Great Escapes Winter 2023 | Page 46

91 WINTER 2023 VOL . 04 / ISSUE 02 SNOWGOER . COM
92 the massive Lake Vermilion – the fifth biggest of Minnesota 13,000-plus lakes , measuring 39,271 acres . The miles put on were easy thanks to the well-placed stakes , which in turn led us back to our starting point at Fortune Bay .
Keep Communities That Care Alive
We left the Iron Range region feeling
overwhelmed by the hospitality displayed
by everyone throughout our entire
stay – from the general manager of
the Grand Lodge , all the way to the buffet
chef at Fortune Bay . It ’ s easy to see why
people would begin a family in this area ,
even when faced with the uncertainty of
finding suitable career prospects .
Whether or not the mining industry
soon opted to ride through the Lost Lake
plistic single gas pump out front offering
when you ’ re coming in cold and hungry .
will adapt to regulations , or regulations
swamp to the intersection with the local
fuel and a wide-open lot for scores of
Leaving the lodge , we returned on the
will adapt to economic inputs is akin to
trail spur to the town of Cook .
groups to lineup .
Orr / Buyck / Crane Lake trail to the Ar-
predicting the weather ; everyone has
From there we turned north to continue
One interesting amenity not often
rowhead for a couple miles , then took an
their own opinion of which way they
on the Arrowhead for 18 miles through
seen , but certainly appreciated given
unmarked trail to an unplowed Elbow
would like the wind to blow .
many ridges , some smaller swamps and
the limited capacity of the pump , was
Lake Road that offered public access at
However , no matter the opinion you
logging routes and wound up at the inter-
the willingness of the owners to reset
Elbow Lake .
choose , everyone can pull for small
section with the Orr / Buyck / Crane Lake
the pump and trust riders to accurately
Despite the unseasonably warm tem-
towns like Tower and Ely to survive – be
trail , on which we rode another 12 miles
report how much fuel they would need
peratures , there was enough powder to
it in Minnesota , Montana or Maine . The
or so to Echo Lake before finally arriving
to pay for ( which was then added to the
allow us to wind and weave playfully
next time you ’ re considering a destina-
at the Trail ’ s End Resort for lunch .
lunch tab ). The offering of trust made the
along the shorelines , which eventually
tion adventure during a snowy winter ,
The lodge offered a perfect stop for any
gas up a five-minute ordeal for the group ,
led us to a portage to Susan Lake , then
consider setting your course toward
snowmobiling adventure , with a sim-
not 25 – and that ’ s always a good thing
another to Black Lake , and then finally
Northern Minnesota .