Northshore conditions?

Hoosier

Well-known member
Looking at coming up somewhere on the 15th. How has the north shore held up? Last year we dropped in Two Harbors in March and went north from there, and had a great time. I think last season had incredible conditions but I'm wondering how it's looking now. Thanks.
 

SledTL

Active member
I'll be riding in Moose lake area this weekend but I have seen lots of pictures from the north shore area in the MN riders facebook group. Forecasted to pick up anywhere from 11-17" tomorrow and Sunday so you will be plenty good to ride. There is a lot of snow up that way yet.
 

xcr440

Well-known member
Make plans and go without a worry on conditions. Everything has been groomed this week.

I've ridden almost every trail from Island Lake Inn and north through Schroeder this week including Pequaywan, Silver Bay, Finland, and Isabella - the only spot to watch out for is a little logging section on the state trail about 5 miles south of the Two Harbors dive, couple big water holes have developed there. Oh, and that section of the Yukon that is closed. The Yukon spur you have to take has a few miles of rough logging as well.
 

indy_500

Well-known member
Hoosier, could save yourself an hour and a half driving each way and ride WI south shore. Bayfield county is in phenomenal condition and just keeps getting all the snow this year.
 

SledTL

Active member
Hoosier, could save yourself an hour and a half driving each way and ride WI south shore. Bayfield county is in phenomenal condition and just keeps getting all the snow this year.
Anything north of highway 2 should be good until april at this point. NWS out of duluth just put out snow depth maps with many areas over 2-3 feet and another storm this weekend to add to it.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Hoosier, could save yourself an hour and a half driving each way and ride WI south shore. Bayfield county is in phenomenal condition and just keeps getting all the snow this year.
Good to hear. I've never ridden that area. Enough loops and directions to keep busy a few days there? Where should I look to stay? We normally saddlebag but I'm fine with staying in one place if there are different options out of there. Only have 3 days to ride anyway. If you have suggested routes, I'm all ears.

From what I'm seeing, the UP is spotty, so I was looking other places.
 

indy_500

Well-known member
Good to hear. I've never ridden that area. Enough loops and directions to keep busy a few days there? Where should I look to stay? We normally saddlebag but I'm fine with staying in one place if there are different options out of there. Only have 3 days to ride anyway. If you have suggested routes, I'm all ears.

From what I'm seeing, the UP is spotty, so I was looking other places.
Indeed, the UP is very spotty right now. This is the worst I’ve ever seen the Keweenaw in 15 years.

I’ve only ridden Bayfield county once, but I stayed in Ashland and trailered to Moquah. Don’t really recommend Ashland, it usually gets pretty thin on snow there, and heading 5 miles west of there makes a HUGE difference. If I had 2 days or less to ride, I would probably stay in Valhalla or Washburn. If I wanted to ride more than that I’d probably stay in Iron River. Lots of different directions you could head from there.
 

matti

Active member
I agree that Iron River is a good place to stay. The Lumberman's Inn is right on the Tri-County Corridor. There is also a small motel in Brule, just a few miles west of Iron River.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
I didn't realize there was an Iron River WI. I was confused thinking you were talking about Iron River MI.
 

elf

Well-known member
I rode the Iron River/Bayfield County area on Saturday and it was excellent. Lots of snow and lots of trails and lots of forest roads to ride. We used to ride in that area all the time and it's always been good.
Regarding the north shore, it's in great condition. 4' of snow on the ground near Finland and trails have been perfect. Forest roads are great also. Supposed to potentially be getting a bunch more late this week yet. This weekend in Finland is St Urho's day. If you want to see a fun parade be there at noon. Its a great time.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Appreciate the heads-up on NW WI/South shore. Haven't ridden that area before but spent 3 days up there and it was incredible after the storm. We started Thursday morning and rode through Saturday night. First couple days we had the trails to ourselves and were making first tracks on a lot of them. Spent just as much time on untouched fireroads as the trails. More tracks starting Friday afternoon but still very little traffic. I don't think I've had the opportunity to ride just after a storm like that in the past. Not sure what things are typically like up there but it was just awesome while we were up there.
 

LoveMyDobe

Active member
I also live in Bayfield Co, between IR and Brule WI. We have tons of snow yet, forecast more this week, 3 to 5. Rode yesterday and its all good. My road route from the house to the Tri County Corridor still had enough snow even with warmer temps,
 

indy_500

Well-known member
Appreciate the heads-up on NW WI/South shore. Haven't ridden that area before but spent 3 days up there and it was incredible after the storm. We started Thursday morning and rode through Saturday night. First couple days we had the trails to ourselves and were making first tracks on a lot of them. Spent just as much time on untouched fireroads as the trails. More tracks starting Friday afternoon but still very little traffic. I don't think I've had the opportunity to ride just after a storm like that in the past. Not sure what things are typically like up there but it was just awesome while we were up there.
Glad you guys had a great time! Beautiful area with low traffic. Just curious where did you guys end up staying?
 

SledTL

Active member
Appreciate the heads-up on NW WI/South shore. Haven't ridden that area before but spent 3 days up there and it was incredible after the storm. We started Thursday morning and rode through Saturday night. First couple days we had the trails to ourselves and were making first tracks on a lot of them. Spent just as much time on untouched fireroads as the trails. More tracks starting Friday afternoon but still very little traffic. I don't think I've had the opportunity to ride just after a storm like that in the past. Not sure what things are typically like up there but it was just awesome while we were up there.
Draw a quadrant from Grantsburg up to Bayfield and that might be some of the best riding in the state. I was riding Nemadji state forest which just borders this to the west in MN and maybe saw a handful of sleds the whole day. Literally can't get better riding than that.
 

elf

Well-known member
Rode the north shore over the weekend and it was excellent. Lots of snow, will be good for a month yet.

Rode northern Carlton Cty on Wednesday and it was very good also.
 
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