Minnesota Trails Summer 2018

A Go-To Destination

Interstate State Park

Therapy on Wheels

Minnesota

TRAILS T h e P a r k s & Tr a i l s J o u r n a l

w w w . M n Tr a i l s . c o m

Summer 2018

60 40 Bike Trails

Tr ai Pa l Bu ge ild 5 er

Top Bike Rides

522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378

The Best Trails in Minnesota Aren’t Paved

A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S

www.MnTrails.com Minnesota Trails Staff Jan Lasar Editor/Publisher Joyce Frericks Accounting Brian Dingmann Page Layout & Design Amanda Thooft Graphic Artist

Editorial Board Brett Feldman Executive Director Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Adventure Cycle & Ski

507-452-4228 www.advcycle.com 178 Center St, Winona, MN 55987

Boehm’s Cycle

651-644-4990 www.boehmscycle.com 1592 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

Central Lakes Cycle

218-739-5651 www.centrallakescycle.com 2010 Hwy. 210 E, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Downtown Bicycles

507-786-9191 www.downtownbicyclesllc.com (MZMWMSR 7X 7 2SVXL½IPH 12

Gateway Cycle

651-777-0188 www.gatewaycycle.com 6028 Hwy. 36 Blvd. N, Oakdale, MN 55128

Jake’s Bikes

320-219-7433 www.jakesbikes.com 611 3rd Avenue E, Alexandria, MN 56308

Maple Grove Cycling

763-420-8878 www.maplegrovecycling.com 13950 Grove Dr., Maple Grove, MN 55311

Vol. 23, No. 2 May 2018

Northern Cycle (2 locations)

218-732-5971 www.northerncyclemn.com Bemidji/Park Rapids

OneTen Cycles

Minnesota Trails magazine is a continuation of Minnesota Bike Trails & Rides, published quarterly in cooperation with the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that acquires, protects and enhances critical lands for public enjoyment. Your $35 membership subscription supports this work.

Minnesota Trails is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials and reserves the right to reject unsuitable advertising. Information in this publication is as accurate as possible.

Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not of Minnesota Trails.

651-454-2066 www.onetencycles.com 1040 Dakota Dr., Mendota Heights, MN 55120

Penn Cycle (7 locations)

612-866-7540 www.penncycle.com 4IRR %ZI 7 6MGL½IPH 12

Ramsey Bicycle

763-323-6666 www.ramseybicycle.com 6825 Hwy. 10, Ramsey, MN 55303

Revolution Cycle and Ski

320-251-2453 www.revolutioncycleandski.com 160 29th Ave. S, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Rochester Cycling

507-289-7410 [[[ G]GPMRK ½XRIWW GSQ 1211 7th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Rydjor Bike Shop

507-433-7571 www.rydjor.com 219 N Main St., Austin, MN 55912

Continuing the

Straight River Sports

507-451-1666 www.straightriversports.com 222 Bridge Street, Owatonna, MN 55060

Visit your Authorized Trek Bike Retailer Today 2 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

Index Features

Columns

Departments

9

4

Minnesota Miles

6

Parks and Trails Council

5

Letter from the Executive Director

8

Trails Q&A

A Go-to-Destination Ben Owens

10 Like Therapy on Wheels Lee Bloomquist

12 Interstate State Park

Jan Lasar

Brett Feldman

Photo contest and trail user study People we meet on the trail

13 Bike Ride Guide

Bike events June-October

Rudi Hargesheimer

Cover photo:

A summer ride on the Hardwood Creek Trail in Forest Lake.

Jan Lasar photo

19 Bike Trails Guide Maps and information

46 MN Trails Map

The State at a Glance

47 Business Directory Find your Trail Partners

Index photo:

Below the First Falls at Gooseberry State Park.

Brian Dingmann photo

Thank yous!

Find us on:

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 3

STATE PARK CONNECTIONS

Lake Itasca State Park and Buffalo River According to a 2017 Minnesota Miles but they want to grow.

One of the oldest State Park near Moorhead.

Parks and Trails Council trail When it comes to connecting state authorized state trails, the user count, Minnesota nonCasey Jones Trail, offers a six- parks, one is in a league of its own. The motorized trail users traveled a mile paved loop through the Gitchi Gami State Trail on Minnesota’s combined 5.8 million miles by prairie between Currie, MN North Shore is done in short and sweet bike and on foot last year. (See and Lake Shetek State Park, sections totaling 30 miles right now, but Counting Trail Users Again... but will one day make a much one day it will be a continuous 89 miles Even Better on page 7) larger connection between Blue long and link Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock That’s an amazing amount Mounds and Split Rock Creek Lighthouse, Tettegouche, George Crosby of miles considering the study State Park and beyond for a Manitou, Temperance River and Cascade ZDV GRQH RQ RQO\ À YH RI RXU River State Parks like pearls on a string. total of 120 miles. many, many trails.

Jan Lasar Trails Editor/Publisher Trail organizations and Friends The Great River Ridge We love them because State Trail in southeastern Groups are working hard to make trails they are all about connections beyond just going from A to B. They Minnesota’s bluff country, in contrast, happen. One project that, oddly enough, connect us to our health, our friends, is nearly complete at 13 miles and joins does not connect to a state park is the Mill nature and history. They take us to a place the towns of Plainview, Elgin and the Towns Trail. However, it is a key player in to get away from it all. A place like a state unincorporated community of Viola, the future of our Minnesota trails network. where they’re getting ready for their Work on the Mill Towns Trail has begun park.

There’s the 115-mile Paul Bunyan 144th Gopher Count Festival this June. and a few miles are a reality, and when State Trail, which ties together Crow Wing However, a link to Carley State Park is still it’s done it will be a vital route between Cannon Falls and Faribault, thus joining and Lake Bemidji State Parks with a tidy in the works.

Another southern Minnesota State the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail and ribbon of trail. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail runs right through Sakatah Trail that’s been growing in recent years the Cannon Valley Trail (think Mankato’s Lake State Park on its 39-mile way from is the 25-mile Shooting Star State Trail Minneopa State Park to Red Wing.)

Then, the proposed Mississippi Mankato to Faribault and in the northern QDPHG DIWHU D QDWLYH ZLOGà RZHU ,W VWDUWV part of the state the 70-mile Willard in LeRoy and travels northwest through %OXIà DQGV 6WDWH 7UDLO ZLOO WDNH RII IURP Munger State Trail does the same with Minnesota’s prairie, and Lake Louise State Red Wing and travel 20 miles to Lake City, Jay Cooke State Park. Up on the Iron Park, and is getting very, very close to hooking up with Frontenac State Park on the way. (And if we can get the now 4-mile Range, the Mesabi Trail gives you access reaching Austin.

Once the Blazing Star State Trail stub of the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail to Minnesota’s newest state park, Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine. QDPHG DIWHU DQRWKHU ZLOGà RZHU UHDFKHV À QLVKHG IURP 5HG :LQJ VRXWK WR 3LQH Island, we could very handily The route totals 135 miles, the longest Austin from the west, the pick up the Douglas State stretch being 75, and one day will be the connection between Lake Minnesota Trail and get to Rochester.) longest of them all at over 155 miles Louise and Myre-Big Island With a little bit of luck State Park will be made. between Grand Rapids and Ely. non-motorized we’ll witness the birth of In central Minnesota These and other Minnesota longtrail users another vital trail connection distance trails have all become household you’ll soon be able to take traveled a in Minnesota this year. Right names. We know them. We love them and a short jaunt over to Sibley 6WDWH 3DUN ZLWK D À YH PLOH combined 5.8 after delivery the Camp we use them-a lot. million miles Ripley/Veterans State Trail But there are also the shorter trails trail off the existing Glacial WKDW DUH VRPHWLPHV KDUG WR À QG RQ D PDS Lakes State Trail, itself not by bike and on will provide an off-road way the ones you don’t know until you stumble quite completed, but still a foot last year. to get from Little Falls to Charles A. Lindbergh State on them while you’re out exploring. great ride between Willmar Park, about a mile. But this There’s the Blue Mound Trail, which and Paynesville with side joins Luverne to Blue Mounds State routes around Green Lake and Lake trail aims to be the bridge between the Soo Line Trail (a paved extension of the Lake Park in far southwestern Minnesota. Koronis.

The Swedish Immigrant Trail is only Wobegon Trail, of sorts) and Crow Wing It’s only about six miles long, but the view of the signature cliffs growing three miles long between Lindstrom and State Park when it grows up, and link the larger and larger on the horizon as Chisago City right now, but when it’s Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon, Soo Line, you approach the park is just amazing. complete it will span twenty miles between Paul Bunyan, Heartland and Mi-Gi-Zi The Fair Ridge Trail is a quick 5-mile ride Wyoming, MN on the Sunrise Prairie Trail Trails. Take a map and draw a line from from Fairfax to Fort Ridgely State Park and Interstate State Park and tell the story Fergus Falls to Waite Park. From Albany and while you’re there you can brush up of Chisago County’s sizeable Swedish go north to Little Falls and on to Brainerd, Bemidji and Cass Lake and you’ll get an on some important Minnesota history, or immigrant population.

Even long-established trails like idea of the trail network this missing link OHDUQ DERXW LW IRU WKH À UVW WLPH $QRWKHU À YH PLOHU WKH 6WDUEXFN the Heartland State Trail will eventually will create while joining three state parks.

For a more detailed look at some of Trail, takes you from Glacial Lakes State be hooked up to state parks. Since the Park into the town of Starbuck where you 49-mile trail between Park Rapids and these trails, read our guide beginning on can stock up on supplies. Just don’t load Cass Lake ties into the Paul Bunyan State page 19. Go out and explore our state this Trail, it technically already is, but when it summer and let me know when you come up too much, it’s a hilly ride.

Some of these short and sweet trails gets extended north and west it will have across a new trail. have larger ambitions. They’re short now, bragging rights for being the link between 4 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

people eoo saving special places

www.parksandtrails.org

from the executive director

By Brett Feldman

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground State Park open for camping

When Lake Vermilion State Park was created in 2010, Minnesotans of all walks of life gained access to 10 miles of recreational shoreline, 40,000 acres of water, 365 islands and 3,700 acres of land to enjoy on one of the state’s most beautiful and pristine lakes.

And while overnight access to what is now Lake Vermilion-Soundan Underground Mine State Park may have taken longer than what many Minnesotans anticipated, the wait is over. Now is the time to be one of the first people to experience Lake Vermilion camping in all its glory.

This is exciting news to state park camping enthusiasts who have been looking for alternatives to more crowded, less private campgrounds. The campsites at Lake Vermilion were specially designed to integrate the park’s natural features and elevation changes in ways that provide better screening and more space between campsites.

Not to mention as Essig asserts: “There are lots of geological features around each of the camp sites because there are lots of rocks out there.”

“It’s what we hoped for in the beginning,” says Jim Essig, the park’s manager. “A chance for people to experience that up north at the lake feeling – everyone’s country estate. We are going to be that place. The new campground is the door opener to that.”

If you are thinking about spending a weekend at Lake Vermilion, you may want to make reservations soon as Essig expects the campsites will be full every weekend throughout the summer. He says the group sites, which are ideal for family and friends who want to camp, hike and paddle together, are already booked for half of the weekends.

Essig is of course referring to all of the new camping opportunities at the park, including 33 electric sites at Vermilion Ridge Campground, three boat-in campsites and three group campsites, each with their own screened-in picnic shelters for 30-50 people.

Even though the hiking trail system is still a work in progress that won’t be completed until midsummer, there are already hiking trails connecting the campgrounds to the lake and to other parts of the park, including an undeveloped one for the adventurous who want to

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota would like to thank the following sponsor Minnesota Trails

hike to the highest point in the park to see incredible views of Mattson Bay from 1,589 feet.

If you are someone who likes to attend celebratory events, then you may want to consider visiting Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park on Thursday, June 7 when Minnesota State Parks and other dignitaries will be hosting a campground grand opening at 11 a.m. at the Ojiig Group Camp.

There are several cool festivities planned for the entire weekend, including a traditional Campfire Program from 7-8:30 p.m. on June 7, a Night Sky Interpretive Program on June 8 from 8:30-10:30 p.m. and a Geology Hike on June 9 from 9:30-11 a.m.

For more information on Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, and/or to make camping reservations, please visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/stateparks

www.pincushiontrailsinn.com

Summer 2018 5

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

17 photo contest Tanya O’Leary 20

Lisa Nilles 2015 photo contest

Justin Pruden 20 17

D z C

photo contest

6

ENTER MAY 15 - AUG 19 Your photos, your special places, all ours to save!

TAKE PHOTOS

UPLOAD

CHOOSE

or search through your past photos taken in a Minnesota state park or trail

at our website

the category your photo fits into

6 Summer 2018

parksandtrails.org

W People W Wildlife W Scenic Beauty

SHARE & WIN your photo displayed in our online gallery and our future materials with credit.

Plus 3 winners in each category: 1st=$50, 2nd=$30, 3rd=$20 Minnesota Trails

people saving special places

www.parksandtrails.org

From our Research Department

COUNTING TRAIL USERS AGAIN... EVEN BETTER One of the first questions we hear when talking with lawmakers about the need to build and maintain state trails is, “do people even use them?” Of course we know the answer is, “Yes!” But we wanted to have a more detailed answer, so our research department got to work on it.

Our just-released 2018 Minnesota State Trail User Count Report, builds on the effort started in 2015 when we recruited volunteers from across the state to patiently sit along the trails for four to six hours at a time and tally what they saw.

This time around we purchased automatic trail counting equipment and set them up on five state trails to continuously count all traffic for seven to 25 days straight.

The result, while limited to five trails, offers a more comprehensive data set to compare use over much longer stretches of time.

What we learned: these trails are seeing healthy use by both bicyclists and pedestrians. Users of the Brown’s Creek State Trail are likely not surprised to hear that it had the highest recorded site for traffic volume. A nearby site on the Gateway came in a close second. Yet, these numbers are only the beginning of the story. As we pair this data with other information, such as if trail users are tourists or commuters and the economic impact of trail users, or what features along the trail correlate with use, we’ll have powerful data to tell the impact of trails.

KEY FINDINGS from the five trails counted between April - Nov. 2017:

Trail users racked up the miles Specifically, 5.8 million miles. That’s like circling the earth 233 times.

“We anticipate the full picture of trail use will become clearer over time as we continue to collaborate with the DNR on more trail counting in the coming years,” says Andrew Oftedal, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota’s research and policy specialist.

Bicycles are #1 use 71% of traffic came from bicycles.

But, pedestrians were a sizable minority, especially near some urban areas and parkland, where they accounted for half the traffic.

