TRAIL REPORTS
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March 23, 2009 Spring Ride March 20-22, 2009
We stayed at Devil Track Resort for our trip. Friday morning it was 4 above and the trails were hard. Though the trails were not groomed, they were in very rideable condition. We headed south on the State Trail and took the spur to the Trestle Inn. The spur was very rough. Overall a very good day of riding. Saturday it was quite a bit warmer. We headed up the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake. Again the trails were in pretty decent shape. North of Trail Center when you get in the burn area the trails were starting to show a fair amount of bare areas but most of them you could easily go around. Sunday we took a shorter trip up the Gunflint, thru the Swamper trail and over to the Expressway. Overall we had a great 3 days of riding with temps between +4 to approx +50. Unless the temps stay cool and they get some more snow, I believe the riding is done for this year.  Report by Dave B., Mora, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 20, 2009 We found 4 feet of snow back in the woods and managed to even get a few sleds buried... Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 17, 2009 We started just north of Two Harbors early Sunday morning. We drove to Grand Marais. Once we got past Silver Bay the state trail was good and after Lutsen the trail was excellent. Today, (March.16) we went from Grand Marais to Devil Track Resort. Cruised the lake and than jumped on the expressway back to the state trail. Once we got to Silver Bay the state trail was impassible. We had to stop every chance we got to let the sleds cool down. I can't believe the trail fell a part so quickly. Over all we enjoyed the 200+ mile ride and the best trail conditions were north of Lutsen and close to Devil Track Resort. We stayed in Grand Marais at the Aspen Lodge and saw the most sleds north of Lutsen.  Report by Kyle L., Duluth, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 14, 2009 [ updated March 21, 2009 ] Best time of year for riding is here and my sled is down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe for a week, WTF!! Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 13, 2009 Devil Track to Lutsen, best trail conditions we've experienced this year... Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 10, 2009 3/6/09 Took the North Shore State Trail from Duluth to Two Harbors. It was muddy and sloppy and not worth the trip. 3/7/09 Trailered our sleds up to the parking lot north of Lutsen and rode the North Shore State Trail into Grand Marais, then back up Gun Flint to Trail Center Lodge and took the Expressway back to the parking lot. GREAT snow! Trails were in excellent condition until we reached Trail Center where the trails got choppy. The Expressway was in excellent condition on the way back. We are so glad that we chose to trailer our sleds that far north, as the snow was definitely worth it. This is a beautiful trail. See trailhead options J, K or M for planning this route. Report by Melody M., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Send your report to us!

March 08, 2009 This season's epic ride... Cascade River was untracked going south and north March 6th when we scouted for a weekend ride. Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 07, 2009 In Search of Deep Snow... 3 of us took off from Devil Track Lake @3pm and rode till dark. Two days of sun and 35 plus degrees has settled and softened the snow on area lakes and the off-the-beaten-path waterways. Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 07, 2009 Tofte to State trail on 05/07/09. A little snirt going out in the morning but once on the trail north to Devil Track Lake it was an 8 out of ten coming back took the Caribou to Lutsen and it was OK. Leaving Lutsen south to state trail again OK but when we got to the trail back to Tofte it was not so good, don't know if we will take it tomorrow. We might trailer to do a short ride south on the state trail. See trailhead option O for planning this route. Report by Curly H., Excelsior, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 06, 2009 5 of us rode the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trails yesterday. Instead of riding over from the Devil Track Lake area, we trailered our sleds to Mineral Center. This saved quite a bit of time, so we could hit as many of the loops as possible. Read more and see images... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 04, 2009 Rode on 3-3-2009 Started on Wild Rice Lake. Crossed over Lavaque Rd. and took the Hermantown Trail (196) to Fish Lake. Rode across to the Reservoir Riders Trail (207) and around the North side of Fish Lake. Connected to the Alborn Trail (200) and around into Brookston for Lunch at the Country Corner. Followed Cloquet Trail (238) back to the Reservoir Riders Trail onto Grand Lakes and back across Fish Lake. Rode back down the Hermantown trail and across Wild Rice Lake again to finish 115 Miles (give or take a few miles of horsing around on lakes and in fields.)

