Category Archives: North Shore Trail

duluth bed and breakfast firelight inn North Shore Trail

Snowmobile Ride for Firelight Inn Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers

February 25, 2011 – 9:00 pm

Innkeepers of The Firelight Inn hitched up their sleds and drove Scenic Highway 61 to Two Harbors North Shore Trail Parking and ripped up the trails on Thursday! The North Shore Trail was in really good riding condition and there were plenty of snowmobilers enjoying a ride. As we headed up the trail to one of our favorite spots, there was a big sign telling us the Tomahawk Trail was closed for “thin ice”. We took a short detour to arrive at The Trestle Inn for hot chocolate and burgers and fries! They do a great job!

Then it was back to the trail over to our next stop for gas at The Knotted Pine and another cup of hot chocolate. The sun had gone down and it was only about 10 degrees. Back on the sleds and the 50 mile ride down the trail to the parking lot was straight, fast and cold!

The snowmobile odometer said 154 miles ridden for the day–a great day to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together. We chat on our helmet communicators while we ride pointing out wildlife and approaching sleds. The only wildlife we saw was a little bunny who made it across the trail ahead of us!

Joy and Jim Fischer, Innkeepers/Owners
The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek Duluth Bed and Breakfast

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duluth bed and breakfast firelight inn North Shore Trail snowmobile

Firelight Inn Innkeepers Hit North Shore Snowmobile Trail

January 13, 2011 – 2:05 pm

Innkeepers of The Firelight Inn Duluth MN Bed and Breakfast took a break from innkeeping on Wednesday afternoon and rode their snowmobiles on the North Shore Trail. It only took about fifteen minutes to get to the parking lot on the Martin Road and another fifteen minutes to get the snowmobiles off the trailer and on to the freshly groomed trail.

We headed North on the trail towards Two Harbors for about 18 miles and then turned on the Pequayan Trail towards one of our favorite stops–The Pequayan Inn. About half way there the snow laden evergreen trees looked like they had been frosted by a professional baker!

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of hot chocolate, burgers and fries and Jim had the opportunity to chat with some fellow riders from the Twin Cities who needed directions. They chatted about the trails, where they all grew up and Jim had an opportunity to talk about The Firelight Inn.

We headed back down the trail and we encountered a dog musher and his team who were practicing for the upcoming John Beargrease Sled Dog race. He waved us by and we slowly passed the dog team admiring their focus and determination. Oh how I wish my camera would have taken that shot!

As the afternoon slipped away and beginning of darkness appeared we saw bunnies crossing the trail as if they were being chased! We didn’t slow down to wait for their predator! The ride back was awesome and through Jim’s communication helmet he could hear Joy exclaiming “Wee, wee, wee” all the way home!

It’s a wonderful time of the year–the “quiet season” to enjoy Duluth and The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek. Bring your snowmobiles and we’ll go for a ride together!

Joy and Jim Fischer, Innkeepers/Owners
The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek
“Let the warmth of the firelight surround you!”

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duluth bed and breakfast North Shore Trail

Innkeepers of Duluth Firelight Inn Bed and Breakfast Enjoy a Snowmobile Ride on the North Shore Trail

February 12, 2010 – 4:30 am

What an awesome day to ride 140 miles on the North Shore Snowmobile Trail today! Jim and I left the The Firelight Inn Duluth bed and breakfast about 1:00 p.m. this afternoon and drove to the parking lot outside of Two Harbors to access the North Shore Trail. The amount of snow up north is incredible and the trail was nicely groomed and we rode smooth and fast!

There were quite a few sleds out on the trails today and a lot of groups of snowmobilers enjoying the winter wonderland. The amount of snow in the forest is overwhelming and as we rode the trail, the huge pine trees appeared to be match sticks with clumps of marshmallows and marshmallow cream poured over them. As we winded along the trail, the snow in places was as high as the seat on my sled and the trees are so heavy laden with snow everywhere. We drove up to the Trestle Inn for a delicious burger and hot chocolate and gas (for 4 bucks a gallon!!!).

