Saddlebagging Minnesota?

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switch07

Member
Some friends and I are looking to plan a saddlebag trip to Minnesota this year and I'm wondering if ayone has or knows where I can contact for information. We will probably trailer to Watersmeet area and dump off and head west. We would like to get up to the Boundry waters, Roseau, Thief River Falls and loop back in about 6 to 7 days. Doable? Plan on about 200 a day +-. Looked for info at the snow show but couldn't find any. If anyone has ever done this, maybe you could share some info, motels, eats & drinks, gas etc. Thanks......

Switch
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
This would take a little planning and maybe some phone calls to local places in small towns but it could be a great trip and I’ll be a little jealous if you do make it happen. Hopefully you’ll post the whole story in the “Guest Shots” section. The variety of terrain alone would make it a great ride, not to mention the almost complete absence of traffic throughout much of the trip.
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Assuming a decent snow year, it seems like the trickiest part would be working your way around the bigger towns, since a lot of the trails may dead-end or you’d end up running on dry pavement. Once you are north and west of Duluth, there are tons of route choices that can get you into smaller towns and resorts with relatively easy access to lodging and food. </SPAN>

I would definitely allow some time for side trips. If you take the northernmost route through Lake of the Woods County towards Roseau you might as well experience the trail across the Big Traverse of Lake of the Woods and have lunch up in the Northwest Angle. Most of the resorts near the south end of Lake of the Woods are very near the trail and have lodging that could handle your group nicely. Many have food and if not, food is just a short ride away.
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It’s pretty wide open running west of International Falls and you can log some serious miles, even with the MN speed limit (although, it’s pretty hard to enforce in a lot of areas).
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Heck, as long as you will only be a few miles away, you might as well blast into North Dakota and make it a four state trip.</SPAN>

Hopefully Bearrassler will weigh in as he knows that Northwestern MN area really well.</SPAN>
 
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revhead2

New member
We did a loop trip 16 years ago up there. I don't think they have had as much snow ever since that year we went. The snow drifts were up to the barn eaves in western Mn. that year.

We checked local sources in Duluth before we left, and there was not a way by trail to get around from Superior, Wi, and through Duluth at that time. Probably still isn't. We decided to just leave St. Germain, Wi and trailered up through Duluth and up the north shore to Two Harbors to start. Stayed and started from the Americ Inn. Day 1 took us up to Lake Vermillion, and we stayed at Bayview Lodge. Day 2 took us up to International Falls, and we decided to stay 2 nights and explore Lake Kabetogama area the extra day. Day 5 took us down to Bemidji, and stayed at Super 8 there. Day 6 took us to Grand Rapids , and we stayed at Super 8 there. Day 7 took us back to Two Harbors. The whole trip was absolutely awesome. All trails were wide and smooth- plenty of snow. This route we chose covered a wide variety of terrain, and I would like to do this again someday. Next time, I'd like to include a day over in the Boundary Waters area. The key to a good saddle bag loop trip up there would be to make sure the whole state had good snow, - have good reliable sleds, and -- then--------- " let her eat" and go for it.
 
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captddh

New member
You can get around Duluth/Superior thru Douglas County west of Solon Springs Wi over to Nickerson Mn. From Nickerson, keep going west over to Moose Lake where there are several options to go back north. There is also a trail north from Nickerson to Wrenshaw but its not my favorite. Good luck and be safe!
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
I have been on most of the trails you will be covering. Stay away from Duluth all together. Go the route CAPTDDH mentioned. Most of the bigger little towns you will be traveling thru will have places to stay without any reservation required, even on the weekends. The only areas near the boundary waters are the Gunflint Trail ( Grand Marais), Ely and Lake Vermillion. Remember it’s a big no -no to go into the boundary Waters. The best time of year would be the end of January that’s when we have the most snow, but probably really cold. The trip should be a piece of cake and you should be able to do it without much planning.
 
H

Hoosier

Well-known member
This route is something we've looked into doing also. Seems like snow conditions would have to be ideal to make it work, but it looks to be a blast. One thing I think would be tough to do is to estimate how many miles can be done each day. At least where I've ridden, Wisconsin doesn't have the RR grades like the UP that eat up the miles quick (which is a good thing IMO, as I try to avoid riding grades if I don't have to). If you get a general route together, post it on here. I'd like to give a shot also.
 
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zimmer1310

Member
Switch, one more thing, make sure you get your Mn trail stickers as some of our DNR love to hand out tickets. The arrowhead region is a beautiful area so enjoy, be safe and keep us posted on your route?
 
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Deleted member 10829

Guest
Isn't there also a speed limit in MN they need to watch out for? Those wide smooth trails are tempting to let her rip!

Sounds like it would be a great trip!
 
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skidont

Member
I do this atleast once a year . I would leave on a sunday so you can ride minnesota during the week and miss the dnr for the most part , it's gonna be 250 miles or better to minnesota . I would shoot for the moose lake area for entry to by pass duluth . You will need all of 7 days to do this unless you use rail road grades to speed up the time coming back . rooms are easy to find during the week , yes there is a 55 mph limit but 60 ish is dooable , I would also plan for end of jan or feb for better chance of snow . If you have any questions as if your partners can do this , think long and hard about it because it can go from alot of fun to a nightmare in a hurry
 
S

switch07

Member
Thanks for the response guys, keep it coming, especially on lodging ideas or routes. Been on many saddlebag trips, Canada & UP, so the experience is there with our group. Is there a whole state map like WI used to have with the major corridors available? Would make planning a route easier.
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Yep, the DNR site has an excellent statewide map. Lets you zoom in to view specific sections or out for the 'big picture".
 
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bobsledder

New member
did it 2 years ago

Our experience 2 years ago was that it was a lot of ditch banging south of a line from Moose Lake to the west. Picks are not allowed on some trails ant there is a lot less advertising on the trail side. Not that many stop signs on the trail, but the groomers left big holes by the driveways so after you hit one or two of those you slow down. We had a blast on great trails, thanks Mn. clubs
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Switch,

Did you find the MN map? Hopefully you're not blocked because you're from Green Bay.
 
bearrassler

bearrassler

Well-known member
This sounds like a great trip. If you like paper maps you can order them from the MN DNR from the link on post 2. You would need the NE and the NW maps. I am familiar with the trails from about Ely and west. If it was me I would get around Duluth and head up the north shore trail, then up to Ely, and then take the lake routes to Lake Vermillion, maybe the Vermillion river, Crane Lake, up to Rainy Lake. Then take the trail from I Falls to Baudette. Like Skiroule said you could run up to the NW Angle if you like and then back down to Warroad or take the trail (quite a bit shorter) and then run over to Roseau. I would take in the Polaris museum while there, and then run to Thief River Falls. The Black Cat restaurant is like an Arctic Cat museum with lots of old pictures and adds among other things. You could do an extra day ride and go into NE ND and then run south to Grand Forks, and then over to TRF also. From TRF I would head east through Goodridge and then take the trail that goes along the north shore of Upper Red Lake to Washkish. Then I would go to Bigfork, and work my way east towards Cook, and then back towards WS. That is just what I would do and you asked for ideas. Like others have said, lodging and gas would not be to tuff in most areas. Let me know if you want any more information, it would be a fun trip.
 
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