Conditions: Mostly in the MN 51 Corridor. All of the lakes had plenty of snow for riding. St. Louis River was also covered and nice to ride on.

Hermantown trail (196) was thin in a few areas and had some bumpy areas. Grooming would fix that. By afternoon on the return, the sun had melted a few of the thin spots to dirt. Most of the trail was still snow covered in good to fair condition.

Alborn trail (200) was groomed and in good condition. There were a few thin spots. Cloquet Trails (238) This trail along Hwy 2 was in good condition. It was rerouted in some areas because of thawing swamps and ice. Reservoir Riders Trail (207) Somewhat bumpy on the north side of Fish Lake along the Cloquet River and groomed to the south from Twig to Fish Lake. There were a few thin spots but the trail was in good condition.

Scenery: Very nice winding trails through wooded areas. Saw a dozen deer or more and 2 coyotes. Ducks were swimming on the Cloquet River, which was all open.

Traffic: We rode by only 6 other riders all day. Report by Vic K., Duluth, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 02, 2009 The Weekend Report This past weekend was the highlight of the snowmobile season in Cook County, Minnesota. Saturday the Cook County Snowmobile Club held it's annual Drag Races and Radar Runs on Poplar Lake in front of Windigo Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. Then, on Sunday the Club held the Annual Trout Derby and Icefishing Contest on Gunflint Lake in front of Gunflint Lodge. Check out the report and images. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT RECOGNIZED ME LAST WEEKEND AND THIS PAST WEEKEND, YOUR COMPLIMENTS ARE GREAT! THANK YOU... Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

March 01, 2009  " Went up to Lutsen Thursday the 26th with a group of eight, the drive up took a while due to the blizzard conditions but sure was pretty, stayed at some private cabins right below Lutsen Mountains. Went for a small ride that night took the Caribou Trail up to the North Shore State Trail then back down the Eagle Trail about 4 inches of fresh snow, trails were awesome next day rode up to Trail Center Lodge off the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System, ate a good lunch there and headed back, saw a decent amount of sleds but wasn't bad, put on about 130 miles. Saturday took the North Shore State Trail south to the Tomahawk Trail and ate at the Trestle Inn - very busy spot, but cool place. Trails were in good condition considering the decent amount of traffic we saw that day. We had to go home Sunday, ended with about 250 miles, had a great time... hope to make it up one more time this year, best trails in the state. "  See trailhead options M or K for planning this route. Report by Tyler S., Excelsior, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 28, 2009  " Jim and I arrived in Silver Bay the evening of the 26th. The morning of the 27th he and I left Silver Bay heading towards Finland via the George's Gorge trail. We took that to Finland and took the North Shore State Trail to Grand Marais and got gas at the Devil Track General Store. From there we went to Trail Center Lodge via the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. From there we rode to the Gunflint Lodge for a hot chocolate. We decided to head towards Grand Portage via the Blueberry Road. That trail was a little bumpy until we hit the Grand Portage Trail System. Our plan was to spend the night in Portage at the Casino. However, we did not have reservations and they were FULL!!! So to downtown Grand Marais we went. 290 miles later we had a room at the Best Western Superior Inn. Saturday we left Grand Marais and went up the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System to the Musquash Trail to the Expressway. We then took the North Shore State Trail to Trestle Inn for lunch. Wanting to put on more miles we took the Tomahawk Trail to the Yukon Trail to the North Shore State Trail and back to Silver Bay. All trails were in great shape except for the Blueberry Road to Grand Portage. In all we put 500.6 miles on in 2 days. " See trailhead option H for planning this route. Report by Scott S., Hastings, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 24, 2009  Feb. 19-22 Circle Tour of the Boundary Waters & Quetico. From Ely, Minnesota to Grand Marais, up the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System, crossing into Ontario at Gunflint Lake, and on to Kashabowie, Atikokan, White Otter Castle and back to Ely. 600 plus miles... Check out the report and images. See trailhead option G for planning this route. Report by Nancy McReady Ely, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 23, 2009  " Myself and four other friends were up this last weekend 2/20 - 2/22, riding Friday and Saturday. The trail conditions were excellent, with plenty of snow even with the snow melt from the rain a few weeks ago. The weather was excellent with the temps in the upper single digits with no wind. We stayed with my grandparents who live on Devil Track Lake. Friday we rode north on the Expressway, having lunch at Trail Center (great food as usual), before continuing north to the end of the trail turning around at the corridor to Sag Lake. We also did a short night ride that night going north on the G-trail and taking the Musquash to the Expressway before heading home. At the end of the day we finished with just over 200 miles.