See full report at parksandtrails.org/advocacy/research

Snapshot of report data Where we

counted in 2017:

Estimated Non-Winter Trail Use (2017 data, April - November) Miles Traveled

Paul Bunyan

Paul Bunyan Gateway & Brown's Creek Root River & Harmony-Preston

7UDIƓF Volumes 19,035

1,595,731

Gateway and Brown's Creek

2,569,804

Root River and Harmony-Preston

1,630,404

115,238

May

Jul

Sep

Nov

May

Jul

Sep

Nov

May

Jul

Sep

Nov

72% 28%

27,219

76% 24%

25k

Monthly Distribution

65% 35%

0

50k

Counting site Minnesota Trails

7UDIƓF Type

75k

100k

125k

150k

Average of counting sites Summer 2018 7

TrailsQ&A

Trails Q & A

Luke Simonett

Roger Lopez

Taylors Falls, MN

St. Cloud, MN

Occupation: Social Service, Minnesota Department of Human Services Seen: At Interstate State Park GUDJRQĹ´ \ WDON Gear: A good johnboat for Ć“ VKLQJ

Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Occupation: Chef Seen: Canoeing the Mississippi 5LYHU QHDU 6W &ORXG 01 ZLWK his son Dominik, sister Mara and brother Alan Favorite MN place: *RRVHEHUU\ )DOOV 6WDWH 3DUN Best MN Experience: Experience Camping DQG Ć“ Ć“ VKLQJ LQ 'XOXWK Trail Treat: Tre Pizza Advice for a novice canoeist: %ULQJ VXQVFUHHQ DQG EXJ VSUD\ With Wi $1000 I would: %X\ D new ne canoe How Ho many miles do you canoe a year? About 50 ca Future MN plans: Visit the Fut Mississippi Headwaters at Lake ,WDVFD 6WDWH 3DUN ,WDVF

Stan Pagel

Steve Kime

Russell, MN

Occupation: Retired Farmer Seen: Hiking at Camden State Park

Austin, MN

Occupation: Former IT manager at Hormel Foods, now retired

Trail Treat: Granola bars or fruit

Seen: %LNLQJ WKH QHZO\ RSHQHG stretch of the Shooting Star State Trail between Rose Creek and $XVWLQ

Best Experience: Seeing Bald Eagles and Pileated Woodpeckers at Camden

Gear: 7UHN ); ELNH DQG DQ Austin High School mountain ELNH WHDP MHUVH\

Worst Experience: 2QH GD\ , was caught in a hail shower

Best Minnesota Experience: %LNLQJ WKURXJK WKH VFHQHU\ DQG around the lakes of the Paul %XQ\DQ 6WDWH 7UDLO ,WĹ?V YHU\ ZHOO PDLQWDLQHG

QA

Favorite spot at Interstate: The ERDW ODQGLQJ Ć“ VKLQJ LV JRRG WKHUH Favorite spot in all Minnesota Parks: Itasca State Park, the KHDGZDWHUV RI WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL Gear tip: Have at least a six KRUVHSRZHU PRWRU IRU WKH 6W &URL[ 5LYHU

Best Experience: $Q\ EHDXWLIXO O GD\ RQ WKH ULYHU ZKHQ WKH Ć“ VK DUH ELWLQJ Worst Experience: Going upstream with a 3 horsepower PRWRU With $1,000 I would: Put it WRZDUGV D QHZ $79

Why do you like this park? It is JUHDW IRU WKH NLGV &ORVH WR WKH 7ZLQ &LWLHV VR HDV\ WR DFFHVV Advice for new visitors to this park: Be careful around the FOLIIV

Gear: Well-worn work boots

Advice: Walk on a regular basis DQG WU\ WR LPSURYH HYHU\ GD\ D

With $1000 I would: Take a trip W to the Black Hills Favorite MN place to hike: F &DPGHQ 6WDWH 3DUN RI FRXUVH & DUN , OLNH WKH ZD\ WKH ULYHU ZLQGV H ULYH through it and the sound sou of the WUDLQV

Worst Minnesota Experience: 7KHUHĹ?V QR ZRUVW ZKHQ \RXĹ?UH RQ D ELNH WUDLO DQG \RXĹ?UH RXWVLGH Advice for the novice cyclist: )LQG D ELNLQJ EXGG\ DQG OHDUQ DV \RX JR DORQJ

With $1000 I would: ,WĹ?V DOZD\V Miles/year: I walk two m miles fun to get a new bike, no matter HYHU\ GD\ VR PLOHV D \HDU ,Q VR R PLOHV D KRZ ROG \RX DUH WKH ZLQWHU , ZDON DW WKH PDOO , Z ZDON DW WKH PD Favorite Minnesota Place: The North Shore because of the KLNLQJ DQG ELNLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV How many miles do you bike a year? $ERXW EXW ,Ĺ?P FRPLQJ XS D ELW VKRUW WKLV \HDU

Trail Treat: Ice cream and a cold, T FROG URRW EHHU FR Future Minnesota Plans: 6WD\LQJ LQYROYHG DQG VWD\LQJ DFWLYH 1RZ WKDW WKH WUDLO DOPRVW reaches Austin, I can bike it from KRPH

8 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

A Go-To Destination

By Ben Owens

“You’ve done long-distance cycling tours in Europe, Australia and the US, why spend several weeks cycling through Minnesota?” my friends and family asked when I told them of my plans for my annual summer bicycle tour. I admit I was a bit skeptical as well. Having never lived above the Mason-Dixon Line, I had fallen victim to all the Minnesota stereotypes: Swarms of huge mosquitoes, frozen lakes even in the summer, and stoic Scandinavians. But I was wrong.

My Minnesota cycling adventure started with some heavy lobbying from my neighbors in North Carolina – good friends who happen to also have a lake house just west of Minneapolis. They knew what Minnesota had to offer and did not relent until I began researching Minnesota’s network of cycling trails.

I felt as if I’d stumbled onto a gold mine! How had I not become more aware of this impressive number of long, dedicated bike trails before now?

Since many of the trails are not FXUUHQWO\ FRQQHFWHG ZLWK RIÀ FLDO cycling routes, planning a three-week trip was a challenge. My solution was to forgo my usual point-to-point tour and use my car to get me from one WUDLOKHDG WR WKH QH[W , VDFULÀ FHG EHLQJ a true cyclocamper but was able to spend more miles on safe and wellmaintained bicycle trails that crisscross the state.

My route through Minnesota URXJKO\ IROORZHG D KXJH À JXUH HLJKW I started in the bluff country in the Southeast corner of the state on the Root River Trail, followed by a couple of days of urban riding along the network of bike routes in the Twin Cities. I saw miles and miles of beautiful farm country on the Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails, got a taste of the historic mining region from the Mesabi Trail near the headwaters of the Mississippi and rode through timber country via the Heartland State Trail and the Paul Bunyan State Trails.

After heading south and west along the Willard Munger and Soo Line Trails, there was more urban riding along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. I À QLVKHG WKH WULS WKURXJK WKH $PHULFDQ Minnesota Trails

Heartland via the Sakatah Singing cycling tour; one that rivaled anything Hills Trail. This is only a listing of the I had done to this point. It was quite major trails I was able to enjoy in my different from bike trips I had done in three weeks and I even got in some the past, but it gave me an up-close and personal visit to a non-trail cycling along state I had honestly and the North Shore of Lake Minnesota’s wrongly just written off.

Superior.

Minnesota’s cycling trails What a trip! cycling trails Compared to other are truly world are truly world class and regardless of experience dedicated bicycle trails class and level, should be on any in the U.S. and abroad, I regardless of cyclist’s list of “must see” was very impressed with experience destinations. how well this network After spending three was maintained. Most level, should weeks of cycling every trails were clearly marked be on any long-distance trail in the with mileage signs and, cyclist’s list of state, my skepticism was with few exceptions, had “must see” put to bed and I now have easy access to towns an answer to the above with information boards destinations. question: Minnesota is, VKRZLQJ ZKHUH , FRXOG À QG without a doubt, a go-to food, accommodations, and groceries. I also found the trails cycling destination. to be relatively uncrowded, even on Ben Owens is a high school weekends. In short, this network of science and math teacher who lives in trails was the perfect way to explore Brasstown, North Carolina. He has the beauty and culture of the North co-authored two iBooks on bicycle Star State, and meet some very friendly touring, The Practical Guide to people, not stoic Scandinavians.

Bicycle Touring and You Did What?

After 800 miles of riding – with He also blogs about his cycling tours on QR FUDVKHV DQG QR Á DWV ² , ZDV UHDG\ bicycletouringguides.wordpress.com to close the books on a fantastic

Ben Owens arrives in Hinckley, MN, on the Willard Munger State Trail. Jan Lasar photo Summer 2018 9

Like Therapy on Wheels

By Lee Bloomquist

Minnesota’s tallest bridge, at 200 feet, spans the Rouchleau mine pit near Virginia, MN. Iron Range Tourism Bureau photo

T

o Richard Boben, riding the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour is healing.

Like therapy on wheels. “When I’m on my bike, it feels like I’m taking my medications,� said Boben, 71, of Kelly Lake, who has diabetes and high blood pressure. “It’s relaxing. It’s kind of like my break away from the world.�

Heading into its 14th year, the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour is one of the most popular family bicycling events in the state.

The tour is held each August on the Mesabi Trail, a 135-mile long paved multi-use recreational trail spanning the Iron Range.

Bridge Facts: The bridge is 92’ wide and 1,132’ long. Spanning the entire northeast side, the Mesabi Trail™ is 14’ wide and offers an amazing view of the Rouchleau pit.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation it’s the tallest MNDOT bridge in the state at 200’ above the water’s surface.

The water in the Rouchleau is up to 250’ deep.

Estimated cost - $220 million.

Took three years to construct.

Part of the rerouting of Hwy 53 allowed for taconite mining under the previous road 10 Summer 2018

Threading through 28 communities, the trail offers spectacular views of lakes, streams, forests, historical points, and at times, wildlife. “The scenery is really breathtaking,â€? said Dave Ostrowski of Deerwood, who in 2017 participated in WKH WRXU IRU WKH Ă€UVW WLPH ZLWK KLV ZLIH Sharon. “We usually hang around the mine pits in Crosby, but the woods and the elevations here are just amazing.â€?

In 2017, more than 600 riders of all ages and abilities participated in the tour, which offers a choice of starting points, generally ranging from 14 to 70 PLOHV WR WKH Ă€QLVK OLQH There’s also complimentary overnight bike storage, shuttles to starting points, a free t-shirt, three-day Mesabi Trail Wheel Pass, live music, and food and refreshments at rest stops along the route. “It’s a beautiful trail, a well-run event and the trail is so well kept and clean,â€? said Stephanie Ross of Lakeville. “Even though there’s a lot of people who ride in the event, you don’t feel crowded at all on the trail.â€?

The annual tour, along with regular rides on the trail, are therapeutic for many. “It’s the seventh year I’ve ridden in it and the third year for my son who lives in Moorhead and does triathlons,� said Ron Braski, 67, of Biwabik. “It’s an exercise thing for me. I was told I

was supposed to have knee surgery four years ago and I said ‘hold on, let PH VHH LI , FDQ Ă€[ LW P\VHOI ¡¾ Four years later, taking daily rides on the Mesabi Trail, Braski still hasn’t had to undergo knee surgery. “I brag to everybody that “I did it,’â€? said Braski of the tour. “It’s fun every year seeing people I know, it’s good exercise, and it’s a conversation piece.â€?

Each year’s ride concludes in a different Iron Range community with a picnic and concert. The tour is a fundraiser for the Mesabi Trail and Club Mesabi, an Iron Range nonSURĂ€W “I think people like that we change the route every year,â€? said Ardy NurmiWilberg, who’s organized the tour since its inception. “Every year, 40 to 45 percent of the riders are brand new.

But for some folks, it’s a tradition.�

Construction of the trail began in 1996, crossing over 500 parcels of private, railroad, or former mining company land.

By the end of 2018, 141.5 miles will be complete.

Beginning this year, the trail crosses one of Minnesota’s highest EULGJHV IHHW DERYH WKH ZDWHU ÀOOHG abandoned Rouchleau iron ore pit in Virginia.

To date, more than $28 million has been invested in trail construction through federal, state and local funding

Information on bridge facts from http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy53relocation/ Minnesota Trails

Cyclists take in the view from the new bridge over the Rouchleau mine pit near Virginia, MN. Cavour Johnson photo

sources.

“It’s a unique trail,” said Bob Manzoline, executive director of the St. Louis and Lake County Regional Railroad Authority, which maintains the trail. “There was a lot of intentional routing of the trail to connect communities and to as many points of interest as we could.”

Steve Christy, 58, of Hibbing, usually rides his road bike about 2,000 miles annually on Iron Range roads.

But he’s also ridden in nearly every one of the tours.

“It’s a nice, scenic trail,” said Christy, who last year rode the tour with his wife and eleven and eight year-old granddaughters. “The scenery is nice, there’s a variety of terrain and there’s not a lot of road crossings.”

Nurmi-Wilberg says the approximately 150 volunteers who help run the tour are keenly focused on customer service.

“We don’t just go the extra mile,” said Nurmi-Wilberg. “We go 10 miles past that.”

Ardi Narveson of Burnsville sums up the tour as does pretty much anyone who rides in it.

“It’s gorgeous out there,” said Narveson. “It’s a beautiful trail, the people are nice, and everybody on the ride is really friendly.”

For additional information visit www. mesabtrail.com

A family ride on the Mesabi Trail. Lee Bloomquist photo

A road bike rider and fat tire bike rider pass the water-filled Grant-Wabigon iron ore mine pit near Buhl in the 2017 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour.

Lee Bloomquist photo Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 11

Interstate State Park

By Rudi Hargesheimer

J

enni Webster’s contagious enthusiasm for rocks might just have you considering a second career in geology. As a resident naturalist at Interstate State Park her job is to take visitors on onehour tours of the famous potholes there and explain this natural phenomenon. It’s simple, really. It just took a very long time. Over a billion years ago the continent split in a long gash from the current Lake Superior region all the way down to the Kansas City area. Out of this ULIW ODYD à RZHG VSUHDGLQJ HDVW DQG west as it emerged. It hardened into basalt that later became submerged under an ocean. Layer upon layer of sandstone formed from sand deposited on the shallow edges of this ancient sea. As the ocean retreated, high and dry sandstone was left behind. Fast forward to only 100,000 years ago when great glaciers covered the area and scoured much of the sandstone away as they à RZHG VRXWK 7KHQ MXVW \HDUV ago, a raging ancient St. Croix River, over one mile wide and hundreds of feet deep, drained a super-sized predecessor of Lake Superior. It followed basalt cracks aligned with the ancient rift and formed a canyon, WKH 'DOOHV RI WKH 6W &URL[ 7RGD\ you can stand on top of Angle Rock at Interstate State Park for a great view of the river canyon following the ancient fault lines both upstream and down. ´7KH\ VWDUWHG RXW DV JDV EXEEOHV Naturalist Sean Hoppes explains the life cycle of a dragonfly.

