Midwest Bronco Bros & Sis

UPDATE:

Photos and video below

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Successfully scouted 198 miles of USFS Roads
11 hours of driving over 2 days
Backtracked 7 times
2.5 hours stuck in mud
Route adjustments made on the Gaia link

If you are looking for a good back road leaf peeping trip, this one is for you. Follow the route and watch for moose and grouse!

I recommend stopping by a USFS location and getting a Toimi/Isabella map that covers the majority of this area.

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Would anyone from Minnesota or Wisconsin be interested in helping me scout out an overlanding route from Melrude (off highway 53 north of Duluth) to Grand Marais? This is an alternative route from the proposed Border to Border Touring Route, which IMO is just dirt road driving. I’m hesitant to do this solo so let me know if you’re interested in coming along.

My goal is to minimize pavement miles, maximizing mud and ruts, check out primitive campsites and do a little exploring.

This is easily a 2 day drive with over 200 miles of forestry roads I’d like to investigate. The final route should be around 150 miles. It could be a good route for us to use in the future for meetups and group rides once we figure it out.

Updates:
Scheduled for Sept. 24-25
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/group-events/northeast-minnesota-overland-scout-route.39/

Link to current route:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/57QncdGU2qKM3ntwyD56wkNW

That sounds awesome! Wish i could help but i wont have time until october =/

@Julz670

@Julz670 That may work for me if I no one else is interested in going earlier than that

@MrBud

@MrBud i'll hit you up in late sept if i dont see that you've gone already, sounds like a fun trip!

@Julz670

@Julz670 first and last weekends of October are open for me

@Tdub0527

@Tdub0527 I saw your post in this group about doing some casual off roading. Are interested in coming along on this ride in October?

@MrBud

@MrBud I am interested! I’ve gotten slammed with work recently and haven’t had a chance to take a good look at this yet. Let me browse it over this weekend. Sounds like a 2-3 day trip with primitive camping. Did I interpret that right?

@Tdub0527

@Tdub0527 I think the full route itself could be done in 2 days. Probably safe to leave an extra day for hanging out in Grand Marais and driving home.

We cross Highway 1 about halfway through if anyone wants to jump in there on the second day or leave early.

@MrBud

@MrBud I'm interested in anything being planned

I’m still working out the final route but I know a good portion of the “roads” on this trip will look a lot like this.

@MrBud

@MrBud gonna be slow going but that looks like a blast!

@Julz670

@Julz670 @MrBud That looks awesome!

@Tdub0527

@Tdub0527 @Julz670

Here’s the full route if you want to take a closer look:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/57QncdGU2qKM3ntwyD56wkNW

@ramiref

@ramiref interested in joining us for this ride in October?

@MrBud

@MrBud I would have you know closer to the time but definitely interested in it.

Also interested once the date is firmed up! Possibly planning a weekend in/near Duluth in the fall so could meet up for one or part of the day if it falls at the same time.

I’m looking into scheduling this for Friday afternoon to Sunday, September 23-25 or just Saturday and Sunday depending on availability.

Let me know if you can make that work so we can lock it in.

I wouldn't be able to make it Friday Sept 23, but I could maybe meet up on Saturday and ride along through Sunday. Otherwise, I could for sure do Sept 30-Oct 2, or really any Fri-Sun in October. If others are available Sept 23-25, don't hold up any plans for me, I'm sure there will be other meet-ups

@Julz670

@Julz670 I’ll update the event if there’s no other interest on starting Friday

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/group-events/northeast-minnesota-overland-scout-route.39/

I’m locking in the dates for September 24-25

Plan on provisions for one night at a rustic camp (RTT or ground tent, food, water, etc.)

I have a couple of extra GMRS radios available for the trip. We’re going to be on CH 16 if you are bringing your own.

@dejones64

Sounds great! Count me in!
@dejones64 have you seen this? Interested?

@Julz670

@Julz670 Ok yea, it's on my calendar. So far I have that weekend free. Ground tent since I don't have my rtt yet. Cool thanks.

Hit a deer tonight... Can't imagine it'll will be fixed by then. Runs fine, just ugly, and the drivers door won't open. Dammit...

@dejones64

@dejones64 oh man, sorry that happened! That sucks

Thanks. Yea so frustrating. Can’t imagine parts are readily available, sucks I’ll probably miss the outing in a few weeks. O

@dejones64

@dejones64 sorry to hear about your Bronco. I was really looking forward to seeing yours there, it’s almost exactly what I wanted if i had been bumped to a 2022 model.

Let us know how it goes, interested in hearing how available parts are. Also hoping for a speedy repair!

@dejones64

@dejones64 how are repairs going?

@MrBud

@MrBud Estimate from auto body place $10K. Parts are ordered and waiting for the fender. Luckily it's still drivable. I put in a diy headlight (fog light) to get by, and put on ditch lights and other lights on the bumper to light up the night.

@MrBud

@MrBud Sorry I haven't gotten back to you and this group, I've been crazy busy! This trip sounds like a lot of fun and I would love to go. I am going to use the weekend to head to Michigan to see the Gophers play Michigan State. I'm trying to visit every B1G stadium and this is a good chance to cross this one off the list. Would love to hear about the trip when you all are done with it. Good luck!

@Tdub0527

@Tdub0527 Go Gophers!

Have fun this weekend! Share some picture when you guys return.

Photos and video are up.. we’re going to be doing this one again for sure!

@dejones64

@dejones64 I also removed the crazy muddy section from the revised route. If anyone wants to go beat the crap out of their Bronco just let me know so I can point them in that direction.

@MrBud

@MrBud link or what kind of portable winch?

@dejones64

@dejones64 Badlands 5500 on a hitch mount… worked like a charm. Had to size down a little to fit it under the spare tire.

That looks like a blast! Glad you had a good time. Also sorry I couldn’t make it.

I'm interested

We've got a place in Tofte. Any portions of your run near Tofte you'd recommend for just a day trip? 1-2hr ride?

@wsteward

@wsteward that’s the best area! From there you have good access to the Timber Frear loop (FR 348) and Pancore Lake (FR 338) which was my favorite part of the trip. DM me if you want me to send you a route from Tofte to Grand Marais.

Midwest Bronco Bros & Sis

MrBud

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