Hwy 61 detour
just in time for the busy Labor Day weekend...

MNDOT got the bridge removed and the road is now open! YAYAY!

Wow thanks for the heads up! Terrible timing.

This will be a royal pain in the butt; on a busy weekend no less.

That is a major detour. About 20 miles of dirt road with no short cuts. Very nice drive on a good note.

Found this map.

I can't imagine this detour route staying as planned, but one never knows.

I've traveled the Cramer road many time when I worked for the Tofte Ranger District, while being stationed at the Isabella work center.
County 7 makes the Cramer road look like a 4 lane hwy.
It is a beautiful drive, but I always thought the Cramer road reminded me of small mountain roads I travelled in USFS lands out west.
Curvy, one lane at times, gravel, hilly and it dodges a few nice sized rocks on top.
I cannot fathom sending (anything besides logging tucks) over that ridge with any frequency that would be involved on Labor day Weekend.
I know its only MN, but they do not call it the Sawtooth Range without a reason.

I haven't driven it in 15 years maybe they changed it since then.

Enjoy the detour by stopping in the Trestle Inn. Great burgers, better atmosphere. Cash only though.

yeah just a bump in the road.....slow down and enjoy the scenery

quote Minnesotian: "
Enjoy the detour by stopping in the Trestle Inn. Great burgers, better atmosphere. Cash only though. "

2nd the Trestle Inn,
That's where the Tofte fire crew and the Isabella fire crew would go, and get together.

Trestle Inn

In late winter I saw deer on that bridge a few times. I wonder what struck it to do that much damage? Maybe a crane truck or something really high. Bad news for travelers, businesses and residents.

The detour will not take you by the trestle, it is about 8 or 10 miles farther up county rd 7 past county rd 8 turn off. How ever if you do go to the trestle if you take the "600 road" back to the shore you won't have to double back. I am sure the folks at the trestle will give you directions. It is worth the stop. The food can be hit or miss these days.

quote ellahallely: "The detour will not take you by the trestle, it is about 8 or 10 miles farther up county rd 7 past county rd 8 turn off.
"

Oh, yep, you're right.

Well, still worth a stop in.

MNDOT is saying noon today (Friday) which would be nice.

Is the Trestle Inn the place that has a lot of different burger options?

I don't recall the Trestle Inn having a huge variety of burgers, but its a destination for sure!

This route is going to be HORRIBLE for traffic. Hopefully they meet their noon deadline.

61 opened

quote PaddlinMadeline: "Is the Trestle Inn the place that has a lot of different burger options?"

You are more probably thinking of My Sister's Place in Grand Marais.

quote Zulu: "In late winter I saw deer on that bridge a few times. I wonder what struck it to do that much damage? Maybe a crane truck or something really high. Bad news for travelers, businesses and residents."

Yep, excavator.

kudos to MNDOT for making quick work of it before the holiday.

quote flopnfolds: "I don't recall the Trestle Inn having a huge variety of burgers, but its a destination for sure!


This route is going to be HORRIBLE for traffic. Hopefully they meet their noon deadline. "

We went to the Trestle on Sunday, after exiting at Sawbill. I had the Locomotive Burger - a brat patty with kraut, mushrooms, and swiss cheese - and it was awesomely delicious! So, yeah, they have a few burger options.

quote PaddlinMadeline: "Is the Trestle Inn the place that has a lot of different burger options?"

yes the trestle is an oasis in the woods,

quote PaddlinMadeline: "Is the Trestle Inn the place that has a lot of different burger options?"

They have around 10 different burgers and some are unique like fsupp's Locomotive burger. I always get the Junction Burger there. It's a bacon cheeseburger w/ fried egg on top. Delicious!!!!! I can only remember 1 other place that I've eaten at that had a burger w/ fried egg.

We eat there anytime we are in the area. It's my 2nd favorite place to eat anywhere the world, right behind The Trail Center.

The Trestle was not only my favorite place, it was my second home for many years. My very good friends Lee and Kurt Schumacher (father and son) built from an old railroad trestle they found in the woods, about 10 miles from its location. They cut the trestle up pulled it out of the woods and built what is the Trestle today. They owned the Crooked lake resort which located on the lake next to the Trestle inn.

Lee and Kurt both passed on and recently. The Trestle Inn has been run by many different people over the years. After Lee and Kurt died I don't spend much time there. It will never be the same for me. If you have never been there you should stop in the craftsmanship is something to see.