Rudi Hargesheimer photo

in the lava�, she says and swirls her arms in motion as she describes the eddies of water loaded with sand that gouged and drilled these holes into what once were just pockets in the DQFLHQW ODYD à RZ 7KHUH DUH RYHU of these near-circular holes within the park today. Some measure only inches across, others span ten feet DQG PRUH 7KH VR FDOOHG %RWWRPOHVV Pit pothole is about sixty feet deep and measures roughly 15 feet across, making it the deepest explored pothole in the world. Some, like the %DNH 2YHQ SRWKROH UHVHPEOH D FDYH and park visitors walk down to its bottom on a staircase. %XW DW ,QWHUVWDWH 6WDWH 3DUN it’s not all about dead rock from a ELOOLRQ \HDUV DJR 7KH VWRU\ RI WKH GUDJRQà LHV DW WKH SDUN LV IXOO RI OLIH Park Naturalist Sean Hoppes says there are over 100 species of them in Minnesota and they all share a common story. Starting as HJJV ODLG LQ D à RRGHG SRWKROH RU other body of water, they hatch into larvae that fall to the bottom, where they use long, cupped, extendable PRXWKSDUWV WR FDSWXUH SUH\ 7KH\ molt a hard shell several times EHIRUH À QDOO\ FUDZOLQJ RXW RI WKH water onto a reed or blade of grass to become an adult and repeat the SURFHVV 7KH\ HDW YRUDFLRXVO\ DV you can witness throughout the park on a sunny day. Look closely DW D GUDJRQà \ SHUFKHG RQ D SLHFH of volcanic rock and you may see a resemblance to its distant cousin Meganeura, a prehistoric insect with a 25-inch wingspan which lived

some 300 million years ago. “I became a naturalist because I enjoy sharing mind-blowing stories with visitorsâ€? Hoppes says. “Many people come to Interstate State Park each year to take in the scenery, and my job is to deepen their experience by highlighting elements of the park that aren’t obvious on the surface. Most visitors don’t know WKDW GUDJRQĂ LHV VWDUW RXW DV DTXDWLF larvae, and it’s rewarding to guide them in making careful observations about these incredible creatures for WKH Ă€ UVW WLPH Âľ

The ‘Bottomless Pit’ pothole at Interstate State Park. Rudi Hargesheimer photo

About the Park Interstate, Minnesota’s second state park, was established in 1895 and is one of Minnesota’s top ten most visited.

The pothole area is the biggest draw in the park, but other activities round out Interstate’s recreational offerings. Hikers can explore five miles of rugged hiking trails along the river and by sandstone bluffs. Canoeists like to put in and float down the Saint Croix River, a designated National Wild and Scenic Riverway and state water trail, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018. Kayakers enjoy the whitewater just north of the park.

Interstate is also one of five Minnesota state parks to offer rockclimbing opportunities and climbers can be seen scaling the walls of Tourist Rock May through October.

This park is one of only a few in the nation that stretches across state lines. On the Wisconsin side visitors will find much the same scenery, but each independently operated park has slightly different amenities.

Interstate State Park is located in Taylors Falls on the St. Croix Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Chisago County.

12 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

TWIN CITIES TOUR DE CURE

Sat., 06/02/2018 Location:Â Minneapolis, MN Email:Â joatman@diabetes.org Website:Â diabetes.org/twincitiestourdecure Distances: 7, 18, 29, 43, 62, 100 miles Join us for the Twin Cities Tour de Cure at Minnehaha Falls.

TOUR DE PEPIN

Sat., 06/02/2018 Location:Â Lake City, MN Email:Â lcchamber@lakecity.org Website:Â lakecity.org Distances: 32, 50, 72, 100 miles Begin your tour in historic Lake City and end with a steamboat ride to get back to the start on the 50 and 100 mile routes.

SPOKER RIDE

Sat., 06/02/2018 Location: Paynesville, MN Website: signmeup.com/SpokerRide Distances: 2 to 50 miles The 3rd annual Spoker Ride to Paynesville is a bicycling event designed to promote the bike trails that connect the cities of Paynesville, New London, Spicer, area lakes and the businesses of these communities.

~ LODGING ~

Country Inn Deerwood 23884 Front St., Deerwood 218-534-3101 www.countryinndeerwood.com Deerwood Motel 23688 Forest Rd., Deerwood 218-534-3163 www.deerwoodmotel.com Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge 25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd., Deerwood (Open May-October) 218-678-2885 www.ruttgers.com

bike rides & tours TOUR OF LAKES

Sat., 06/02/2018 Location:Â Crosby, MN Website:Â paulbunyancyclists.com Distances: 35 and 65 miles This is a loop ride that begins and ends at Crosslake Community Center and winds through Paul Bunyan Country with views of lush forests and scenic routes.

SMOKIN’ IN STEELE BIKE CRUISE

CARAMEL ROLL RIDE

Sat., 06/09/2018 Location: Albany, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides This is central Minnesota’s annual “Beginning of Summer� ride on the Lake Wobegon Trail, with caramel rolls at each stop, through the area that gave birth to Garrison Keillor’s legendary town.

Sat., 06/02/2018 Location: Owatonna, MN Email: cephas6@msn.com Website: smokininsteele.com Distances: 8, 27, 40 miles The Family Bike Cruise is an opportunity for cyclists of all levels to enjoy some time on the roads of Steele County, and ^OLU Ă„ UPZOLK LUQV` ZVTL VM [OL ILZ[ barbecue and blues music to hit the State of Minnesota.

LUCE LINE LOOPS BIKE RIDE

BIKE MS: MS 150

THE TOUR OF MINNESOTA

Fri., 06/08/2018 - Sun., 06/10/2018 Location: Duluth, MN Website: nationalmssociety.org Distances: 75 miles per day This two-day cycling journey will take you farther than you’ve ever gone before. More than 3,000 cyclists travel 150 miles from Duluth to the Twin Cities for one cause: a world free of MS.

Sun., 06/10/2018 Location:Â Hutchinson, MN Email:Â beth@vimm.com Website:Â hutchinsonrotary.org Distances: 12, 25, 50 miles A fun ride on roads and the paved Luce Line Trail. A 75K gravel grinder is new for 2018. All rides begin and end at the Crow River Winery.

Fri., 06/15/2018 to Fri., 06/22/2018 Location: Willmar, MN Email: drumminglibrarian@hotmail.com Website: tourofminnesota.com Distances: 60-mile daily average Starting in Willmar at the Willmar Civic Center, continue to Morris, Fergus Falls, Alexandria with a day off in Alexandria, Little Falls, St. Cloud and back to Willmar.

Crosby - Ironton - Deerwood Bay Lake - Cuyuna - Emily

~ EAT & DRINK ~

Deerstand Restaurant and Bar 24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood 218-534-9253 www.deerstandrestaurant.com

~ SERVICES ~

Cuyuna Lakes Chamber 221 4th St SW, Ironton 218-546-8131 www.cuyunalakes.com Cuyuna Regional Medical Center 320 E Main St., Crosby 218-546-7000 www.cuyunamed.org Cycle Path & Paddle 115 3rd Ave SW, Crosby 218-545-4545 www.cyclepathpaddle.com Jacobs Realty Hwy. 6 & 210, Crosby 218-546-8346 www.jacobsrealtymn.com Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union 117 W Main St., Crosby 218-546-5428 www.mmfcu.org Minnesota Trails

Contact us for more information 218-546-8131

www.cuyunalakes.com

Summer 2018 13

bike rides & tours LADY SLIPPER RIDE

Sat., 06/16/2018 Location: Avon, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides Distance: 6 miles This is a short ride, about 6 miles round trip, to see the beautiful Lady’s Slipper orchids growing along the Lake Wobegon Trail.

LOOP THE LAKE FESTIVAL

Sat., 06/16/2018 Location:Â Bemidji, MN Email: info@bikebemidji.edu Website:Â bikebemidji.com Distance: 17 miles Family-friendly bike ride around Lake Bemidji. Easy, paved route with festive rest stops and evening programs.

Need more details? Visit mntrails.com/events • 30 miles of city trails • Bike the Scenic Circuit: A 10-mile loop around the city. • Ride the MRT

DAM2DAM RIDE

Sat., 06/16/2018 Location:Â Little Falls, MN Email:Â cmnbikeclub@yahoo.com Website:Â cmnbikeclub.com Distances: 20, 40 miles Follow the Great River Road through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park to historic Blanchard Dam. A free ride.

LUTSEN 99ER

Fri., 06/22/2018 to Sun., 06/24/2018 Location: Lutsen Ski Resort, Lutsen, MN Website: lutsen99er.com Distances: 19, 39, 69, 99 miles This racecourse takes advantage of the scenery and topography of Minnesota’s North Shore.

SHOOTING STAR TRAIL RIDE

Sat., 06/23/2018 Location:Â Austin, MN Email:Â skjacobson@frontiernet.net Website:Â shootingstartrail.org Distances: 20, 40, 50, 62, 100 miles All routes are fully supported with rest Z[VWZ HUK :(. Z\WWVY[ :LL [OL ^PSKĂ… V^LYZ and prairie that southwestern Minnesota is famous for.

BELIEVE IN ME BIKE RIDE

651-437-6775 or visit www.visithastingsmn.org

Sat., 06/23/2018 Location: Rochester, MN Email: grrbikeride@gmail.com Website: grrbikeride.org Distances: 6, 14 mile trail ride. 30, 53, 70, 102 mile road route. 40 mile gravel route.

This ride takes you through some of the beautiful wide-open spaces surrounding Rochester. There is a ride for every level.

SWISS CHEESE & SPOTTED COWS BICYCLE TOUR

PLAY SHAKEDOWN IN THE DIRT!

DETROIT MOUNTAIN

MTN BI KE RACE

Thur., 06/28/2018 to Sun., 07/01/2018 Location: Spring Green, WI Email:Â scscbiketour@yahoo.com Website:Â scscbiketour.com Distance: Average 60-miles daily Five-day bicycle tour featuring the best of cycling in the driftless region of southern Wisconsin.

TOUR D’AMICO

Wed., 07/04/2018 Location: Golden Valley, MN Email: info@tourdamico.com Website: tourdamico.com Distances: 29, 45, 62 miles Routes cover western metro area. Multiple supported rest stops with refreshments.

TOUR OF SAINTS

SUNDAY JUNE 10TH 2018 14 Summer 2018

Sun., 07/08/2018 Location: St. Joseph, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: tourofsaints.com Distances: 18, 35, 50 miles It’s not a race. It’s a heavenly little ride through a pastoral landscape.

Minnesota Trails

bike rides & tours

BIKE MS: TOUR DE MINNESOTA

SPLIT ROCK TOUR

CANDAK

HABITAT 500 BIKE RIDE

THE MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE TOUR

NORTH FORK GRAVEL RIDE

Sun., 07/15/2018 to Fri., 07/20/2018 Location: St. Peter, MN Email: fundraisingsupport@nmss.org Website: nationalmssociety.org Formerly TRAM, this ride will take you farther than you’ve been before.

Sun., 07/15/2018 to Sat., 07/21/2018 Website: habitat500.org Distances: 200, 300, 500 miles Raise funds for affordable housing while riding your bike.

RED RIBBON RIDE

Fri., 07/20/2018 to Sun., 07/22/2018 Location: Willow River, MN Website: redribbonride.org This year’s ride will be held at One Heartland, a beautiful sleep-away camp in North Central Minnesota.

HECK EPIC

Sat., 07/21/2018 to Sun., 07/22/2018 Location: North of Two Harbors, MN Website: heckofthenorth.com Distances: 215 miles total Two-day bikepacking stage race mostly on gravel and forest roads.

Minnesota Trails

Sat., 07/21/2018 Location: Duluth, MN Email:Â twinportscyclery@gmail.com This bike tour will take you along the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior and gentle rolling terrain.

Sun., 07/22/2018 to Fri., 07/27/2018 Location: Duluth, MN Website: biketourvacations.com Distance: 160 miles Multi-day full-service tour of Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore.

TOUR DE BUN BIKE CLASSIC

Sat., 07/28/2018 Location: Montgomery, MN Email:Â kolackydays@gmail.com Website:Â montgomerymn.org Distances: 13, 33, 50 miles Three overlapping loops take you for a ride in the heart of Minnesota Czech Country in scenic Le Sueur County.

Sat., 08/04/2018 to Sat., 08/11/2018 Location:Â Velva, ND Website:Â candak.net This ride carries on the tradition of the CANDISK ride of North Dakota with daily routes ranging from 45 to 70 miles and a century option.

Sat., 08/04/2018 Location: Brooten, MN Website: redheadcreamery.com Distances: 25 miles Gravel tour through the gravel roads of North Fork Township near Redhead Creamery farm.

TOUR DE TONKA

Sat., 08/04/2018 Location:Â Minnetonka, MN Email:Â tim.litfin@minnetonka.k12.mn.us Website:Â tourdetonka.org Distances: 16, 28, 49, 57, 77, 100 miles.

Tour de Tonka is a scenic bike ride that travels through the Lake Minnetonka area and its surrounding communities.

TOUR DE SAVE

Sat., 07/28/2018 Location:Â Northfield, MN Email:Â lmars@save.org Website:Â save.org/event Join SAVE and local area cycling clubs for the 14th annual Tour de SAVE.

Summer 2018 15

bike rides & tours RAIL TRAILS 100

Sat., 08/04/2018 Location: Fergus Falls, MN Email: info@visitfergusfalls.com Website: signmeup.com/railtrails100 Distance: 100 miles The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails offer some of the best trail riding in the state of Minnesota and this is your chance to conquer both of them in one day! From Fergus Falls to Saint Joseph with rest stops along the way.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY MESABI TRAIL TOUR

TOUR DA U.P.

Sun., 08/05/2018 to Thurs., 08/09/2018 Location: Rapid River, MI Email: msmith@tfhomes.org Website: teachingfamilyhomes.org Distances: 50-60 miles per day This 5-day tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a fully supported tour which offers scenic views of Lake Superior, the Hiawatha National Forest and even includes a sunset boat cruise.

BICYCLING AROUND MINNESOTA (BAM)

Sat., 08/04/2018 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Email: tourinfo@mesabitrail.com Website: mesabitrail.com Distances: 11, 25, 52, 71 miles Enjoy this unique riding experience on the Mesabi Trail, Minnesota’s premier paved bicycle trail.

Thu., 08/09/2018 to Sun., 08/12/2018 Location:Â Hoyt Lakes, MN Email:Â bambiketour@gmail.com Website:Â bambiketour.org Distances: Average 65 miles per day BAM is heading to the Iron Range in Northeastern Minnesota in 2018. Visit Hoyt Lakes, Chisholm, Grand Rapids and Hibbing.

LUMBERJACKS AND LOONS

BIKE DULUTH FESTIVAL

Sun., 08/05/2018 to Fri., 08/10/2018 Location: Itasca State Park Email: kerri@mywahooadventures.com Website: mywahooadventures.com Distances: Average 44 miles per day A boutique style at-your-own-pace ride through northern Minnesota following the Mississippi River through history, wildlife and local folklore.

Fri., 08/10/2018 to Sun., 08/12/2018 Location:Â Duluth, MN Website:Â bikeduluthfestival.com The Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival is a chain-rattling Minnesota mountain and road biking event that you do not want to miss.

CHAINBREAKER RIDE

Fri., 08/10/2018 to Sun., 08/12/2018 Location: Minneapolis, MN Email: hello@chainbreakerride.org Website: chainbreakerride.org Distances: Approximately 25 to 180 miles Chainbreaker is a grassroots bike tour that raises money for life-saving cancer research.

Four route options available.

