Eveleth Trailhawks President Carl Burt may not be the first snowmobiler to ride the final link of the Hawk’s Trail when it opens this winter – but he’s darn well going to try.

“I think it’s very possible,” he says of his chances to make first tracks on the project he’s helped spearhead for many years.

“We’re the gateway to the North,” Burt says of riding in the Iron Range town of Eveleth. This new stretch of trail will expand the community’s reach to the south: it already goes north and east.

The Hawk’s Trail, which links Duluth to Eveleth, has been in the works for 20 years. The club is on the final 4-mile stretch this summer, and Burt has been a part of the process starting with the planning, all the way down to ridding the section of about 1,000 stumps. It hasn’t been a cheap 4 miles, either. The railroad underpass alone was to the tune of about $60,000 — that’s in addition to a $250,000 bridge over the St. Louis River.

When completed, this section will loosely follow the east side Highway 53 into town, starting at the Highway 37 junction. Just south of this section, the trail goes through virgin woods.

Eveleth sits along the eastern edge of the Mesabi iron ore range, along with the towns of Virginia, Gilbert, Biwabik, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes. Snowmobile trails follow this narrow line of geology, and the mining history is clearly evident.

“We’re mines and pines,” Burt says. “We’ve got a lot of trail that go through old logging roads, which go by small lakes and Norway pine plantations. It’s beautiful area all around here and you don’t have to go far to enjoy it all.” Wildlife spottings could include moose, deer, rabbits and the occasional wolf.

From the 22-foot-high, 240-ton “King of the Lode” mining truck overlooking Virginia to the deep pit mines, it’s hard to avoid the story of iron ore. Thanks to the pit mining techniques, and the resulting piles of mined-out rock, this landscape can appear almost mountainous.

There’s a real vista view where riders can see the sites of several mining facilities, says Duane Rudolph, trail director for the Hoyt Lakes-based Ranger’s Snowmobile & ATV Club. Between Biwabik and Aurora, the trail goes behind an old mine pit and around mine dumps. Also along the trail near Biwabik: a 1940s-era Embarrass River diversion channel.

In more recent history, the Ranger’s club is one of the few in the state that embraces both snowmobiles and ATVs, including a network of all-season motorized trails in Gilbert.

Riding north from either Virginia or Aurora, snowmobilers will connect to the Taconite State Trail, a premier state trail. “If you use us for a home base, one day you can go to the North Shore Trail, and another day up to the Taconite,” Rudolph says. His personal preference is to load up the saddlebags and head out a day’s worth of distance, such as Crane Lake or Silver Bay, and overnight.

Services — food, fuel and lodging — in this area are easy to find, and often have trails groomed to the businesses.

Then there’s the friendly side of this area. TeamFAST owner and snowmobile blogger David Karpik gives personal answers to those who ask for his advice. Rudolph and his club welcome all trail users: snowmobiles, ATV, horseback riders and any other recreationist. Burt is happy to show off his trails to anyone who calls.

“If someone wants to get a hold of us, we’ll gladly take them around,” he says. “We like to host anyone.”

Just don’t beat Burt to the newest section of trail.

Sidebar 1:
Show Your Card

These companies are MnUSA supporters. The * indicates it offers a discount to MnUSA members.

See the MnUSA Business Supporters pages in this issue for a complete list of association supporters and member discounts. For current offers, go to

www.mnsnowmobiler.org.

Eat

Eveleth:

K&B Drive-Inn

Margies Roosevelt Bar

Sleeves Sportsman’s Bar

Timber’s Edge

Virginia:

Popper’s Bar.

Sleep

Biwabik:

The Lodge and Villas at Giant’s Ridge

Eveleth:

Super 8 Motel

Virginia:

AmericInn

Lakeshor Motor Inn*

Fun

Virginia:

Iron Range Tourism Bureau*

Rapids Rental

Virginia*

Sidebar 2:

Eastern Iron Range At A Glance

Location: Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, Biwabik, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes

Miles of Snowmobile Trail: About 80 miles connecting the communities but with access to larger networks in all directions.

Don’t Miss: The new log trail shelter on Hawk’s Trail; David Karpik’s snowmobile blog at dave.ironrange.org; scenic crossings over the St. Louis River south of Eveleth and Hoyt Lakes

Rentals: Fun Time Rental, Biwabik; Rapids Rental, Virginia

Snowmobile dealerships: Five Seasons Sports Center, Eveleth (Polaris, Yamaha)

Area Clubs: Eveleth Trailhawks Snowmobile Club, Ranger Snowmobile & ATV Club (Hoyt Lakes); Mesabi Sno Voyageurs (Virginia)

Events: Hawk’s Trail grand opening celebration, Fall 2010, Eveleth; Puck Days, March 2011, Eveleth; Hillcross races, April, Biwabik

For information and trail conditions: www.ironrange.org/; www.dnr.state.mn.us/current_conditions/, http://sites.google.com/site/trailhawksnow/

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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.

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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.

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Much thanks to Justin Carasquillo for the photos, too!

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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