On Saturday we rode north on the G-Trail to the connecting trail for the Grand Portage Trail System. We rode to the Grand Portage Casino for lunch, before gassing up at the Trading Post and riding some of the trails in the area including Partridge Falls, Chevan's Rd., Teal Lake, Skyline, Rengo Rd, and Moose Ridge. For those who haven't been on the Grand Portage System, they are excellent. Plenty of snow and it seems like they are groomed nightly based on the conditions. Every year we ride them, it seems like we are the only ones there, we did see others but the trails were that good! Highly recommended and a short trip from the Grand Marais System (Approximately 30 miles from where you connect to the casino) We finished the day with approximately 150 miles. Good to see all of the trailers heading north, helping out the local economy. All in all another good weekend up north!  "   See trailhead options; A, B, C, D, F, G or L .  for planning this route. Report by T.J. D., Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 17, 2009  " We were up over the long weekend 2/13-2/16 great snow and pretty good trails. Saw quite a few sleds but it was great to still be able to ride, found accommodations at Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas for 14 in a pinch and at a great price. We traveled the North Shore State Trail from Tofte up to Gunflint and to fire roads, found all trails in at least good shape or better. 300+ miles in 3 days so was a good weekend for such a big group. "   See trailhead options; K, M or O.  for planning this route. Report by Mark P., Centerville, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 16, 2009  " Just returned from a great weekend of riding with two other couples and their families. Started out on the Lutsen system and rode up to Devil Track Resort, then on to the Musquash cut off, back on the Expressway. Some bumps, but as Chad said in the last report, the rain didn't wreck much! The new 5-6 inches or so was very nice! All the trees were covered, and it looked like a winter wonderland. Sunday we went to Trail Center on the Gunflint System, back on the Expressway. Today we went from Lutsen Ski hill down to the Fox trail, then back up to the state trail and back around. Some more bumps today, but with all the people up there this weekend, it was expected. Another inch fresh this am before we left. Looks like next weekend will be better with more new snow in the forecast. "   See trailhead options; C, K or M for planning this route. Report by Jeff H., St. Michael, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

February 12th, 2009  " Departed downtown Grand Marais at day break, rode to Devil Track Lake. After the rain earlier this week trails close to Lake Superior lost the most snow, but are still very rideable. Trails up over the hill from Lake Superior are in very good condition and with the couple inches of fresh snow this morning, it was hard to tell there was a melt. Fresh snow falling today with 5-7 inches forecasted through Friday. Today we're riding about 100 miles to Gunflint Lake and back to Grand Marais. We'll publish our report ASAP so you can plan accordingly. In our opinion; the Upper North Shore snowmobile trails are fine and will be even better with the new snow.

