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Trail Report December
31, 2008
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trail reports>Grand Portage Report
Grand Portage
Snowmobile Trails
[ Please send your report to us! ]
Launched from the Grand Portage Casino / Lodge at noon, minus 2°
and sunny... headed to Mineral Center via the Skyline Trail. Hit the
Cowboy Loop first, it was knee deep
powder, not groomed, which was very fun, heck... we rode it
twice. The Partridge Falls and Chevan's Road appeared to be rolled or
dragged, though both were in good shape.
There was a lot of moose tracks on the trails.
Stopped at Partridge Falls, to see the Pigeon River tumbling down.
Attempted to take some pics, but the camera was dead from the sub zero
temps. We usually ride the river west from this area... no
tracks yet venturing upstream and some dark areas, so we stayed off
the river today. Even though these trails were not groomed, only
rolled or dragged, the surface was very smooth with 4 or so inches of
powder on top.
HWY 61 coming into
Grand Portage, Minnesota from west. Trading Post is on the corner of
HWY 61 and main entrance into Lodge and Casino.
Grand Portage Lodge and Casino parking area with direct snowmobile
trail system access.
From Chevan's we headed west on the Rengo Road to the Otter Lake
parking area next to the Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16. The trail
which is actually a road, was like a highway, smooth and unplowed. We
turned back to hit the Mount Sophie Trail. On the Mount Sophie
Trail we stopped at the fire tower, some of us climbed to the top and
tried to take some pics, after my camera was inside my jacket I was
able to snap a few before the batteries died. Figures... From the top
you can see 360° of forest and Lake Superior. The tower is at least
100 feet with a small enclosure on top.
Looking up at the Grand Portage Mt Sophie
Fire Tower
Looking down from half way up
the Grand Portage Mt Sophie
Fire Tower
Looking down from all the way
up the Grand Portage Mt Sophie
Fire Tower
Looking west at Trout and Swamp Lakes from
top of Grand Portage Mt Sophie Fire Tower
The Mount Sophie Trail is a
bit narrower than other trails and was in good shape all the way to
the fire
tower. There is also an old dilapidated cabin at the foot of the
tower. We hung out and even used the cell phone at the top of the
tower, usually there is no cell phone coverage in the Grand Portage
area. As night approached and temps starting to plummet even more we
headed back to the Grand Portage Casino / Lodge parking area. Nice
trails and many options in Grand Portage... and great scenery of
bluffs, water falls and overlooks above Lake Superior. They even have
video surveillance of the Casino / Lodge parking area, so your stuff
is more secure.
Climbing the fire tower
is at your option and your own risk. Your safety cannot be guaranteed.
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The Grand Portage
Snowmobile Trail System is groomed weekly.
See full groomer schedule.
See Option
C for planning this route. Report by
Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com -
Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report
to us!
>snowmobiletrails.com
trail reports>Grand Portage Report
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