Saddlebagging Minnesota Part Two!!!

switch07

Member
As some of my JD friends know, we made a trip through MN last year and had a blast. We would like to do it again this year only leaving from about Grand Rapids area instead of Moose Lake. The plan is to go north towards Crane Lake, IF, then head west. We would like to get up to the Northwest Angle, loop down through Rousau and Thief River and work our way back. Any suggestions for lodging or "don't miss" trails we be great. Is there lodging up in the Angle? Lodging around GR with a place to drop trailers for a week? Also, snow reports for the area would help too. We are planning the first week in Feb. Thanks guys, hoping for another great trip......
 

GTL

Member
There is lodging on the Angle, My favorite is the Sportmans Lodge Oak Island. Youngs Bay also has lodging, but call ahead because they both cater to ice fishermen in the winter and are busy. Crane Lake also has lodging available , Voyagers has a web-cam on this site and is a hot spot or try the Ash -Ka- Nam nearby with lots of lodging.
 

bearrassler

Well-known member
How many days are you planning on riding Switch, like GTL said there are a few lodging options available in the NWA, in Roseau I would take in the Polaris Experience, also factory tours should be available at 2:00 but they will be building ATV's at that time, in TRF factory tours are available at 1:00 also probably ATV's, I would eat at the Black Cat, lots of Arctic memorabilia on the walls, and there are a couple of motels almost next door to the black cat. I would recommend the John Beckel trail from Big Falls to Baudette, it is almost like riding in wilderness, also I would recommend the trail on the north side of Upper Red Lake from Fourtown to Waskish, and from there towards Effie, let me know how many days and I will give you my recommendations.
 

switch07

Member
We will be trailering to Grand Rapids on feb 7 and running the whole week returning on the 13th, six days of riding. Last year we stayed up on Rainy Lake one night, but would like to see more of that area this year. Maybe stay two nights in this area, then head west to the angle.
 
G

G

Guest
Stay at the Sawmill Inn in Grand Rapids. Lots of parking and access to the main trails. Reservations 1-800-235-6455. Big pool and bar and restaurant attached. Not even that expensive. From GR you can get right on the Taconite Trail which is just about always perfect. At this point in time it all needs more snow though.
 
G

G

Guest
You should consider pushing your trip back 1 week. We are short on snow right now and that would give it a chance to snow more. Also they are running the Winnipeg to Willmar I 500 race from the 11th to the 14th. The first stop is in TRF on the night of the 11th. If you timed your trip right you could watch the racers come into TRF if that sort of thing interests you.
 

scott_l

Member
Grand Rapids MN info

I would personally look at staying at the Sugar Lake Lodge/resort. They have hotel rooms and cabins along with bar/restaurant and I am pretty sure pool, hot tube and what not. The Saw Mill is not a bad place but right in town (you have to cross Hwy 169 to get to the trail). If you are only doing this once or twice it is completely doable, an entire week would be a pain in the ***. Sugar Lake Lodge is out of town (south of Grand Rapids) right on the trail. Saw Mill is right in town slight inconvenience to get to the trail. I am sure both locations would work for what it sounds like you are looking for. There is another large hotel in town called the Timber Lake Lodge (would be very similar to the Saw Mill but would not have to cross Hwy 169).

Like Grub said there is very little snow in that area at this point in time. When we left that area on Friday you could still see grass, then they picked up about an inch on Sat. We all know it could change in a hurry but if and when it will…… who knows.

Good luck/have fun
 

bearrassler

Well-known member
Here are a few ideas Switch, day one take the Taconite up to Lake Vermillion, take the Vermillion river north to Buyck, there may be a few open spots right near the VRT, keep going north on the river, there is a sign on it to exit and go to MelGeorges, stay somewhere in that area, Orr, Elephant Lake, or Crane Lake, day two in Voyageurs Nat'l Park, stay at Thunderbird or closer to I Falls, day 3 go south on the Blue Ox to Big Falls, fill with gas, take the John Beckel to Baudette, ride LOW to Oak Island and stay somewhere up there, day 4 take the west side lake trails down to Warroad, go west to Roseau, spend some time there at the Polaris Experience, ride south to TRF, spend the night there, day five head east to Goodridge, towards Grygla, east past the Fourtown store and follow the trail that runs a few miles north of Upper Red Lake, get on the lake as soon as you see it and hug the north shoreline to Waskish,, then down to Blackduck for the evening, day six head back north almost to Washkish and then east on the Lost River trails to Effie and then back to Grand Rapids. I don't think any days would be much over 200 miles and you would see lots of different terrain including some open country and groomed ditch running near TRF. As of now we need more snow but you are still a month away. The far northern areas should be ok already, it is the Grand Rapids area that is the worst for snow now. Let me know if you have any questions on anything and I am sure quite a few others will give there opinions.
 
G

G

Guest
Good route except for day 6. I would make an easy day of it and go south to Bemidji and then east to Cass Lake. From there take the Soo Line corridor trail to just south of Grand Rapids and then jump on the little trail up to GR. Still not enough snow to groom around here yet even with last Friday's dump.
 

xplorer

New member
Just a quick note.

