Minnesota Trails Fall 2017

Whitewater State Park • Hiking Features

Fall 2017

HIKING GUIDE BIKE TOURS

101 FUN THINGS TO DO ON OUR

SCENIC

Tr ai Pa l Bu ge ild 5 er

BYWAYS

~ LODGING ~ Country Inn Deerwood 23884 Front St., Deerwood 218-534-3101 www.countryinndeerwood.com

522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Deerwood Motel 23688 Forest Rd., Deerwood 218-534-3163 www.deerwoodmotel.com

www.MnTrails.com

Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge 25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd., Deerwood (Open April-November) 218-678-2885 www.ruttgers.com

Minnesota Trails Staff

Woodland Beach Resort 15596 Woodland Beach Lane, Deerwood 218-866-0711 www.woodlandbeachresort.com

Jan Lasar Editor/Publisher

Crosby - Ironton - Deerwood Bay Lake - Cuyuna - Emily

~ EAT & DRINK ~ Dave Simpkins Past Editor/Publisher

Cuyuna Brewing Co. 1 E Main Street, Crosby 218-866-0914 www.cuyunabrewing.com

Joyce Frericks Accounting

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

Brian Dingmann Page Layout & Design

Mixed Company - A Kava House 128 W Main St., Crosby 218-545-1010 Coffee Shop · Panini/Sandwiches · Soups

Amanda Thooft Graphic Artist

North Country Café 12 W Main St., Crosby 218-545-9908 Homestyle cooking w/friendly service.

Editorial Board

Woodtick Inn 24916 Minnesota Ave., Cuyuna 218-772-0252 All trails lead to the tick.

Brett Feldman Executive Director Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Vol. 22, No. 3 August 2017 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.

Continuing the

~ 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 Deerwood Bank Deerwood-Garrison-Brainerd-Baxter 800-291-6597 www.deerwoodbank.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

Contact Us for More Information

218-546-8131 • www.cuyunalakes.com 2 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

Index Features

Columns

Departments

6 Land Project Highlight

4 Minnesota Miles

13 Hiking Guide

Parks and Trails Council

8 Path to Friendship Micheal Foley

10 Wilderness Apprentice Kelly Brown

32 Volunteers Make Trails Happen Matthew Davis

33 A Day at Whitewater State Park

Jan Lasar

23 Great Minnesota Hikes

5 Vision for the Future

17 Scenic Byway Guide

Brett Feldman

101 Fun Things To Do

34 Bike Ride Guide

Cover photo: Mark Perreault takes in the scenery at the Rat Lake overlook on a hike on the Border Route Trail.

Kelly Brown photo

Fabulous Fall Rides

37 MN Trails Map Bike, hike and paddle Minnesota

Rudi Hargesheimer

Index photo: The view from the historic Big Sand Fire Tower in the Sakatah State Forest.

Jan Lasar photo

Proud sponsor p off the

Thank yous!

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Fall 2016 3

,7¶// *(7 <28 7+(5( raptors. The crafter I’ve been asked why Minnesota of Joe Rolette and his in you might want Trails publishes a guide to oxcart.

Then it was on to to take a drive on Minnesota’s Scenic Byways each Argyle and the Great River fall. We usually talk about Road and stroll the silent sports, so that’s Minnesota Miles Old Mill State Park where the streets of Little a valid point. My short [OL` ÄYL \W Falls when they answer is “The byways an antique hold their annual are a scenic drive to our Case steam Arts and Crafts recreation destination.” engine every Fair. And all of us Just take a look at how August and can have many many parks, trails and grind wheat just of those “Whoaattractions are along those like the early what-was-that?” routes. farmers did. moments and On a recent trip up the allel Back on the pull over the King of Trails from Luverne e 45th Par h T Jan Lasar road I passed a car for roadside to Hallock I left the bison Trails Editor/Publisher mile-long train sculptures like of Blue Mounds State Park whose cars were Nevis’ tiger muskie on the Lake early in the morning and hit the road. After a short drive loaded with dozens of wind turbine Country Scenic Byway.

That’s the long answer. there was a lot to see in Pipestone. ISHKLZ ;OH[»Z KLÄUP[LS` ZVTL[OPUN In this issue of Trails there’s a The Pipestone National Monument you don’t see every day.

After close to 400 list of our suggestions for 101 fun should be on every Minnesotan’s miles, just shy of things to do on bucket list, but there was also the Canada, I rolled M i n n e s o t a ’s world’s largest into Hallock and scenic byways. peace pipe and called it a day. @V\»SS HSZV ÄUK the Casey Jones There are a guide to some Trail. Farther up 22 of these spectacular the road I stopped byways in Minnesota in Madison, MN, Minnesota, hikes and bike self-proclaimed ranging in rides, Rudi 3\[LÄZR *HWP[HS length from Hargesheimer’s of the World. Lou 19 miles like account of a day T. Fisk, the town the Apple at Whitewater mascot, has been Blossom State Park, a sitting atop his S c e n i c story about concrete base for Turbine Blade Byway, to hiking the North over 25 years, but al n io t s a N e 575 miles Shore by Micheal to get to him I had Pipeston ent Monum like the Foley and Kelly to walk across the Great River Road. Some B r o w n ’s piece on how he parking lot and what?

HYL Z[YHPNO[ ZOV[Z SPRL [OL .\UÅPU[ reconnected with an old friend to The 45th parallel? You bet! This town of 1,500 is halfway Trail Scenic Byway, some resemble a learn about wilderness hiking and camping. between the equator and the North network like the Glacial Ridge Trail, This fall, Pole. And if that wasn’t enough, I and the Grand Rounds with when you’re on also learned that Madison was the its skyline views circling your way to the home of award-winning authors Minneapolis for over 50 miles.

Headwaters 100 Robert and Carol Bly. Along the way ride or the Border Later, I passed by Big Stone can experience Route Trail or National Wildlife Refuge near you Whitewater Ortonville. This 11,000-acre natural Minnesota from many different angles: State Park, take area on Big Stone T h e a scenic byway Lake is home to h i s t o r y and bring this endangered plants buff can issue of Trails. such as the ball follow the It’ll get you cactus. Then, it was Prohibition there. on to Breckenridge Itinerary of PS: If where the Bois de k r tate Pa the Minnesota you’re on the Sioux and Otter Tail S l il M Old River Valley King of Trails Rivers meet and byway and visit this year, take JVU[PU\L [V ÅV^ sites connected H SVVR H[ T` ISVN [V ÄUK V\[ north as the Red to the 1919 Volstead Act. how to pair a pint with a trail. There River. In Crookston On the Skyline Parkway are four taprooms along the way in there was the Red a visit to Hawk Ridge Luverne, Hendricks, Marshall and River Valley Sugar Bird Observatory brings Hallock.

Beet Museum Lou T.Fisk nature lovers closer to mntrails.com/blog and a giant statue 4 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

p e ople savi ng s p e ci a l pl aces

w w w. p a r k s a n d t r a i l s . o r g

Letter from the executive director

Having a vision for the future

By Brett Feldman This fall, while you are out enjoying Minnesota’s parks and trails, please take a moment to reflect on how good you feel both physically and mentally. Chances are you will be enjoying these special places with friends, family or others who are experiencing the same benefits, so you will also likely be feeling pretty good socially, too. Ask yourself how many places in the world give you such an amazing feeling.

Of course, there are numerous studies that make the scientific link between exposure to nature and improved physical, mental and social health. Reaffirming what science has already proven is not my objective here. Rather, I simply want to encourage you to use those moments when you are feeling really good to think about what it must have taken for the trail or park you are enjoying to become a reality.

It’s easy to forget that every park or trail has its own story and that the reason you are feeling so darn good ¬¬– like you are on top of the world – is thanks to the work of others who had a vision.

From the day we were founded in 1954 until today, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has played a key role in fulfilling that vision.

We have helped protect critical land for the public’s use and benefit by serving as a hub of creative energy

for a strong and engaged network of citizens committed to ensuring strong public investment in Minnesota’s parks and trails because we know they are a critical component of our quality of life, economy, environment and public health.

One of the things that makes our role so important is that in addition to having vision we also have the financial capacity to move much more quickly than park agencies are able to move in order to protect land that is critical to the integrity of our parks and trails.

Such was the case recently when Parks & Trails Council used our revolving land fund to purchase 159 acres of prairie and oak savanna with spectacular bluffland views of the Pleasant Valley Lakelet and Lake Pepin right at the entrance of

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

Frontenac State Park. Knowing that this spectacular landscape that was up for sale, Parks & Trails Council sprung into action and purchased the land and is holding it in trust while we work on finding a way it can be protected in perpetuity. Of course, we hope that the land can one day become part of the park as described in the park expansion section of Frontenac’s master plan.

If you would like to join us in envisioning a future where someone can feel like they are on top of the world staring out at Lake Pepin from an amazing bluff in Frontenac State Park, then please support our efforts by becoming a member today.

People saving special places Since 1954, the nonprofit, member-supported Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has been saving special places for the public’s use and benefit. Members make it happen! By responding quickly to purchase critical land when it goes up for sale, we preserve outstanding natural lands for parks and trails. We are your voice in advocating and educating on behalf of parks and trails.

