Minnesota trip is on!!!!

[switch07]

Our saddlebag trip through MN started Saturday from Moose Lake to Tofte. Had a bit of confusion due to some trail marking and a couple of wrong turns by our leader, (me), lol. All in all the trails were in awesome shape with very little traffic. We followed trail 47 up through Duluth which was not bad getting through at all. The trail comes into town to a parking area, and gas station. Across the road there was an orange snowmobile sign which was 47 and it took you right out up to the north shore trail. We followed that up on beautiful trails to Tofte. With the earlier wrong turns we had on 236 for the day. Monday took us up the north shore trail to the gunflint area, via the expressway trail and up to Hungry Jacks Lodge to a great lunch and beverage. We followed the swamper trail which was a bit rough, but good, back to the gunflint and down to the north shore trail, stopping at Devils Track lake resort to warm up and a beverage. Then it was back to Tofte on excellent trails. About 160 on Monday, which was just about right after Sundays trip. Today we head to the Tower area......more to come....

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[Deleted member 10829]

Sounds like tons of fun! How many sledders all together on this trip? Have a great ride today.

 

[bearrassler]

I'm jealous

 

[CrossfireLOW]

I am not sure where your heading next, but here is what you should find near IFalls if that is the direction you are heading. Screen capture from helmet cam last sunday morning.

 

[skiroule]

Thanks for the update Switch. It might even be above zero tomorrow. Also, good choice of stops, I really need to get back up to the Hungry Jack Lodge sometime. We were there the day before it burned down a few years back. Sorry about the “Swamper” suggestion. See if you take my advice again.

Hope you’re getting some pics, we’ll definitely be expecting some.

 

[switch07]

We have four guys on the trip, two doo's, one cat, and one poo. No problems so far. Today we rode from Tofte to Tower, via the Tomahawk, Taconite, Hidden Bay, and Iron Ore trails. All trails were in great condition with about 60% fresh groomed. Did some lake running and some loops to find some local flavor and warm up. Hardly any traffic today, saw about three sleds all day long. Staying at the casino here and actually won 50 bucks!!! Time to get back to the room $ ahead, lol. Only draw back has been too cold to take many pics. Maybe tomorrow. We head to Ifalls and are hoping the conditions continue to be stellar. We are so glad we made this trip, we are having a blast. The people up here are so friendly and helpful, even with me wearing my Packer colors, lol. Thanks again to everyone who gave advice on this trip. More to come.....

Switch

Sounds like tons of fun! How many sledders all together on this trip? Have a great ride today.

 

[switch07]

One more thing, any suggestions for lodging in Ifalls and the Grand Rapids areas? Thanks

 

[snowchief]

One more thing, any suggestions for lodging in Ifalls and the Grand Rapids areas? Thanks

Thunderbird in I falls right on rainy lake sawmill inn I've heard is good at grand rapids

 

[oldguy]

Switch try these

I agree about the Sawmill in Grand Rapids close to the trail with a bar and food 218-326-8501 another choice in I Falls is
Holiday, close to the trail pool, bar and food 877-228-7143

Wave when you drive by my house this morning. I live ¾ miles from the casino

 

[r schwenz]

I rode with CrossfireLOW last weekend, from Baudette to Crane Lake, stayed in Ash River area, and back to Baudette thru IFalls and Big Falls. only hope trails are as good for you as we experienced. Have to confess, I have been following your thread--- maybe lot of folks are. I am jealous, have fun!!!

 

[mxz500rider]

If you go to deer river there is a hotel with a nice bar next door. Stayed there bout this time a yr ago. Don't recall the name off hand. There is a casino down the road from there.

 

[skiroule]

I haven't stayed at the Thunderbird but have stopped there for a break. Seemed like a pretty nice place: rooms, bar, restaurant. Nice people and a great view of the lake and islands. Have stayed at the Sawmill Inn and had a good stay but couldn't begin to tell you how to get there from the trail.

You should have fun today. You're heading into an outstanding riding area.

