Saddlebagging Minnesota Part Two!!!

[CrossfireLOW]

I don't think Virginia is any better right now than Grand Rapids. I was in Virginia last weekend and while there is enough snow to operate a sled, its far from good conditions. The first place heading north from Virginia I saw with enough snow and grooming done was Orr. From Orr north it looks fair at best. Looking to the west I think you'd have to get north of Red Lake to have much if any snow. Maybe not what you want to here, but that is the way it is. Hope for Snow.

 

[xplorer]

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...

Here's an option for the Virginia area.
Stay at/near Giants Ridge and you could ride up to Tower, then decide if you want to ride Lake Vermilion or the land trails, to the west end, and from there you can ride the trails up to Voyagaire Lodge. There are many resorts/restaurants on Vermilion, including The Landing on the far west end that usually has an "ice bar" setup on the edge of the lake, and decent food in the restaurant.

 

[switch07]

Getting kind of nervous now on snow conditions for the trip. Some of the lodging I contacted want big non refundable deposits. Any info on "new" snow? Thanks guys....

 

[skiroule]

Got a note from my brother today. Guess a group of them rode the trails south of Baudette and into Baudette this weekend. It has been snowing a little here and there. He said "The trail is surprisingly good for the amount of snow we have!" (they were all riding long tracks)

As has been said before, they don't need a lot of snow and they are not losing any. The biggest issue might be the trail from I-Falls to Baudette and west of Warroad. I don't know about the conditions there. Might have to jog south on the railroad grade from I-Falls and cut over to Red Lake. The Ash River and Voyagaire cams are showing snow and there are non-rental sleds parked in front of the Voyagaire so people must be riding. You have a lot of lake trail in that area so that helps.

Definitely a low snow year so far and it as to be a little nerve wracking but I wouldn't pull the plug just yet. The riding might be the best in the areas that have the big non-refundable deposits.

 

[bearrassler]

It is a low snow year so far in northern MN, but I think that from Lake Vermillion north to Voyageurs, over to I Falls, Baudette, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Thief River Falls, and over to Waskish is rideable now, more snow would certainly help and John showed a couple of clippers coming through this week in his forecast last Friday. Grand Rapids is real light on snow, and Blackduck could use a couple more inches. A lot can change in three weeks though, Like Skiroule said we don't need a lot of snow to make the conditions better.

 

[oldguy]

Around the Tower area sled traffic last weekend was high and the trails got hammered. Went for 100 mile ride yesterday up the Arrowhead. The further north from Tower the more snow there is. The trails on a scale of 1 to 10 are about a 4. No issues with Hi fax, wear rods. Just some big bumps where there is not enough snow for the groomer to pull into the holes yet.

 

[switch07]

Well this trip looks to be all but canceled with the conditions and snow cover. If anyone has any better news for me please chime in. I don't see anything coming in the next two weeks to save the trip. I guess its on to plan B...........maybe next year.

 

[bearrassler]

I think that is the only choice you have at this point, we had a little snow but warm temps since last Friday have melted most, if not all of it. I ran a groomer to TRF last Thursday from Warren and some areas were light then, since then we have had a couple of days above 40 degrees. Maybe next year.

 

[skiroule]

Mike, it’s big a let-down that it looks like you have to cancel (much worse for you I’m sure). I was looking forward to following your trip again this year. Coming into this winter, I never thought the lack of snow would be so widespread. I would think that some of the lodging places would refund your deposit if they can replace your reservation.

Since I’m supposed to have all this free time next year, maybe Bearrassler and I can ride a leg of the trip with you guys if you decide to give it another shot. At least he could keep up with you. Next year has to be a better snow year – we can only hope.

 

[switch07]

Plan B would be a UP trip from tip to tip so I will try to still post our progress. Got to hope for cold temps now to keep the trails firm.