As some of you know, and have helped me with suggestions, we are saddlebaging MN in about two weeks. Now the post I read in area conditions, "Nothshore and northern MN" suggests the trails are not real cared for, ie grooming, marking, brushing. Is this the norm for up there or is it an over exaggeration of the conditions. We are planning to leave from Moose Lake and head up to the north shore, over toward IF and down to Bemidji and back to Moose. I know every trail won't be perfect, but that post makes me a bit nervous. Any comments?
Minnesota saddle bag trip..........getting nervous!!!
- Thread starter switch07
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steve_in_il
Member
There is no question, MN trails don't receive as many grooms as trails in WI or da UP. That being said, I have found that with colder temperatures and somewhat lighter traffic, the MN trails hold up quite well. Our group has been in Northern MN on at least a dozen occasions and have found the trails, on average, to be very good. Also, it IS bigger country, especially when you get up in the Voyagers National Park area. Signage is there....just not as frequent as you may be used to. Watch your fuel and plan your stops. You WILL enjoy!
bearrassler
Well-known member
I read that post and was a little suprised, I know that the North Shore trail has been groomed many times this year, I thinke Elf and Oldguy have said the trails were good? I just checked trail conditions in the I Falls, Voyaguer Park, and Baudette areas and they all were groomed last week and should be groomed every week at least once, some twice from now on. I would not be worried about it but that post didn't sound good. I think you will enjoy the trip. Everyone should try at least one new location per winter
oldguy
Member
Switch
Rode on Thursday from Tower to Isabella to Ely back to Tower---very smooth the entire trip
Rode on Friday from Tower to just East of I Falls back to Tower, again very, very smooth.
The best days to ride are Tuesday thru Saturday morning. Sundays and Monday would be your best chance to hit rough trails. Like mentioned before, the colder out, the better chances of smooth trails.
The state trails are groomed multiple times a week (NST, Taconite and Arrowhead). The club trails, if not groomed, will usually be rough for 50 miles or so before you get into the next clubs trail system.
If you stay on corridor trails, the signage is usually pretty good. Remember, it is a long way in some areas between stops. Sometimes 20 miles before you even see a stop sign.
If things were perfect the entire trip it wouldn’t be a challenge.
Rode on Thursday from Tower to Isabella to Ely back to Tower---very smooth the entire trip
Rode on Friday from Tower to just East of I Falls back to Tower, again very, very smooth.
The best days to ride are Tuesday thru Saturday morning. Sundays and Monday would be your best chance to hit rough trails. Like mentioned before, the colder out, the better chances of smooth trails.
The state trails are groomed multiple times a week (NST, Taconite and Arrowhead). The club trails, if not groomed, will usually be rough for 50 miles or so before you get into the next clubs trail system.
If you stay on corridor trails, the signage is usually pretty good. Remember, it is a long way in some areas between stops. Sometimes 20 miles before you even see a stop sign.
If things were perfect the entire trip it wouldn’t be a challenge.
Trails on the north shore area are in fantastic shape. The NSST is groomed 4 times a week normally. Don't be worried about trail conditions at all. As they say, distances between gas and food is much greater than what you are used to. So don't pass up gas when you have the chance or unless you are very familiar with the area. Not sure how you plan to get around the Duluth area but its a bit of a PITA.
POLARISDAN
New member
you will be fine..tons of snow..but call area clubs before u go for current updates and plan accordingly..sometimes groomers break down
bearrassler
Well-known member
All the trail reports that I have seen have been excellent, I wouldn't waste my time calling all the clubs, while it is possible for a groomer to break down all of us that groom in MN are required to have a back up plan if that happens, and with the light traffic in most areas it wouldn't matter much if 1 grooming was missed except on the main trails, The weather doesn't even look to bad, you should have a blast.
I was up the shore this past weekend. Stayed in Tofte and rode up and down the North Shore trail (Finland to Grand Marais) and up the Tomahawk as far as the Knotty Pine (past Isabella) and the trails were excellent!!
One word of caution tho is to keep an eye out for deer. Most of them were down further close to the lakeshore, but they are using the trails to get around in the deep snow. The North Shore trail is groomed on Fridays and Saturday night on the weekends.
You should have a great ride, very jealous!!
If you are still heading up the trail thru Cloquet and up to Fish lake and on to the North Shore trail, and need directions for the short "untrailed" section from Grand lake to highway 53 just let me know.
One word of caution tho is to keep an eye out for deer. Most of them were down further close to the lakeshore, but they are using the trails to get around in the deep snow. The North Shore trail is groomed on Fridays and Saturday night on the weekends.
You should have a great ride, very jealous!!
If you are still heading up the trail thru Cloquet and up to Fish lake and on to the North Shore trail, and need directions for the short "untrailed" section from Grand lake to highway 53 just let me know.
Stuck in the airport in Detroit now. Sleds are ready to go. Just gotta pack a few things. Thanks for all your help Kelly. Getting pumped for the trip. Just gotta make it home today, lol.