The trail from the Trestle Inn to The Knotted Pine was a bit like a washboard and hopefully it will get groomed for the many sledders that will be out over the long romantic weekend. After a fill of gas, we headed down the Yukon Trail 55 miles back to the Two Harbors parking lot. It was again a fast ride watching the sun go down and the stars appear in the sky! As I rode behind Jim’s sled I could see the snow shine like little bits of diamonds in my headlights. It was so beautiful and I felt so thankful we had the day off together!

Now back to work for us at our Duluth MN bed and breakfast. Our historic inn is full of guests arriving for romantic Valentine’s Day getaways and long weekend getaways for President’s Day on Monday. Next week we hope to ride the Willard Munger Trail by Spirit Mountain down to Hinckley and back. We’ll let you know how that goes and we hope to see you at our Minnesota historic inn on your next trip to Duluth, Minnesota.

Joy and Jim Fischer, Innkeepers/Owners
The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek
Celebrating 100 years of history in 2010

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duluth bed and breakfast North Shore Trail

Plan your next weekend getaway in Duluth Minnesota at The Firelight Inn Bed and Breakfast

January 23, 2010 – 1:00 am

A Duluth Minnesota weekend getaway enjoying luxurious accommodations, delightful food and unsurpassed hospitality is just what we deliver at The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek Bed and Breakfast.

This coming weekend, January 29, 2010, in Duluth is the beginning of the historic 390 mile Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. The Beargrease is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states and a prequalifying race to the Iditarod. International mushers and their teams embrace the rugged terrain and “the elements” of Minnesota’s North Shore trail from Duluth to the Canadian Border and then back to Duluth.

On Saturday, January 30th Fitger’s hosts the John Beargrease Cutest Puppy Contest. Puppies 4 to 9 months old and their owners register the morning of the event at Fitger’s Brewery Complex. Puppies and owners receive numbers and are seated. Then individuals vote for the cutest puppy and prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The admission is free and it promises to be a good time for all!

For more information on the race start, opening ceremonies, and the finish check out www.beargrease.com. checkpoints which are Two Harbors, Beaver Bay, Finland, Tofte, Sawbill, Devil Track, the Gunflint Trail and Billy’s for the finish

Make your reservation at The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek and enjoy all the attractions in Duluth and the events of the 27th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

If you have read this blog and are planning to be in Duluth January 29th and 30th, make your reservation at The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek and we will include with your weekend stay, chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your suite! Mention the “firelight blog special” when making your reservations on the telephone or in the special needs section of the online reservation form. We hope to see you on your next trip to Duluth!

Joy and Jim Fischer, Innkeepers/Owners
The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek
Celebrating 100 years of history in 2010
“Let the warmth of the firelight surround you!”

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North Shore Trail

The beautiful north woods

January 22, 2009 – 7:05 pm


There is deer feeding outside the kitchen window at The Firelight Inn in Duluth today. We had a day to enjoy snowmobiling yesterday, Wednesday, January 21st. We headed out around 1 p.m. from the parking lot in Two Harbors on the North Shore Trail. The trail was for the most part in great condition for snowmobiling. There was just one little spot that had seen far too much traffic and not enough of the groomer. After taking a side trail, that had just been groomed and was like riding on air, we arrived in Tofte to get more gas. We then headed back on the North Shore Trail to the Trestle Inn. After enjoying some delicious hot chocolate, chicken sandwich and fries and headed up the Tomahawk Trail to Isabella in the now dark forest! We met another groomer who refused to budge even a little to the side so we buried our sleds to get out of the way for the groomer. After much digging and pulling, we managed to get the sleds back on the trail again and enjoyed riding in the beautiful snow laden forest after dark. Only one deer silently applauded our efforts as we rode the trail. After another gas stop, we headed down the Yukon Trail which was very well groomed and fast. We arrived back at the parking area about 9:30 p.m. after about 175 miles of riding. It was a great trip although a little long and today we can really feel it! Midweek is a great time to enjoy the snowmobile trails in Northern Minnesota. We have a parking spot for your snowmobiles at The Firelight Inn and we have a great January second night half off special. Plan your next getaway now!

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