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Trails to your liking
The rocky, rolling topography of the North Shore is a thing of beauty for sledders. It gives avariety to the ride that is tough to duplicate. Around one corner, you’re whipping through a frozen swamp, the next, you’re hauling up a steep incline and down the other side of rocky crag, and then to a throttle squeeze down a railroad grade. You never quite know what lies ahead, which is part of charm of these trails.
There’s plenty to see between trail stops, as it’s a pretty good distance between most of them. Distance here between towns is a little greater than most Midwest trail riders are used to. It’s not uncommon to have 40 or more miles between available pit stops, so fill up that gas tank when the opportunity presents itself.
The long distances between towns is not lost on the local clubs and organizations who maintain the trails. You’ll find shelter buildings frequently along your ride. These stout buildings are well equipped for a night out in the woods if needed. Some offer wood-burning fireplaces, a supply of dry wood, and a few even offer grills (gas or charcoal) and a protected bonfire ring if you prefer to dine trailside.
The trail-accessible mini cabins are maintained by the clubs. You’ll usually find a map on the wall and a few more for you to take in exchange for a small donation to the club. We stopped at the John Allen Brandt Memorial Shelter overlooking state forest land to the west and Lake Superior off in the distance to the east.