North Shore MN - where to park

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robgoggins

New member
We're heading up to the North Shore in a few days. Current plan is to ride between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, I believe the primary trail is #61. We only have a couple days to ride. We may explore off that beaten path depending on conditions and time available. We're staying at Caribou Highlands Lodge near Lutsen. We've never ridden up there so I'm wondering where we park to unload the sleds and go riding. I tried asking a guy at the hotel but it quickly became clear he knew about as much as I did re: snowmobiling up there...which is next to nothing. Currently my plan is to hit a few gas stations on the way up there in order to pick up some trail maps and see if any locals will share parking ideas. If that doesn't work, then head to the hotel to check in and ask the folks there (either employees or sledding visitors). If I strike out there, then I guess we just get the GPS out and head towards the trail with truck and trailer until we find something that will work.

I'm a planner so this feels like I'm "winging it" relative to how I normally handle trips. Looking for any other advice you all can share either re: 1) specific parking spots to unload near trail #61 (or others in that general vicinity); or 2) how you handle such nebulous situations when heading to new snowmobile destinations.

Thanks!
 
S

sounder

New member
Why wouldn't you park at the hotel, and ride from there? It seems like there is enough snow in the area, so you should be able to do that. Otherwise, from Lutsen, drive up the hill to the ridge. Where the highway crosses the ridge, there is parking for sledders. To the north is 4 (Caribou Trl) and to the south is 36(ski hill rd). Both go up the hill to the ridge. There is parking up there. You should see snowmobile crossing signs, and look for the brown signs like the ones that mark state parks.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and the primary trail is 60... otherwise known as the North Shore State Trail. It's a great trail! Please report back on the conditions!
 
T

Tree

New member
Not sure if they have an access trail where your staying. Was up there over Christmas and there is enough snow to ride from the shore line. Otherwise go just past the town of Lutsen to Co. Rd. 4, only one direction to go. There should be a sign that says State trail access, the parking lot is about 5 miles up. The State parks there groomer there and the lot is plowed. As of last Saturday the CJ Ramstad (North shore state trail) had been panned but not groomed. Some spots pretty rough. Seemed like enough snow to groom, local said State won"t groom till Jan. 1 when there funds are released? Then how can they afford to pack? Gunflint trail groomed and was very good. Expressway trail NOT groomed and very rough. Tomahack trail groomed at least to the Trestle inn, which dosen't take credit cards. Town of Finland is an excellent food and gas stop and is well marked. Get your maps and study and talk to other riders. Have fun, dress warm!
 
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robgoggins

New member
Perfect, thank you! As for whether there is enough snow to ride from the hotel parking lot...I don't know. The hotel guy I talked to on the phone didn't know much about snowmobiling up there, beyond the fact that there "appeared to be snowmobile trailers in the parking lot". And I was only able to talk with him after calling the hotel 3x and waiting on hold for about 10 minutes. That's why I decided to turn to the inter-web. ;-)

I will definitely report back after our trip. We should be home Jan. 1st. The only serious riding we've done so far has been out west in deep snow. We purchased new sleds Dec., 2016 and haven't used them yet. So we're chomping on the bit to get going.
 
D

dragon_700

Member
robgoggins said:
Perfect, thank you! As for whether there is enough snow to ride from the hotel parking lot...I don't know. The hotel guy I talked to on the phone didn't know much about snowmobiling up there, beyond the fact that there "appeared to be snowmobile trailers in the parking lot". And I was only able to talk with him after calling the hotel 3x and waiting on hold for about 10 minutes. That's why I decided to turn to the inter-web. ;-)

I will definitely report back after our trip. We should be home Jan. 1st. The only serious riding we've done so far has been out west in deep snow. We purchased new sleds Dec., 2016 and haven't used them yet. So we're chomping on the bit to get going.
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there is a trail access that leads right to your door.theres a restaurant called moguls right there that we stop at regularly when up there.If the snow is good make sure you take all the local runs in that area.sometimes snow is a little low close to lake?theres also gas right down trail next to hwy 61.If you dont have it get polaris app for trails works great in that area as long as you download state maps.
 