Plus, members receive four issues of Minnesota Trails Magazine!

Join Today! Mail in an enclosed subscription card or join online

www.ParksAndTrails.org www.pincushiontrailsinn.com

Fall 2017 5

p e ople savi ng s p e ci a l pl aces

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Atop the bluff Parks & Trails Council acquired for Frontenac with lakelet leading into Lake Pepin.

Land Project Highlight

Adding a new view to Frontenac State Park?

A

t the border of Frontenac State Park, near it’s entrance, lays 158.82 acres of land that holds outstanding natural beauty and a view to behold.

Earlier this year the owner put the land up for sale, thus presenting a small window of opportunity to protect this land for future generations to enjoy as part of the park.

Creek. But to see the full extent of this land’s natural beauty, you need to climb its bluff, which looks out in the opposite direction from the park’s famous Lake Pepin overlooks. From atop this peaceful bluff you can see the meandering waters of the lakelet and creek that wrap around the southern end of the park and flow into Lake Pepin.

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota exists to ensure these opportunities are not lost. We began discussions right away, knowing that if the landowner sold to a private entity that would likely put an end to any future use as parkland, perhaps forever.

In 2015, Parks & Trails Council’s thenpresident Mike Tegeder first learned of the land and the owner’s interest in selling. At that time he had the opportunity to trek up the bluff and see the vista (photo above). It inspired a feeling that preserving this vista as part of the park experience was paramount.

If you’ve ever visited the park you’ve glimpsed this land, which is along Highway 2, just north of the bridge crossing the Pleasant Valley Lakelet and

6 Fall 2017

Another year went by with P&TC vigilantly monitoring the land and discussing the potential with the MnDNR. It

was clear that numerous obstacles stood in the way, limiting the DNR’s ability to even contemplate adding it to the park, yet the opportunity was now or never.

Building on the initial reaction that this land holds unmistakable beauty, P&TC’s board of directors weighed the land’s qualities along a rigorous set of criteria to determine its compatibility for enhancing the park, for which it clearly did. In May P&TC acquired the land.

It was an acquisition based on conviction—the conviction that we owe future generations access to land that showcases our natural heritage and that provide unparalleled opportunity to experience the outdoors. P&TC was founded on such conviction and this project continues that legacy.

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p e ople savi ng s p e ci a l pl aces

In fact, Frontenac State Park itself, which was established in 1957, was also founded on such conviction. It became a park thanks to the effort of the local community who rallied and bought land with the vision that it would become a park. Today we all benefit from these visionary moves and we hope that such will be the fate of this new land.

At this point, while P&TC is focusing all our efforts on seeing this land become part of the park, there are no guarantees. We made sure the possibility is still alive, but the next steps could be the beginning of a long journey or a short one to adding it to the park.

While this land lies outside the boundary of the state park, it has been cared for in recent years in a manner that mimics the parkland around it. The

Minnesota Trails

w w w. p a r k s a n d t r a i l s . o r g

previous landowner even invested significant resources in removing tons of old tires and restoring oak savanna and native prairie plant communities.

This addition would further secure the park’s status as a birdwatchers’ destination with both increased acreage and diversity of habitat. This relatively small parcel includes bluffs, oak savanna, prairie and rich creek shoreline.

Parks & Trails Council will hold the land in trust for the park. Meanwhile, we will lead the effort to advocate for this land’s incorporation. With the support of the local community, the elected officials at the state, county and local level, as well as the MnDNR, this land can become a valuable assets for this state park that serves all Minnesotans.

ABOUT OUR LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM With member support, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota ensures magnificent natural areas are protected for the public’s benefit. We acquire critical land when it goes up for sale, before it’s lost to private development. We then hold it in trust while working with partners to add the land into a park or trail. Once incorporated, we reinvest those dollars into the next critical land acquisition.

Learn more at www.parksandtrails.org

Fall 2017 7

Friends Bond on North Shore Backpacking Adventure

by Micheal Foley, writer/photographer

Photos from left to right: Jennifer Leise takes a selfie high above the Poplar River Valley.

Back from left: Nick â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boltâ&#x20AC;? Busse, Jennifer â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blazeâ&#x20AC;? Leise, Micheal â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mirageâ&#x20AC;? Foley; front from left: Mark â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hot Lunchâ&#x20AC;? Peterson, Marisa â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lancelotâ&#x20AC;? Puppe, Jen â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zillaâ&#x20AC;? Dolen (with mascot Godric Zimmerman) and Colleen â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pixieâ&#x20AC;? Detloff.

Matt Chase photo Colleen Detloff enjoys some downtime at the West Agnes Lake campsite.

Jennifer Leise and Nick Busse climb out of the Poplar River Valley.

Hikers take their first steps out of the Poplar River Valley on day one.

Enjoying the view of Lake Agnes.

8 Fall 2017

I

have hiked all 310 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail and I wanted to introduce my girlfriend to the experience with a beginner-friendly route that showcases the natural beauty of the North Shore. I mentioned the idea to some friends and in the end, seven of us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; three experienced EDFNSDFNHUV DQG IRXU Ă&#x20AC;UVW timers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; set off to conquer a four-day, three-night, 35-mile trip from Lutsen to Grand Marais.

- DAY 1 At the Lutsen trailhead ZH PDGH RXU Ă&#x20AC;QDO SDFN VWUDS adjustments. Everyone had a ORQJ GLVWDQFH EDFNSDFN Ă&#x20AC;OOHG with the essentials: tents, sleeping bags and pads, FDPS VWRYHV ZDWHU Ă&#x20AC;OWHUV Ă&#x20AC;UVW DLG NLWV DQG ORWV RI IRRG Individual comfort items included a camp chair, a hammock, candy and books.

We walked into the woods and were soon surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of the forest and views of the Poplar River valley below. A wetter-than-usual month left the trail in rougher shape than we expected for the season. Some tried to hop, skip and tap dance around the particularly high standing water. Others tested their waterproof boots by plodding directly through the muck without breaking stride.

Once we reached camp, a shady area on a hill above /DNH $JQHV ZH Ă&#x20AC;OWHUHG water, set up tents, gathered Ă&#x20AC;UHZRRG DQG FRRNHG GLQQHU 7KH HDV\ Ă&#x20AC;YH PLOH KLNH on a warm afternoon left everyone in high spirits as we FHOHEUDWHG DURXQG D Ă LFNHULQJ FDPSĂ&#x20AC;UH - DAY 2 The trail took us along the edges of Lake Agnes before

a laborious uphill struggle.

Some of the steep, narrow path through the forest had wooden steps cut into the dirt. It opened to a clearing ZLWK EHQFKHV DQG D Ă&#x20AC;UH FLUFOH and a tremendous view of Caribou Lake far below.

The following sections ZHUH PDUNHG E\ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW stretches of elevation gain, mud, bugs, roots and rocks.

It was sunny and very hot, but there were rewards: spectacular ridgeline vistas, shady forest canopy, pine aromas and babbling brooks.

We crossed an impressive boardwalk at the Jonvick Creek campsite, ate lunch at the Spruce Creek campsite, and soaked our feet in the cold water at Indian Camp Creek campsite.

The descent into Cascade River State Park, down the famed 96 Steps and north along the west side of the Minnesota Trails

Jen Dolen pauses to enjoy the beauty and stillness of the dammed up Sundling Creek early on Day 4.

Michael Foley photos

raging Cascade River was some of the wildest and most gorgeous mileage we encountered. Unfortunately, no one was in the mood to linger because we were tired and muddy, and just wanted to be done.

After more than twelve miles we reached camp. We completed our chores and life slowly returned to each of us.

It was a tough day, but worth it.

- DAY 3 The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hike was surprisingly easy and pleasant. The rocks, roots and mud from the previous day gave way to a soft carpet of dry dirt and pine needles.

With little elevation change, after the climb out of the gorgeous Cascade River YDOOH\ LW ZDV PRVWO\ Ă DW RU down hill. The red pine forest aroma added to the calm of walking beneath the shady Minnesota Trails

pine canopy.

At a lunch spot along an old logging road, we decided to give each other WUDLO QDPHV WR UHĂ HFW RXU newly discovered wild sides.

Nick became â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bolt,â&#x20AC;? Jennifer turned into â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blaze,â&#x20AC;? we called Colleen â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pixie,â&#x20AC;? Jen was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zilla,â&#x20AC;? Marisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handle was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lancelot,â&#x20AC;? Mark changed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hot Lunch,â&#x20AC;? and I was dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mirage.â&#x20AC;?

At just 2 pm we reached Bally Creek Pond North campsite, after hiking eight PLOHV 7KH HDUO\ Ă&#x20AC;QLVK OHIW XV time to enjoy a free afternoon.

Some napped, some soaked their feet in the creek and VRPH FKDWWHG DURXQG WKH Ă&#x20AC;UH ring.

- DAY 4 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW IHZ PLOHV were pleasant, especially in coolness of the still morning air, and the day was forecast to be sunny and warm again.

We emerged out of the idyllic early morning section of the trail, wove through wet, low-lying areas full of tall JUDVV DQG EXJV DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ veered directly south downhill toward Grand Marais. The descent was sharp and slow going, but we all completed WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO WUHN LQWR WKH SDUNLQJ lot after the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total of almost nine miles.