GITCHI-GAMI TRAIL RIDE

Sat., 08/18/2018 Location: Two Harbors, MN Email: annualride@ggta.org Website:Â ggta.org Distances: 8, 28, 37, 55 miles.

Enjoy a supported, recreational ride on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail and scenic roads along Lake Superior’s amazing North Shore.

TOUR DE PINES

Sat., 08/18/2018 Location: Itasca State Park Email: tourdepines@gmail.com Website: tourdepines.org Distances: 25, 50, 60, 70 miles Beautiful roads, Big trees. Quiet lakes. The headwaters of our nation’s greatest river.

Delicious food. Excellent organization.

INAUGURAL PAUL BUNYAN 200

Sat., 08/25/2018 to Sun., 08/26/2018 Location: Brainerd, MN Website: facebook.com/paulbunyan200 A Paul Bunyan-sized adventure on one of Minnesota’s premier trails. Ride 100 miles on the Paul Bunyan State Trail from Brainerd to Bemidji and back the next day.

RACE THE GRIND

Sat., 09/01/2018 Location: Biwabik, MN Email: events@racethegrind.com Website: racethegrind.com Distances: 18, 35 miles Various mountain bike events at Giants Ridge Resort including a night cyclocross race on lit trails and a one-mile kids race.

August 4-11 | candak.net

SAT., August 18, 2018 Starting and ending in Velva, ND One week and 400+ miles.

16 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

Sat., 09/08/2018 Location:Â Sauk Centre, MN Email:Â lwtevent@gmail.com Website:Â lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides Enjoy the fall colors and great apple refreshments at all the rest stops, including caramel apples, in Lake Wobegon Trail Country. Take in a BBQ competition, car show and Moonshine Madness events that day.

JESSE JAMES BIKE TOUR

Sat., 09/08/2018 Location: Northfield, MN Website: jessejamesbiketour.org Distances: 10, 30, 45, 100 miles ;OPZ MHI\SV\Z IPRL [V\Y PZ HU VMÄ JPHS L]LU[ of Defeat of Jesse James Days, one of Minnesota’s largest community celebrations.

The best century ride around.

TASTE OF THE TRAIL

Sat., 09/08/2018 Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson Sat., 09/15/2018 Fountain, Preston and Harmony Sat., 09/22/2018 Houston, Rushford, Rushford Village Location:Â Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trail Email:Â info@rootrivertrail.org Website:Â rootrivertrail.org Three consecutive weekends each feature a different selection of towns.

SEPTEMBER SONG

bike rides & tours RIDEMN1

Sun., 09/09/2018 to Fri., 9/14/2018 Location:Â Browns Valley, MN Email: ridemn1@gmail.com Website:Â ridemn1.org Distance: 323 miles Ride across Minnesota to raise awareness and raise funds for cancer research. The 2018 ride is from Browns Valley to Taylors Falls.

Sat., 09/15/2018 Location:Â Mora, MN Website:Â morabiketour.org Distances: 25, 50 miles The annual Mora Bike Tour starts and ends at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center. The route PZ NLULYHSS` Ã… H[ ^P[O TVZ[S` NLU[SL OPSSZ VU the roads of Kanabec County.

RIDE THE RIDGES

Sat., 09/15/2018 Location:Â Winona, MN Email: mbernatz@hbci.com Website:Â ridetheridges.bike Distances: 23, 44, 67, 105 miles Choice of four scenic routes through lush valleys along streams and on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.

Registration NOW OPEN!

ST. PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR

724 Sibley St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Sun., 09/09/2018 Location: St. Paul, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: bikeclassic.org Distances: 15, 32, 47 miles +PZJV]LY [YHMÄ J MYLL NSLL VU 4PUULZV[H»Z biggest bike tour on the streets of St. Paul.

Ride Winona’s beautiful Bluff Country!

6HSWHPEHU

23, 44, 67 and Century routes

www.RideTheRidges.bike Minnesota Trails

Sat., 09/15/2018 Location:Â Maple Grove, MN Email:Â events@pancan.org Website:Â support.pancan.org Distances: 8, 25 miles This year the event will take participants on a route at Elm Creek Park. There is also a 5k Y\U ^HSR HUK TPSL ^HSR

WOODTICK 100

MORA BIKE TOUR

Sat., 09/08/2018 Location: Rice Lake, WI Contact: 715-234-4127 Distance: 50 miles ;OPZ JSHZZPJ YVHK YPKL PZ VU YLSH[P]LS` Ã… H[ country roads along the shores of Rice Lake. There are stores, restaurants and a swimming beach on the way.

PURPLERIDESTRIDE

Sat., 09/15/2018 Location: Cuyuna, MN Email: info@woodtick100.com Website: woodtick100.com Distances: 50, 100 miles ;OPZ NYH]LS YPKL OHZ ZVTL VM [OL Ä ULZ[ VMM [OL NYPK IHJRJV\U[Y` NYH]LS (P[RPU HUK Crow Wing County have to offer.

AUTUMN TREK

Sun., 09/16/2018 Location: River Falls, WI Email: jmwebber@sbcglobal.net Website: rivervalleytrails.org Distances: 25, 45, 65, 101 miles ;OL (\[\TU ;YLR IPRL YPKL Z[HY[Z Q\Z[ LHZ[ of the Twin Cities at Hoffman Park in River Falls, WI, and takes you through some of the most scenic country in Western, WI.

minneapolisbiketour.com

Boom Island Regional Park

Sunday, September 16

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018 NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA · A Rotary Club of Northfield Event

FIVE SCENIC ROUTES 10 miles / 30 miles / 45 miles / 60 miles / 100 miles REGISTER ONLINE:

jessejamesbiketour.org Summer 2018 17

bike rides & tours MINNEAPOLIS BIKE TOUR

Sun., 09/16/2018 Location: Minneapolis, MN Website: minneapolisbiketour.com Distances: 16, 32 miles Starts and ends at beautiful Boom Island and features two fully-supported routes that take riders through the spectacular park HUK I`^H` Z`Z[LT VM 4PUULHWVSPZ [YHMÄ J free.

TOUR DE HUGO

Sat., 09/22/2018 Location: Hugo, MN Email: sdenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us Website: tourdehugo.com Distances: 6, 20, 35, 50, 62 miles Catch glimpses of lakes and ponds as you tour through prairie, farmlands, and forests.

DAVID GROTBERG MEMORIAL DUATHLON

Sat., 09/22/2018 Location: Fergus Falls, MN Email: clark@centrallakescycle.com Website: centrallakescycle.com The Duathlon starts at Central Lakes Cycle with a 20-mile bike ride, followed by a TPSL Y\U HUK Ä UPZO ^P[O H TPSL IPRL sprint on paved roads.

HEADWATERS 100

Sat., 09/22/2018 Location:Â Park Rapids, MN Email:Â bike@itascatur.org Website:Â itascatur.org Distances: 45, 75, 100 miles The premier fall event in Northern Minnesota, the Headwaters 100 has something for everyone.

WILD RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

Sat., 09/22/2018 Location: Eagan, MN Website: co.dakota.mn.us Celebrate the great sport of mountain biking at Lebanon Hills Regional Park where experienced and beginning riders get a chance to ride some of the best mountain bike trails in the state.

BIKES4KIDS LEGACY RIDE

Sat., 09/29/2018 Location: Maple Grove, MN Website: bikes4kidsmn.org Distances: 5, 15, 25 miles A Bikes 4 Kids fundraiser ride through Elm Creek Park Reserve’s beautiful trail system.

HECK OF THE NORTH

Sat., 09/29/2018 Location: North of Two Harbors, MN Website: heckofthenorth.com Distances: 56, 105 miles Race on rugged and beautiful gravel and forest roads near Two Harbors.

TERRAVAIL OREMAGEDDON

Sat., 10/06/2018 Location: Cuyuna Lakes Email: info@cuyunalakesmtb.com Website: cuyunalakesmtb.com Distances: 12, 25, 50 miles The Terravail Oremageddon mountain bike YHJL OHZ ]HY`PUN SL]LSZ VM KPMÄ J\S[` ^P[O intense twists, turns and vertical climbs on the Cuyuna red dirt single track.

MANKATO RIVER RAMBLE

Sun., 10/07/2018 Location: Mankato, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: bikeriverramble.org Distances: 12, 26, 42, 50 miles Savor the fall colors on this classic countryside ride with great rest stops, ride support, delicious food, beverage, live music and much more.

TWO GREAT RIDES. ONE GREAT LOCATION. GREAT RIVER ENERGY MESABI TRAIL TOUR ‘18

DATE: August 4, 2018 ABOUT: A unique recreational riding experience that both serious riders and families will enjoy – choose from four different routes ranging from 71 to 11 miles.

GIANTS RIDGE IRON N DIRT BIKE RACE

DATE: September 1, 2018 ABOUT: A race of 18 or 35 miles that utilizes the most scenic and challenging terrain around. Expect extremely tough climbs, fast descents, varied terrain with plenty of passing opportunities.

AURORA • BIWABIK • BUHL • CHISHOLM • EMBARRASS • EVELETH • GILBERT • HIBBING • HOYT LAKES • MOUNTAIN IRON • VIRGINIA 18 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Short & Sweet Trestle bridge crossing over the Le Sueur River on the Red Jacket Trail.

Jan Lasar photo

MINNESOTA’S BIKE TRAILS 40 Destinations for Adventures across the State

Blazing Star State Trail • 6.5 miles Albert Lea to Myre-Big Island State Park Blazing Star Bike Trail connects the City of Albert Lea with Myre-Big Island State Park.

The trail is groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

www.dnr.state.mn.us

Blue Mound Trail • 6 miles

Luverne to Blue Mounds State Park

A multi-purpose bike and pedestrian trail from Luverne to Blue Mounds State Park, across rolling prairies, woodlands and striking rock formations. Future connection to planned 6-mile Luverne Loop city trail.

www.luvernechamber.com

Casey Jones State Trail • 12 miles total

Pipestone & Currie

The trail consists of three main sections, not yet connected to one another: Five paved miles east out of Pipestone, 2.5 miles of natural surface west of Lake Wilson and a six mile paved loop between Lake Shetek State Park and Currie. Eventually, the Casey Jones Trail will span 120 miles between Luverne and Redwood Falls.

Your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop!

We feature quality bicycles from GT, Redline, Schwinn, Specialized, Sun, Torker & Worksman.

Open 7 days a week.

Children’s, Road, Comfort, BMX, Mountain Bikes & Unicycles 2661 County Road I - Mounds View MN

763.784.6966 CARSBikeShop.com Minnesota Trails

Centennial Trail • 8 miles

Douglas State Trail • 12.7 miles

Start in Villard and ride the paved trail to Glenwood. Connects with a bike route around Lake Minnewaska.

A pleasant ride from Pine Island to Rochester via the town of Douglas. It’s the perfect out-and-back ride and it connects with Rochester’s extensive city trail network.

Eventually, the trail will connect to the Goodhue Pioneer Trail into Red Wing and hook up with the Cannon Valley Trail.

Villard

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail • 9 miles

Crosby

The longest completed part of the Cuyuna Country Trail starts in Crosby, and travels through the Cuyuna Country Recreation Area. Two more sections are currently paved: Brainerd (1.5 miles) and Aitkin (0.5 miles).

It will eventually connect the city of Aitkin to the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The 7-mile segment is groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

Pine Island to Rochester

e arth BluE

Dakota Rail Regional Trail • 25.5 miles Wayzata

This trail is built on the abandoned railroad grade of the Dakota Rail, travels from Wayzata through Dakota and Carver Counties and ends just west of New Germany. A trail extension of Lester Prairie in McLeod County is planned for 2019.

- Paved Walking/ Bike Trails - Bike Rentals and Disc Golf - Campsites & Camper Cabins 57th Annual Buttered Corn - Historic Downtown & Days August 17 & 18, Antiques - Family Aquatic 2018 Center - Fourth of July Fireworks

Visitors Information www.sleepyeyechamber.com

Minnesota New Giant Welcome Center right off the trails on highway 169, 16 and I 90

A giant variety of eats and treats RIGHT IN THE • • • • •

OF THE CITY

WALK/BIKE Trails Camping Lodging Water Park Fun-Food-Festivals

www.blueearthchamber.com

507.526.2916 chamber@bevcomm.net Summer 2018 19

Short & Sweet

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Fair Ridge Bike Trail • 5 miles Fairfax to Fort Ridgely State Park

Connects the city of Fairfax with Fort Ridgely State Park. Start at the Fairfax Railroad Depot Museum and bike south toward the state park and the Minnesota River.

Glendalough Trail • 3 miles Battle Lake to Glendalough State Park

Great River Ridge State Trail • 13 miles

Red Jacket Trail • 12 miles

This paved trail is flat and level and travels through scenic bluff country near Carley and Whitewater State Parks. Future expansions will connect it to the town of Eyota and Carley State Park.

The Red Jacket trail between Mankato and Rapidan crosses over three railroad trestles, including historic Red Jacket Trestle, which is 80 feet high and 550 feet long and has great views of the Blue Earth River.

Carley

Hardwood Creek Trail • 9.5 miles

The 3-mile trail starts at the Battle Lake Community Center and connects with a 5.5- mile loop trail around Annie Battle and Molly Stark Lakes inside the park. Ride back to Battle Lake to complete a 12-mile loop.

Hugo

Goodhue Pioneer State Trail • 9 miles

Hastings Scenic Circuit • 10 miles

Red Wing and Zumbrota (2 sections)

This trail is a work in progress. Currently, two short, paved sections exist. A four-mile stretch connects to the northern end of the Cannon Valley Trail in Red Wing taking riders through the Richard J. Dorer state forest to Hay Creek. The other paved section travels north five miles from Zumbrota. When complete, the trail will be 47 miles long and connect Red Wing with Pine Island, which is the start of the 12.7-mile Douglas State Trail into Rochester, MN.

Great Northern Trail • 4.75 miles Elk River

This paved trail on an abandoned railroad grade connects the southern and northern ends of Elk River, MN. Plans are to extend it north to Zimmerman and Princeton.

Sleepy Eye Bike Trail • 3 miles

Sleepy Eye

The 9.5-mile Hardwood Creek Trail starts in Hugo and travels through Forest Lake. At the Washington/Chisago County line it connects with the 17.5 mile Sunrise Prairie Trail.

Ride this paved trail around Sleepy Eye Lake year-round. Access at Allison and Sportsmen’s Parks.

Saint James and Watline Trail • 9 miles St. James

Hastings

The paved Scenic Circuit is the highlight of Hasting’s 28-mile trail system. This scenic loop takes you along the shores of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers with great views of the 35-foot Vermillion Falls. It connects to the Point Douglas Regional Trail, which will be extended over the river to Prescott, WI in 2018.

Lake Okabena Trail • 5.5 miles Worthington

This loop around Lake Okabena crosses a bicycle bridge near Lakefront Park.

The four mile St. James Area Bike Trail circles Saint James Lake and connects to the 5 mile Watline Trail which connects to Long Lake in southwestern Watonwan County.

