So Grant in Aid Trails close April 1st according to the Minnesota DNR. Which trails are Grant in Aid trails?
I noticed that state trails should still be open?
Taconite, Heartland and the Paul Bunyan are state trails correct?
I am looking at riding out of Grand Rapids or that area this weekend... and if the Taconite is still ridable, that would probably be the best bet.
Anyone have any further information on this?
QUOTE(50stang @ Apr 10 2008, 08:31 AM) 
So Grant in Aid Trails close April 1st according to the Minnesota DNR. Which trails are Grant in Aid trails?
I noticed that state trails should still be open?
Taconite, Heartland and the Paul Bunyan are state trails correct?
I am looking at riding out of Grand Rapids or that area this weekend... and if the Taconite is still ridable, that would probably be the best bet.
Anyone have any further information on this?
I noticed that state trails should still be open?
Taconite, Heartland and the Paul Bunyan are state trails correct?
I am looking at riding out of Grand Rapids or that area this weekend... and if the Taconite is still ridable, that would probably be the best bet.
Anyone have any further information on this?
You know, i was looking at the same thing. I reread the DNR page and looked over the maps. From what i can tell, all the trails on that map would close on the 1st. Someone may know more, but i also heard they were soggy even if they were open.
I'm looking at doing the same thing you are, I just havent nailed down where i am staying or headed out from. On the other post, I hear SooLine is ok, and i'm looking for forest maps so i can take a few roads. I'm willing to take anything i can get at this point...
QUOTE(chadlyt @ Apr 10 2008, 08:40 AM)
You know, i was looking at the same thing. I reread the DNR page and looked over the maps. From what i can tell, all the trails on that map would close on the 1st. Someone may know more, but i also heard they were soggy even if they were open.
I'm looking at doing the same thing you are, I just havent nailed down where i am staying or headed out from. On the other post, I hear SooLine is ok, and i'm looking for forest maps so i can take a few roads. I'm willing to take anything i can get at this point...
I'm looking at doing the same thing you are, I just havent nailed down where i am staying or headed out from. On the other post, I hear SooLine is ok, and i'm looking for forest maps so i can take a few roads. I'm willing to take anything i can get at this point...
I called up to the Itasca County DNR. They said technically the Taconite and Soo Line are open. State trails are open, all other trails are closed. He said there will be some water hazards to watch for in the low areas... he didn't recommend trying it, but he said you can if you want.
I also found a Chippewa National Forest site that looks like it has some maps... my computer is loading them as I type this.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/chippewa/maps/
Public land not posted with no gate.....who is to stop u from riding? No one stops anyone from deer hunting or 4 wheeling down these trails.
I agree with MTM. If theres snow then go, no one will say anything unless its a bare dirt trail and your ripping it up. With all the snow we have up here all the trails should be well covered. Just watch for streams that are open!!
There is good snow on the trails, I rode them some on Sunday by Hoyt Lakes, most are used by wheelers so I don't see why April 1 is an issue? There is a lot of slush since the snow sucked up the puddles like a sponge, so the swampy areas are tough going and WET(i got soaked). The unplowed forest roads were a blast and thats what I would recommend, since they are well drained. Maybe some people are lake ridin on Vermilion (water skips), would be a lot of snow for that.
I didn't see any tracks on the Taconite by tower at the hwy 135 crossing by Benchwarmers, but have seen sled tracks by Aurora and the Taconite spur xing in Embarrass/135 (today).
more snow on the way so if you want last ride , it maybe ok, warm temps for next week so this is the end I think. But one never knows in this country.
I didn't see any tracks on the Taconite by tower at the hwy 135 crossing by Benchwarmers, but have seen sled tracks by Aurora and the Taconite spur xing in Embarrass/135 (today).
more snow on the way so if you want last ride , it maybe ok, warm temps for next week so this is the end I think. But one never knows in this country.
QUOTE(IronRangeRider @ Apr 10 2008, 08:20 PM)
more snow on the way so if you want last ride , it maybe ok, warm temps for next week so this is the end I think. But one never knows in this country.
Yeah... it would've been fun to make one last run this weekend. Everyone that was talking about heading up to Remer with me from Fargo backed out tonight.
Maybe we'll get enough snow around Hawley again for one last rip down the ditches...
We talked to the DNR. State owned trails are open if snow is there. They updated site in march with poor snow saying closed due to snow.
Private property trails technically close apr1, and many had signs removed. Yes, theres snow, but I would respect the wishes of private prop owners if signage is down.
Ditches/State prop open. Yeehaw.
Private property trails technically close apr1, and many had signs removed. Yes, theres snow, but I would respect the wishes of private prop owners if signage is down.
Ditches/State prop open. Yeehaw.
We went up riding to ORR the last big storm and my maps from that area say Grant-n-Aid trails close the 15th of april
The DNR had an article about it on April 8th.
QUOTE
Even with heavy snow, DNR reminds snowmobilers most trails closed for season
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds snowmobilers that Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails closed for the season on April 1; riding these trails without the landowner’s permission is trespassing. Also, the state is no longer grooming snowmobile trails.
The DNR urges snowmobilers to use caution when riding on the new snow that fell over the weekend throughout northern Minnesota.
“Many tree limbs have fallen and because of the large amount of snow, trees, branches and other hazards are difficult to see,” said Les Ollila, DNR Northeast Region Trails and Waterways supervisor. “We encourage people to enjoy the snow, but be extra careful.”
For information on snowmobiling, see the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds snowmobilers that Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails closed for the season on April 1; riding these trails without the landowner’s permission is trespassing. Also, the state is no longer grooming snowmobile trails.
The DNR urges snowmobilers to use caution when riding on the new snow that fell over the weekend throughout northern Minnesota.
“Many tree limbs have fallen and because of the large amount of snow, trees, branches and other hazards are difficult to see,” said Les Ollila, DNR Northeast Region Trails and Waterways supervisor. “We encourage people to enjoy the snow, but be extra careful.”
For information on snowmobiling, see the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov.
Also keep in mind some portions of G.I.A. trails cross private property. Many land owners are understanding, but some are "antsy" about anyone on their land after April 1.
Some land owners insist that there be a gate installed to close of their property from the reail route.
So you could go rippin' down the trail only to come upon a closed gate. FYI.
Some land owners insist that there be a gate installed to close of their property from the reail route.
So you could go rippin' down the trail only to come upon a closed gate. FYI.
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