We cleaned ourselves up as best we could and raised a pint to our achievement at Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what my friends took away from this trip: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lancelotâ&#x20AC;? shared how the trail helped her focus on feelings, spiritual practice and deep personal thinking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pixieâ&#x20AC;? added that she took advantage of the solitude to practice some walking meditation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boltâ&#x20AC;? reported a rush of

childhood memories sparked by the solitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hot Lunchâ&#x20AC;? said WKH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW\ RI WKH WULS left him with a sense of accomplishment and QHZIRXQG FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zillaâ&#x20AC;? spent her childhood summers on the North Shore, but not quite like this. She relished the new experience in a familiar landscape. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blazeâ&#x20AC;? was pleased with the group dynamic and the leadership role she was able to play.

As for me, I was excited to share this trail experience with my friends. Last year I hiked the entire SHT alone as fast as I could just for the challenge of it. This trip was about slowing down, enjoying the journey, having fun and strengthening friendships.

Fall 2017 9

Wilderness Apprentice

by Kelly Brown, Outdoor writer After an epic day of hiking on Minnesota's Border Route Trail, I sat E\ WKH FDPSÃ&#x20AC;UH ZLWK 0DUN RQH RI my best friends from high school.

We sipped our ground softeners, ZDWFKHG WKH VXQVHW DQG ODXJKHG our butts off about the fun, and VRPHWLPHV VWXSLG VWXII ZH GLG some 35 years ago. I took in the VFHQHU\ DQG WKRXJKW KRZ OXFN\ , ZDV WR H[SHULHQFH RQH RI WKRVH really good moments in life.

After retiring I developed a SDVVLRQ IRU ZLOGOLIH SKRWRJUDSK\ but I just didn't have very much H[SHULHQFH ZLWK EHLQJ LQ WKH ZLOGHUQHVV RU KRZ to prepare for a long trip on a remote hiking trail.

7KDW V ZK\ , JRW EDFN LQ WRXFK ZLWK 0DUN ZKR , NQHZ ZDV DQ H[SHULHQFHG backpacker and hiker and had conquered all of the Superior Hiking Trail and most of the Border Route Trail.

Mark agreed to take

PH RQ DV KLV ZLOGHUQHVV apprentice", but he had recently VXIIHUHG D VLJQLÃ&#x20AC;FDQW VWURNH and lost all feeling in the left VLGH RI KLV ERG\ +H H[SODLQHG WKDW HYHU\WKLQJ VWLOO ZRUNV EXW WKH numbness made his left arm and leg feel like heavy bags of sand. Mark ZDV FRQFHUQHG DERXW EHLQJ DEOH WR hike any distance, but determined not to let the stroke take anything DZD\ IURP KLP +H ZDV UHDG\ WR JHW EDFN RXW LQWR WKH ZRRGV My apprenticeship had been RII WR D JRRG VWDUW ZLWK D WULS WR WKH Boundary Waters and a visit to Isle Royale National Park, EXW IRU P\ Ã&#x20AC;QDO H[DP 0DUN VDLG KH ZDV JRLQJ WR WDNH me to his favorite campsite on WKH %RUGHU 5RXWH 7UDLO ZKLFK IROORZV WKH 86 &DQDGLDQ border through the Boundary Waters for 65 miles. ,W ZDV a late fall day, rather ZDUP

Part of the Border Route Trail crosses the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest.

Mark Perreault photo

PRVWO\ FORXG\ ZLWK D nice breeze. The hike to the base campsite took only about one DQG D KDOI KRXUV VR ZH VHW XS FDPS DQG H[SORUHG VRPH PRUH )LUVW ZH SDVVHG WKURXJK D VHFWLRQ RI WDOO SLQHV ZLWK SLQH needles crackling softly under our feet and that distinctive pine smell LQ RXU QRVHV ,W ZDV TXLHW WKHUH DQG peaceful. $ VKRUW WLPH ODWHU QDWXUH V SRZHU DQG UDJH ZHUH RQ GLVSOD\ :H KLNHG WKURXJK DQ DUHD ZKHUH D VWRUP KDG uprooted large trees and snapped them in half like toothpicks.

The trail then turned sharply GRZQKLOO ZKHUH ZH FDUHIXOO\ FURVVHG D URFN\ FUHHN $V ZH URXQGHG WKH DGMDFHQW VZDPS ZH stepped over fresh piles of moose VFDW D UHPLQGHU WKDW ZH ZHUHQ W WKH only ones using this path. :KHQ ZH FOLPEHG XSKLOO IURP WKH VZDPS WKH IRUHVW ZDV

Mark Perreault at the campsite on Sock Lake.

Kelly Brown photo

10 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

mostly of birch trees. It was just past primetime for fall colors, but the yellows and greens were still vibrant and stood out brightly against the overcast skies.

The only sounds were the birds and wind up in the trees, and our footsteps on the trail. Every now and then, we heard the thumpthump-thump of a grouse. At the top of the next ridge, we were rewarded with a rock ledge and a great view of a lake down below. The perfect spot for a break with a spectacular view of Canada.

I asked Mark how he was feeling, and he smiled and said "Great".

We crossed more bubbling creeks, hiked around more swamps and through more colorful pine and birch forests. We hiked up and down, and then up and down some more, and when we arrived back at camp, we had hiked ten miles

in seven hours.

As we were sitting around the FDPSĂ&#x20AC;UH WHOOLQJ WKRVH ROG VWRULHV , ZDV Ă DW RXW WLUHG EXW LW ZDV WKH EHVW tired I'd ever felt. After the sun went down, the stars came out and put on a spectacular lightshow.

Mark looked over at me and said "Well, I guess that's it then.

Your apprenticeship is over".

He knew his backpacking and hiking days were far from over and mine were just beginning.

Only Mother Nature and a good friend can teach a lesson like this.

Kelly Brown crosses a creek on a log walk.

Mark Perreault photo

Mark Perreault at the access point to the Border Route Trail.

Kelly Brown photo

The overlook at Rat Lake.

Kelly Brown photo

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 11

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12 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

23 Great Minnesota Hikes

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9

10

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21 22 23

18 19

15 16

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The view from the top of Oberg Mountain on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Jan Lasar photo Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 13

23 Great Minnesota Hikes NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL

1

Fergus Falls Prairie Tour: 6 miles one way from Red Sox Park to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Hike on Fergus Fallsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wilder side along the Otter Tail River, through One Mile Prairie nature area, alongside the Central Lakes Trail, through Delagoon Park, and across the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Return following the signed 4-mile â&#x20AC;&#x153;Urban Connectorâ&#x20AC;? route through downtown Fergus Falls.

2

Hike through Diverse Habitats: 8 miles one way. Hike from the State Hwy. 34 trailhead north across the Hubbel Pond Wildlife Management Area and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge to the Pine Lake parking area trailhead. This hike features a crossing of the Otter Tail River, an overlook of the historic log driving channel and large wetland complexes.

3

Itasca State Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Growth Pines: 6.4 miles one way from the South Entrance/ US Hwy. 71 trailhead to the Gartner Farm/540th Ave. trailhead. Enjoy a hike across the quiet side of Itasca and pass through old-growth pine forests and past several scenic backcountry lakes.

Hiking the North Country Trail near Itasca State Park. Jan Lasar photo

7

Waboose Lake loop: 4 miles around the Waboose Lake loop trail starting at the Waboose Lake public access/trailhead north of Nevis.

See old growth pines and enjoy many outstanding views of the lake and resident wildlife on this loop trail.

8

Shingobee-Anoway Valley: 3.5 miles one way from CR-50 trailhead to the new St. Hwy. 34 trailhead near Walker. Enjoy a mixture of pine plantation, a tamarack bog and dark coniferous forest on this hike through the Chippewa National Forestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shingobee valley.

9

Laurentian Divide: 4.8 miles one way along the Continental Divide that separates the Red River of the North from the Mississippi River. Start at Elbow Lake Rd. trailhead and hike to State Hwy. 113. Additional miles can be added north of Hwy. 113 to take in some great views from atop the divide.

Chippewa National Forest Lake & Pines: 10 miles one way from the FR3790 trailhead to the trailhead at the 4th Crossing of the Woodtick Trail (FR2107). Along the way, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pass by beautiful Gut Lake, through pine plantations and mixed hardwood-conifer forests, and past Moccasin Lake. This is a long day hike or an overnight hike with two fabulous backcountry campsites.

5

10

6

11

4

Itasca Moraine Chain of Lakes: 8 miles one way from the CR-4 trailhead north of Emmaville to the CR-91 trailhead south of Lake George. Pass by (and between) 25 lakes in the Paul Bunyan State Forest and its mixture of hardwood forests.

Nelson Lake & Lake Twentyone Loops: Up to 2.7 miles. Hike a combination of the two interconnected loops around these two lakes or hike Nelson Lake (1.5 miles) and Lake Twentyone (1.6 miles) separately. Find a State Forest campground on Nelson Lake and a picnic area on Lake Twentyone.

14 Fall 2017

Milton Lake Esker: 2.9 miles out and back from the Milton Lake public access/trailhead north of Remer. Hike along the top of an esker, a snakelike gravel ridge remnant of the glacier, with beautiful old growth pines and hardwoods.