Starbuck Trail • 5 miles

Starbuck to Glacial Lakes State Park

Connects the city of Starbuck with Glacial Lakes State Park. Access a bike route around Lake Minnewaska from this trail. (see Centennial Trail)

ROCORI Trail • 5 miles Cold Spring

Leaf River Recreational Trail • 4 miles

Wadena

Mankato

Starts in Wadena and connects to a bike route to make a loop of 10.5 miles.

The paved Rockville-Cold Spring-Richmond Trail is a great ride through granite country in Southwest Stearns County. Currently completed: A 5-mile section between Cold Spring and Richmond.

Sunrise Prairie Trail • 15 miles

North Branch

ramseybicycle.com

The Sunrise Prairie Trail starts in North Branch.

At the Washington/Chisago County line it connects with the Hardwood Creek Trail into Hugo.

For more information on these and other trails visit mntrails.com 507-723-3508

Riverside Days – June 21-24, 2018

TREK • GIANT • ELECTRA 6825 Hwy 10 • Ramsey, MN

763-323-6666

Casey Jones State Trail | Bike Rentals | Historic Downtown

Pedal the Prairie

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PipestoneMinnesota.com 20 Summer 2018

World’s

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BIKE TRAIL GUIDE years ago.

Communities along the way include Spicer, New London, Hawick and Paynesville, where the trail currently terminates. A five-mile segment between Roscoe and Richmond is also paved.

Glacial Lakes State Trail 25 miles

The trail starts at the Civic Center on the northern edge of Willmar.

It goes northeast through beautiful farm land, prairie, and by countless lakes in an area shaped by retreating glaciers some 10,000

GLACIAL LAKES

Connects to Rocori Trail

STATE TRAIL

F dle Mid

Roscoe

25 MILES PAVED

ork

5

Richmond

City Bike Trail 23

71

Norway Lake

City Bike Trail Lake Koronis Trail Lake Koronis

Hawick Lake Koronis Regional Park

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Right on the Bike Trail Ride the Glacial Lakes & Lake Koronis Trail

18 23

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700 Diekmann Drive Paynesville, MN 56362 320-243-4146 www.paynesvilleinn.com

an

Sib le Pay y Sta te P nes R ic vill ark hm e Co o ld S nd pri ng

Eagle Lake

6

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Green Lake Bike Way

PAYNESVILLE INN & SUITES

County Route

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Connections: Just northeast of Willmar, take the five-mile Eagle Lake Loop Trail which circles back to the Civic Center. A city bike route also takes you to downtown Willmar.

In Spicer, take a ride around Green Lake on a combination of trails and signed routes.

A five-mile on-road connection takes you to Sibley State Park near New London. At the eastern end of the Glacial Lakes Trail, take Paynesville’s connector trail to the Lake Koronis Trail. At Richmond, the Glacial Lakes Trail connects to the ROCORI Trail, which will connect Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville. Currently, this trail ends about a mile east of Cold Spring, but will continue on to Rockville soon and eventually reach the Lake Wobegon Trail.

U.S. Route Paved Trail Trail Bike Way Future Trail State Route

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

LEGEND

Games Lake

Sibley Park Sibley State Bike Way Park 9

Paynesville

Glacial Lakes

ces

5

in

Mi

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P

Kandiyohi

Atwater

Willmar

Jump Right In!

360 lakes and miles of trails to explore! • • • •

Ride the Glacial Lakes State Trail Explore Sibley State Park Discover the Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway Just a short drive west of the Twin Cities

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

800.845.8747 ext. 79 www.willmarlakesarea.com Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 21

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

LUCE LINE

19 29 39 44 51.5 63

7

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Baker Park Reserve

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Dutch Lake

Mound

ExploreHUTCHINSON.com

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Gleason Lake

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www.MNTrails.com

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MEEKER CO. Boon Lake

Lake

Find More Maps at

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(mowed grass)

4

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63 MILES ON A VARIETY OF SURFACES

LEGEND

12 22 30 37 44.5 55

STATE TRAIL

Paved (Asphalt) Undeveloped Adjacent Horse Trail Crushed Aggregate Base Crushed Limestone Public Campground State Park P Parking Restroom Picnic/Rest Area

13 23 31 38 45.5 56

1

Ced ar

Luce Line

16 51

Lake Minnetonka

West Arm

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5

EXPLORE…

#MuchInHutch

… the LUCE LINE STATE TRAIL AmericInn 1115 Hwy. 7 E, Hutchinson 320-587-5515 www.americinn.com Crow River Winery 14848 Hwy. 7 E, Hutchinson 320-587-2922 www.crowriverwinery.com

Clay Coyote Gallery & Pottery 17614 240th Street, Hutchinson 320-587-2599 www.claycoyote.com

Outdoor Motion 141 Main Street S, Hutchinson 320-587-2453 www.outdoormotionbikes.com Elena’s Bakery 8 Main Street N, Hutchinson 320-429-2253 www.elenasbakery.com

Hutchinson Chamber & Tourism

800.572.6689 | info@explorehutchinson.com 22 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Luce Line

Public art on display along the Luce Line trail in Hutchinson.

Jan Lasar photo

Luce Line State Trail 63 miles

The Luce Line State Trail stretches 63 miles in a westerly direction from the metro suburb of Plymouth to the small town of Cosmos in west-central Minnesota. Along the way you’ll visit the communities of Wayzata, Watertown, Winsted, Hutchinson, Silver Lake and Cedar Mills. The trail runs on a former railroad line covered with a variety of surfaces ranging from crushed limestone between Plymouth and Winsted, pavement between Winsted and just west of Hutchinson, gravel between Hutchinson and Cedar Mills to a mowed grass path between Cedar Mills and Cosmos. The western trailhead is just west of Cosmos in a county park on Thompson Lake. While it starts in the heart of the western suburbs, the Luce Line Trail offers a varied landscape of woodland, marsh and lakes with a portion running through remnants of the Big Woods and stands of maple and basswood. A horse trail parallels the Luce Line between Hutchinson and Plymouth.

History: The trailway dates back to the old Electric Short Line of 1908 which moved goods and passengers in and out of the Twin Cities. It was renamed Luce Line after the family who owned and extended it as far as Lake Lillian. After the railroad ceased operations, the DNR acquired parts of the corridor to create the state’s first nature trail in 1970.

By 1975 the state owned most of the right of way and between 1977 and 1980 built the trail to Winsted. In 2015, a 23-mile section between Winsted and Hutchinson was paved.

Connections: The Luce Line Trail allows access to many Twin Cities metro area trails.

In Plymouth, the natural surface part of the Luce Line State Trail connects to the paved Luce Line Regional Trail which ends east of Sweeney Lake in Golden Valley. At Medicine Lake it connects to the 13-mile Medicine Lake Regional Trail and the Basset Creek Regional Minnesota Trails

Trail. The Medicine Lake Trail ends at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Connections from here include the Rush Creek and Crystal Lake Regional Trails. In Wayzata a

short ride on city roads will take trail users to the Dakota Rail Trail, which continues roughly southwest for 26 miles and ends just west of New Germany.

Summer 2018 23

Shooting Star

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE Jay C. Hormel

Austin Nature Center

45

SHOOTING STAR

13

90

58

Elkton

LEGEND

3

56

Rose Creek

4

STATE TRAIL

Undeveloped Trail Paved Trail P Parking Restroom

25 MILES PAVED

7

207

4

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218

27 217

10 15.5 Adams City Park

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The Shooting Star Trail is a 25-mile, paved trail through remnants of tall grass prairies with an abundance of native wildflowers.

Much of it is built on an abandoned railroad grade.

The eastern terminus is in LeRoy, MN, which is on MN Hwy 56 just west of its

230

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Lake Louise State Park

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www.MNTrails.com

Shooting Star State Trail 25 miles

14

8

River

Adams

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6 11.5

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19 10 14 20 25.5 4

240

9

junction with US 63 right above the Iowa/ Minnesota state line. The trail soon passes through Lake Louise State Park and continues northwest to the town of Taopi and then on to Adams. The western trail head is the town of Rose Creek., but the trail continues towards Austin for another 5.5 miles.

Highlights: Remnant tallgrass prairie with wildflowers like prairie smoke, rattlesnake master, wild indigo, aster, goldenrod

6 9

236

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LeRoy

and blazing star. The trail passes by several interpretive and recreational opportunities, including Rustic Retreat Wildlife Management Area, Shooting Star Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Taopi Prairie Interpretive Area and Mower County Natural and Scenic Area.

Connections: An extension to Austin is underway. The trail will terminate at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

A beautifully illustrated, family-friendly guide to Minnesota’s native bTWOʎ ZbP]^ LYO SZb _Z ʭ YO _SPX

Rural Minnesota scene on the new section of the trail near Rose Creek. Jan Lasar photo

$24.95 HARDCOVER | 256 PAGES | 249 COLOR PHOTOS

University of Minnesota Press

Available at better bookstores or to order call 800-621-2736 • www.upress.umn.edu 24 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Gateway/Browns Creek

Connection choices at Duluth Junction. Jan Lasar photo

Gateway State Trail 18.3 miles

The Gateway State Trail is a true getaway trail starting deep in metropolitan St. Paul, at Cayuga/L’Orient streets, just a mile north of the State Capitol. It finishes after 18.3 miles at Pine Point Regional Park, five miles north of Stillwater. The trail is open to biking, hiking, horseback riding, in-line skating and skiing and is wheelchair accessible. The paved trail on the old Soo Line railway grade quickly changes from an urban trail to a rural trail with forests, lakes, wetlands and prairies, with very little development and road noise. It isn’t as wide as current trails and can be busy, especially on weekends. There is an unpaved trail north of Hadley, paralleling the paved trail used by horses, as well as dog sleds in the winter.

The Gateway State Trail provides access to other trail opportunities in PhalenKeller Regional Park, Bruce Vento Trail, and connections to Stillwater. It is is also close to Como Park, Lake Elmo Regional Park, Afton

State Park, William O’Brien State Park and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Brown’s Creek State Trail 5.9 miles

About 9 miles from St. Paul on the Gateway State Trail, at Duluth Junction the Brown’s Creek State Trail starts and runs 5.9 miles into downtown Stillwater. The trail passes through heavily wooded areas and past golf courses.

Riders can view a historic stone bridge from the mid- 1800s. At about the halfway point, Brown’s Creek Park provides restrooms and ample parking. Then, riders will descend a canyon to Highway 95. This section of the trail provides views of spectacular fall colors and small waterfalls. The final miles of the Brown’s Creek State Trail follow the St. Croix River into Stillwater.

Connections: The Brown’s Creek State Trail will eventually cross the St. Croix River into Wisconsin on the historic lift bridge. An extension of the Gateway north into Taylors Falls is being explored.

GATEWAY/ BROWNS CREEK

Austin, MN is becoming a well-known destination for biking enthusiasts!

Over 13 miles of hard-surfaced trails connect you with many locations in the city as well as to the Shooting Star, adding an additional 30 miles through the southern region.

SPAM TOWN MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL TM

P Pine Point County Park

STATE TRAIL 24 MILES PAVED

Grant P

Stillwater

White Bear Lake Vadnais-Snail Lakes Reg. Parks

Mahtomedi

Duluth Browns Creek Trail Junction

35E

View the history of over 80 bicycles displayed on the walls inside the shop. Including the 1868 “Boneshaker� and a bike from the late Robin Williams’ personal collection.

Vadnais Lakes 694

Little Canada Gervais L.

L. Owasso

North St. Paul

61

Roseville

35E

Maplewood P

Keller L.

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S ay ew Gat

ail e Tr tat

18.3 miles of paved trail from St. Paul to Stillwater.

5.9 miles Browns Creek Trail.

P

Lake Phalen

P St. Paul

Phalen-Keller Regional Park

Minnehaha Ave.

Bike Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclist.

507-437-4563

Oakdale Bike Trail Rest Area P Parking

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

Minnesota Trails

Austin, MN has been awarded Honorable Mention for being a

301 North Main Street, Suite 101 Austin, Minnesota

AustinMN.com Summer 2018 25

Sakatah Singing Hills 169

Lake Washington

STATE TRAIL

22

North Minnesota River Trail

Madison Lake

14

P

27

Lower Sakatah Sakatah Lake Tetonka Lake

Elysian

Morristown

Waterville

Sakatah Lake State Park

P

Morristown Centennial Park

5.7 8.7 13.0 14.7 21.5 29.0 39.0

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Lake Elysian 18

6.0 13.5 23.5

U.S. Route Paved Trail 200 State Route County Route Public Campground State Park P Parking

in

Mi

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The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail runs 39 miles between Mankato and Faribault.

This paved, abandoned railroad bed passes through cool, wooded areas as well as open, sun-drenched farm fields and connects the communities of Mankato, Madison Lake, Elysian, Waterville, Morristown, Warsaw and Faribault.

Besides the woods and open fields, there are several river crossings, fields of sumac, many ponds, several lakes and lots of benches for resting. At Madison Lake, a historical marker tells of Charles Lindbergh’s barnstorming days when he gave rides in his

ces

Rapidan

Jenny for $5 in a nearby field.

About three-fourths of the trail is under a canopy of tall trees, giving it a boulevard feeling at times and a forested feeling at other times. At Waterville, the trail passes through Sakatah Lake State Park under a dense canopy of trees and provides a separate bicycling campground, picnic grounds, lake access and hiking trails.

The Faribault access to the Sakatah Trail is at the White Sands trailhead one-half mile north of Highway 60.

The trail is open to biking, hiking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling in some sections.

10.0

an

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Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

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Reeds Lake

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3.0 7.0 9.0 15.7 23.2 33.2

Bray County Park

Janesville Sportsman’s Park

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Madison Lake

Eagle Lake

Minneopa

Lake Francis City Park

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Ballantyne Lake Eagle Lake

Mankato Minneopa Trail State Park

Duck Lake County Park

Eagle Lake County Park

Round Lake

60

Warsaw

14

10

LEGEND

P

P

Duck Lake

Cannon Lake

16

39 MILES PAVED

Wita Lake

Faribault

Wells Lake

13

Fai rba ult Wa rsa w Mo rris Sak tow at a n hL Wa ake ter vill St a Ely e te P sia n ark Ma d Ma ison Lak nka e to

M in ne so ta Ri ve r

Cedar Lake

SAKATAH SINGING HILLS

Kasota

21

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

14

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Connections: They include the paved 12-mile Red Jacket trail between Mankato and Rapidan. It crosses over three railroad trestles, including historic Red Jacket Trestle, which is 80 feet high and 550 feet long. The North Minnesota River Trail brings cyclists from the Sakatah Trail through downtown Mankato into the Sibley City Park, where they can connect with the paved Minneopa Trail directly into Minneopa State Park. Also accessible is Mankato’s city bike trail system of over 50 miles.

Future connections on the Faribault side include the Mill Towns Trail into Cannon Falls, where it connects to the Cannon Valley Trail into Red Wing.