The rest of the report... left Devil Track Lake @10:30am, we headed to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail entrance at the southeast end of lake, AKA 'G Trail.' Traveled on the G Trail to Trail Center Lodge, Poplar Lake, and up to Gunflint Lake. About 2.5 inches of fresh snow fell by 2:30pm up by Gunflint Lake. We noticed the snow off the trail was very soft as was the snow on Poplar Lake and Devil Track Lake. Easy to get stuck if your not paying attention. We're fortunate we had such high snow amounts this year, plenty of snow left for good riding. Snow continued on our way home. Trails were in better shape than most people think. Most of the rain and higher temps was isolated near Lake Superior... as you go inland conditions get better. We advise using some caution and watch for ice patches and flows of ice crossing trails between Poplar Lake going north to Gunflint Lake. We had a great day, little wet and very warm riding... welcome change from sub zero riding. Wear good gear and bring some extra clothes. Top off your coolant. High temps will be in the mid 20s for the weekend. This 4-5 hour day ride for moderate riding and a long day for slower groups or families... Food and fuel available at: Trail Center Lodge on Poplar Lake has full menu and they love Sledders, Gunflint Pines Resort has beer and great pizzas, Gunflint Lodge has a Bistro with full liquor and large menu, both on Gunflint Lake. On the way back down the trail to Grand Marais our tracks were covered by 3-4 inches of snow. Since we took the trail system all the way up, we wanted to try the Pine Mountain Road. Much rougher and ungroomed, stick to the trail unless you really like moguls... watch for the snow bank left by a plow. The Pine Mountain road is plowed for a few miles from the west end, nearest Devil Track Lake. Fresh moose tracks on the trail by the Pine Mountain Road. Stopped @ Devil Track General Store for some fuel and some snacks. After a short break we rode back down the G Trail to the spur into Grand Marais. Long day, few other riders on trails. Loaded our sleds @7:30pm and headed to the Birch Terrace Lounge for some debriefing. "  See trailhead option J  for planning this route. Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

To see more trail reports; go to our archived trail reports.

TRAILHEADS - WHERE TO LAUNCH

OPTION A - South Brule River Trailhead east towards Grand Portage 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, then right / east towards Grand Portage. For dining and lodging go to Grand Marais or up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 would be best. Try this one, one day and the one below the next... Get both maps needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From the parking area to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino about 47 miles one way. Fuel, food and lodging available in Grand Portage.

OPTION B -  South Brule River Trailhead south towards Devil Track Lake 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the Devil Track Lake area via the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail. You can also try the Musquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, which will hit the west end of Devil Track Lake. Devil Track Lodge / The Landing Restaurant has lunch and dinner on the east end of Devil Track Lake. Some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. Or check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. From the parking area to Devil Track Lake about 11 miles one way. Food and lodging available on Devil Track Lake.

OPTION C - Devil Track Lake / Old Cook County Runway Trailhead From downtown Grand Marais find Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 located off of HWY 61 near east end of town next to Chevy dealer. Go 4 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais, turn left / west at County Road 8 / Devil Track Road and go 3.5 miles to Devil Track General Store, then it is only 1/4 mile to Sky Port Lane / Devil Track Lodge sign, turn left here and go 1/4 mile to old runway parking area on right. There are two choices for trail access here. One is lake surface to trail junctions or sled back to Devil Track General Store along roadway to spur trail leading to G Trail. ( You just passed it right before you turned onto Sky Port Lane.)  Access lake surface right next to "The Landing Restaurant" part of Devil Track Resort, there is a beaten trail right down to lake. This trail takes you to a marked lake surface trail junction; you now have two options, west or southeast. Going west across lake 6 miles to Expressway Trail junction, and onto the trails west towards Lutsen via North Shore State Trail or north on Expressway to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System.  If you go left / southeast at this junction, lake surface trail takes you to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. From there you go north to Mid-Gunflint Trail, Musquash Trail, Swamper Trail, Grand Portage Trails or the upper Gunflint System. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Devil Track Lodge / The Landing Restaurant has lunch and dinner on the east end of Devil Track Lake. Some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. Or check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. 

If you go southeast you'll need the; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. From the parking area to Mid-Gunflint Trail / Poplar Lake / Hungry Jack Lake about 25 miles one way. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake.

If you go west you'll need the; Central North Shore Area Map. From the parking area to North Shore State Trail about 8 miles one way. About another 12 miles to downtown Lutsen via Lutsen Access Trail for Food, fuel and lodging. Take Mountain Access off of Lutsen Access Trail to food and lodging on the Lutsen Ski Hill area.

