Ely, Tower, Cook, Crane Lake MN & North Shore MN

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Bozi1

New member
Anyone been riding up in the Iron Range (Ely, Tower, Cook, Crane Lake MN)? Wondering how the trails are. DNR Report show all trails groomed and good condition. Also wondering of anyone has run the trail between Ely and the North Shore/Isabella? Hard to believe given how little snow they have seen this year. Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
Can't speak for the Iron Range, other than I hear people are riding it.

But, there is plenty of snow from Isabella to the NSST, and up and down it in both directions.
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
We actually have been getting regular snow up here every week and there is currently over a foot on the ground. Last week the trails took a hit with the warm weather, but they have been out grooming this week and from my car looks to be in pretty good shape. Not sure what the condition on the Ely to Tomahawk trail is. They had a major beaver dam blocking the trail 2 weekends ago and it had not been groomed yet. The Ely Igloo’s have not updated their trail conditions web site in a few weeks. We were planning to head that way on Friday, but decided not to try it.
 
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fastcat800

Member
Rode from Finland to Ely and back on Friday. Brushing is done and the whole trail is groomed. The tight spots in the woods south of Ely were rough but there were a ton of sleds heading south for the ALS ride on Friday. We headed back to Finland about 3PM and they were getting very beat up by then. There is plenty of snow so trail conditions all depend on when they groom the trail and how many sleds are out. Not sure what the grooming schedule is for the Tomahawk.
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
We rode from Beaver Bay to Tower yesterday. All but the Tomahawk was freshly groomed. Plenty of snow
 
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snowchief

Member
Heading up to Crane lake in a week and a half and wondering how its holding up up there how the lakes and rivers and trails seen the forecast is calling for 35 for 3 days the end of the week with chance of rain will that effect the conditions a bunch or is there plenty of pack thanks
 
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catguy

New member
On Feb 9th, I rode from Crane lake, down to Lake Vermillion, Babbit, Isabella, and then up to Grand Marais. It was a Wednesday and it may very well have been the best day of riding I've ever done! No traffic, didn't ride a trail less than 9.5, and the 9.5 would've been from crane to Lake vermillion, It was freshly groomed but seemed like the groomer wasn't set in deep enough and had pockets of loose snow chunks mixed in with perfectly crisp surface you'd like to have. I'm sure it was done on purpose maybe to make the most of the snow? Lake running was great. It was -27 Wed morning when we took off! 227 miles of great riding! I rode the Voyageuars area Fri/Sat 13/14. by the end of the weekend (2-13) trails around crane could use a bit more snow. The area got around 5 inches of fluffy snow on 2-14 and overnight. That should help, but forecast doesn't look too good!
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
We rode from Tower last Thursday 2/11 thru Crane Lake and then north from the Falls into Ontario. The trails were the best shape I have ever seen them and we have been doing this trip for 8 years. The ride back on Sunday 2/14 was bumpy and a little thin on snow in some areas. All of the lakes were flat and the Vermilion River was great. I’m sure the nights will get cold during this next warm spell and the trails should hold up. The lakes have enough pack on them to be ok. If you get adventurous 20 miles north of the Canadian border there is a bunch more snow then they have in the Falls.
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
Went out Sunday afternoon and was surprised on how good it was. Lakes on Saturday were getting slushy, but cold weather and some snow really helped. Trails, rivers and lakes should be in great shape all this week.
 
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snowchief

Member
oldguy said:
Went out Sunday afternoon and was surprised on how good it was. Lakes on Saturday were getting slushy, but cold weather and some snow really helped. Trails, rivers and lakes should be in great shape all this week.
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sounds like we will be ok then im sure we will have fun. How about in the tower area hows that holding up trail wise to ely or Virginia
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
We did the Laurentian last Thursday and it was great. I think there was enough snow on it to do just fine after last weekends warm up. We did the lakes from Tower to Ely last night and the portages were smooth and plenty of snow. Burndtside had no slush and flat as a pancake. The Arrowhead around Tower was freshly groomed when I was on it Sunday morning. I think the entire area north of Virginia will be good.
 
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todddnewprague

New member
oldguy said:
We did the Laurentian last Thursday and it was great. I think there was enough snow on it to do just fine after last weekends warm up. We did the lakes from Tower to Ely last night and the portages were smooth and plenty of snow. Burndtside had no slush and flat as a pancake. The Arrowhead around Tower was freshly groomed when I was on it Sunday morning. I think the entire area north of Virginia will be good.
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Mr. oldguy,

Can a guy take off on the sleds from Virginia? Meaning, it is good around Virginia, MN?

We'd unload in Virginia and ride north from there.

Thanks!
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
todddnewprague
Sorry but I haven’t been to Virginia since last Thursday. I’m just 25 miles north and it is good here, so I would assume you could easily ride east, west and north from Virginia.
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
You can still get some good late season riding up here. Trails are getting groomed up and we had some fresh snow Sunday night. It’s supposed to be cold thru Friday/Saturday.
 
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snowchief

Member
I was at Crane Lake for a few days and it was great riding had a blast snow was little thin in some spots but all in all great trails. Contemplating heading up towards Virginia or Tower for a quick blast but wasn't sure how the trails held up or if they were still be grooming around your area looking for shortest drive thanks for info
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
Waiting for the temps to get above zero then we will be heading out on them today and I can report back this evening.
 
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