Archive for the 'Trail Conditions' Category

March 10th, 2010 Update

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 10, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Riding is now limited though for us die-hards we have two choices. Run the lakes, rivers, etc. north of the Iron Range with limited trail times between them… Crane, Namakan, Kabetogama, etc.  Or the Vermilion waters skips… Or.

Head just north of Two Harbors, take the North-shore trail to the Tomahawk trail, to the Yukon trail and circle back to Two Harbors for an approximate 150 mile run. There are various smaller trails to explore off these trails as well. Fuel can be had at the Tressel Inn, the Knotted Pine, and in Finland area.

Then after you’re done riding head to the Iron Range for dining and entertainment. This Saturday we have PUCK Days downtown Eveleth during the day with an Antique, Vintage and Exotic snowmobile show on the main street. Headlining the show will be the BOSS CAT III (just confirmed yesterday) on of Arctic cat’s three speed machine of the early 70’s- truly a one-of-a-kind snowmobile.

PUCK DAYS March 13, 2010- Eveleth, MN

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 8, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Many of us have not had our fill of winter or the extraordinary machines that helped create a great winter recreation or as one might look at it… a vacation all winter long.

PUCK Days, March 12-13, 2010 downtown Eveleth, MN. Come enjoy watching or participating in a parade of Antique, Vintage and Unique snowmobiles. Word has it one the legendary “BOSS Cats” from the 70’s will be here.  Shown here is the BOSS Cat II driven by Dale Cormican and Charlie Lofton… two Arctic cat’s heroes from the late 60’s and early 70’s.BOSS CAT II

Photos from the Iron Range trails

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 4, 2010
in Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobling and Trail Conditions
. 0 Comments

Here are some of the photos taken as part of the photoshoot of the trails here on the Iron Range.  There are a few of me and the Blade snowmobile….other photos include photos of the rest of the group. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

Much thanks to Justin Carasquillo for the photos, too!

Riding on the Trails near Giants Ridge
Taking a breakOn the Iron Range trailsBlade SnowmobileIron Range SnowmobilingEveleth Super 8 - loacted on the trail systemRelaxing after a day on Iron Range trails

March 1st Report

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 1, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

Sad news is on the way fellow sledders… a heat wave of high 30’s low 40’s could eat away at the snow cover.

On Friday/Saturday the trails north of Virginia, just north by 1/2 mile were excellent all the way up to Lake Vermilion.  There was some spots of grass and dirt showing here and there but by and large it was excellent.

The ride started in Eveleth, up to the Virginia Spur, north on the Kinney Spur, then east on the Taconite, and then north on Wolf Track (this section was where the snow cover was limited in the heavily pined area (trees were holding the heat obviously) and then north on the Arrowhead.   Did a little lake riding after that.  For all the sledders that were out (MN USA Ride, United Way Ride, etc.) I saw very little actual traffic on the trails.

Not sure how long the trails will hold at this point but if you have a chance to break away from work- do so.   I am quite certain you can stay anywhere on the Range and ride or trailer to the nearest trail-head and you will be amply rewarded with great riding, great fun, great food, and great weather (maybe too great).

I plan to be out doing some video work this week so I’ll touch back in a couple days and let you know the condition.

Ride, ride, ride… before its too late.

regards,
David K.
BLADE Snowmobiles

Mid-February Report

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on February 13, 2010
in Grooming Reports, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 7 Comments

Just a little update… we were out doing some filming yesterday in the area (hope to have some shots later to post) and the conditions were excellent. We started out 5:30 AM to get in position for a sunrise shot (it felt like -40 at that time- though it was actually -2 so we quickly got over it) and from there it warmed up nicely. A gorgeous day, great trails, great riders, and almost no traffic- we owned the trails. We finished the shooting sitting around a campfire in front of the Super 8’s old antique sauna (just off Hwy53 in Eveleth) and then over to Goodfellas for a well deserved meal and a wrapped up meeting of the days events and shots. Everyone had a blast… the weather was great, trails were awesome, the sleds all performed just the way you want them to…. a little taste of utopia I guess.

So lets get out and ride fellow sledders, and if you’re from out of the area please contact us and we’ll help guide you to your own winter experience.

Ride safe, ride right (to the right)
David K.
BLADE Snowmobiles

Late January Report… Yeahooo

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on January 26, 2010
in Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

It is January 26th fellow sledders… and a fresh load of nice thick snow has blanketed the Iron Range. Depending on where you stand/ride we received 5-6-7- even 10″ of wonderful snow so sledding is on as we’re now in full swing. Rest assured our groomers have taken to “ALL” the trails and they’ll smooth a path for you like no other.