OPTION D - Mineral Center / Grand Portage Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 30 miles to left turn onto County Road 17 then about 5 miles to trailhead on left side of road. Use caution - road is rough, there are large frost heaves, you will go airborne if you drive too fast or don't pay attention. This trailhead is marked "Trail Center," on the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map, we call it "Mineral Center Trailhead" so it is not confused with Trail Center area on the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12. Large parking area and trail signs. I suggest using the trails east / west or north out of parking area. Food, fuel and lodging available in Grand Portage off HWY 61 and near Lake Superior. Outpost Motel is on Hwy 61 and you'll drive right by it 8 miles after Grand Marais at mile marker 118. See all lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From Mineral Center parking to Grand Portage is about 5 miles one way. Another twist to this area is Option L below, starting at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino trailhead and parking. Fuel and food is available in Grand Portage by driving about a mile further on HWY 61 from the Mineral Center Road. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails.

OPTION E - Otter Lake Road Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 18 miles to left turn onto Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16, then 10 miles to unmarked Parking Lot / Trailhead at intersection of Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16 and Otter Lake Road. Large parking area and trail signs, with trails going west towards Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System via Esther Lake Forest Road and east towards Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail System. For dining; the Grand Portage Lodge has good food. For lodging the Grand Portage Lodge / Casino has rooms, or the Outpost Motel is on Hwy 61 and you'll drive right by it 8 miles after Grand Marais at mile marker 118. See all lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map for trails going east from parking. Get map for going west; Gunflint Trail Map. Dining and lodging in Grand Marais. About 20 miles to Grand Portage one way and about 20 miles one way east to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. Closest food and fuel is in Grand Portage.

OPTION F -  South Brule River Trailhead north towards upper Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the "G" Trail south towards Devil Track Lake area, or go north on "G" Trail or Swamper Trail. You can also try the Mushquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, then go north or south. Many choices for dining; south to Devil Track Lake, you can try the Landing Restaurant at Devil Track Lodge, some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. or if you go north you can try Trail Center Lodge, varied hours call 218.388.2214. There is also a Bistro @Gunflint Lodge or Gunflint Pines Resort has a nice burger and pizza type menu. Or check out dining Gunflint Trail. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake.

OPTION G -  Ontario Canada from Gunflint Lake This trip takes some advance planning, but is a great ride. 45 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais. Turn right on South Gunflint Lake Road / County Road 50 and travel one half mile to left turn into Public Water Access. Entrance to Ontario Snowmobile Trail System is half way down lake on north side. Trail takes you to Northern Light Resort,  they have fuel and food and then onto Kashabowie, they also have fuel and food. From there you can stay overnight, travel on to Atikokan or head back to Gunflint Lake. Gunflint Lake to Kashabowie is 63 miles. Kashabowie to Atikokan is 81 miles. Atikokan is a full service town. Special border requirements apply. Check out permit info before riding into Canada, a OFSC trail permit is required. This route is part of the Circle Tour of the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Read story and see images of this incredible snowmobile journey.  You must also possess a RABC Permit to enter Canada remotely, there are no stations on this route to stop and physically check-in at.

OPTION H -  Silver Bay up the shore towards Grand Marais 55 miles up the North Shore Drive from Duluth, on the lakeside a few minutes after Silver Bay, stay / park at Silver Bay AmericInn. Spur Trail right out of parking area to State Trail System. Go east / right onto State Trail System. You'll need two maps you can download from our maps page, the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places on the North Shore; Holiday, SuperAmerica, visitor centers, etc... Silver Bay lodging and dining. This route is about 93 miles one way. Food, fuel and lodging available in the Silver Bay area, Lutsen area or in downtown Grand Marais. If you're looking for a long day ride this is a great route, this is our favorite one. We start in Grand Marais and ride to the AmericInn Silver Bay...they have a pool and waterslide, very nice after a day on the trail. Don't forget the swimsuit!