Forest History Center and Mississippi River: 2.8 miles out and back along the future North Country Trail route, a paved multi-use trail on the outskirts of Grand Rapids. Start at the Forest History Center and hike to Sylvan Point on an interpretive spur trail before reaching the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trailhead in southwest Grand Rapids.

12

Kawishiwi Falls: 0.8 miles out and back round trip to the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122; tall Kawishiwi Falls from the trailhead parking area on CR-18 (Fernberg Rd.). This trail, a joint project of the Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Power, will be included in the future North Country Trail route.

Visit the

Superior Hiking Trail Association in TWO HARBORS

Hiking information, trip planning, guidebooks, maps, clothing, and accessories!

731 7th Avenue â&#x20AC;&#x201D; find us on

Highway 61 in Two Harbors next to the rock shop!

(218) 834-2700

Mon-Fri BN QN

www.shta.org

Minnesota Trails

23 Great Minnesota Hikes and Pigeon River Valleys and the USCanadian border.

KEKEKABIC TRAIL

13

Kekekabic Trail / Boundary Waters Day-Hike: 6.2 miles out from the Gunflint Trail (Cook CR-12) Kekekabic trailhead to the Bingshick Lake Campsite and back. Enjoy historic mine sites, views of scenic lakes, and get a glimpse of the Boundary Waters on this well maintained and traveled section of the famed “Kek.”

16

Kadunce River: 0.9 miles one way. Park at Kadunce River Wayside at Hwy. 61 milepost 120.2 north of Grand Marais.

Cross highway and take a spur trail 0.9 miles along beautiful Kadunce River Gorge to bridge. Hike back the same way.

17

Devil Track Canyon and River: 2.5 miles one way.

Park at County Rd. 58 trailhead 0.7 miles north from Hwy. 61 milepost 113.8 north of Grand Marais.

Hike along edge of a deep canyon and see the Devil Track River far below, then descend to the river. Hike back the same way.

BORDER ROUTE TRAIL

14

BWCAW-Rose Cliffs Loop: 13-mile loop Hike from the Caribou Rock Trailhead.

This new loop consists of the Caribou Rock, Border Route, South Lake, and Moss Lake Trails. Highlights include the dramatic Rose Lake Cliffs, historic Stairway Portage, and several other outstanding overlooks on the Border chain of lakes.

SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL

15

270° Overlook: 2 miles out and back. Start at the Otter Lake Road trailhead north of Hovland. Hike on both the Border Route Trail and the Superior

Gitchi-Gami is a constant companion on the Superior Hiking Trail. Jan Lasar photo

Hiking Trail on a short section shared by both trails. The destination is a fantastic vista overlooking the Swamp

Matthew Davis photo

Your Adventure Starts St tart rts ts Ne Nea Nearby. ear arb rby by y.

oto

Eric Moll ph

Ryan Rodgers ph oto

Be sure to check out our Fall hiking events!

You still have time to complete the Hike 100 Challenge

northcountrytrail.org/Minn www.borderroutetrail.org https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/ Minnesota Trails

18

Oberg Mountain Loop: 2.5 miles. Park at Oberg Mountain Trailhead 2.2 miles north on Forest Service Rd. 336 (Onion River Rd.) from Hwy. 61 milepost 87.5 north of Tofte. Moderate hike with nine spectacular overlooks.

Experience all our area has to offer!

Biking • Birding • Hiking Canoeing • Kayaking • ATVing

AmericInn of Silver Bay 218-226-4300 Mariner Motel • 218-226-4488

Silver Bay Area Tourism Association Gateway to the Superior Natl. Forest Byway

www.heartofthenorthshore.com

218-226-4408 Fall 2017 15

23 Great Minnesota Hikes

19

Carlton Peak: 1.5 miles one way. Park at Britton Peak Trailhead 2.7 miles north on Co. Rd. 2 (Sawbill Trail) from Hwy. 61 mile-post 82.8 in Tofte. Hike to summit of Carlton Peak with breathtaking views. Hike back the same way.

20

Egge Lake: 2.3 miles one way. Park at Finland Recreation Center Trailhead on Co. Rd. 7 east of Finland on State Hwy. 1. Hike to beautiful Egge Lake through maple forests. Return the same way.

21

Bean & Bear Lakes Loop: 6.7 miles. Park at Penn Blvd.

Trailhead in Silver Bay. At Hwy. 61 milepost 54.3, turn north and continue on Outer Dr. and Penn Blvd. 2.1 miles to parking lot. Loop goes to spectacular overlooks of Bean and Bear Lakes and back.

More trail information at borderroutetrail.org northcountrytrail.org Fall-colored view of Canada on the Border Route Trail. Kelly Brown photo

22

Split Rock River Loop: 5.0 miles. Park at Split Rock River Wayside at Hwy. 61 milepost 43.5. SHT travels along scenic river past numerous falls for 2.5 miles, crosses the river, heads back on the other side 2.5 miles to Hwy. 61, then crosses the highway and goes west on the paved Gitchi Gami Trail to come to a culvert under Hwy. 61 that returns to Wayside.

23

Gooseberry River Loop: 2.0 miles. Park at the Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center parking lot, Hwy. 61 milepost 38.9. Take the state park trail to Upper Falls, continue upstream on state park Fifth Falls Trail, cross the bridge at the Fifth Falls and return on the other side of the river on SHT to the visitor center.

More trail information at kek.org â&#x20AC;˘ shta.org

16 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

6FHQLF %\ZD\V

1 11 Waters of the Dancing Sky

175

Avenue of the Pines

12

Gunï¬&#x201A;int Superior st National Fore Northshore

Lady Slipper King of Trails

3 38

6 46 4

Edge of The Wilderness

5 15

6 61

9 39 1 71

0 10 Skyline

Lake Country

21 Byways

Paul Bunyan

4 34

1

5 75 7

6 16

Veterans Evergreen Memorial

1 11

8 08 10

23

Otter Trail Great River

8 28

St. Croix Glacial Ridge

19

Minnesota River Valley

101 FUN

95

THINGS TO DO

75

8

Grand Rounds

75

61 61

6 Apple Blossom

68 Shooting Star

2,800 miles of ads beautiful back ro

Historic Bluff Country

1 16 2 26

56

Map courtesy of MN Department of Transportation Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 17

KING OF TRAILS Route Length: 414 miles Route: Highway 75 near the western border running the entire length of the state.

1

Get Rocked

Pipestone National Monument

Native Americans have quarried stone here for many generations and continue to do so today. A trip for the bucket list.

pipekeepers.org

WATERS OF THE DANCING SKY

Route Length: 31 miles Route: Hwy. 56 between I-90 and Hwy. 63 near the Iowa border, about 10 miles east of Austin.

5

8

lakeofthewoodsmn.com

shootingstarbyway.org

Cast a Line

Lake of the Woods

1,679 square miles and 65,000 miles of scenic shoreline give sander vitreus lots of room to hide.

GRAND ROUNDS

LADY SLIPPER Route Length: 28 miles Route: Highway 39 between Blackduck and Highway 2, about 25 miles east of Bemidji.

2

Relive the CCC Days Camp Rabideau

One of the best-surviving examples of a CCC camp focusing on forest management and conservation.

fs.usda.gov

SHOOTING STAR

Route Length: 191 miles Route: Across the top of Minnesota, between International Falls and the North Dakota border, mostly on Highway 11.

Route Length: 52 miles Route: 52 miles surrounding the city of Minneapolis.

6

Touch the Sky Minneapolis

Get views of the Minneapolis skyline from virtually anywhere on this scenic urban byway.

minneapolisparks.org

Walk the Wild Side

Rose Creek to LeRoy

Wildflowers and grasses represent vigorous remnants of the original tall grass prairie of southern Minnesota.

APPLE BLOSSOM Route Length: 19 miles Route: County roads from La Crescent north to Hwy. 61.

9

Celebrate Apples La Crescent

The three-day Applefest has been a La Crescent institution since 1949.

Events include the King Apple parade and cabaret performances.

applefestusa.com

AVENUE OF PINES Route Length: 46 miles Route: Highway 46 between Deer River and Northome, northwest of Grand Rapids.

Route Length: 50 miles Route: 50 miles from Banning to Wrenshall.

3

7

Get Lost

Lost 40 SNA

This parcel of pine and spruce forest was saved from the saw by a surveying error. Minnesota’s largest Red Pine still stands here.

dnr.state.mn.us

NORTH SHORE Route Length: 142 miles Route: Hwy. 61 between Duluth and Grand Portage.

4

Watch Water Fall North Shore

There are 12 gorgeous waterfalls along this route. You will find the tallest, widest and wildest waterfalls in the state.

heartofthenorthshore.com 18 Fall 2017

SKYLINE PARKWAY

VETERANS

Send a Problem

Banning State Park

Take in the historic ruins at the Sandstone Quarry and send a problem (climb a boulder).

dnr.state.mn.us

Route Length: 20 miles Route: Roads along a high ridge in Duluth.