The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail crosses the Cannon River near Morristown. Jan Lasar photo 26 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Mesabi Winton

Shagawa Lake

MESABI

Fortune Bay Bois Forte Heritage Museum and RV Park

1

53

73

Mt. Iron Kinney

Hoyt Lakes

135 37

16.3 29.3 39.3 46.3 51.3 64.3 74.5 83 13 23 30 35 48 58.2 66.7 10 17 22 35 45.2 53.7 7

Ch ing idh olm

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18 28.2 36.7

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Swan Lake

Hib

Pengilly

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Oxhide Lake Overlook

Calumet

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169

169

Nashwauk

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Taconite Coleraine Bovey 61

Hill Annex Mine State Park Marble

Hibbing

Keewatin

Virginia

a Tot

38

8

7 25

Babbitt

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57

Minnesota Discovery Center

Birch Lake

Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort

McKinley Gilbert Sparta Eveleth Fayal 53 Veteran’s Park & Campground

US Hockey Hall fo Fame

Buhl 169

169

169

Chisholm Hull Rush Mine Overlook Greyhound Bus Museum

65

21

Embarrass

21

State Park

Chisholm Museum of Mining

Bear Head Lake State Park

21

P Parking

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Soudan

1

Boundary Waters Canoe Area

135

169

McCarthy Beach State Park

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

International Wolf Center

Bar Head Lake

135 MILES PAVED

Public Campground

Tower

Ely

North American Bear Center

169

Gra nd Ra pid e s

LEGEND

Lake Vermilion

TRAIL

U.S. Route Bike Trail Future Trail State Route County Route

Lake Vermillion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park

LaPrairie

2

Mesabi Trail 135 miles

The wonders of the Mesabi Iron Range are in a class by themselves. Bikers can ride over 75 continuous paved miles from Grand Rapids to McKinley, and from Biwabik past Giant’s Ridge Ski Resort for another 15 miles. There are another 5 miles in Tower/ Soudan, including trail through the new Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park, and 6 miles near Eagles Nest Lakes off Hwy 169 on the way to Ely. Spurs into communities like Chisholm, Eveleth and Aurora bring the current mileage up to 135.

When complete, it will be over 155 miles long and connect 28 communities between Grand Rapids and Ely. The route runs through a wide range of scenery, from dramatic views of mining operations, to secluded woods, a jungle of vegetation, mine lakes and reservoirs.

The trail traverses forest, meadows, rivers, streams and lakes in a region bound on the east end by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and on the west by the Mississippi River. In between, the Mesabi Trail takes visitors past the edges of the open pit mines of the Iron Range and areas abundant with wildlife, nature and the rich heritage of hardy pioneers.

Unlike a lot of paved trails in the state, the Mesabi Trail is created from old logging and mining roads, former roadways, some abandoned rail grade and new trail through the forest. There are even a couple of floating bridges. The trail crosses Minnesota’s tallest bridge just outside of Virginia. It spans 1,132 feet and crosses the Rouchleau mine lake

200 feet above the water’s surface for a spectacular view from your bike seat.

Off the bike you can tour a mine, a logging camp, the Greyhound bus museum or visit the childhood homes of Judy Garland and Bob Dylan. Many campgrounds and local parks are easily accessible from the trail, highways and nearby communities.

www.mesabitrail.com/visitor CYCLE THE MESABI WAY.

ITASCA TRAIL SPORTS

Bicycle Sales, Repairs, & Rentals Authorized Dealer: (218) 236-1716 • itascatrailsports.net 316 NE 4th Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Minnesota Trails

Join us for the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour - Saturday, August 4, 2018 Summer 2018 27

Cannon Valley

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

CANNON VALLEY

3.6 9.6 19.4

TRAIL

a Tot

19.4 MILES PAVED

316

To Hastings

9.8 61

7

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An

Ca nno nF alls der s We lch on Re st A S Re d W t atio n A rea ing c ce ss

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Welch Station Access

in

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Mi les Hidden Valley Campground (private)

Welch

Cann o

n Riv er

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

52

Mill Towns Trail

LEGEND

To Twin Cities

Anderson Memorial Rest Area

Cannon Falls 19

Goodhue County Park

Cannon Falls Campground (private)

Oak Lane

Lake Byllesby

Find More Maps at

To Rochester

Cannon Valley Trail 19.4 miles

The paved Cannon Valley Trail from Cannon Falls to Red Wing follows an old Chicago Great Western railroad route and hugs the Cannon River. The trail is bordered by cliffs and lined with wildflowers, often under the canopy of lush trees.

The trail is open year-round for nonmotorized use and groomed for crosscountry skiing in the winter.

It also has several interpretive sites as well

www.MNTrails.com

as rest stops with benches, water and toilets.

Along the Trail: In Cannon Falls, the city section of the trail begins in a park on the Cannon River near the falls that gave the city its name.

This half-mile trail has some steep hills as it winds around the park, picnic areas and ponds before heading through a residential area to the official start of the Cannon Valley Trail at the top of the hill with an old, still used highway bridge in view.

U.S. Route Bike Trail Paved City Trail 200 State Route County Route Public Campground State Park P Parking Restroom Picnic W Water

Seventeen old mileage markers can be seen along the trail’s route. Originally, these concrete posts were used to identify the number of miles from Mankato, which explains why you’ll see these same markers on the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail.

The little town of Welch is the midpoint of the ride and has a rest stop that includes bathrooms.

A 1912 train wreck spilled a load of granite blocks on the hillside near Welch. These

Red Wing has trails for everyone!

Memorial Park Mountain Bike Trails

Cannon Valley trail

Shred dirt on the trails at Memorial Park

Cruise the scenic Cannon Valley Trail

RedWing.org

CannonValleyTrail.com

28 Summer 2018

Welch Village Downhill Mountain Biking

Flow down the mountain at Welch Village WelchVillage.com Minnesota Trails

blocks, rumored to be tombstones, can still be seen today.

The trail then passes by Cannon River Turtle Preserve SNA, Red Wing, Silvernale Archaeology Preserves and a wetland observation deck, before reaching the downtown Red Wing trailhead near the historic Pottery Place.

Connections: At Cannon Falls, the trail connects to the Mill Towns Trail, which will link to the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail at Faribault.

Currently paved sections of the Mill Towns Trail: Two miles at Cannon Falls, three miles between Dundas and Northfield, two miles east from Faribault.

Another connection in Red Wing takes you down the 4-mile northern portion of the Goodhue Pioneer Trail which currently ends at the Hay Creek Campground.

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Cannon Valley

Riding through wildflower fields near Welch. Jan Lasar photo

NAMED

BEST

IOWA TRAIL TOWN IN 2016 & 2017

CHOOSE YOUR BIKE ADVENTURE

CEDARFALLSTOURISM .ORG

800.845.1955 The Cannon Valley Trail crosses Trail Run Creek at the Anderson Memorial Rest Area.

Jan Lasar photo Minnesota Trails

#WeKnowHowToWeekend Summer 2018 29

Willard Munger

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Bikepacking on the Willard Munger Trail. Jan Lasar photo

WILLARD MUNGER

STATE TRAIL

Cromwell

St. Louis River Trail

Cloquet Scanlon Sawyer

210

P

Proctor

70 MILES PAVED

Otter Creek

Superior

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Carlton

Lake Superior

Duluth

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St. Louis River

Wrenshall

35

10 19 23 29 42 46 57 9

13 19 32 36 47

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13 23 32 36 45 55 59 70

Alex Laveau Memorial Trail

Mahtowa

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10 23 27 38 6

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Sturgeon Lake

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Duquette

Kerrick

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Nemadji State Forest

Bruno

Rutledge 23

Finlayson 18

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Askov

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Groningen

Banning State Park Sandstone

St. Croix State Park

Friesland

U.S. Route Paved Trail Trail Bike Way State Route County Route Public Campground State Park

P Parking Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

P Hinckley

The 70-mile Hinckley-Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail passes through the spectacular scenery of Jay Cooke State Park and connects Hinckley, Finlayson, Willow River, Moose Lake, Barnum, Mahtowa, Carlton and Duluth, where it terminates near the Lake Superior Zoo. It provides scenic views of the St. Louis River and the twin ports of Duluth and Superior. Riders can stop on a high railroad trestle to enjoy a breathtaking look over the St. Louis River near Carlton and watch kayakers take on the rapids cut through the rock. Move on and view the wonders of a hydroelectric power plant, pedal through now-rare stands of hemlock trees, and relax on a hillside rest stop overlooking western Duluth and Lake Superior.

The 16-mile Alex Laveau Memorial Trail segment starts in Carlton, passes through Wrenshall and ends at Highway 23, a combination of bike routes on paved road shoulders, city streets and paved off-road bike trail.

Connections: The 2.5-mile paved St. Louis River Trail between Carlton and Scanlon.

Smoothies Soup and Sandwiches Espresso Breakfast Bagels Baked Goods Ice Cream

Stop in and cool down after biking the Willard Munger Trail!

Carlton, MN | (218) 461-2262

48

St. Croix State Park

30 Summer 2018

Willard Munger State Trail 70 miles

magnoliacafecarlton.com Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Central Lakes

Members of the Big Ole Bike Club pass by Lake Cowdrey in Alexandria. Jan Lasar photo

Central Lakes State Trail 55 miles

The 55-mile-long Central Lakes State Trail starts in Fergus Falls and travels southeast through the communities of Dalton, Ashby, Melby, Evansville, Brandon, Garfield, Alexandria, Nelson and Osakis. Just east of Osakis, it connects to the 49-mile-long, paved Lake Wobegon Trail.

The trail, a former railroad grade, is generally flat and level. It passes through a varied landscape of woods, grasslands, lakes, wetlands and farm fields. Communities with rest stops and amenities are generally seven to ten miles apart. The Central Lakes State Trail is open to non-motorized use and groomed for snowmobiling in the winter.

Along the Trail: The official Fergus Falls Trailhead is at DeLagoon Park, where you can find parking, bathroom, picnic and

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Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 31

CENTRAL LAKES

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11 19 25 31 36 40 45 55 5

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BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Os aki s Ne lso n Ale xan Ga dri rfie a ld

Central Lakes

10

in

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camping facilities about a mile south of the intersection of Minnesota Highway 210 and Pebble Lake Road.

DeLagoon Park is named for Lucy and Philip DeLagoon, who homesteaded the land in 1914. This large park offers camping, swimming and picnic facilities, and is connected to the city with bike routes that take you to Grotto Lake Park with the famous statue of Otto the Otter.

Watch for the well-known statue of Big Ole the Viking at the north end of downtown Alexandria, near the Runestone Museum.

Other trail highlights: You will cross the Continental Divide near Fergus Falls, where water flows south into the Mississippi or north into Hudson Bay. Keep an eye out for pink or yellow Lady’s Slippers growing along the trail in early summer.

A Combined History: The Lake Wobegon and Central Lakes State Trail are built on the rail corridor formerly owned by Burlington Northern Railroad Company. As the profitability of the railroad line declined, Burlington Northern leased use of the tracks to smaller short line railroads. One of the last such companies was the Otter Tail

Valley Railroad, which ran trains between Moorhead, MN and Avon, MN, from 1986 until 1991, when the line was officially abandoned.

The Lake Wobegon Regional Trail opened in 1998 and the Central Lakes State Trail was dedicated in 2005. The two trails officially joined near Osakis, MN, in 2007.

Connections: Feasibility of a connection trail between Fergus Falls and Pelican Rapids is being explored.

Another trail in the planning stages would connect Ashby to Battle Lake and Glendalough State Park.

RAIL TRAILS 100 BIKE TOUR

August 4, 2018 Fergus Falls to Saint Joseph signmeup.com/railtrails100 Details on page 16 32 Summer 2018

55 miles of beautiful, paved rail-trails across central Minnesota.

Visit CentralLakesTrail.com for maps and resources Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Lake Wobegon

LAKE WOBEGON

Lake Osakis

Little Falls

REGIONAL TRAIL

Connects to Central Lakes Trail

Osakis

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

62 MILES PAVED

127

Blanchard Dam

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Royalton West Union

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Bowlus

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Sauk Lake

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Sauk Centre

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Minnesota Trails

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State Park Lake Wobegon/ Soo Line Trail City Trail Museum Campground Parking Restroom Shelter

NORTHERN SPUR

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Lake Wobegon Albany to Holdingford Holdingford to County Line

9.4 miles 3.5 miles

Soo Line County Line to Bowlus Bowlus to Blanchard Dam Blanchard Dam to HWY 10

4.0 miles 3.5 miles 2.5 miles

Albany

Albany Lake

Avon P

Lower Spunk Lake

Ochotto Lake Lake Anna

Middle Spunk Lake

Upper Spunk Lake

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Linneman Lake Minnie Lake

94

Saint John’s University

St. Joseph P

Sagatagan Lake Kraemer Lake

College of St. Benedict’s

Summer 2018 33

Lake Wobegon

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Reeling in the big one on the Lake Wobegon Trail near Avon. Jan Lasar photo

Lake Wobegon Regional Trail 62 miles Melrose Trailhead is across the road near the

Church steeples, colleges, cows, lakes and the mythical city of Lake Wobegon greet you on the 49 miles of the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail from St. Joseph to Osakis, with a 9.4 mile spur north from Albany to Holdingford . The paved trail goes through the state’s leading dairy county, seven communities, three lakes, two colleges, two monasteries and the boyhood home of Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis.

The St. Joseph Trailhead is easy to find, just under the water tower. A few miles outside of St. Joseph, see the old town of Collegeville, which now consists of only a few homes, but once had a popular train depot, boarding house, post office and store. You can turn left at Collegeville for a 2.5-mile side trip to Saint John’s University.

At Avon, you’ll find shelters, bathrooms, a water fountain and a two-storied lookout tower/shelter that gives you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding region.

The next 5.5 miles is perhaps the most beautiful along this stretch of trail, with deeper woods, prairies and lakes. Keep an eye out for Lady’s Slipper orchids in May and June.

In Albany, a spur of the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail goes north nine miles to Holdingford, home of Minnesota’s longest covered bridge. This spur connects with the paved Soo Line Trail at the county line and offers pastoral views of a natural landscape. The Soo Line trail goes through Bowlus, crosses the Mississippi River at Blanchard Dam and ends at a trailhead on Highway 10.

West of Albany, you’ll find Freeport, the birthplace of Lake Wobegon. Garrison Keillor is said to have had the inspiration for some of his fictional places here.

Head west for 5.7 miles to Melrose, home of the Melrose Area Museum. The official 34 Summer 2018

Melrose Feed Mill.

When you arrive in Sauk Centre, take a detour to see the Original Main Street made famous by Sinclair Lewis in his novel, “Main Street.� Farther up, you will find a city trail dropping back to Sinclair Lewis Park where you can find camping, bathrooms and parking. The 12-mile stretch between Sauk Centre and Osakis veers off into the country through the tiny town of West Union before entering Osakis.

Connections: Just outside of Osakis, continue on to the Central Lakes State Trail, a 55-mile paved trail to Fergus Falls.

An extension into Waite Park the so-called Saintly Seven, is currently being worked on.

At the Stearns/Morrison county line, the Wobegon connects to the paved Soo Line Trail, see page 38. A link from Sauk Centre north to Browerville is being explored.

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Visit Home of Sinclair Lewis’ Original “Main Street�

PickSauk up the Lake Wobegon Centre Trail on any street in Sauk Centre.