OPTION I -  Starting in / near Two Harbors 23 miles up the North Shore Drive / HWY 61 from Duluth is Two Harbors. Go through downtown and take left / north turn onto County Road 2, drive north on CR 2 about 8 1/2 miles to parking and State Trail System access or ride the 9.6 mile Two Harbors Corridor Trail, which has a trailhead and parking just east of town on Hwy 61. Trail takes the rider from town to the State Trail. From there you have many trails to choose from. We suggest staying at the Two Harbors AmericInn, they welcome Sledders and have a trail leaving the parking lot to the spur trail and onto the North Shore State Trail System. You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places on the North Shore; Holiday, SuperAmerica, visitor centers, etc... Two Harbors lodging and dining. Food and fuel available in many places in Two Harbors.

OPTION J -  Starting in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota From Duluth travel HWY 61 east 110 miles or from Thunder Bay, Ontario travel HWY 61 70 miles to downtown Grand Marais. The 5.5 mile spur to the North Shore State Trail starts from downtown, head east on your sled to the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 / HWY 61 intersection, 1/3 mile from stop lights. Spur trail is on the east / right hand side of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and goes 5.5 miles north . You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places in Grand Marais; Holiday, SuperAmerica, Grand Marais Visitor Center, etc... Grand Marais is a small town that rolls up the sidewalks pretty early... plan your dinner before 8pm; after 8 we suggest The Birch Terrace across from the Rec. Park off of 7th Ave W and HWY 61, The Birch Terrace Lounge has a late night pizza and full beverage menu... Or the Howl 'N Wolf Saloon and Grill, which you passed on your way into town from Duluth, from downtown it is up the hill a mile and a half on HWY 61 on the left / lake side. The Wolf serves until 10PM! Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going down the shore you'll need: the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System.

OPTION K -  Snowmobile / Ski / Snowboard - Starting from Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill Area This is a great place to stay and play, if some of your party would like to ski or snowboard while others snowmobile. If you are only using the Ski Hill Road area as a trailhead or if you have a large trailer please use the large gravel parking area about a mile and half up the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5, turn right / east after the Mountain Inn. This parking lot fills on weekends. If you only have a small trailer and are staying on the Ski Hill you may be able to park at your lodging establishment. From the parking area or any lodging establishment head south / down the Ski Hill Road to the Mountain Access Spur which will be on the left side of the Ski Hill Road as you go downhill. This spur will take you to the Lutsen Access Spur, which will take you to fuel / food / coffee shop if you go right to Lutsen. Once in Lutsen you can pick-up the Fox Trail from the fuel station. If you go left on the Lutsen Access Spur it will take you to the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail or to the Caribou or Beaver Trails. There are many great places to dine and relax on / near the Lutsen Ski Hill. Papa Charlie's or Moguls Grille and Tap Room in Caribou Highlands Resort are our favorite places to dine and watch live entertainment. Moguls is 1 1/2 miles up the Ski Hill Road on the left / slope side. The Cook County Snowmobile Club map has the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5 mismarked as County Road 36. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails.

OPTION L - Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 31 miles to right turn to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino / Trading Post. Notice fuel is quite a bit cheaper here. Parking and launch is down in the larger back lot of the Lodge / Casino. Trail proceeds north out of the northwest corner of the parking area. Area is under video surveillance. Lodging, food and fuel is available here. The restaurant in the lodge has good food, especially after a day of sledding! See Grand Marais lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. Another twist to this area is Option D above, starting at Mineral Center trailhead and parking, which is about 5 miles one way from the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails.

