So where to start with this, all the information I have is a little outdated now because of the recent/current snowfalling throughout the state but I'll give my opinion anyway.
Rode 422 miles saturday from Zimmerman to Ash River.
Trails from Zimmerman to Ogilvie fair condition, flat could use the snow they are recieving for sure though
Ogilvie to Isle good condition, little bumpy coming through wooded areas but that'll happen with ppl on and off the throttle so much, so to be expected
Soo Line, fantastic flat as a highway really can make time on this trail
Mcgrath to Floodwood good condition once again any railroad grade is flat as it can be, use em if youre not looking for the scenic route, trails were a little bumpier then from Ogilvie to Isle but not surprising considering snow volume is higher through this area leading to more rider traffic. Most riders of any segment of the trip seen in this segment (5).
Floodwood to Hibbing, very quick, easy riding, Hwy 2 railroad grade flat, trail along powerpoles flat, some crossings a little tight but plenty of room for one way traffic
Hibbing to Chisholm I know its not that long a ride through here but still, pretty decent riding
Chisholm to Cook, Pretty beat in some areas Taconite was great, made it easy on a tiring body, Wolf Track trail was pretty decent, better than expected.
Cook to Vermillion, Arrowhead through here was probably the roughest riding of the whole trip and thats not saying it was terrible it had its moments though, could definatly tell this trail has seen traffic recently but still its been worse in the past and could definatly have been worse then.
Vermillion to Crane, Always like this ride from a little before Vermillion all the way to the Crane turn off, up and down and good scenery, but thats not what youre interested in hearing the conditions of, the trail was pretty good better once you hit the turn off , must have been a club or something in Orr recently.
Crane to the Ash river by Lake was as expected flat, pretty hardpacked but that will change with new snow and colder consistent temps as will all this info, the snow is going to help all these trails out most of them were groomed but who knows how long ago there just hasent been any traffic on anything for the most part. I could tell in a few spots that I was for sure one of the first five sleds in either direction since the last grooming. The trails are ready and with the snow its only going to get better. As anyone would expect snow level increased with northerly latitude and I don't expect that to change and trail marking and maintainance was most definatly better the further north I went. Not to bash any trails but we all know where the best ones to ride are.
Hope this helps get ya off the couch and out riding cause everyone else is thinkin everyone else is out there riding too. Theres plenty of trail for all of us. Wish I would have remembered to take some helpful pictures but when you forget the cam what can you do but say "Next time".