We’re also in that time of year where daylight keeps gaining ground and the temps become more and more manageable so come visit us… ride, dine, dance… and laugh… we’ll be waiting.

Ride safe, ride right (to the right side of the trail)
Regards,
David K.
BLADE Snowmobiles

Mid January Reporting

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on January 15, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

We had a few guests from southern Minnesota and Indiana just recently so we took them out last night and made a 110 mile loop… starting in Eveleth, over to Aurora, and over the top to Bimbo’s for pizza on Side lake (North of Chisholm) and back to Eveleth. I must say our trail-makers (groomers) have got it down pat. The trails were excellent, yes there was still some shallow areas here/there… but for 95% of the time it was great riding.

Get out and ride fellow sledders don’t let this winter slip away.

Ride safe, ride right (to the right side)
David K.
BLADE snowmobiles

PS. The guys from Indiana had such a blast last night they’re staying over for the weekend and putting on more miles.

Its 2010 Sledders…

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on January 3, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions, Uncategorized and Video Podcast
. 2 Comments

Just the other day on 12/31/09 my oldest daughter (11)  tipped me off on a Dahlai moment… his words were … “if you have a problem and know there is a solution- why worry, and if you have a problem and know there is no solution- why worry”.  I think I am going to take her advice and run with that one as a resolution for 2010… kids ehh.

With the Dahlai moment in mind we have been wishing for more snow to get things rolling… well that didn’t stop me this weekend- its was cold, and snow conditions varied but the groomers were out doing what they can to make it better for all of us.  Granted some trails could have more snow to work with but the trails are ridable and if you start here on the Range you can ride in any direction as far as you like.  Ok there’s a bump, lump, slump here or there but modern marvels take care of most of these little disorders.

Ride safe…ride right (to the right)

Come snowmobile the Iron Range and take in our hospitality,

Happy New Year

David K.

BLADE Snowmobiles

Kick-start of the season

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on December 14, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

The frigid temps are doing the lakes and rivers well with the limited snowfall- this is a good head start to the forthcoming snow.  Lacking good riding conditions my kids and I did the next best thing- spectating at the season Sno-X opener at Duluth’s Spirit Mountain Ski resort this last weekend. This professional Sno-X opener was suppose to run Thanksgiving weekend but we all know how fluke-y warm November was.

The sleds were flyin’ high all weekend and its simply amazing how these young racers can whip these snowmobiles around literally in mid-air… they make it look so easy… at least to start out but you can really see how brutal it is as the race wears on.

For those of you that are fans of the big GREEN machine… well, you came out on top in both the Pro-Stock and Pro-Mod classes. Looks like they may be hard to beat once again.

As for the trail conditions around here… some sledders are riding a bit further north on the smaller lakes and such but it is limited.  Our own test riding is also very limited.  We’ll need another good 6-10″ snowfall before things open up.

So in the meantime… participate by attending a race and watching your favorite brand compete in the sno-x, x-country, oval, ice lemans circuits near you.  Or, kick-back and enjoy your favorite snowmobiling DVD.  Ohh yeah, get your sled prepped now if it is not- act, don’t wait and re-act to Mother-nature.

PS. I had the pleasure of meeting Nick Keller, at the Spirit Mountain race, a fellow sledder that is going to attempt to break the world record by putting on over 12,000 miles in 60 consecutive days- all in the name of fighting cancer.  He’ll be doing this by running the trail systems of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.  Nick has his own story to tell here so take some time and visit www.Snowballcancer.org.

Ride right (to the right), ride safe,

David Karpik

BLADE Snowmobiles

1st weekend of deer hunting behind us now, so…

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on November 8, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling and Trail Conditions
. 8 Comments

…so lets start preparing for an action packed season of snowmobiling.  As a teaser we’ve had snow and lost it several times now though fully expected that this time of year…  unfortunately we don’t seem to have winter 7 months out of the year here though I am thankful signs of greater precipitation are on the way.

In my last note to you I mentioned about “Guide” services coming on line this season…  I am getting more and more enthused about this service as the ground works being laid so you’ll be able to navigate on this site and book your good times ahead.  That said we will need a little more prep time before launch so please bear with us for bit longer.  Just an FYI, it looks like we’ll be able to lock in a full-day, extended days, and even over-night if needed.   With over 2000 miles of groomed trails just in St Louis County we”ll need more than a few days to cover just a portion or two..

So, again… lets move out of the reactionary mode and get our equipment prepped and ready to roll… and plan some long weekends trips up north.

See you soon,

David Karpik,

BLADE snowmobiles