Twin Cities area lakes

[SledTL]

I am wondering where the closest lake is to the downtown area that we could ride a sled on. Have to test for SAE competition within the next couple of weeks, so doesn't need to be anything massive. My thought is either prior lake area or lino lakes. We don't have trail stickers so that's out of the question. Or, if anyone owns acreage in the area and would allow us access I would be eternally grateful.
Thanks,
Dean

 

[Tracker]

personally I would test on INDEPENDENCE LAKE bigbay...or maybe SILVER LAKE

 

[POLARISDAN]

I am wondering where the closest lake is to the downtown area that we could ride a sled on. Have to test for SAE competition within the next couple of weeks, so doesn't need to be anything massive. My thought is either prior lake area or lino lakes. We don't have trail stickers so that's out of the question. Or, if anyone owns acreage in the area and would allow us access I would be eternally grateful.
Thanks,
Dean

really? u get a tail sticker when u register..and then its every 3 years..of course no snow..welcome to mn

 

[pippy_b]

There isn't any snow on the lakes!

 

[favoritos]

We have snow on the lakes in the north end of the cities. But temps were late to cool down. So the ice isn't that good.
I was amazed to see an SUV on the nearest lake today. Darwinism might kick in for that driver. Bummer deal.

 

[SledTL]

really? u get a tail sticker when u register..and then its every 3 years..of course no snow..welcome to mn

They are sleds from Polaris that were old test mules, so they have nothing and the competition that its for doesn't require us to. I've been riding on my lake down here in SE Wisconsin so I would only assume its alright up there.

 

[pippy_b]

Phelps bay on Lake Minnetonka is like a highway over the last few days with loads of cars, trucks, and large ice houses!

 

[Mtkaboater]

You won't need a trail sticker if you are not on the trails, but you do need to be registered to ride on any public waters or land. With our funding issues, why don't you just register it? Or find some private property to test on.

 

[ezra]

yes Minnetonka is your closest bet to downtown .

most of the locals run from the bridge at 44/in priests a guy that lives there plows a nice wide road to the launch at surfside/cooks bay
if u are looking for a few guys top run there are a few of the big boys out there testing every weekend there is no sanctioned races.
if u don't want to see a cop lakes real close to Tonka is Dutch lake never cops on it or whaletail there are never cops and very few people live on it gets virtually no sled traffic.
prior lk is a bit of a drive not bad but Tonka is like 14min from downtown 25min to the west end of Tonka dutch is about the same 25ish min

 

[vmax1994]

I've dropped on Bald Eagle Lake to test things out before. Just dropped at the boat landing off Hwy 61.

 

[SledTL]

You won't need a trail sticker if you are not on the trails, but you do need to be registered to ride on any public waters or land. With our funding issues, why don't you just register it? Or find some private property to test on.

We are a student group, so we rely on funding from the school, which feels like negative, and outside companies which is tough to find. There is so much legal BS with the U. We can't use our personal trucks to move the sled, and are not allowed to get a trailer donated because all 21 year olds are assumed to have grown up under a rock with no driving experience. Do the DNR patrol the lakes hard? I definitely don't want to cause trouble, but I've only ever seen Police once riding and that was at the UP Wi border. Couple people I know have property, but thats a few hours away, so out of the question. I'll look into the Tonka area. We just created a fuel map from the ground up on a 600 indy, so no need to run with the big dogs ezra.

 

[schmokin]

Prior Lake would work also

Prior Lake would be a good option as well. A good access would be the “Upper” Prior Lake DeWitt Ave access. http://www.lake-link.com/minnesota-lakes/scott-county/upper-prior-lake/boat-launches/9112/

The fisherman are traversing the lake in all mannner of vehicles and there has been @ 4 inches of snow in the last 2 days to allow snowmobile operation on the lake. The lake is nearly 10 miles long which would allow ample operation. Upper Prior Lake also has a restaurant, Charlies, on its shore not far from the access for meals, warming up or refreshment.

Depending upon your lodging area Prior Lake could work for you as well.

Good luck.

 

[SledTL]

Prior Lake would be a good option as well. A good access would be the “Upper” Prior Lake DeWitt Ave access. http://www.lake-link.com/minnesota-lakes/scott-county/upper-prior-lake/boat-launches/9112/

The fisherman are traversing the lake in all mannner of vehicles and there has been @ 4 inches of snow in the last 2 days to allow snowmobile operation on the lake. The lake is nearly 10 miles long which would allow ample operation. Upper Prior Lake also has a restaurant, Charlies, on its shore not far from the access for meals, warming up or refreshment.

Depending upon your lodging area Prior Lake could work for you as well.

Good luck.

Thanks for the prior lake info,
I have to wait and see with the dreaded warm up next week if we can limp snow in the area until Friday the 20th. Very minimal snow needed and very little riding is actually going to be done, but just enough to keep it cool. Sorry if I didn't fill anyone in, I am an engineering student at the U, and we are part of the clean snowmobile team. The competition takes place up in Houghton the first week in march, so we are trying to test some of our changes out. To put in perspective, getting the thing to move around 20mph would be a big deal at the moment.

 

[ezra]

We are a student group, so we rely on funding from the school, which feels like negative, and outside companies which is tough to find. There is so much legal BS with the U. We can't use our personal trucks to move the sled, and are not allowed to get a trailer donated because all 21 year olds are assumed to have grown up under a rock with no driving experience. Do the DNR patrol the lakes hard? I definitely don't want to cause trouble, but I've only ever seen Police once riding and that was at the UP Wi border. Couple people I know have property, but thats a few hours away, so out of the question. I'll look into the Tonka area. We just created a fuel map from the ground up on a 600 indy, so no need to run with the big dogs ezra.

if u do Dutch lake like I said u will never see a cop . u may or may not see one on Tonka if u do it will be in the channels .and if u drop in Wayzata closest parking to Minneapolis u will not see one if u stay on that end of lake .
also look at http://snoblazers.com/contact-us/ page shoot them a mail tell them your deal they keep a nice heated ice house on cooks bay Minnetonka they would deff give u the code to use it when testing . if no response hit me up and I will call one of them and find out exactly where house is and get u a code

 

[SledTL]

if u do Dutch lake like I said u will never see a cop . u may or may not see one on Tonka if u do it will be in the channels .and if u drop in Wayzata closest parking to Minneapolis u will not see one if u stay on that end of lake .
also look at http://snoblazers.com/contact-us/ page shoot them a mail tell them your deal they keep a nice heated ice house on cooks bay Minnetonka they would deff give u the code to use it when testing . if no response hit me up and I will call one of them and find out exactly where house is and get u a code

Can you drop at mound bay park? It looks to be one of the only public areas. I will contact the snoblazers though, thanks.

 

[ezra]

yes and the house I speak of is right there. I was riding with the prez of that club tonight forgot to get this yrs combo for lock . pm me if u guys are thinking that rout and I will call her

 

[SledTL]

yes and the house I speak of is right there. I was riding with the prez of that club tonight forgot to get this yrs combo for lock . pm me if u guys are thinking that rout and I will call her

I contacted them on their webpage yesterday and their president has been emailing with me. She seems like a very nice person, so thank you! How much snow did you guys end up with over the past few days?

 

[ezra]

I contacted them on their webpage yesterday and their president has been emailing with me. She seems like a very nice person, so thank you! How much snow did you guys end up with over the past few days?

yeah joy is good people
guys will be plowing roads close to club shack .
prob 5 inch total snowfall