Holdingford

Home of the Lake Wobegon Trail Covered Bridge

N Lake Wobegon Trail

L

Stop by for a bite, an overnight or even shopping on Original “Main Street.â€? visitsaukcentre.org • 855-444-SAUK

Explore the newest stretch of Lake Wobegon Trail and bike the new Soo Line Trail!

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105 1st Ave., Bowlus jordiestrailside.com (320) 584-8193

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105 Avon Ave. S, Avon avoncabincafe.com (320) 356-7198

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29 E Minnesots St., Saint Joseph www.estatesbb.com (320) 557-0300

Lake Wobegon Trail Gallery

431 Railroad Ave., Albany lakewobegontrailgallery.com (320) 845-4100

1998-2018

Minnesota Trails

Joel Schneider Auto Service

701 Railroad Ave., Albany Auto, cycle, ATV & snowmobile service and accessories (320) 845-4856

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&RPH FHOHEUDWH \HDUV RI WKH /DNH :REHJRQ 7UDLO ZLWK XV WKLV \HDU Summer 2018 35

Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Isinours Trail Junction

12.6 17.4 26.3 30.9 35.6 42.1 41.1 53.4 4.8 13.7 18.3 23 29.5 28.5 40.8

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6.5 5.5 17.8

ROOT RIVER/ HARMONY-PRESTON VALLEY

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Root River Trail/ Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail 60 miles The scenic Root River State Trail in the heart of southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country runs from Fountain all the way through Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston for a total of 42 miles.

The former rail bed follows the meandering Root River through spectacular limestone bluffs, picturesque farms and small towns.

It is generally flat and level, except for short stretches on its eastern segment.

At Isinours Junction it connects with the 18-mile-long Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail which connects the two communities for which it was named. The northern two thirds of this trail are built on abandoned railroad grade and are fairly flat. The southern segment leaves the constraints of the railroad bed and climbs to the rim of the valley with great views of the countryside. Stop and see

a large sinkhole at the Karst Interpretive Site a half-mile from Harmony. A similar site is about a mile from Fountain on the Root River State Trail.

Historic buildings and rural communities along both trails have points of interest to trail users. They also provide many services. Campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, museums, outfitters and unique stores are found in many of the trail towns.

Summer uses on both trails include hiking, biking and inline skating. Trails are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Connections: A connection of the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail south toward Niagara Cave and then the Iowa border is currently being worked on. On the Iowa side trail groups are working to connect the Trout Run and Prairie Farmer Trails near Decorah to the Minnesota side to form an interstate trail network.

Along the Trail:

Fountain: Official Sinkhole Capital of the United States. View them from the trail.

Harmony: Home of Niagara Cave, which has an underground waterfall.

Houston: International Owl Center with live owls on display.

Lanesboro: The Commonweal Theatre and public art displays make Lanesboro a destination for the art lover.

Peterson: Peterson Station Museum of Norwegian culture.

Preston: Minnesota’s Trout Capital has the National Trout Center, and is close to Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.

Rushford: The historic train depot on the trail houses a museum and rest area.

Whalan: A small town with a world-famous pie shop. Home of the annual Standstill Parade, where the parade marchers stand still and the spectators walk around.

Explore the Root River Trail in 2018!

June 22-23: 60-Mile Garage Sale

Come join the fun!

Community-wide garage sales in the nine communities along the trail!

September 8, 15 and 22: Taste of the Trail Series Experience the Root River Trail towns over the course of three Saturdays in September!

rootrivertrail.org 36 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

CAMDEN REGIONAL

Find More Maps at

LEGEND

TRAIL 15 MILES PAVED

Southwest MN State University

P 19

Red Baron Arena

19 23

Victory Park

23 59

23

4.6 7.7 3.1

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Red Baron Arena

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Paved Trail P Parking Restroom

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www.MNTrails.com

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Continue to Camden State Park

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Camden State Park

Railroad On-Street Bike Route Off Street Bike Route

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Camden Regional Trail 15 miles

The Camden Regional Trail connects the southwestern Minnesota town of Marshall to nearby Camden State Park.

Start your trip at the Red Baron Arena and Expo on the southeastern edge of town, where a tunnel takes you safely under Hwy. 23 and onto the campus of Southwest

Minnesota State University. The route starts north, then cuts west across the northern outskirts of Marshall. After the airport and the golf course, the trail starts heading southwest through a scenic stretch along the banks of the Redwood River, then along Hwy. 23. You’ll pass through the small town of Lynd, MN before you begin your ascent to the edge of Camden State Park. After another mile on a very scenic and winding section, you’ll reach the park office and the end of the trail.

There are plenty of benches to rest along the Camden Regional Trail and interpretive kiosks with maps tell the natural and historical story of the area.

Connections: Marshall’s network of on and off-street bike routes take you to some of the city’s numerous parks and Camden State Park offers about 5 miles of mountain bike trails.

Marshall, MN • 507-532-3633

At the entrance to Camden State Park on the Camden Regional Trail. Jan Lasar photo Minnesota Trails

thebikeshopmarshall.com

Wind your way through the Camden Regional Bike Trail in

Marshall Minnesota!

WWW.VISITMARSHALLMN.COM @VISITMARSHALLMN Summer 2018 37

Gitchi-Gami

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Descending into Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on the scenic Gitchi Gami Trail. Jan Lasar photo

Gitchi-Gami State Trail 30 miles

GITCHI-GAMI

STATE TRAIL

Grand Marais Cascade River State Park

30 MILES PAVED

Lutsen P Tofte P

Temperance River State Park

Schroeder P Taconite Harbor George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

S ke

La Tettegouche State Park

Silver Bay P Beaver Bay P Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Gooseberry Falls State Park

P PP

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Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

38 Summer 2018

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Future Trail Bike Trail State Park P Parking Picnic/Rest Area Restroom Camping

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail will eventually trace 89 miles of the North Shore, weaving its way through five state parks from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Destined to become one of the most scenic paved trails in the nation, the Gitchi-Gami parallels U.S. Highway 61, the popular Superior Hiking Trail and the Lake Superior Water Trail. Gitchi-Gami offers one more active way to enjoy Minnesota’s North Shore.

The longest trail section to date runs more than 17 miles from Gooseberry Falls State Park across the Split Rock River, through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Beaver Bay, and on to Silver Bay. At Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, you ride just below a wayside rest and scenic overlook with a picture-perfect view of the lighthouse. To visit the lighthouse and interpretive center, take the short spur trail leading there.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Beaver Bay both have trail centers with parking.

The half-mile lakeside swing around Highway 61’s Silver Creek Tunnel is worth visiting on wheels or on foot for its panoramic views of Lake Superior.

There’s also a three-mile stretch of trail from Schroeder to Tofte, passing through Temperance River State Park and offering a view of Carlton Peak. This stretch could make a nice out-and-back casual ride or family trip of six miles with a stop for a hike to see the Temperance River Gorge.

Navigating through the Town of Tofte, plan to take the Town Park Road which can bring riders some excellent opportunities to engage with Lake Superior.

Minnesota Trails

The trail once again picks up on the northeast side of Tofte where it continues another 7.3 miles.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail Four Sections Silver Creek Cliff

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail begins with a short yet impressive one-mile section of the original North Shore Drive, running 4,000 feet around the Silver Cliff Creek Tunnel northwest of Two Harbors. This section of the trail offers a spectacular vista of Lake Superior and has a reproduction of the original 1924 North Shore Gateway arch and brass plaque welcoming visitors.

While this section isn’t ready for through traffic, you may want to park just east of the tunnel and walk across the trail bridge to enjoy the view. This is also an area to see rock climbers and a great place for travel photos.

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE This segment crosses the Temperance River Gorge and an ancient stream bed that is thought to have been an ancient route for the Temperance River into Lake Superior. The Temperance River Gorge offers spectacular views of the river and rocks below. You can also view the 1,526-foot Carlton Peak.

You’ll have to cross Highway 61 at the east end of Tofte and use the Town Road to access the community of Tofte. Trail users can use the Blue Fin Bay lake walk trail for about a half-mile to rejoin the trail on the east edge of town.

This trail segment currently offers parking in Schroeder at the Tofte Public Water Access.

Food, beverages and restroom facilities are available in Tofte.

Gooseberry State Park to Silver Bay

Gitchi-Gami

Tofte to Grand Marais

This 7.3-mile trail segment starts at the northeast end of the town of Tofte. At County Road 34, where the trail used to dead-end, a tunnel underpass beneath Highway 61 connects to a new trail segment that ends at County Road 5 (Lutsen Ski Hill Road).

The 1.5-mile segment of completed GitchiGami State Trail in Grand Marais lies within the Grand Marais city limits. This trail segment connects to the Grand Marais Corridor Trail, a one-mile paved bike trail that travels through the heart of downtown Grand Marais.

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Seven miles east of Silver Creek Cliff is the popular Gooseberry Falls State Park where the next segment of the Gitchi-Gami Trail starts just a quarter-mile east of the TH 61 Bridge. This trail segment leads to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and the towns of Beaver Bay and Silver Bay.

Temperance River State Park

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail picks up again at the east parking lot in Schroeder and travels through Temperance River State Park, about four miles to the west of Tofte.

August 18, 2018

THE DAY ENDS. BUT THE FUN DOESN’T. After you’ve hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked, the fun is just beginning.

Because we have the amenities that make family time the best time ever.

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Cozy SertaÂŽ Perfect Sleeper beds | Free hot breakfast Hotel-wide, high-speed Internet | Indoor pool and whirlpool Summer 2018 39

Soo Line

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

A family of bike tourists cross the Blanchard Dam Bridge on their way across the United States. Jan Lasar photo

Soo Line Trail 10 miles

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

LEGEND

SOO LINE

TRAIL 10 MILES PAVED

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116 First Street Southeast Little Falls, MN 56345 (320) 632-5374

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View Our Menu Online www.attheblacknwhite.com

Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs

26

Lin

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116 First Street Southeast Little Falls, MN 56345 (320)BLACK 632-5374 & WHITE THE

Mississippi River Trail

Royalton

Bowlus

County Line

Paved Trail Shelter State Park P Parking Restrooms

P

10

Little Two Ri

Two River

Large selection of Minnesota craft beers and wines from family-owned vineyards.

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Little Falls

This scenic trail starts at the northern end of the Lake Wobegon Trail between Holdingford and Bowlus at the Stearns and Morrison County line. The quiet trail crosses a pastoral landscape with an occasional farm and wetland.

Bowlus’ trailhead resembles the long-gone railroad stop and has bathrooms, parking and water.

Four miles farther to the northeast, the trail crosses the railroad trestle just downstream of Blanchard Dam, the tallest dam on the Mississippi, with a 1920s hydroelectric station still in use today.

At Blanchard Dam, search the river banks for Twinned Staurolite, a naturally occurring mineral. These so-called cross rocks or fairy stones will occasionally form in the shape of a Maltese Cross and can only be found in a few places in the world.

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Soo Line

Cyclists have access to Charles A. Lindbergh State Park via the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway on the west side of the river.

The paved section ends at a trailhead at Highway 10 near Royalton, but continues unpaved to Superior, Wisc., with another paved 11-mile segment between Isle and Onamia near Mille Lacs and Father Hennepin State Parks.

Connections: The connection to the Lake Wobegon Trail was completed in 2007.

A future trail connection to the Paul Bunyan State Trail, the Camp Ripley/Veterans State Trail, is currently in the planning stages.

FIND YOUR TRAIL,

Share your story.

We accept freelance articles about your parks and trails experience.

Email jan@mntrails.com for details.

Members of the Central Minnesota Bicycle Club pose for a shot at the Bowlus trail head. Jan Lasar photo

Little Falls

1.800.325.5916 www.littlefallsmn.com

WHERE THE MISSISSIPPI PAUSES...

YOUR DISCOVERY BEGINS

BOWLUS | LINCOLN LAKES | FORT RIPLEY | RANDALL | ROYALTON | PIERZ | SWANVILLE Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 41

Paul Bunyan/Heartland Map

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

TRAIL MAP Heartland, Paul Bunyan, Mi-Gi-Zi and Itasca Wilderness Trail

Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific & Natural Area

Lake Bemidji State Park

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Pine Mountain Lake

More Maps at MNTrails.com

P Backus

Norway Lake

84

P

Big Trout Lake

Pine River

Paul Bunyan State Trail

Upper Whitefish Lake

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210 Perch Lake

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Franklin Ave.

King St.

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Rollinger St.

Bridge St.

Northland Arboretum

Lower Cullen Lake

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P

Baxter

Park Rapids

Heartland St.

Pearle St.

White Sand Lake

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail

c Dr.

North St.

Pelican Lake

Evergreen Rd.

Lawn St.

42 Summer 2018

P 371

Eastern Ave.

East River Dr.

Todd St.

Pequot Lakes

Kaywood Dr.

Fish Hook River

Forestview Ave.

71

Lower Whitefish Lake

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84

U.S. Route Paved Trail Bikeway (MRT) Horse Trail 200 State Route County Route Public Campground State Park P Parking Restroom Picnic H Hospital

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Mississippi River Trail

Wilson Bay

Buffalo Lake

B371 123

Baxter

210

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210

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Crow Wing State Park

Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Paul Bunyan

Paul Bunyan State Trail 115 miles

The 115-mile, paved Paul Bunyan State Trail is Minnesota’s and the country’s longest paved rail trail. It has been inducted into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame, as a “signature Minnesota destination.� The trail starts at Crow Wing State Park near Brainerd and ends at Lake Bemidji State Park near Bemidji. Including a few on-road connections, the total mileage is closer to 123 miles.

The trail’s namesake, Paul Bunyan, is a reminder of the rich forestlands that supported a robust timber industry and are ever present on your ride through the pines.

Much of the old red pine forest has been preserved in the Chippewa National Forest, which hosts a portion of the trail near Walker.

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The Paul Bunyan State Trail travels through the Chippewa National Forest.

Jan Lasar photo

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Paul Bunyan

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

The northern trailhead is located in Lake Bemidji State Park.

You will see many incarnations of Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox, in towns along this one-of-a-kind trail, but there are some things you can only find with the help of technology. Geocachers call the Paul Bunyan State Trail a Power Trail because almost 1000 geocaches wait to be discovered along the route.

Connections: Traveling north on the Paul Bunyan State Trail after Hackensack the trail enters the Chippewa National Forest.

You can take a hilly ride through the woods and connect to the Heartland State Trail just southwest of Walker. Here the two trails share a few miles. You can also continue north on the Shingobee Connection Trail, which takes

28th annual

Laddies Loppet

you through Walker on a flatter route and connects back to the shared segment on the northern edge of town. In Bemidji, the trail connects to an 18-mile loop around the lake.

Crow Wing State Park to the Chippewa National Forest

Riders can catch glimpses of the Mississippi River on their way through the park towards Brainerd’s Northland Arboretum. The Brainerd lakes area is a favorite with tourists seeking an Up North experience with creature comforts.

Countless resorts, hotels and campgrounds cater to cyclists and are located near the trail.

