Riding in powder on Two Island Lake Grand Marais Snowmobiling

Trail Report January 18, 2009
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Two Island Lake / Expressway Trail Area
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Lakes of powder and icefishing and warm temps

We launched from the Two Island Lake Trailhead in the late afternoon, thirteen miles from downtown Grand Marais. Bright sunshine, calm, about 22 above... a heat wave compared to last week. This is a great area to launch an icefishing excursion. We talked to three parties at the trailhead; one group was trying to head back to Grand Marais and had no clue where they were, we headed 'em in the correct direction. The other two were anglers coming in and packing up their gear, they indicated that fishing was best during the first half of day. Both parties caught many lake trout, but had to work for 'em. Both were fishing Kemo Lake. All indicated great trail conditions, really good times and they didn't want to head home. I think they wondered how we were just heading out on a Sunday afternoon.

Two Island, East Twin, West Twin, Kemo, Pine (known as "Trestle Pine" by Locals to differentiate from other Pine lakes in Cook County) and Talus Lake, to name most, are very accessible from this trailhead.

From the trailhead we headed out on the Expressway Trail and onto the surface of Two Island Lake, no tracks except for a small trail that ran from the entrance to a icefishing house on the far end of the lake.

The angle of the sunshine exposed the textures of the snow, including drifts and wet areas.

We stopped for a break; soaked with sweat from throwing the snowmobile around, the lake was silent and we seemed so isolated from the world, it felt nice, especially after a day in the office.

It was snowing with no visible clouds in the sky, small snowflakes were coming down and landing on my seat. It was so nice to be back out on the lake and not freeze our asses off.

After our break we found more crotch deep powder on Two Island Lake in the back bays and deep powder drifts along the islands to launch off of. We took turns carving tight circles in the snow; the sled pinned, tipped to the side, the sun making the shooting snow sparkle like a million diamonds and the sound of high revving 2 stroke bouncing off the trees... priceless.

A bright orange sunset and snowflakes falling from clear sky was a great ending to our day. I made a impromptu loading ramp with my Boss plow and drove our sleds into the backs of our trucks.

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Resources for planning snowmobile / icefishing trip to the Two Island Lake Trailhead / Expressway Trail and the surrounding lakes;

The Expressway Trail is groomed on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Mushquash Trail is groomed on Mondays. See full groomer schedule.

Expressway Trail takes off right from the parking area and goes south about 4 miles to Devil Track Lake, or 7 miles to the North Shore State Trail. If you go north on the Expressway Trail it will take you through the many lakes and onto to the Mid Gunflint Trail area known as "Mid Trail," about 16 miles through the Superior National Forest. Trail Center Lodge on Poplar Lake has great food, lodging and fuel... and they love snowmobilers! Hungry Jack Lodge has lodging and fuel also, but no food this winter after a fire last spring burned the lodge to the ground.

Nearest lodging and restaurant to trailhead is Devil Track Resort

Nearest fuel to the trailhead is Lake Wind General Store on Devil Track Road / County Road 8 ] you'll go right by it about 4 miles after you get on Devil Track Road / County Road 8.