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Question for the Red Lake veterans


luv2fish

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I have been up the last 2 years and rented from Hillmans. Both times we went up, snow was not really an issue. This summer I purchased a wheelhouse. All I could think about was heading up to Red and spending multiple weekends up there. My wife has even said that she would like to try it once. Fast forward to now, and all the snow. I am worried about what to expect, and how travel will work. Can anyone give me an idea of what I can expect? I expect roads to be plowed, but how hard is it to get your house off the road and to a spot to fish. I read this forum alot and per the advice from Jon and Kelly, I really want to try to get away from the crowds. Is there a way to pay the plow drivers to plow a side road to use? Any feedback would be appreciated, cause weather permitting I have my wife conviced to go on a trip with me Dec 28th - 31st. And I want to be ready for anything, and want her to really enjoy it so we more more family trips.

Thanks all!!!

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Get chains, a shovel and you can always ask the plow guy.. We have had them help us out from time to time but they are real busy keeping the roads open so don't expect them to say yes.

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All of the plow drivers on Hillman's will punch side roads in when ever they are caught up plowing the main road. Nobody likes a crowd.

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Thanks for the info all, makes me feel better coming up there. I will be watching this forumn close after christmas, hopefully the ice will be in shape to bring my wheelhouse out.

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The key to traveling around on Red with healthy snowfall is the chains for the truck. (like mentioned earlier in the post)

A few years back there was quite a bit of snow on the lake from Jan. on and the chains on the truck enabled us to go away from the crowds. The farther the better by the way! Keep in mind that if your wheelhouse does not follow the truck tires, you may want to unhook from the house and bust a trail to where you want to go before dragging the house with. Alot of times there is a crust below any recent snowfallsnowfalls that needs to be busted through before pulling anything. Breaking through that crust with the house behind is a killer which leads to alot of shoveling and alot of swearing!!!!!

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Ditto the chains. Previous post about busting a trail first is a great idea. (I never thought about the wheel spread.) A tow strap and scoop shovel should always be with you. I always find a spot I can drop my house early in the season and leave it there if I keep catching fish. I like to bring a portable and use my wheel house as a sleeper. If you really want to catch fish on Red you have to move a lot. I have had a few "adventures" over the years. Usually once the snow gets deep the wind gets to be a problem. It'll bury narrow roads fast. It'll keep snow shallow in some areas with drifts in others. Drifts are hard to see on cloudy days. Once the snow gets deeper then your ground clearance, even chains won't help. Keep an ear to the weather and don't plan on a tight schedule. If you need help, the road plow guys will always be there for you. You might have to wait a bit is all. Some of this is common sense but always be prepared to stay out there longer then you think. Never leave your house or try to move in a whiteout. My "adventures" were generally my fault. I didn't pay attention to weather forecasts and got stuck in storms. No real harm done. Just played havoc with my schedule. I might be saying things here everybody knows. I didn't when I first started out. I learned everything through experience. You will have a blast.

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Some good advice. Few years ago I went up on a Friday night late and followed other truck tracks. The drifts were hard to see and I went thru the crust and got stuck. The next day tried to drive out with no success. Even put chains on all 4 wheels but still hung up Disconnected the wheel house and still had to put planks under the PU. Finally shoveled etc and got out but could not pull the house out also. I used a come-along to hook to the house and was able to pull it forward enough to get out. Bare ice was only 20 feet in front of the house. The come-along worked great for moving a short distance. Have since added a 20 ft chain instead of a tow strap which has too much give for use with the come-along. Now my additional items are Come-along, chains all 4 tires, tow chain, 4 ft planks and blocking wood. Might start bringing a hydraulic jack as it would be easier than the PU jack which was a real pain. Oh also a couple of shovels. With this snow I think I will be more prepared than ever.

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Another hint. When you park the wheelhouse's ALWAYS have the hitch pointed towards the main road. It is 10 times easier for the V-Plows to plow straight to your hitch rather then have to circle around to get to the hitch. If it has flooded it is real hard for the V-Plows to work in a curve.

Also try to stay 150 feet or so off from the roads so that if a storm blows up the drift caused by the house does not form over the road.

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