Trail Conditions around Millaca

[snowgoose]

Two of us took off from Millaca yesterday. Trails that we rode where all groomed and in great shape for the amount of snow we have on the ground.

We rode East to Bock on the old rail line about 10 miles. We then turned North into the Rum River State forest. Some of the trails were a bit thin but the corner had not been blown out yet. We went east to Ann Lake and took a break at Mc Bees??? From there we went back west to 169 with a stop for lunch at Chicos. We rode North to the Soo Line following 169. To my suprise those trails were even in good shape. We went to Wahkon on the Soo Line and got gas. Turned around and rode back to Millaca threw the Rum River State Forest again. We took a different trail and hit a 4 to 5 mile area of ruff trail just North of Prince bait. Swamp bumps were tuff to ride on in this area. We finished by riding back to Millaca from there for a total of 100 miles exactly. It was a bit cold yesterday but there was much less traffic on the trails than I thought there would be. Real nice ride threw the wood. Some ditch riding but it was groomed.

Get out and ride while the snow we have on the trails lasts.

[Shack]

Great report!

I just posted this in another thread and scrolled down the list and saw your post.

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P.S.

The trails up here right now are in great condition. The groomers have been out for over a week now. I would figure the further you towards Mill Lacs, the better it gets. The Soo line should be a great ride right now. I feel the trail riding is coming back this year, not just the ditch hopping. I tell ya, you guys think pulling those houses out last weekend was a work out, try going on a couple hour ditch dipping and culvert ducking expedition. That’s a work out . Good luck on your sled purchase.

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You are right. This is some of the best conditions I have experience in 7-10 years now. Honestly, I can not remember when this early, it was this good. The closer you get to Elk River; the trails get a little beaten, but 150% improvement from the last 5 plus years at this time of year. You can still drop at park and ride on 169 by Wal-Mart and head north. It’s a fun ride. North to the Soo line, it even gets better. Stop in Bock and pay your cover fee and relax for awhile and like you said, hit the Rum River SF.

[snowgoose]

Thanks Shackbash

I am really hoping that we continue to get snow this winter. I bought a 2007 switchback this year and I would like to put some miles on it. I do have 2 trips planned to the UP so I'll get more riding in over there.

Has anyone ever taken the Taconite trail out of Grand Rapids and rode to Ely? I want to try it this year but Mother Nature will have to decide that. I was just wondering if that is a decent ride for one day each way?

[Macgyver55]

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Has anyone ever taken the Taconite trail out of Grand Rapids and rode to Ely? I want to try it this year but Mother Nature will have to decide that. I was just wondering if that is a decent ride for one day each way?

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Yes, I've done it several times. Usually once a year weather permitting. By the looks of it so far I will be doing it this year too. I usually start at my cabin near McGregor, or my buddies place near Aitkin. Its a good days ride from there (about 275 miles) but I have a cousin in Ely that puts me and a few friends up for a night or two.

If we hit it early on a Friday and the trails are groomed we can really make time. Coming home on a Sunday is more often the problem with beat up trails. I've had a couple of nightmare return rides that lasted well into Sunday evening though. If you want an awesome ride, do it on a weekday.

[snowgoose]

Thanks Macguyver

I think I will start from Grand Rapids. I ride with my wife and I don't think she could handle 275 miles in one day. Looking at the map on the DNR site it should be about a 125 mile ride one way. If I feel like riding more once I get up there there is always the lakes and the Arrowhead trail.

MAybe I should make this a 3 day adventure and have a day to spend up North. I love the area around Kab and Vermillion.

[knoppers]

I have a cabin in palisade, so if you'all want to meet up and ride up to Ely, I am in if you have room.

[Shack]

Trails from Elk River to Prince town are pretty worn and beat. Untill we get some more snow fall, I would say start out east of Happies and go north on Soo Line. Update for 12/17/2007

[MNexpoler]

hey shackbash where on the soo line are you guys riding?

If you know, how are the trails up by McGarth and Denham.

[snowgoose]

Not that this really helps. I didn't ride this weekend but I did drive threw the Mcgregor area on Sunday. The trails look to be thin in the swamps. The cattails have all been groomed to the ground but we really need a couple inches of snow to cover them up again. Otherwise it looked like the trail in that area had not seen a lot of traffic yet. Of course this is a report from the truck window.

Once we got toward Mora the trails looked to be pretty beat up from there South along 65.

I was North of Grand Rapids this weekend also. Around the Marcell area. Trails look to be in great shape. The Bowstring trail runs threw my parents property. We saw 2 sleds had crossed the road all weekend. Knowbody riding and a good foot of snow of the ground in that area. The frost covered everyhting up North this weekend. I was really wishing I had time to ride. Tis the season.

[snowgoose]

Hey Knoppers

I see you also live in Big Lake. Lets wait and see what this Minnesota weather gives us for snow this year. Maybe we can figure out a weekend to ride. The more the marrier. I have not looked into places to stay around Ely yet. Any good ideas other than the Casino on Vermillion?

[Shack]

MNexpoler,

I have not been up that far yet. I have been staying around Princeton. I just figured the trails have to better up that way. I think we need more snow.

[Shack]

Trails are very bad around Princeton and Millaca. We need snow! The 1 to 2 inches we got last night makes for good field ditch riding (drifts pop up), but the trails are pretty beat.

Report for 12/22/2007

[knoppers]

we are supposed to get another 1-3 sunday, I hope its the 3, or more.