Get ting Loopy NearM i lleL a c s
Get ting Loopy NearM i lleL a c s
This shelter and gathering point is found within the Red Top looped trail system .
S . N . O . WFest in Wahkon always brings out interesting sleds .
Mugg ’ s is owned by the sled-loving Dubbs brothers and is the site of several snowmobiling events every year , including the big S . N . O . W . Fest every December . It features a big vintage sled display , a fundraising auction for local clubs , showing of snowmobile films and much more . Mugg ’ s also has great food – from the walleye to the chicken Philly to their “ third-best chili in town ,” we ’ ve tried most of their menu .
After lunch , it ’ s back to the Soo line for a three-mile blast northeast toward Isle . Then the day ’ s next big decision must be made when you see the huge yellow pole building with a massive printed trail map on its side . That building is the HQ and groomer barn for the Mille Lacs Drift Skippers club , which expertly oversees 106 miles of local trails .
The options : ( 1 ) Hang a right and drop south on the snaky trails 31 & 2 for the long way to the Red Top trails ; ( 2 ) Continue straight a bit farther ahead , then take a left for access to the fun ditch trail that follows the eastern shore of Mille Lacs Lake ; or ( 3 ) Continue straight on the Soo Line for the most direct route to those famous Red Top trails and eventually the McGrath area .
Our modus operandi : We indirectly choose “ all of the above .”
Running To The Red Top
We usually start by dropping south on Trail 31 . After leaving Isle and passing by a school , the trail becomes wide and quick with sweeping turns between tall , mixed timber . There are a few off-kilter corners and one surprising spot through a swamp where we always seem to bottom the suspension hard ( will we ever learn ?!). Locals call this section of 31 the “ Dew Drop Inn Trail ” after a dearly departed pitstop .
Trail 31 will continue south all the way back to Ogilvie and beyond , but we go left at the intersection of Trail 2 , which at first hooks to the north and then crosses Highway 47 before taking riders weaving through more frozen tamarack swamps and open land .
About seven miles later , that trail meets the spiderweb of trails that together are considered the Red Top Loop . The Red Top is a twisting , turning knot of about 22 miles of bendy trails that , depending on how you count it , includes at least five loops .
Riding Red Top is tremendous fun – we ’ ll ride all of the trails once and then often do it again before moving on . In fact , Red Top trails are a year-round attraction that also draw ATV riders in the spring , summer and fall . Within the compact Red Top area there are trail shelters , bathrooms , an overlook and really fun riding . Caution is advised , though : The little sub-trails intersect often and not always when all riders are expecting to potentially cross paths with other riders .
When we ’ ve had enough of the Red Top trails , it ’ s back to the Soo Line and time for another decision .
Option 1 could involve another quick blast east on the Soo that ’ ll lead to the tiny town of McGrath ( population : 43 ), home of the small , eclectic and snowmobile friendly Pour Lewey ’ s pitstop .
Leaving McGrath to the north on Trail 31 ( this stretch is known by locals as the M & M trail because it connects McGrath to McGregor ) takes riders on a scenic weaving path through more interesting tamarack swamps , some agricultural land and between tall pine tree along the edges of the Solana State Forest . Along the way is another great pitstop : Jack ’ s Shack along Highway 65 , regionally famous for its broasted chicken . There are then a couple of different looping trails that can then take riders west again toward Mille Lacs .
Backing up two paragraphs , though , the other option coming out of the Red Top is to take the Soo Line back to Isle , and then head north on Trail 163 that follows Highway 47 paralleling the east side of Mille Lacs Lake .
Trail 163 features traditional ditch riding , but we really enjoy this split trail – with northbound traffic on the east side of the road and southbound on the west side . You get occasional views of the famous walleye-infested lake , there ’ s a raised overlook on the lake to visit , and a couple more interesting snowmobiler- and fisherperson-friendly pitstops in case you have not yet had lunch – including Nitti ’ s Hunters Point Resort about half way up the lake and Castaways closer to Malmo .
Speaking of Malmo , that ’ s where the trail leaves Highway 47 behind – crossing the road , ducking behind a gas station and eventually leading riders above the north shore of Mille Lacs .
Over The Top
After an initial run through some trees and campgrounds , the trail closest to the north side of the 132,000-acre Mille Lacs Lake starts with some long , straight stretches that allow riders to make quick time and play with their throttles .
About eight miles later , though , the trail plunges riders into the 15,000-acre Wealthwood State Forest , where the path narrows and then twists and turns over rolling hills between the timber . There are a few lowland stretches that can be particularly wet during early- or late-season , but otherwise
30 / JANUARY 2025 / SNOWGOER . COM