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rayds

Member
just a suggestion, having done this trip --- you can either leave from the town of Two Harbors, there was parking on the south side of town. We have done that, but better yet might be to take County Road #2 north (#2 is right in town at a stop light, It is a few miles north that Co Rd #2 intersects with the North Shore trail and there is a parking lot there, and is a designated parking lot for the snowmobile trail, ususally a lot of trailer units parked there.

Another suggestion would be to make a stop at the Trestle Inn at Crooked Lake resort, at some time. You do have to leave the North Shore trail and take the Tomahawk trail for about 5 miles, this section of trail can get roughed up due to heavy use, but the Trestle is a unigue place. There is gas at Crooked Lake resort so might want to fill up there as gas stops are not plentiful --- usually one has to leave the North Shore trail and go "down the hill" to get to gas station.

On the MN DNR website, I am sure you can download a map for the North Shore trail and print it out. In Two Harbors, I am sure one of the gas stations or the Tourist information place will also have maps. In years past there are maps posted at various places along the North Shore trail

Have fun, stay warm, in my opinion you have picked one of the best places to ride!!
 
J

jonnyb3_94

New member
If you make it all the way North on the Gunflint Trail stop for food and fuel at Hungary Jack Lodge. Forrest is a great guy and will hook you up with whatever you need.
 
F

frnash

Active member
jonnyb3_94 said:
If you make it all the way North on the Gunflint Trail stop for food and fuel at Hungary Jack Lodge. Forrest is a great guy and will hook you up with whatever you need.
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Hungary Jack Lodge — Mmmm, Hungarian food. Maybe a real Hungarian goulash?
 
X

xcr440

Well-known member
rayds said:
just a suggestion, having done this trip --- you can either leave from the town of Two Harbors, there was parking on the south side of town. We have done that, but better yet might be to take County Road #2 north (#2 is right in town at a stop light, It is a few miles north that Co Rd #2 intersects with the North Shore trail and there is a parking lot there, and is a designated parking lot for the snowmobile trail, ususally a lot of trailer units parked there.

Another suggestion would be to make a stop at the Trestle Inn at Crooked Lake resort, at some time. You do have to leave the North Shore trail and take the Tomahawk trail for about 5 miles, this section of trail can get roughed up due to heavy use, but the Trestle is a unigue place. There is gas at Crooked Lake resort so might want to fill up there as gas stops are not plentiful --- usually one has to leave the North Shore trail and go "down the hill" to get to gas station.

On the MN DNR website, I am sure you can download a map for the North Shore trail and print it out. In Two Harbors, I am sure one of the gas stations or the Tourist information place will also have maps. In years past there are maps posted at various places along the North Shore trail

Have fun, stay warm, in my opinion you have picked one of the best places to ride!!
Click to expand...

Just don’t believe what they post on the DNR website about the trail conditions of the CJ Ramstad North Shore State Trail - what they posted on the 28th is a LIE - it still has not been groomed through Finland to the Tomahawk as of today
 
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robgoggins

New member
Hi all, we're back from the North Shore trip. It was brief due to cold weather. We rode about 25 miles late Saturday afternoon on the Lutsen Access trail, the Beaver trail and a few miles on another trail - name escapes me. I've never ridden in the Midwest so I don't really know how to judge the conditions for those of you who ride in the Midwest frequently. There was plenty of snow, that's for sure. We never hit any bare spots. At times the trails were a little "mogul-y", but I sort of expected that in the deep woods. The trails were well marked with "Caution" signs when we were about to hit a big mogul for some reason. But rarely did we get over 25-30 mph either due to bumps or curves in the trail. Overall though I thought the conditions were pretty darn good.

Today however, we got rolling around 7:30 a.m. and it was -22 degrees outside. I thought we could handle that, even though my son's sled wasn't starting...even after jumping it. But with the wind gusting at what must have been 20-30 mph, the wind chill was -47 degrees. I've never lived outside the upper Midwest and I'm pretty used to cold weather. But DANG...it was one of the coldest temps I've ever experienced. The wind up there on the north shore, and up in the hills by the resort was crazy. Given the battery issue on one of three sleds, some fogged helmet issues we were having (another long story) and the danger with the cold temps...I pulled the plug on the trip. The two teenagers with me were a little disappointed, but I think it was the right call.
 
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