10

Migrate Duluth

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is known as one of the major sites for observation of raptor migration.

hawkridge.org

WELCOMES YOU TO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PEPSI BOTTLING CO. PIPESTONE, MN Minnesota Trails

GUNFLINT TRAIL Route Length: 57 miles Route: Hwy. 12 north from Grand Marais.

11

Canoe Wildly

Route Length: 287 miles Route: Southeast from Browns Valley to Mankato and northeast from there to Belle Plaine.

12

Go Dry

Grand Marais

The GunďŹ&#x201A;int Trail is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness between Minnesota and Canada. Unforgettable scenery, wildlife encounters, glacier-carved lakes and lifetime memories.

gunflint-trail.com

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST

MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY

Granite Falls to New Ulm

Follow the prohibition itinerary and learn about the Volstead Act. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to stop for a pint.

Route Length: 85 miles Route: Various highways between Aurora and Silver Bay

13

Finnish School

Superior National Forest

The Toimi one-room school house built by Finnish immigrants in 1913 has been lovingly restored.

toimischool.org

mnrivervalley.com

ST. CROIX Route Length: 124 miles Route: Follows several roads near the St. Croix River.

14

Shop in Old Style Marine on St. Croix

Marine General Store is the oldest of its kind in Minnesota and looks much the way it did 145 years ago.

Pipestone National Monument glows in the evening sun. Jan Lasar photo

Musical Chairs

September 29, 6-10 pm

marinegeneralstore.com

FIVE COURSE DINNER in five different locations

LIVE MUSIC

TA MINNESO

FREE SHUTTLE

Tickets at granitefallschamber.com

SLEEPY EYE

Come for the fun, stay for the memories Paved Bike & Walking Trail Campsites & Cabins Public Landing & Fishing Piers Family Aquatic Center Historic Downtown & Antique Shops Fourth of July Fireworks Join us for

Buttered Corn Days August 18 & 19, 2017 Visitors Information f

800-290-0588

EXPLORE

[

Faribault [fair-uh-boh] French n 1852 translates; great people, incredible fun.

]

www.sleepyeyechamber.com Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 19

20

Cave in to Mystery

The Spring Valley Methodist Church was built in the victoriangothic style.

Spring Valley Historical Society photo

HISTORIC BLUFF COUNTRY Route Length: 88 miles Route: Highway 16 between LaCrescent and Dexter; a scenic alternative to I-90.

15

Get Messy Wykoff

Edwin Julius Krueger lived upstairs of the Jack Sprat grocery store for 50 years and never threw anything away.

He left his collection to the city with the stipulation it be turned into a museum.

wykoff.govoffice2.com

16

Fall in Love Hokah

Named after Chief Wecheschatope Hokah, this village of 500 is not only home to famous Como Falls, but is also known for excellent hunting and fishing spots.

cityofhokah-mn.gov

17

Taste the Trail

Fountain to Houston

Sample local flavors along the Root River Trail System. Choose from three Saturdays in September.

rootrivertrail.org

20 Fall 2017

Preston

Above ground, tour historic Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Below ground, enjoy the year-round natural air conditioning which keeps the Mystery Cave at a constant 48 degrees at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.

dnr.state.mn.us

21

Get to the Root Lanesboro

18

Share the Wealth Lanesboro

Lanesboro’s Commonweal Theatre is the only North-American theatre company committed to producing plays by 19th century Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. They have also had more than two dozen world premieres since 1989.

commonwealtheatre.org

19

Get Wilder

Spring Valley

Visit the Spring Valley Methodist Church, where Laura Ingalls Wilder once attended services. This 1876 structure is on the National Register of Historic Places.

springvalleymnmuseum.org

The scenic Root River 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 and connects to the 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley Trail.

dnr.state.mn.us

22

Give a Hoot Houston

Alice the Owl is just one of the permanent residents of the International Owl Center. Stop in and learn about owls in their natural habitat and what you can do to live an owl-friendly life.

internationalowlcenter.org

Minnesota Trails

PAUL BUNYAN Route Length: 54 miles Route: Double-circle route between Pequot Lakes and Crosslake, in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

23

Take Concrete Steps Brainerd

Fourteen feet long, five feet wide and five inches deep: Paul Bunyan’s baby footprints are in towns along the scenic byway, cast in concrete for you to find.

paulbunyanscenicbyway.org

24

Race a Turtle Nisswa

Ready, Set, Go? There’s a secret to picking just the right contestant at Nisswa’s Turtle Races.

They’re held every Wednesday and have been a summertime tradition for decades.

nisswa.com

25

Cache In

Paul Bunyan Trail

Geocachers call the Paul Bunyan Trail a Power Trail, because almost 1000 geocaches wait to be discovered along its 120 miles.

Leave the car behind and see how many you can find.

At the Historic Log Village in Cross Lake. Jan Lasar photo

27

See a Model Crosslake

www.mnbiketrail.com

The Northern Minnesota Railroad Heritage Association is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the railroad industry in northern Minnesota with scale models and working model train displays.

northerntrackersrrclub.com

28

Start your Engine Brainerd

If watching the races isn’t exciting enough, get in the driver’s seat and shift from fan to driver in one day at the Brainerd International Raceway Driving School.

brainerdraceway.com

mnbiketrail.com

26

Buggy all Night Crosslake

A final farewell to summer, while welcoming the return to fall.

Enjoy a horse-drawn buggy that takes you to the Historic Log Village. Also features strolling musicians and hot cider. One of many events at Crosslake Days every September.

crosslake.com

Minnesota Trails

29

Have Tea

Pine River

“Tea at the Station” is a high tea event at which many come dressed in historic clothing and sporting fashionable hats out of the early days of Pine River. Reservations are highly recommended.

pinerivermn.com

Bike. Shop.

Eat. Repeat.

Fall 2017 21

B I K E - RU NAN-DH I K E XPLORE E OURTR S! ILS RAIL

LAKE COUNTRY Route Length: 88 miles Route: Hwy. 34 from Detroit Lakes to Walker, and a spur north from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park on Hwy. 71.

ain @detroitmount

30

Get to know Paul Akeley

The Paul Bunyan Historical Museum contains an interesting collection of pictures and artifacts about early Akeley history.

akeleymn.com

B I K E R E N TA L S , S I N G L E T R A C K , F L O W, G R AV I T Y & M O R E !

31

Stay at a Lake Cabin Minnesota Lakes

You haven’t stayed in Minnesota until you have stayed a night at a quiet cabin on one of our 10,000 lakes. The Lake Country Scenic Byway has a wide variety of resort experiences, from small remote cabins to extensive resorts, with golf courses and tennis courts.

leechlake.org - parkrapids.com visitdetroitlakes.com

32

Jump in the Lake

D

LIFT SERVE

NTAIN MOUN BIKI G! DETROIT LAKES, MN - detroitmountain.com

Along the Byway

The Lake Country Scenic Byway is surrounded with hundreds of freshwater lakes just made to jump in for a good swim. They are also good for fishing, canoeing, kayaking or sitting quietly along the shore to watch the sunset on a summer night.

Explore the road to Itasca and beyond...

Walker Walker k

parkrapids.com - leechlake.org visitdetroitlakes.com

33

to o Ita Itasca tasca ta sca State Park Sta Sta tate te Par te ak 71 71

34 34 Akeley Ake Ake k ley

Run through the Pines

Nevis Ne Nev Nevis

Walker - Sept. 16, 2017

Celebrate the life and land that is northern Minnesota! Enjoy fall colors as you run on groomed paths and gravel roads.

walkernorthcountrymarathon.com

34

Osa O sage ge Osage

Detroit Detroi Det roitt Lakes roi Lake k s

34 34

Park Rapids Park Rapi ap pids ds

Sne Snellman n llm ne llman l an lm n

Discover the charm of the Lake Country Scenic Byway.

You’ll travel 88 miles through prime northern Minnesota vacation country.

Kiss Lady Luck

The Byway unites the famed vacation areas of Walker, Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes along Hwy 34 and scenic Itasca State Park on Hwy 71 north.

The Lake Country Scenic Byway boasts three colorful and exciting casinos.

Along with testing your good fortune, you can enjoy great food, world-class entertainment and comfortable accommodations. The casinos are: Shooting Star in Mahnomen, Northern Lights in Walker and The Palace in Cass Lake.

For more information call:

Mahnomen, Walker, Cass Lake

starcasino.com northernlightscasino.com palacecasinohotel.com 22 Fall 2017

Itasca State Park 218-699-7251 Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber 1-800-542-3992 Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber 1-800-247-0054 Leech Lake Chamber-Walker 1-800-833-1118

www.lakecountryscenicbyway.com w w Minnesota Trails

35

Take a Boat Lake Itasca

The Chester Charles II will take you on a two-hour, ten-mile tour of the lake that is the headwaters of the Mississippi.

lakeitascatours.com

36

Pick a Trail

Walker Area

The Heartland, Paul Bunyan and North Country Trails meet near Walker. There are also a hundred miles of hiking trails in surrounding parks.

leechlake.org

37

Wine a Lot

Richwood/Laporte

Richwood winery near Detroit Lakes and Forest Edge Winery near Walker are two great examples of Minnesota wineries with a passion for their craft. From Cranberry White to Buffalo Red, they offer two dozen varieties between them.

richwoodwinery.com forestedgewinery.com

38

Pose with the Muskie Nevis

The World’s largest tiger muskie has been the backdrop for photos since 1950 and it even works for today’s selfie.

