Tower to Ash river

[muskieswen]

Does anyone know what the mileage by sled from Tower MN. to Ash River MN is?

Thank you

[Sorgy]

MuskieSwen,

From our place on the West End of Vermilion it is on average about a 130 mile round trip- depending on the route up there and back. We are 2 miles from The Landing. We usually take the Arrowhead trail up from the landing and then make swings to Melgeorges on Elephant Lake, Trails End on Echo Lake or Crane Lake. I have been up there 4 times or so and have traveled the Lakes a couple of times and the trails the other times.

I have no idea what kind of shape the lakes and or Vermilion River is in. I have not been up in 3 weeks and have heard 4th hand that there is a lot of slush on the lake.-- take it for what it is. The groomer usually heads North from The Landing on Thursday and Sunday nights. The Arrowhead gets lots of traffic and can get bad after a coupld of days.

Good Luck - It is a really nice ride up there and back. To Tower if we ride the lake is not a long ride.

Gas is available at Shamrock, The Landing, Melgeorges, Trails End, VRT, ORR, Crane Lake. Lots of options.

Steve

[muskieswen]

Thank you for the info Sorgy. We are in Fraiser Bay. Was hoping to take the lake to the Landing and head on up but like you I have heard that the lake may not be an option. Wife and I plan on pulling off the side of the trail going up and start a small fire to cook on. Should be fun.

Sounds like the mileage is doable. Again thanks for the info.

[Xplorer]

I'm headed up to Orr this weekend, and checked mileage a bit for loops. From where the Orr south loop hits the Arrowhead trail, it is 32 miles to Crane lake, and from there it is 22 miles to Ash river overland.

The trail around V is a pretty quick ride, there's a long section of black spruce bog thats wide and flat. We have gone from the casino to Crane and back several times in previous years, very doable and a nice ride. Looks like a really nice weekend to ride, can't wait!!

[muskieswen]

Thanks Xplorer. I think the Orr route is the way we are heading as well. If you see two sleds going slower than the rest and enjoying the views, it's probably my wife and I.

[Xplorer]

swen,

We will be the two Cat's driving together, a 2 up in the lead with my 11 year old on back, and my wife behind on a single. We are just doing a loop from Orr to Crane, and then back to Orr. Not sure if we will make the bigger loop to Ash river or not, we'll see how the day goes.

Enjoy the ride as we always do. Some gorgeous riding up that way.

[LundExplorer]

In case you're thinking of taking the Vermilion River up that way...don't. Bad slush and frozen slush ruts in places. I usually like the river ride but this year it's just not good.