Fundraising is especially important for the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club this year. With state Grant In Aid funding cut nearly in half, new sources of money are necessary to help the club groom 125 miles of snowmobile trails. One of the organization’s favorite fundraisers is the annual Trout Derby, scheduled for Feb. 28 at Gunflint Lake. Coinciding with the Trail’s Winter Tracks, the Derby is a great way to have fun with friends and neighbors, enjoy a barbeque and perhaps win a prize for catching a fish.

Snowmobile Events

Saturday, January 30

Drag race at Devil Track Lake Sign up at 11 a.m. Racing starts at noon. Antique Snowmobile Display – bring your Vintage Sled.

Sunday, January 31

Ride to Moguls in Lutsen for lunch. Leave Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m.

Saturday, February 6

Fun Run Casino Night - Proceeds to the Club! Poker Run. Start from Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m. for first card, then to Trail Center, Windigo, and Hungry Jack. Have lunch where you choose and get last card at The Landing by 5 p.m. Casino night at The Landing with card games, food and drink specials, prizes and entertainment. Money raised goes to the Club!

Saturday, February 13

Drag race at Windigo on Poplar Lake. Sign up at 11 a.m., racing starts at noon.

Saturday, February 14

Valentine’s Day Riders Choice. Meet at General Store at 10 a.m.

Sunday, February 21

Poker Run. Start from Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m. for the first card, then to Trail Center, Windigo and Hungry Jack. Get last card by 2 p.m. Entry fee and prize for highest and lowest hand.

Saturday, February 27

Fishcakes at Carbine’s on McFarland Lake. Leave Devil Track General Store at 9 a.m.

Sunday, February 28

Annual Trout Derby Picnic and fishing contest. Door prizes to be given away. Gunflint Lake boat access. Bring along your Vintage Snowmobile for display.

Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7

Overnight ride to Grand Portage Lodge. Start from Devil Track General Store at 9 a.m.

Years ago, the club would meet on Gunflint Lake for a different reason—it was the starting point for an organized snowmobile ride along the border lakes to Ely, passing through what is now a nonmotorized portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The club was started in 1961, long before wilderness regulations were in place.

The club operates three Tucker Snowcat groomers and, in good snow conditions, grooms Cook County trails two or three times per week. Three paid groomer operators work eight to 10 hours per day on the trails and maintain the equipment. Due to rugged terrain, trail grooming in Cook County isn’t easy. The club is contracted by the DNR to groom trails and is paid based on the mileage they maintain.

The club has about 200 members including families. Not all members reside in Cook County; some own cabins and recreate here.

”People belong, because they like to snowmobile and be outdoors, and to be involved and help maintain the snowmobile system,” says club member Shele Toftey.  “It’s a great family activity with all the different things going on.”

The club organizes rides throughout the winter. See the sidebar for a schedule of events. For information about the club, go to www.boreal.org/RidgeRiders/