42

Go Deep

Akeley

Deep Portage serves groups, organizations, area residents and visitors with weekly classes, interpretive programs, wildflower garden displays, weekend retreats and study groups, land use demonstrations, summer camps, and recreation opportunities of birding, hiking, hunting, and skiing.

deep-portage.org

43

Cross the Mississippi Itasca State Park

You can walk across the mighty Mississippi River at its headwaters just north of Park Rapids.

From this point it makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico and is a must-see destination for scores of Minnesotans as well as international tourists.

dnr.state.mn.us

44

45

Sit with Paul

Hackensack

Since 1985, Paul Bunyan has been kneeling in Akeley, inviting people to sit in his outstretched hand for a photo op. He measures 25 feet head to toe, but if he ever stood up, he’d be the tallest of them all at 60 feet.

www.akeleychamber.com

46

Trumpet in the Tamarac Rochert

The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge has one of the most diverse habitats in the nation. There are now 30 nesting pairs of trumpeter swans. Visit the Tamarac Discovery Center and learn more.

tamaracfriends.org

47

Ride the Mountain Detroit Lakes

Bike for Skiing Park Rapids

Detroit Mountain Recreational Area is back for skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Take the lift up and let gravity and skill do the rest.

The Headwaters 100 is a 100, 75 and 45-mile bike ride through Itasca State Park’s beautiful pines and crystalclear lakes and on the roads and trails of the North Woods. Proceeds benefit Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club which maintains Soaring Eagle Ski Area near Park Rapids.

Find more information about this scenic byway at

itascatur.org

lakecountryscenicbyway.com

detroitmountain.com

48

Pick your Passion Lake Country

nevischamber.com

39

Take Flight Walker

The North Country’s latest addition to the craft brew family offers different varieties of ales, including Coffeecake Blonde Ale which they say is their “most popular breakfast beer.”

Order a sample flight and taste them all.

The brewery is also accessible by bike via the Heartland Trail and by boat via Leech Lake (47° N, 94°W).

portagebeer.com.

40

Float a Pumpkin Park Rapids

Each fall, Carter’s Red Wagon Farm celebrates the harvest with a Pumpkin Party, where children can ride in a pumpkin, explore a corn maze or pick produce.

redwagonfarm.net

41

Talk Turkey Frazee

At twenty feet tall and a weight of over 5,000 pounds, Big Tom has kept an eye on the town since 1986.

He burned down once, but came back stronger and better.

)PNF PG WORLD FAMOUS ITASCA STATE PARK

Paddle the Crow Wing River Water Trail or one of over 400 lakes to enjoy fall colors from a new perspective. Rentals are available and lodging amenities abound to make your trip enjoyable.

800-247-0054

www.parkrapids.com • #VisitParkRapids

frazeecity.com Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 23

54

Get Sculpted Bemidji

GREAT RIVER ROAD AD D Route Length: 575 miles Route: A series of roads following the Mississippi River from Itasca State Park in northwest Minnesota, down through the Twin Cities and along the southeast border of the state.

49

Take a Bog Walk

Lake Bemidji State Park

For a “do not miss” experience, visit the Lake Bemidji bog and take along an audio podcast.

dnr.state.mn.us

50

Travel through History Bemidji

The Great Northern Depot is the last depot built by James J. Hill and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1968.

Take a walk around town and discover an ever-changing outdoor exhibit.

bemidjisculpture.org

55

Be Amazed

Movil Maze

Over 900 acres of hiking, biking, horseback riding, ski and snowmobile trails wait to be discovered just north of Bemidji.

visitbemidji.com

56

Harmonize

Heartland Symphony

Heartland Symphony Orchestra is a 50-piece community orchestra based in the Little Falls and Brainerd area, which is made up of adult and student musicians.

heartlandsymphony.com

57

View History

visitbemidji.com

51

Play in the Sand Bemidji

An augmented reality sandbox is only one of many science exhibits geared towards kids and the young at heart at the Headwaters Science Center.

hscbemidji.org

Little Falls

The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum offers stunning views on the banks of the Mississippi River and houses the historic archives of Morrison County.

58

Ride Three Trails Blanchard Dam

The Soo Line Regional Trail crosses the Great River Road at Blanchard Dam near Little Falls and connects to the Lake Wobegon Trail and the Central Lakes Trail for a riding experience of over 100 paved miles.

lakewobegontrails.com

59

Read a Book Little Falls

The Little Falls Carnegie Library opened its doors in 1905 and is distinguished by its Craftsman style of architecture. In 1980 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

griver.org

60

Get Crafty

Little Falls

The Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair is an award-winning fair that draws over 100,000 people over two days and is one of the largest in the Midwest with 600 artists. Also part of the celebration: A car show, and antiques fair and a farmers market.

littlefallsmnchamber.com

morrisoncountyhistory.org

52

Cruise Studios Bemidji

Artisans from around Bemidji open their studios for this scenic driveit-yourself tour each October.

visitbemidji.com

53

Bike to New Orleans Mississippi River Bikeway

You can bike the entire 3,000 miles of the Mississippi River from Itasca State Park to New Orleans or just the 500 miles along the Minnesota portion.

dot.state.mn.us/bike/mrt DISCOVER the BEAUTY of the

NORTH COUNTRY at

Best Western Bemidji • Indoor Pool & Whirlpool • Free WIFI • Great Service • Free Hot Breakfast 242 2420 20 Paul Bunyan Dr. Bemidji, MN 56601

(877) 857-8599 (218) 751-0390 www.bestwestern.com/bemidji b t 24 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

The view from the historic Big Sand Fire Tower in the Sakatah State Forest near the Great River Road. Jan Lasar photo.

61

Meet the Lindberghs Little Falls

62

Meet the Craftsman Little Falls

Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 flight from New York to Paris launched an aviation revolution. Tour his boyhood home, explore the visitor center exhibits, including a “Spirit of St. Louis” flight simulator.

The Northern Pacific Railway Depot in Little Falls was designed by architect Cass Gilbert in 1899 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gilbert also designed the Minnesota State Capitol Building.

mnhs.org/lindbergh

cassgilbertsociety.org

Share your byway photos jan@mntrails.com

A. T.

116 First Street Southeast Little Falls, MN 56345 (320)BLACK 632-5374 & WHITE THE View Our Menu Online www.attheblacknwhite.com 116 First Street Southeast Little Falls, MN 56345 (320) 632-5374

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

Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs

ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

September 9-10, 2017 (Always held on the weekend after Labor Day)

Downtown Little Falls, Minnesota

Sat., September 9, 8 am-6 pm • Sun., September 10, 9 am-4 pm

600 Juried Artisans and Crafters Market Place Fair on West Broadway featuring commercial cash & carry vendors Sponsored by the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 320.632.5155 www.littlefallsmnchamber.com • Follow us on ffaa Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 25

63

Release Raptors Hastings

67

Pluck Strings

71

Soar High

Winona

Wabasha

This September 23, the Carpenter Nature Center hosts the U of M’s Raptor Center’s Fall Raptor Release.

Watch rehabilitated birds take flight and return to their natural habitat.

The Boats and Bluegrass Festival has been bringing bluegrass lovers to Winona since 2005. The program includes guided canoe trips of the Mississippi backwaters.

Climb in an eagle’s nest or test your strength against an eagle’s.

Discover how eagles soar and view wild eagles on the river at the National Eagle Center. Meet eagle ambassadors.

carpenternaturecenter.org

boatsandbluegrass.com

nationaleaglecenter.org

64

68

redwing.redwingshoestore.com

visitwinona.com

65

69

Get the Boot Red Wing

The Red Wing Shoe Museum in downtown Red Wing is home to the world’s largest boot, a size 638 1/2 that stands over 20 feet tall.

Cruise the River Winona

Bike The Bluffs Winona

Holzinger Lodge Trail offers an incredible nine-mile single track loop with short steep climbs and winding curves on the edge of the city.

Doze Off

Hastings

The Cal Fremling is a state-of-the-art floating interpretive center and classroom providing hands-on entertaining and educational experiences on the Mississippi River.

Play with heavy equipment in Minnesota’s largest sandbox for adults where it’s fun to play in the dirt.

winona.edu/boat

70

66

Bring Binoculars

Great River Bluffs SP

This small park, fifteen miles south of Winona, offers the greatest view of the Mississippi River in Minnesota and some spectacular fall hikes under the watchful eye of hawks and eagles.

