Im wondering if any lakes around brainerd is safe to zip my sled across? there has been some reports of trucks still crossing lakes. 2 weeks ago i fished on gilbert lake, and almost bottomed out the auger. Ice seemed alot thicker this year. I'm sure all lakes will be slushy under the fresh snow we got.

I'm speaking particularly of n long since thats my main lake to cross to get to places.

Hi Sam,
While I don't have personal experience on N.Long, there have been ATV's, and an occasional pickup out fishing near the Merrifield end of the bay where most people fish.
My neighbor says there's about 3 ft. of ice. He runs his King Quad wheeler out there from shore.

BUT, I was gone the last 3 days, got back yesterday afternoon. I don't think lake conditions could have changed much before the snow, can't say for sure right now with this dumping.
My GUESS would be your long track would make it through... question is, how much water may/may not be on top the ice. (under the snow)

I'd be tempted to run down the "Bunyan" but would hate to get stuck, with lack of strength on my 'bum' arm.

Rode n long, its fine, but a little bumpy and slippery especially for an long track! Lesson learned today!!! do not go fast like 70 mph crossing the wind on the lake! it was white out, and it started to feel funny in the back, like it was sliding, could not tell, thought it was just because i cant see anything. but no i was wrong, a gust of wind and next thing i know the sled is completely side ways at 70 mph on the side, i let it go, looked like it flipped over, i was expecting to get wet in slush, but no it was fine. Got up and ran to the sled and headed out at an lower speed, and still felt the rear skidding. what an experience! lol rode 100 miles today, bunyan is completely covered with trees in most areas. so i rode ditches most of the day. excellent snow! lots of drifts! going to ride again tomorrow.

Roger, go ride, its pretty packed now, you will be fine.

I thought I heard a sled on the lake mid/late morning. Must have been you. I was having bad luck at moving snow around here. Lawn tractor w/blower got stuck, it's useless in this deep heavy stuff.
Snow on shed roof slid off making nice 4 ft. high pile of hard pack across the rear door, so I couldn't get the ATV out w/o hand shoveling.
Finally called a neighbor who had a JD2520 "landscape" kinda tractor. Had him rough out a couple paths. Finally got the wheeler out, and pushed some piles. What a mess!

But this moisture will certainly help lake level.
Sorry to hear about your experience on the lake. Hope the sled wasn't damaged. Also gotta remember big ice chunks hiding under the snow, leftover from fish houses. People have hit them before out there. Not pretty.

just don't step in any holes lol... I think you could say we got the sleds washed off.. good riding today. I like EFI when it is this warm out, no worries. lots of power,no bogging, the 1000 cc engines have lots of torque when the snow is wet and heavy!!

haha yea, that was a suprise when we both fell in an old ice hole at almost the same time haha, good thing it wasnt really cold outside otherwise our feet would be freezing the whole day!

The ditches was a blast to ride in on our way to gilbert! My sled almost was standing up right in the water on gilbert! i was like whoa on the first one! lol But yea that was a fun day! On my way back i decided to take the ditch on that road i took after we greeted eachother away. well i skidded into the tree line, and tried to get out and a thick branch went into my face cut up my nose pretty well. that really hurt! blood! lol

So far now i have almost 1100 miles on the M1000.

Oh also good thing we have reverse too! got us out of some tight areas.

cat had riders like us in mind when they built these 1,000's.. lol

so far how many miles on your sled? still on orginal belt?

I've got just over 2500 miles on it now and replaced the original belt at 2000 miles!! awsome sled, no problems.just gas oil and go!! I'm glad I bought it,well worth the $$$.

as you know these 1,000's are a blast to ride and show off