted No Cross Country Skiing then why poach it? It is not like snowmobile trails provide great terrain for freestyle skiing with all of the ruts. I have never seen a sign that states Motorized Traffic Only and until I do I will keep walking and running on them and will use caution when I hear a machine coming. 

Stupid question: Why do snowmobile trails need to be groomed so well (or at all)? They seem to have pretty capable suspension and ungroomed trails might be a natural way to keep speed contained.

Even if the state statutes allow for the snowmobile trails to be multi-use, that doesn't mean that dogs should be off-leash. 

The City of Duluth has a leash ordinance and sadly, it's not being followed. When I bike trails and even streets, I get charged (nice dog or not) by dogs. I can show you the hole in my sleeve where one dog decided to "play" with me by biting my shirt sleeve. 

Dogs deserve fun and exercise too. But when they are off leash and unpredictable, it is unsafe for everyone. Get a retractable leash if you want your dog to have some roaming room. But keep them off the groomed ski trails and away from moving vehicles (motorized and not).

I am a land owner who has snowmobile trails running through it.  I also snowshoe, ski, bike, run, walk with my dog off leash on the snowmobile trails around my house.  To the snowmobiles who use and access these trails feel privileged that we, land owners, have given permission and continue to do so without any reserve.  It all comes down to respect each other, have fun, be safe, use common sense and good judgement.

Frank, if you don't like Lester there are a lot of trails that don't intersect  with snow machine trails.

My snowmobile will kill you, your children and your dog!

It is not safe and you really should refrain from being out there. 

That sounds kinda self-centered to me, if you are referring to multi-use trails.

At one point Munger Shaw was specifically posted for no x-country skiing as is the blocked off section of Hawk Ridge, which is also a snowmobile trail. I am not sure if Munger Shaw is still posted that way but Hawk Ridge is. I don't snowmobile, I ski, but we need places for everyone to go. 

I will chime in on the dog thing; I like dogs fine but dog owners need to get over the idea that everyone thinks your dog is cute, everyone wants to play with your dog because you think he "just wants to play." 

Here is an actual quote from an incident I had this summer while riding my bike in the Hillside neighborhood. The lady lets her large dog run out the door not on a leash and then yells at me "you had better look out, my dog has a problem with bikers!!!" Then she proceeds to attempt to call the dog, who does not come because he is untrained and too busy trying to bite my leg. Do I need to say anything? 

Can all you dog owners see the insanity of that kind of attitude? Evidently it is my job to look out for your unleashed untrained dog or I guess it is my fault if I get bitten. Her dog has a problem with bikers but somehow it is my job to do something about that. One of the many reasons I have to leave my gun at home.

There is a huge difference between a xcountry skier going on a snowmobile trail and a snowmobile on a xcountry ski trail!!  If someone chooses to go on a snowmobile trail, they are assuming the risk of getting hit by one.  If they are dumb enough to leave their dog off leash on one or not get out of the way when the snowmobile comes, it's their problem.  The snowmobile trails are for snowmobiles...I am not a use of them, do not like them in any way shape nor form, however, skiers do not do damage to the snowmobile trails at all.  The snowmobiles should have a speed limit to follow because some go way too fast all the time while others are very considerate of everyone and slow down when passing someone.  As far as the drinking comment...many of the designated snowmobile trails at least in Wisconsin such as on the bearskin go from bar to bar...there are signs pointing to each bar off of the trail.

I went to Lester Park last saturday to walk my dog because I'm tired of walking him on the icy sidewalks/streets of lakeside.  As I got out of my car in the parking lot, I noticed a familiar smell but couldn't put my finger on it. I grabbed my dog and headed through the park to walk the trail up Amity Creek. As I neared the park I figured out the smell- exhaust fumes from snowmobiles. There were about 4 or 5 men with about 6 children and 3 snowmobiles. They were doing laps in the park near the gazebo and the beginning of the ski trail (which some other kids were sledding down).  It seemed as if they were "getting ready" to go out on the trails. So I hurried myself and my dog out of the way up the hiking trail. I smell and noise were nauseating. I walked up the trail to the 1st bridge & back. Back at the park, they were still doing laps. What?!? With miles and miles of trails for snowmobilers, why are these people doing laps in the public park? I don't really care if this is legal or not because it was annoying.

Interesting comment, B-man.  

Recreation may be filling a void that used to be handled through those replaced "antique forms of conveyance."  Canoeing instead of motor boating or skiing instead of snowmobiling may allow us to reconnect to nature on a human scale. 

The winter forest is so beautifully serene and joyfully devoid of the noise of civilization. Travelling under your own power with the gentle swishing of skis underfoot can be a very cathartic escape. The roar of a snowmobile and the smell of its exhaust can jolt one out of this wilderness experience. We're then right back to breathing in our societies waste with our man-made noises drowning out those of the wild.

I also love to snowmobile.  One of my favorite aspects of MN is the extensive trail network, and I'd like to see the snowmobile options grow.  However, I think people are speaking more to the inherent conflict among recreational uses, and I hope they are not taking a holier-than-thou attitude about lifestyle choices.

There also is one dude on the Munger Shaw who has put a gasoline engine on his road bike and seems to think it is okay to ride the bike trail because his motor is on a bike. Not okay and it stinks to high heaven. This is not to be confused with the mouthy punk who drives his mini bike on the Munger Shaw in the summer and swears at anyone who suggests he is in the wrong place.

B-man- see what happens when something as simple as a common sense warning is given- your crazy extremist lib wackos come flying out of the woodwork faster than a senator pulling up his drawers during a police raid. This is a perfect example of why our town is so messed up. These extremists think nothing of pushing their idea of idyllic life on others. It is SO messed up! God help you if you were to hit one. Imagine coming around a corner and one of these freaks doesn't have control of Fido, causing you to jump a bank and smack a tree. You'd probably get sued for emotional anguish. I could tell you of at least a dozen instances when these same tinderheads try and maneuver their bike around autos during inclimate weather. Just as hbh1 would like to get rid of sleds, I'd like to get rid of the crazy anti-everything-but-what-I like libs. Based on the last election, it looks like the majority of the population agrees...

PS_ I'm surprised no one has set up a thread on Social Security being bankrupt! What are these sops going to do for assistance when they are too old to work? Oh, I forgot, they have a dog. They can chow on some kibble...

extremist lib wackos = extremist conservative wackos.

Jim: your rant makes no sense.  Furthermore, social security is solvent for at least another 20 years.  We could completely solve for social security by lifting the cap above $120k of income.

To the OP:  you are mad because these people were on your trail: a place where they had every right to be, and you compare it to how people would feel if you were sledding where you have NO legal right to be?

Asinine.

I ski, bike, and run, and I'm a commie America-hater.  Also, it's just fine with me if the snowmobile trails are restricted to sleds-only.  

It irritates the hell out of me when some dimwit on a snowmobile turfs hell out of one of the ski trails--however, I can appreciate that most snowmobilers don't do such things and that they might prefer not to have to worry about encountering skiers, walkers, dogs, and horses on THEIR designated trails.  [In point of fact, the person I'm most annoyed at this year is the guy I saw (and lectured) at Lester running on the ski trail a week or two ago.]

Personally, I'm glad that this city devotes resources to making sure there is a wide variety of outdoor winter recreational activities available, and I'd like to think we could all get out and do our own thing without getting all stupid and tribal.