72

Take An Art Walk Red Wing

The 350-acre Tower View estate served as a farm and research facility for Dr. Pierce Anderson, swedish immigrant and inventor of Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice. Today it houses the Midwest’s largest artist communities and a 15-acre sculpture garden with over 30 outdoor displays.

andersoncenter.org

extremesandbox.com

Take a Prairie Walk Afton State Park

The rugged, rolling landscape of this park provides excellent hiking with scenic overlooks over the St. Croix River. It offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails.

dnr.state.mn.us

dnr.state.mn.us

73

Shoot the Cannon Red Wing

The 20-mile Cannon Valley Trail connects Red Wing to Cannon Falls and Welch in beautiful southeastern Minnesota. Keep an eye out for endangered Minnesota plants.

cannonvalleytrail.com • 30 miles of city trails with breathtaking views of the Mississippi and Vermillion Falls • Ride the MRT • Explore Afton State Park • Right on the Great River Road

Hastings Area

Cham Ch ambe berr ooff CCom be omme om mmerc meerce m rcce & To Tour u is ism B ism Bure Bu ure rreau rea eaauu

Bridgee photo photo hot ho h oto ot oto to courtesy co cou co ou urt rtes rrte te ttes esy of o David R. Youngren, 2013

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

Some of the sculptures at the Anderson Center in Red Wing are larger than life.

Jan Lasar photo 26 Fall 2017

Outdoor fun for everyone

www.redwing.org Minnesota Trails

76

Meet the Wizard Grand Rapids

EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS Route Length: 47 miles Route: Highway 38 between Grand Rapids and Effie, MN.

74

Saw Logs

Grand Rapids

Discover the past, present and future of Minnesota’s forests through guided tours of a 1900s era logging camp and hands-on environmental learning programs.

Take a seat on the porch of a 1930s Minnesota Forest Service patrolman’s cabin, climb a 100-foot fire tower and explore the site’s self-guided trails.

Frances Ethel Gumm, or Judy Garland, was born in Grand Rapids in 1922, and went on to become an international star. Visit her childhood home and view the Wizard of Oz collection.

judygarlandmuseum.com

79

Seek a Legend

Grand Rapids to Ely

Legend has it, the ancient Mesabi created what we now call the Iron Range. This paved, scenic trail leads you to discover the area’s history and beauty by bicycle, on foot or with rollerblades.

mesabitrail.com

77

Discover Your Wild Side Marcell

The Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center is a visitor and environmental education center that is home to a variety of interpretive displays & exhibits about the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway and surrounding area.

edgeofthewilderness.com

mnhs.org

75

Find Peace

Scenic State Park

Ten miles of hiking trails, a peaceful setting and remote hike-in campsites will let you have some peace and quiet.

dnr.state.mn.us

78

Live on the Edge Bigfork

It’s a theatre. It’s a gallery.

Catch a show by the Edge Wild Players or take in an exhibit at The Edge Center for the Arts and find out why they call it ‘Wildly unexpected’.

the-edge-center.org

A short side trip on either the Edge of the Wilderness or Avenue of Pines Scenic Byway takes you to the Lost 40 SNA and its old growth conifers.

Kari Osmondson photo

ITASCA TRAIL SPORTS

www.itascatrailsports.net

CYCLE THE MESABI WAY.

www.mesabitrail.com/visitor

Bicycle Sales, Repairs, & Rentals Authorized Dealer: eal aler: er: Toll Free: (844) 373-7815 • info@itascatrailsports.net 316 NE 4th Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

ORGANIC PRODUCE BULK FOODS • GROCERIES • GRAB & GO DELI • 732 N. 4th St., Virginia HOMEMADE LUNCH SPECIALS & SOUPS • SPECIALTY COFFEE Everyone welcome. • FRUIT SMOOTHIES •

Now located on Silver Lake!

•

OPEN EVERY DAY.

Located just steps off the Mesabi Trail!!

218.741.4663 • naturalharvest.coop Minnesota Trails

Join us for the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour - 1st Saturday in August Fall 2017 27

28 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

83

Grind Gravel Alexandria

GLACIAL RIDGE TRAILL Route Length: 245 miles Route: Several loops in the countryside between Willmar and Glenwood, with extensions to Alexandria and Sauk Centre.

80

Hike a Mountain

Sibley State Park

There is something for everyone at this popular west-central Minnesota State Park. Mount Tom is the high point of a 50-mile radius.

Enjoy swimming, boating and fishing on Lake Andrew. A canoe route invites adventurers to portage and canoe on Henschien Lake and Swan Lake. The park offers campgrounds, a modern group center, horseback camps, picnic area, and interpretive programs year round.

dnr.state.mn.us

81

Time Travel Spicer

Experience the life of our ancestors. History living at its best, the “Time Travel” program allows you to step back and experience what it was like to live in 1888.

prairiewoodselc.org

82

Jump in a Lake

Douglas County

It shouldn’t be hard to do in Douglas County. Over 300 beautiful lakes invite you to jump in, fish in, boat in or just kick back and relax by. Find your favorite.

explorealex.com

It’s time to put some gravel in your socks! On Saturday, September 16, you can test your mettle and ride your bicycle on the gravel roads around Alexandria and ride either 100 or 50 miles in the Hun-Dirt put on by the Big Ole Bike Club.

bigolebikeclub.com/hundirt

84

Find a Legacy Alexandria

Everything you ever wanted to know about what’s in and on the lakes is on exhibit at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum.

legacyofthelakes.org

85

Glide the Glacier

Glacial Lakes Trail

The Glacial Lakes Bike Trail now extends into Richmond from Willmar and will eventually glide into St. Joseph and the Lake Wobegon Trail.

mntrails.com

86

Play in the Barn Willmar

Willmar’s Barn Theatre is one of a few community theatres in the country that has its own building. Catch a show with local actors.

thebarntheatre.com

87

Rewrite History Alexandria

Discovered by a farmer in 1898, the Kensington Runestone suggests that Scandinavian explorers visited the area in 1362, much earlier than Columbus. See it for yourself at the Kensington Runestone Museum.

88

Bog Down

Lake Carlos State Park

Sculpted by ancient glaciers, Lake Carlos State Park contains a tamarack bog, marshes, woodland ponds and lakes. In the winter, ski from the tamarack bog to a maple-basswood forest. A variety of recreational activities revolve around the lake. Clear and deep, Lake Carlos offers visitors a perfect setting for swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hiking and horseback riding.

dnr.state.mn.us

89

Go Big

Alexandria

Big Ole, a 28-foot Viking statue weighing four tons overlooks the Central Lakes Bike Trail. Big Ole was built in 1965 for the New York World’s Fair and now stands along the Central Lakes Trail in Alexandria.

explorealex.com

90

Ride a Trail Starbuck

The 5 mile Glacial Ridge Trail connects Glacial Lakes State Park to nearby Starbuck.

starbuckcitygov.com

91

Mill Around Terrace

A welcome stop on the byway, the Terrace Mill Historic District features a 1903 vintage flour mill, keystone arch bridge, weir dam, log cabin and other historic buildings.

terracemill.org

runestonemuseum.org

Alexandria’s Legacy of the Lakes Museum houses exhibits about antique watercraft, resort memorabilia and sporting equipment used on Minnesota lakes. Legacy of the Lakes Museum photo Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 29

92

100

Log in

Mill Around

Willmar

The Endreson cabin, built in 1858, was the home of Guri Endreson and her family. During the U.S.-Dakota Conflict, Guri saved three men after her husband and son were killed and her daughters kidnapped.

glacialridgebyway.com

93

Remember

Monson Lake State Park

This park near Sunburg was established in 1923 as a memorial to the settlers who died in the U.S.-Dakota conflict of 1862.

dnr.state.mn.us

Underwood

OTTER TRAIL Route Length: 150 miles Route: Circular drive links Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Battle Lake and Inspiration Peak.

99

Hike to the Top

Inspiration Peak

Famous author Sinclair Lewis once described the view of the area lakes from the top of the tallest elevation in Otter Tail County as “Sequins fallen on an old paisley shawl.” Hike up 400 feet to see it for yourself.

visitfergusfalls.com

Phelps Mill was in operation from 1889 to 1939 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

co.otter-tail.mn.us

101

Go for Miles

Fergus Falls/ Osakis

The Central Lakes Trail connects Fergus Falls and Osakis and provides 55 miles of uninterrupted walking, biking and rollerblading. But that’s not all: After Osakis, continue on to the Lake Wobegon Trail for another 62 miles.

centrallakestrail.com

94

Rebuild History Pennock

Visit this replica log church that looks just like the one erected by Norwegian immigrants in 1868.

nllha.org

95

Go Back to School Spicer

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center provides a beautiful 500 acre outdoor classroom of rolling hills, prairie and wetlands.

Wildflowers bloom May-October at Glacial Lakes State Park. Jan Lasar photo.

prairiewoodselc.org

96

Get Wild

Starbuck

Prairie clover, pasque flowers, coneflowers, and goldenrods are just some of the wildflowers that blanket the hills of Glacial Lakes State Park.

dnr.state.mn.us

97

Undertake Something New London

Housed in the historic Lebanon Lutheran Church, this museum has an array of unique items, including a wicker undertaker‘s basket.

glacialridgebyway.com

98

Travel Back in Time Otter Tail History Museum

You can travel back to the days when it was okay to stand up in a boat as long as the fish were biting. The Otter Tail Historical Society has a museum in Fergus Falls full of classic treasures from the past.

CALL

Rates Greaat ckages &P E ONLIN

otchs.org 30 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

TrailsQ&A

Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Ken Dornfeld

Mary McGrath

Susan Piontek

Duluth, MN

Burnsville, MN

Minneapolis, MN

Occupation: Radiation Oncologist at Essentia Health.

Seen: Paddle boarding Lake Superior at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park’s Pebble Beach.