OPTION M - Cascade River State Park / Cascade Lodge and Deer Trail Trailhead One mile west of Cascade Lodge and in the Cascade River State Park the trailhead accesses the deer trail right out of the parking area. Entrance is between mile marker 98 and 99. Where 61 starts in Duluth is zero. You will see a brown trail access sign from both directions of HWY 61 indicating the Trailhead. As you travel along 61 you'll also see blue address numbers. Address for trailhead is 3871 W HWY 61 Lutsen. There is a spur trail to / from Cascade Lodge to the trailhead and deer trail access, so lodging at Cascade Lodge is very convenient to this trailhead and snowmobile trail system. There is also a restaurant adjacent to Cascade Lodge. If you pass by the trailhead coming from the Duluth direction there is room to turn around at Cascade Lodge and Restaurant. Cascade River State Park is a 1/4 mile further up the shore from Cascade Lodge. Consider stopping at the Park, the Cascade River runs into Lake Superior here and there are hiking and snowshoe trails along the river. See all Lutsen lodging options or Grand Marais lodging options. Get Lutsen Area Snowmobile Trail Map. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails.

OPTION N - Great Icefishing Trailhead - Two Island Lake Trailhead / Expressway Direct Entrance From downtown Grand Marais trailhead is about 13 miles north. Get on Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 on the east side of Grand Marais next to Chevy Dealer. Go 4 miles and turn left at County Road 8 / Devil Track Road and go 6 miles to Ball Club Road / County Road 27. Turn right / north and travel about 3.5 miles to 852 Ball Club Road, turn right / east into trailhead on next road after this blue address sign. First one is the trail itself; you'll bury your rig and look like a fool. See all Grand Marais lodging options. Get map needed for this route; if you're going north you'll need Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going down the shore you'll need: the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails.

OPTION O -  Starting from Tofte, Minnesota This is also great place to stay and ride your snowmobile right out of your lodging. With the close proximity to great restaurants, fuel, and direct trail access via the Tofte Trail, Leveaux Trail, Lynx Trail or Eagle Trail. We recommend AmericInn Tofte or Bluefin Bay Resort in downtown Tofte. Both have spur trails with direct North Shore State Trail access. See all Tofte lodging and dining options. Get map needed for this route; if you're going east / up the shore you'll need Cook County Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going west / down the shore you'll need: the Upper North Shore Map with coverage from Tofte to Beaver Bay. There is also a Beaver Bay to Duluth Map. Good printed map are available at the Tofte Holiday Station Store.

The trailheads and routes above are a selected few of the numerous places you can launch from. Most lodging establishments have a spur trail nearby, where you can pick-up the main trail systems from.

SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEMS

North Shore State Snowmobile Trail
From Duluth to Grand Marais, Minnesota the 153 mile long North Shore State Snowmobile Trail system traverses St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties of Northeastern Minnesota, along the vistas overlooking Lake Superior. The trail system winds its way through forests and nearby Lake Superior scenic overlooks. (Requires MN "State Trail" Snowmobile Permit Sticker, this is an addition to the regular registration.)

More Local North Shore Snowmobile Trails

Duluth Cross Town Trail - West Section 33 miles West area of Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth Cross Town Trail - East Section 12 miles East area of Duluth, Minnesota

Taft Trail North out of Duluth, Minnesota

Pequaywan - Hoyt Lakes Trail 43 miles North out of Duluth, Minnesota

Two Harbors Corridor Trail 12 miles East end of Two Harbors, Minnesota

Gooseberry Spur 14 miles Located at Hwy 61 and Gooseberry State Park

Red Dot Trail 37.5 miles East end of Beaver Bay, Minnesota

Tettegouche Trail 12 miles and Sawtooth Trail 14 miles East of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Moose Walk Trail 20 miles North of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Tomahawk Trail 85.5 miles North of Little Marais, Minnesota

Lutsen Trail System 60 miles Between Tofte, Minnesota and Cascade River State Park

The X Trail North of Cascade River State Park and leads to the Gunflint Trail System

Grand Marais Downtown Spur Trail 5.5 miles

Gunflint 'G Trail' Snowmobile Trail System 125 miles

Grand Portage Trail System Over 100 miles of loops, great scenery and well groomed trails.

Ontario Snowmobile Trails from the Gunflint Trail / Gunflint Lake / Sag Lake area.