County roads north of Cass Lake

[Shorelunch]

Heading to Baudette but am going up 371 through Walker and Cass Lake this time. Instead of going west of Hwy 2 to Bemidji and up 71, I was thinking of taking County 33 N to Cty 12 E to Cty 39 N which comes out in Blackduck. How are these roads? Any construction? Thanks for the info!

[Chris Haley]

Shorelunch

Unless you had planned on hitting the Palace Casino on the way, you are better off going east on 2 out of cass lake until you hit the Scenic Highway. That is your 39 north, I believe that it starts out as 10 and becomes 39 though. The road is a beautiful drive, hence the name. Otherwise you are going west to 33, north, and then east again to 39. You won't make any better time over the Bemidji route because of the curves, but a nice drive anyway.

[Chris Haley]

Unless you have reasons to go through Walker and Cass Lake I would consider 10 out of St Cloud to Motley, then 64 through Akeley and north to Hwy 200. You are then only 20 miles from Bemidji. This is a much faster route than the 371 route since you don't have many opportunities to pass between St Cloud and Walker. I can make the Bemidji to St Cloud trip in a little over two hours with that route.

[LABS4ME]

64 is closed to construction at the Nevis turn. You then have to go into Nevis (5 miles?) then back on 9 the same distance to Akley then on to Walker...

The scenic (39) going from Hwy 2 to Blackduck is probably your best bet if in Cass Lake.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Shorelunch]

Normally we go through Bemidji or sometimes Deer River to get to Baudette. We have some errands in Walker and Cass Lake, hence the stops.

So it's about a wash taking 10/39 or going back through Bemidji and up? I haven't been on 39, but it sounds like a nice drive. If you get behind a motor home, etc, are there areas to pass on 39 or is it a pretty slow go up to Blackduck?

Thanks again.