The area has a large number of hiking and cross-country ski trails, too. North of Brainerd you’ll find wetlands, gardens and the little towns of Merrifield and Lake Hubert. Enjoy the quiet beauty of the many area lakes on the way to Nisswa. Downtown Nisswa is a bustling tourist town with many shops and restaurants to explore. Stop for a tour of the historic pioneer village and regular turtle races throughout the summer.

The Pequot Lakes Visitor’s Center is a good place to rest and recharge. Rumor has it Paul Bunyan’s bobber now serves as the town’s water tower. Stop and take a rest in Paul Bunyan’s chair at Bobber Park. At the Pine River Information Center you can see vintage displays, including a pair of Paul Bunyan’s baby shoes, big enough to stand in. You can meet Paul Bunyan’s girlfriend, Lucette, in Hackensack, home to an annual chainsaw carving festival.

Keep an eye out for carved critters along the trail, like Colonel Cobber in Backus.

This 10-foot chainsaw carving of a corncob

man is a favorite picture opportunity with cyclists. After Hackensack, you’ll come to a Y intersection. Go left and ride the hilly section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail through Chippewa National Forest to the intersection with the Heartland State Trail west of Walker.

Go right and take the easier Shingobee Trail into Walker from the south. Both routes connect to downtown Walker, called the city on the bay on the south side of Leech Lake.

Walker is another hub for visitors because it is at the crossroads of the Paul Bunyan and Heartland State Trail and the North Country Hiking Trail, surrounded by state forests and the Chippewa National Forest.

Walker to Bemidji

On the way to Bemidji, you will cross the Kabekona River and go through Benedict, Laporte and Guthrie in a mix of quiet, rolling farmlands, crystal clear lakes and forest lands.

Bemidji, the first city on the Mississippi River, is on the south side of Lake Bemidji and flanked by the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest to the west and Lake Bemidji State Park to the north. In Bemidji, you’ll want to visit the famous statue of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox named Babe. Continue on to Lake Bemidji State Park or ride a 17-mile scenic loop around Lake Bemidji.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail follows the original railroad line built in 1893 and abandoned by Burlington Northern in 1983.

In October 1992, the first 50 miles of the Paul Bunyan State Trail from Brainerd to Hackensack, MN, opened to the public and it has since more than doubled in length.

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Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Heartland

Heartland State Trail

The Heartland State Trail starts in Heartland Park in Park Rapids and runs nearly 50 miles northeast to Cass Lake through the heart of lake country. Numerous towns, resorts and parks provide amenities to the rider on one of Minnesota’s most visited recreational trail systems.

Park Rapids to Dorset

The official start of the Heartland State Trail is in Park Rapids’ Heartland Park, which has shelters, restrooms, a swimming beach and a bridge across the Fish Hook River.

Your six-mile journey to Dorset will take you through scenery ranging from thick woods to grasslands dotted with lakes.

The popular trailhead in Dorset has access to shops and restaurants, a large paved parking lot, outdoor toilet, playground and shaded picnic areas.

The corral on the other side of the trail is for those on horses who use the unpaved trail parallel to the paved trail.

Dorset to Nevis

The next five miles to Nevis are quite pleasant. For three miles, the trail travels through the woods with glimpses of an occasional pond. Pines and poplar trees dominate with some birch.

Nevis to Akeley

The rest area in Nevis has water and restrooms. Stop and see a statue of the World’s Largest Tiger Muskie. In Akeley, stop and sit in Paul Bunyan’s hand for a picture.

Paul Bunyan invites you to rest in Akeley on the Heartland State Trail. Jan Lasar photo

Akeley to Walker

The Heartland State Trail and the Paul Bunyan State Trail (Crow Wing State Park to Bemidji) share a trail segment from just outside of Akeley to just outside of Walker. At a parking lot a few miles outside of Akeley, riders can turn onto the Paul Bunyan State Trail and ride through the Chippewa National Forest. This 8-mile segment on paved logging roads-turned-trail has a grade of up to 8 percent. It hooks up to the Shingobee Connection Trail into Walker. Alternatively, you can continue on the shared segment and access the town of Walker that way.

Just outside of Walker, the Paul Bunyan and Heartland State Trails part ways. The Paul Bunyan Trail continues northwest to Bemidji, while the Heartland State Trail continues northeast to Cass Lake. At 23.3 miles, the North Country Hiking Trail crosses the trail.

Walker to Cass Lake

North of Walker, you’ll need to ride two miles on a paved road shoulder to get from one section of the trail to the other. The trail skirts the west side of Leech Lake, then cuts through some woods and marshland and parallels Highway 371 for 10 miles to Cass Lake. At 41 miles, there is a large steel bridge which once carried trains across Steamboat River.

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Connections: In Cass Lake, connect with

the Mi-Gi-Zi Trail, a 20-mile route around Pike Bay’s beautiful shores. Future expansions include an 86-mile segment from Park Rapids west to Moorhead and a 20-mile extension north from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park.

Minnesota Trails

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WORLD FAMOUS ITASCA STATE PARK Summer 2018 45

Northwest Angle

Lake of the Woods Lost River

Garden Island Zippel Bay

Parks, Trails, Forests, Rivers

Franz Jevne Rainy Lake Trai

l

Smokey Bear

Beltrami Island

International Falls

Thief Lakes

Pine Island

Old Mill

Voyageurs National Park

Lit

tle

Red Lake

Lower Red Lake

Big

71

Fo Koochiching rk Riv er

Fo rk

Burntside

Big Fork

Buena Vista

ouis St. L

Schoolcraft

Golden Anniversary

Remer

Cloquet Valley

iR ipp

Leech Lake

iss ive

Park Rapids

Hill River

Badoura Huntersville

Pine River

Lyons

94

Fergus Falls

Terr e Riv er e de

pew a Riv er

Pom m

Chip

Sibley

Nort

h Fo

Monson Lake

Glacial Lakes Trail

River

rk C

row Rive r

Shurburne National

Mis

St. Cloud

siss

Lake Maria

ipp

i Riv er T rail

Jay Cooke

Maps • Guides • Features STATE PARKS

Nemadji

WITH FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT

WILDLIFE REFUGES NATIONAL FORESTS BWCAW VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK

Wild River

LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS

Interstate William O’Brein

Carlos Avery

94

DESIGNATED WATER WAYS BIKING TRAILS

Browns Creek Trail

Grand Rounds

Willmar Lac qui Parle

Gateway Trail

l Luce Line Trai M

Upper Sioux Agency

BIKEWAY

Hutchinson Dakota Trail

inn

es

ot

aR

LRT

Fort Snelling

MN National Wildlife Refuge

r

Not for Navigation March 2016

Afton

71

ive

Minnesota Valley

r Rive ood onw Cott

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone

Casey Jones Trail

Split Rock Creek

Lake Shetek

Mankato

Minneopa

Watonwo n River

Frontenac GoodhuePioneer

Nerstrand Big Woods

Straight River

Regional Trail Camden

Cannon Valley Trail

Sakatah Sakatah Singing Lake Hills Trail

iver

Flandrau

Marshall Camden

Red Wing er Cannon Riv

Fair Ridge Trail

Rice Lake

Douglas Trail

Kilen Woods

Carley

Albert Lea Blazing Star Trail

John A. Latsch

Whitewater

Rochester

Des Moines River

35 Blue Mounds Blue Mounds Trail

r ive at R rail Greidge T Whitewater R

Zum bro R

Fort Ridgely

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

St. Croix

Ru m

il Tra

Sauk River

Two Harbors

DESIGNATED FOREST

River

er i Riv

Glacial Lakes

ail Tr

St. Croix

35

on

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ng

Banning

Rum River

ipp

Wob eg

Mille Lacs

siss

Lac qui Parie

Trail

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Moose Lake

Willard Munger Trail

Father Hennepin

Soo Line Trail

Mis

Charles A. Lindbergh

Soo Line

Big Stone National

Lake Mille Lacs Mille Lacs Kathio

Long Prairie River Lake Carlos

Lak e

Big Stone Lake

Brainerd Crow Wing

71

Alexandria

Rice Lake National

Solana

io er

ki Hi

Duluth

Fond du Lac

Snake

Ce nt ra lL ak es Tr ail

North Country Trail

Savanna Portage

Wealthwood

Wing River

Glendalough Trail

Ottertail River

r ve

Ri

Cuyuna Country Rec. Area

Pillsbury

Crow

Glendalough

M

Paul Bunyan Trail

Maplewood

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River

Foot Hills

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Savanna

Kettl e

Walker

Smoky Hills

North Country Trail

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Buffalo River

Trail North Country

Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Trail

Moorhead

Heartland Trail

Gooseberry Falls

r

Whiteface River

l rai rT

Two Inlets

Tettegouche Split Rock Lighthouse

iss

Tamarac National

r

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Hill Annex Mine

l

s

Me

Grand Rapids

Battleground

Paul Bunyan Trail

White Earth

River

George H. Crosby Manitou

il

Tra abi

M

Red River

Itasca State Park

Migizi Trail

Grand Marais

River Superior National Forest Temperance

Bear Head Lake

Finland

Hibbing

Bowstring Lake Winnibigoshish

Bemidji Paul Bunyan

Chippewa National Forest

Blackduck

Lake Bemidji

Grand Portage

Judge Pat Bayle C.R.Magney Cascade

Bear Island

Soudan Underground Mine

Grand Portage

BWCA BWCWA

Kekekabic Trail

Ely

Vermilion State Park

Sturgeon River

McCarthy Beach George Washington

Scenic

Itasca Wilderness Trail

Border Route Trail

Kekekabic Trail

Riv er

iT ra i

iver

Red River Rec. Area

Kabetogama

er Riv

Red Lake R

Upper Red Lake

am

Thief River Fall

lion mil Ver

Big Bog Rec. Area

Agassiz National

La ke Su pe rio rW at er Tra il

Hayes Lake

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Twin Lakes

tc h

Lake Bronson

Gi

Roseau River

Ro

ot

Riv er

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood

Great River Bluffs

Root River Trail Myre Big Island

Austin

Shooting Star Trail Lake Louise

HarmonyPreston Forestville/ Valley Trail Mystery Cave

Beaver Creek Valley

COME CLEAN. LEAVE CLEAN.

Give Invasive Species The Brush Off. 46 Summer 2018

Minnesota Trails

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Online & In Print $250/annually Call Jan @320-266-5132

BIKE SHOPS 218-739-5651

2010 Hwy. 210 E., Fergus Falls www.centrallakescycle.com

218-545-4545

EASY RIDERS BICYCLE & SPORT

218-829-5516 320-251-2844

320-219-7433

REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI

320-251-2453

160 29th Avenue South, St. Cloud www.revolutioncycleandski.com

TOURIGHT BICYCLE SHOP

124 2nd Street NE, Little Falls www.tourightbicycleshop.com

OUTDOOR MOTION

141 Main Street South, Hutchinson www.outdoormotionbikes.com

320-639-2453

320-587-2453

Bemidji

61

71 2

800-450-7247

35

Central Region

94

100 Milwaukee Road, Lanesboro www.lanesboro.com

St. Cloud

320-587-5252

Southern Region

Metro Region Mankato

71

507-467-2696

90

90

A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

B&Bs COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST 651-257-4773

5 miles from Taylors Falls www.countrybedandbreakfast.us

GREEN HERON B&B

Duluth

218-999-5795

FUN SPIRIT MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK 218-628-2891 9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth 800-642-6377

LODGING BERT’S CABINS

218-266-3312

AMERICINN SILVER BAY

218-226-4300

AMERICINN TOFTE/LUTSEN

218-663-7899

AMERICINN TWO HARBORS

218-834-3000

15782 Wilderness Drive, Lake Itasca www.bertscabins.com 50 Mensing Drive, Silver Bay www.americinn.com 7231 W Hwy. 61, Tofte www.americinn.com

1088 Hwy. 61 N, Two Harbors www.americinn.com

1204 7th Avenue, Two Harbors www.countryinntwoharbors.com

SINCLAIR LEWIS CAMPGROUND 320-352-2203

826 Park Road, Sauk Centre www.ci.sauk-centre.mn.us

NORTHERN CYCLE

218-732-5971

NORTHERN CYCLE

218-751-(BIKE) 2453

117 3rd Street NW, Bemidji www.northerncyclemn.com

2 Main St., Hutchinson www.explorehutchinson.com

Northeast Region

2

218-332-5425

COUNTRY INN TWO HARBORS 218-834-5557

218-326-1716

100 Mill Road, Park Rapids www.northerncyclemn.com

14084 Baxter Drive, STE 12, Brainerd www.visitbrainerd.com

www.spiritmt.com

ITASCA TRAIL SPORTS

316 NE 4th Street, Grand Rapids www.itascatrailsports.net

VISIT BRAINERD

2810 Meyers Bay Road, Grand Rapids www.greenheronbandb.com

JAKE’S BIKES ALEXANDRIA

611 3rd Avenue E, Alexandria www.jakesbikes.com

112 Washington Ave. W, Fergus Falls www.visitfergusfalls.com

Minnesota Trails Directory Regions

Northwest Region

35

CYCLE PATH AND PADDLE

105 7th Avenue S, St. Cloud ^^^ Ä [aOHYYPZTU JVT

FERGUS FALLS CVB

LANESBORO CHAMBER

115 3rd Avenue SW, Crosby www.cyclepathpaddle.com

FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL ASSOCIATION 320-763-0102

324 Broadway, Alexandria www.centrallakestrail.com

HUTCHINSON CHAMBER

CENTRAL LAKES CYCLE

415 Washington Street, Brainerd www.easyridersbikes.com

INFORMATION

BIKE KING

651-457-7766

CARS BIKE SHOP

763-784-6966

GATEWAY CYCLE

651-777-0188

PIONEER CYCLE

763-755-8871

RAMSEY BICYCLE

763-323-6666

6489 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights www.bike-king.com

2661 Co Road I & Old Hwy 10, Mounds View www.CarsBikeShop.com 6028 Hwy. 36 Blvd N, Oakdale www.gatewaycycle.com 12741 Central Ave., NE, Blaine www.pioneercycle.com 6825 Hwy. 10 NW, Ramsey www.ramseybicycles.com

STRAUSS SKATES AND BICYCLES 651-770-1344

1751 Cope Avenue E, Maplewood www.straussskatesandbicycles.com

TONKA CYCLE AND SKI

952-938-8336

TRAILHEAD CYCLING & FITNESS

763-712-0312

16 Shady Oak Road S, Hopkins www.tonkacycleandski.com

11350 Aquila Drive, Suite 505, Champlin ^^^ [YHPSOLHKJ`JSPUNHUKÄ [ULZZ JVT

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2018 47

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ADVENTURE AWAITS AT

AMERICINN

[800] 634.3444 AMERICINN.COM

See more about these locations at AmericInn.com. ©2012 AMERICINN INTERNATIONAL, LLC

From Minnesota’s rugged north shore to its southwestern prairie, the northwestern tallgrass parklands, to the Minnesota River Valley, taking good care of people in this great state of ours is what we do best. We’ve earned our stripes when it comes to genuine hospitality, and you’ll feel it the moment you walk through our doors. From a friendly smile to a free, hot American breakfast, stop in and discover true AmericInn® hospitality.

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