Ash Ka Nam's main lodge/restaurant burned to the ground this morning (its on the Ash River trail, next to Voyageurs Nat'l Park, and was about the nicest place to stay on the trail) so I am guessing they will be all closed down. Bummer, the lodge was georgeous and had good pizza : (

If you are thinking of doing the route bearrassler suggests, then I would head up to the south end of Crane lake on day one and stay in one of the guest rooms at Voyagaire Lodge. The place was rebuilt in 2013 and is beautiful, has a good restaurant, gas and would give you a whole day to play either on the lake trails in Voyageurs Nat'l Park and/or in the woods surrounding it.
Then end your day up in I'Falls
 

switch07

Member
Lots of great suggestions guys, thanks. Last year we stayed a night in Tower and went north to elephant lake then up to the thunderbird for an overnight. This year I think we will try Crane lake on our first night, then maybe back towards the thunderbird area for day two. From there I would like to get to the angle for night three. Then night four in TRF after a stop in the poo factory. Night five would be somewhere about half way back to GR with the final night back at the trailers in GR. Without having the map in front of me, I think this is possible. The biggest unknown last year was finding lodging, but with a few ideas from everyone on here, maybe we can book them in advance. If anyone has suggestions with phone numbers, that would be a big help. Thanks again guys....
 

skiroule

Well-known member
A trip across the Big Traverse of Lake of the Woods to the Angle is a pretty cool ride (sometimes really cool). There is a nice club warming shack on Garden Island with a propane heater if you want to stop for a break.

If you’re in the mood for a little different route you can pick up the Rainy in Baudette and ride the river all the way out to the lake. Canada on one shore, U.S. on the other. Some good resort stops along the way as well.

If you can get in, I also think Sportsman’s on Oak Island is the place to stay 1 - (800) 772-8411 or http://sportsmanslodges.com/oakisland/. Nice restaurant/bar and food is excellent – bring your appetite.
 

switch07

Member
Just book the Sportsmans on Oak Island for the 10th of Feb..........so trip is officially on!!!!! Good thing I called, got the last one for six people. Thanks for the tips guys, keep em coming. Looking at staying on Crane Lake on Sunday the 8th, any suggestions for CL? Then somewhere by IF on Monday the 9th, maybe the Thunderbird again. Up to the Angle on Tuesday the 10th. Any suggestions for TRF area on Wednesday night? Prefer lodges. Then somewhere half way back towards Grand Rapids or if we have to start further north. Getting excited now...........

A trip across the Big Traverse of Lake of the Woods to the Angle is a pretty cool ride (sometimes really cool). There is a nice club warming shack on Garden Island with a propane heater if you want to stop for a break.

If you’re in the mood for a little different route you can pick up the Rainy in Baudette and ride the river all the way out to the lake. Canada on one shore, U.S. on the other. Some good resort stops along the way as well.

If you can get in, I also think Sportsman’s on Oak Island is the place to stay 1 - (800) 772-8411 or http://sportsmanslodges.com/oakisland/. Nice restaurant/bar and food is excellent – bring your appetite.
 

switch07

Member
One more question, if we can't start in Grand Rapids due to lack of snow, how much further north would we have to go? We will cross over in Duluth.
 

GTL

Member
Voyagaire Lodge on Crane Lake has a web-cam on this site and is only two years old. (remodeled) Great spot, has gas food etc. 1-800-882-6287. When you stay at Oak say HI to CeCe the manager/owner, she is a great host. If you get talking to anyone up there fishing see if you can "borrow" some of their catch for supper, I'm sure they will be willing to "have to" replace them the next day!!!! ( I know I would) CeCe will cook their fish and provide soup or salad for $5.oo per meal!!
 

oldguy

Member
When it comes to enough snow, most of the trails near Tower, north and east have had the first pass thru with the groomer. We have barely enough, but another 4 or 5 inches would do the trick.
 

switch07

Member
Ok, we got the Voyagaire Lodge booked for Sunday night. Sounds like a real nice lady on the other end of the phone. This trip is coming together nicely!!!!

Voyagaire Lodge on Crane Lake has a web-cam on this site and is only two years old. (remodeled) Great spot, has gas food etc. 1-800-882-6287. When you stay at Oak say HI to CeCe the manager/owner, she is a great host. If you get talking to anyone up there fishing see if you can "borrow" some of their catch for supper, I'm sure they will be willing to "have to" replace them the next day!!!! ( I know I would) CeCe will cook their fish and provide soup or salad for $5.oo per meal!!
 

bearrassler

Well-known member
In Thief River there are two motels across the highway from Arctic Cat and next door to the Black Cat bar and grill, they are the Quality Inn, 218-681-7555 and the Grandstay, 218-681-9998, both have pools and hot tubs and I think you can ride your sled to the door (I would ask them for sure) in Blackduck the Americinn, 218-835-4500, I have stayed at this motel and it is easy to get in and out of and has a hot tub and pool also with a bowling alley across the street that had very good pizza a few years ago. Unless you go down to Bemidji, there are not many other places to stay between TRF and Grand Rapids, I personally don't care for the trails in the Bemidji area as much as farther north, to many RR beds and stop signs, You do run a RR bed in and out of Blackduck but don't have to use it for very long.
 

skiroule

Well-known member
I drove through Grand Rapids last weekend and my impression was that the snow cover was about the same from Grand Rapids north and west all the way to Baudette so there is probably little to be gained starting further north of Grand Rapids. I agree with oldguy, it will only take 4 – 6 inches over the next few weeks to make the trails decent and the lakes are already OK. Hopefully there won't be a major meltdown.

The Lost River club has started grooming the Red Lake area and south and my sources (my brother) tell me that the groomers have been running south of Baudette. He seemed to think the trails were ride-able now. They don’t need a lot to work with from here on – just a few more inches to smooth things out.

Not sure about the conditions west of Lake of the Woods. Riding the lake it should be OK into Warroad and maybe Roseau. Grub and Bearrassler can give you better info.
 

switch07

Member
Ok, we may be looking to move further north to about the Virginia area to start out if the snow does not improve by the Grand Rapids area. Any suggestions for this area? Also when we leave TRF and head east, north of Red Lake, then south, we were thinking about staying in the Blackduck Lake area. I found some resorts there and would like some suggestions on lodging there too. Thanks for all the help guys. Hope we get more snow...
 
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