 

[bearrassler]

I have stayed at the Thunderbird a few times, great restaraunt but no pool or hot tub, I have stayed at the Antler Lodge about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids right on the trail with a restaraunt across the highway and a pool and hot tub.

 

[switch07]

Today was a very good day. We left Tower and took the arrowhead trail, 94, north with the first stop being at Elephant Lake lodge. There we warmed up and met some fellow sledders who gave us some ideas to loop around the Ifalls area. The trail from Tower was a bit choppy in spots, but you could still do the MN speed limit no problem. When we passed Orr we picked up fairly fresh groomed trails with about two inches of freshies on top. What a great ride being the first ones on the trail. We continued up to Kabetogama and Kecs Kove Resort for fuel for us and our sleds. Seeing it was early, and taking advice from our new friends from Elephant Lake, we took the ice trail over to Kettle Falls and continued around on the Rainy Lake trail up to the Thunderbird Lodge where we will spend the night. I can't discribe how beautiful it was out on the ice in the Voyageurs Park. We saw deer and even a wolf out on the ice. And to top it off it was all groomed, even passed the groomer. To my JD friends from MN, you have an absolute treasure up here, and I wish more people could enjoy it as much as we have. More to come......

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[skiroule]

Have to say, I really enjoy the daily wrap-up and finding out where the heck you are.

It never occurred to me until he mentioned it, but Bearrassler's suggestion to stay north of Rapids is a good one. There are quite a few trails in the area and you'd be there in plenty of time to explore some of them. I can't remember if you're heading for Moose the following day but if so you'll have no problem making Moose from there

As BR said, the Antler is a good option and according to a co-worker who has a cabin in the same area north of Rapids, the Timberwolf Inn is very good. http://www.timberwolfinn.com/

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Have to say, I really enjoy the daily wrap-up and finding out where the heck you are./QUOTE]

I agree, it's been fun to follow. Plus, it sounds like just an excellent trip so far. I can almost visualize being out on the ice at Voyageurs National Park. It is a beautiful area! Keep the reports coming!

 

[switch07]

Another good day was had on the trails today. We woke up this morning to about 6 inches of fresh snow and near white out conditions on Rainy Lake. We followed the lake trail to fuel up and head south to the arrowhead trail and then west to the Blue Ox trail and south to 84 which brought us into Effie. The whole trip, about 90 miles, we did not see one sled. We broke trail all morning long with at least 6 or more inches of new snow on the trails. After having a nice lunch at the cafe in Effie, we saw our first sledders come in for lunch. We continued down 84 and caught up to the groomer. After passing the groomer, the trail was just as smooth, just having loose snow on top. We made our way down to the taconite trail and in to Grand Rapids. About 5 miles from Grand Rapids we met the first two sleds of the day on the trail. All in all it was a very good day today, with totally different conditions than the first three days. Milder temps and lots of fresh snow made for a very fun day. With over 900 miles so far and one more day to ride, this is turning out to be everything we could ask for in a sledding adventure. Although my body is ready to have the trip end soon, my mind wants to keep on going for another loop, lol. Then of course the wifey at home is starting to say, "quit playing and come home". So tomorrow will be the last day of our tour. I hope it is as nice as the first five....one more to come....

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[Dennis]

It's great news.You hit it perfect.Fresh snow all over the place and nobody ridding.When there's snow covering the whole state a lot of people don't need to travel to ride.Its a good thing and a bad thing.Moose Lake did pick up 4.5 inches today and 7 just north and east.If you get back early and staying overnight in moose lake on Friday there's good food at Gampers.But great drinks at the moose lake muni.We are glade you came and hope to see you back again.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Sounds like a trip you will never forget! Will you have some pic's to share with us when you get home?

 

[oldguy]

From Grand Rapids to Moose Lake is only a few hours, but the trails around Grand Rapids are confusing and not well marked. A must stop is the Jackson Bar in Lawler on the Soo Line rail bed, right on your way.