Advice Needed from Manitoba Experts

[Swiss Sledder]

Trying to map a route from Winnipeg, specifically the Birds Hill area, out to Brandon by trail. Can you make it? My map is from the 2003-2004 season and it is not clear if you can ride by trail all the way. It looks like you can go from the north side up to Selkirk, then to Petersfiled, west to Gunton, south to Stonewall, west to Portage la Prairie, then to the eastern edge of Sprucewoods Provincial Park. The trails don't appear to connect. Is there a connecting trail or do you have to run the ditches?

Wondering if you make it from the south end of Winnipeg too. It looks like you have to travel south all the way to Morris before you can head west. Is there a short cut?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Smokey]

Sorry I have never been that way. The only map I have is eastern Manitoba. Log into the Snoman site for Manitoba and ask. I'm sure you could also get them to send you an up to date map.

http://www.snoman.mb.ca/

 

[stumper]

You can head west through Starbuck and Elm Creek, so you don't have to go as far south as Morris. Once you get to St. Claude, you can go further south into the Pembina Valley or head north then west towards Brandon. I haven't been that far west, and it looks a little confusing on the Snoman map, but it's possible. As Smokey states, the Snoman site is a good resource. Look me up; I'm in Domain.

 

[Reaper]

You can head west through Starbuck and Elm Creek, so you don't have to go as far south as Morris. Once you get to St. Claude, you can go further south into the Pembina Valley or head north then west towards Brandon. I haven't been that far west, and it looks a little confusing on the Snoman map, but it's possible. As Smokey states, the Snoman site is a good resource. Look me up; I'm in Domain.

I think that the above is the only good way, once I ditch banged down trans-canada highway all the way to portage then picked up the trail at the Manitoba Inn. It was a sketchy ride and the trail was poorly marked and we got lost several times but evntually made it to Brandon.

 

[lakercr]

Trying to map a route from Winnipeg, specifically the Birds Hill area, out to Brandon by trail. Can you make it? My map is from the 2003-2004 season and it is not clear if you can ride by trail all the way. It looks like you can go from the north side up to Selkirk, then to Petersfiled, west to Gunton, south to Stonewall, west to Portage la Prairie, then to the eastern edge of Sprucewoods Provincial Park. The trails don't appear to connect. Is there a connecting trail or do you have to run the ditches?

Wondering if you make it from the south end of Winnipeg too. It looks like you have to travel south all the way to Morris before you can head west. Is there a short cut?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hey Matt,

Not sure how much I can help you on this one. Brandon is west of Winnipeg, and I do all of my riding in the east. I think the best bet is to contact Snoman directly and tell them what you're trying to do. You could also try sending Turk a message - he can probably help you with routes as you get closer to Brandon.

Are you in town right now?

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Hi Jim,

Yep, will be in Winnipeg on Sunday and riding with Bver Fever. We would like to ride out to Brandon on a bagger trip during the week. I have PM'ed Turk and quite a few others to see what route makes the most sense. I will take yours and the other's advice to contact Snoman.

If you have time to ride next week, drop Bver Fever a PM as he is planning the route. I know we are headed into Ontario Sunday & Monday, back into Winnipeg Tuesday night. Then gonna try to ride out to Brandon on Wednesday.

 

[Turk]

Get to Glenboro down along hiway #2. Nice ride to Brandon from there. I ride north of Brandon all the time because the snow & terrain is nicer but there is no real trails connecting the east. I am not overly familiar with the trails in the southern manitoba area but I do know that glenboro connects to Brandon with only about 4-5 miles of ditch riding.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Thanks Turk! On my 2003-2004 Snoman map, there are no trails in Glenboro. It looks like it would be better to trailer from Winnipeg over to Carberry in the morning and leave the rig there. Ride from Carberry up to Dauphin, spend the night, ride back to Carberry the next day. Sound reasonable?

 

[Turk]

You can,t get to Dauphin from carberry unless you go way around via Roblin & that will be probably a 300ish mile day at least & a lot of the trail that way is mediocrish. Carberry to Riding mountain park area is killer & Elkorn resort is a great place to stay. I have a cabin up there & can take you out for some great back country powder riding. Real nice country up there with miles of powder & big hills & valleys. Need a guide or someone who knows the area cus it is easy to get lost.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

300 miles in a day is our normal run rate. This isn't that big a deal riding the trails on the east side of Manitoba. Did this last year with Bver Fever, Impalapower, and Big Guy. We went from Beusejour, down to South Junction, over to Falcon Lake, and back to Beausejour. Left hotel at 10:30 and were back at 21:00. We stopped for lunch and dinner. When the trails are great, 300 miles isn't that bad.

OK on Carberry to Dauphin. What about leaving from Brandon and heading north on a big loop, spending the night, and riding back to Brandon the following day. What route would you suggest and where to spend the night? If you are around, we would love to have you join us.

 

[Turk]

I am going to Dauphin right now on biz & will check trail conditions & get back to you.

 

[Wilson]

This is not a good year for that ride as there is very little snow west of Portage .Normally you would go west o2 hyw 2 there is a groomed trail
then go up to portage and down hyw 1 I think the trail runs north of the hyw. I am just going by memory now as I am in Mexico . If you are not going in the next week or so I doubt there will be any snow left . But then you never know in Manitoba we could get four feet tomorrow .

 

[Turk]

Snowing right now & more coming for the next 4 days. Here is a potential ride. Leave Brandon & go north & west to Oakburn. Then either go east to clear Lake for some great powder riding(we got lots) or go west & north to Madge Lake. Manitoba trail passes are good in Saskathewan. Grooming around dauphin is very sporadic & is hit & miss. Good trails anyway you go & snow is pretty good. Toss some dates at me.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Thanks Wilson, I hope you are enjoying Mexico whilst it continues to snow in Manitoba.

Turk, thanks for the feedback. Probably best if Bver Fever chimes in as he is doing the planning.

 

[Reaper]

I can ride later in the week, can we hook up Friday my friend ?

Blizzard warning for Winniped and east, should get another dump of snow. Looking real good for your ride !