Advice for new paddle boarders: Rent a board and start paddling on a calm day.

Favorite Minnesota place: Somewhere on the North Shore I haven’t found, yet.

How many miles do you paddle a year? About 200.

What do you do in the winter?

I have been out paddling in every month of the year.

With $1000 I would: Make a down payment on a fat bike.

Trail Treat: A cheddar brat and a Bent Hop IPA from Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth.

Future Minnesota plans: River paddling the Mississippi near the Headwaters.

Minnesota Trails

Occupation: Retired teacher Seen: Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail from Jay Cooke State Park to Wild Valley Road trailhead with friend Janet Tower.

Gear: REI Traverse hiking poles and Keen hiking shoes.

Best Minnesota experience: Hiking the Silver Bay Loop of the Superior Hiking Trail. It was hard, but rewarding.

Worst Experience: Getting caught in a rainstorm while hiking alone at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Favorite Minnesota place: Naniboujou Lodge near Grand Marais. I got engaged there.

Advice for new hikers: Start with short hikes. Challenge yourself and slowly increase your distance. Bring a trail map and don’t get lost.

Trail Treat: Power Bars Future Minnesota plans: Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail near the Canadian border.

Occupation: Retired, Formerly Minneapolis PD Seen: Hiking at Split Rock Creek State Park to get the Hiking Club password and stamp number 58 in her state park passport.

Teresa Mareck Salt Lake City, UT Occupation: Retired attorney Seen: Walking across the swinging bridge at Jay Cooke State Park with sister Jane.

QA

Gear: Bic Jungle paddle board and NRS Farmer John wet suit.

Best Minnesota Experience: High waves at Park Point in Duluth.

Trails Q & A

Gear: New Balance shoes, REI fanny pack, umbrella.

Best Experience: Saw a bear at Judge Magney State Park while hiking.

Worst experience: Walking a grassy trail and coming home with 25 ticks on me.

Advice: Have a special pair of shoes for hiking when it’s wet.

With $1000 I would: Take a trip to the Boundary Waters, rent a cabin and canoe.

Future plans: I am going to ƓQLVK KLNLQJ DOO RI 0LQQHVRWDōV State Parks and touring all of the byways and then hike all of the Superior Hiking Trail in sections.

Favorite Minnesota place: They’re all different and interesting.

Gear: North Face running shoes Best Minnesota experience: A Boundary Waters canoe trip with a stay near Hovland, MN Favorite Minnesota place: The High Falls of the Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park. It’s beautiful and peaceful.

Advice for new hikers: Take bug spray, turn off your phone, relax and enjoy the quiet.

How many miles do you hike a year? About 500.

With $1000 I would: Rent a place on the North Shore for as long as the money lasts.

Trail Treat: Homemade coconut almond granola bars and a cold beer.

Future Minnesota plans: Come back to the North Shore next year.

Miles hiked/year: about 250.

Fall 2017 31

9ROXQWHHUV 0DNH 7UDLOV +DSSHQ

By Matthew Davis, ND & MN Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association My family loves to go on hikes around the state as we visit Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Parks. Over the last Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV ZH KDYH YLVLWHG PDQ\ XQLTXH SODFHV KDYH HQMR\HG D ORW RI KLNLQJ WUDLOV DQG ZH KDYH VHHQ KRZ PXFK ZRUN LW WDNHV WR EXLOG DQG PDLQWDLQ WUDLOV 7KLV OHVVRQ LV QRW QHZ WR P\ ZLIH DQG PH DV ZH KDYH EHHQ WUDLO YROXQWHHUV IRU DOPRVW \HDUV )RU XV YROXQWHHULQJ LV QRZ D IDPLO\ DFWLYLW\ DV ZH DUH WKH WUDLO DGRSWHUV IRU D WZR DQG D KDOI PLOH VHFWLRQ RI WKH 1RUWK &RXQWU\ 7UDLO ZLWKLQ ,WDVFD 6WDWH 3DUN What do volunteers do on hiking trails?

Volunteers are involved in many ZD\V ZKHQ LW FRPHV to our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hik ing trails. In many FDVHV OLNH WKH 1RUWK &RXQWU\ 7UDLO YROXQ WHHUV DUH WKH SULPDU\ IRUFH LQ ERWK GHYHO RSLQJ QHZ KLNLQJ trail miles and main taining existing trail.

7UDLO GHYHORS PHQW W\SLFDOO\ LQ volves talking with ODQGRZQHUV VFRXW LQJ D URXWH REWDLQ -Superior Hiking Trail Website LQJ DOO QHFHVVDU\ SHUPLVVLRQV DVVLVW LQJ ZLWK WKH UHTXLUHG SODQQLQJ DQG FRPSOLDQFH ZRUN DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ SK\VL FDOO\ EXLOGLQJ WKH WUDLO 2QFH WKH WUDLO LV FRQVWUXFWHG YROXQWHHUV ZLOO DOVR maintain it. ,Q VRPH FDVHV YROXQWHHUV VXSSRUW JRYHUQPHQW DJHQFLHV WKDW QR ORQJHU KDYH WKH VWDIĂ&#x20AC;QJ WR PDLQWDLQ their existing trails.

0DLQWHQDQFH LV WKH PRVW FRPPRQ WDVN YROXQ WHHUV WDNH RQ DQG LW PHDQV GLIIHUHQW NLQGV RI ZRUN in different seasons. ([DPSOHV DUH &OHDULQJ EORZ GRZQV LQ WKH VSULQJ XVLQJ FKDLQ saws or handsaws. Summer mow ing with a riding mower on wide WUDLOV SXVKLQJ D EUXVK PRZHU RQ D QDUURZ WUDLO RU UXQQLQJ D VWULQJ WULPPHU RQ D URFN\ WUDLO OLNH WKH 6XSHULRU +LNLQJ 7UDLO )DOO ZRUN XVXDOO\ LQYROYHV UHSDLULQJ VLJQDJH DQG EUXVKLQJ EDFN WKH WUDLO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over 300 volunteers put in over 6,000 hours every year to keep the Superior Hiking Trail in great shapeâ&#x20AC;?

WHY VOLUNTEER? 1. 7R JLYH VRPHWKLQJ EDFN IRU DOO WKH WUDLOV that you have enjoyed To get the immediate reward of seeing the GLIIHUHQFH \RX PDGH WKLQN EHIRUH DQG DI ter mowing 3. To learn new skills 4. :KLOH LW¡V RIWHQ KDUG ZRUN LW¡V WLPH ZHOO VSHQW RXWGRRUV ZLWK IULHQGV RU IDPLO\ 5. %HFDXVH WKH WUDLOV QHHG \RX WHAT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES EXIST? â&#x20AC;˘ North Country Trail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; NCTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Minnesota &KDSWHUV DUH ORRNLQJ IRU DGGLWLRQDO WUDLO DGRSWHUV LQ WKH %HFNHU &OHDUZDWHU +XE EDUG &DVV DQG ,WDVFD &RXQW\ DUHDV 7KH 01 :DWHUV 3UDLULH &KDSWHU LV ORRNLQJ IRU YROXQWHHUV WR KHOS UHDFK RXW WR SRWHQ tial landowner trail hosts in western Min nesota. â&#x20AC;˘ .HNHNDELF 7UDLO DQG %RUGHU 5RXWH 7UDLO ² 9ROXQWHHUV DUH QHHGHG WR ZRUN RQ VSULQJ FOHDULQJ WULSV XS LQ WKH %RXQGDU\ :DWHUV DQG FUHZ OHDGHUV ZLOOLQJ WR OHDG WULSV DUH FULWLFDOO\ QHHGHG 7UDLQLQJ ZLOO EH SUR YLGHG &RQWDFW LQIR#NHN RUJ RU LQIR# ERUGHUURXWHWUDLO RUJ â&#x20AC;˘ 6XSHULRU +LNLQJ 7UDLO ² 9ROXQWHHUV DUH QHHGHG WR DGRSW WUDLO VHFWLRQV DGRSW WUDLO KHDGV DQG DGRSW FDPSVLWHV 6SHFLDO YRO XQWHHU SURMHFWV DUH DOVR KHOG WKURXJKRXW the year. Learn more at www.shta.org/ volunteer. â&#x20AC;˘ 0LQQHVRWD '15 RSSRUWXQLWLHV ² /HDUQ more at www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer ing/index.html. â&#x20AC;˘ 0HWUR DUHD UHJLRQDO SDUNV &RQWDFW \RXU ORFDO 3DUN DJHQF\ DW KWWSV PHWURFRXQ FLO RUJ 3DUNV 6HUYLFHV 3DUWQHUV DVS[ CAN YOU HELP OUT? Your favorite hiking trail probably needs it.

Volunteers on a recent Kekekabic Trail clearing trip in the BWCAW. Matthew Davis photos (background photo) Volunteers mow the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest.

32 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

A Day at Whitewater State Park

By Rudi Hargesheimer, Outdoor Writer At Whitewater State Park the attraction is hiking. This 2700acre park near Elba in southeastern Minnesota has ten miles of easy to challenging hiking trails leading up steep hillsides to dolomite-capped limestone bluffs overlooking the deep chasm of the Whitewater River. Cliff-top panoramas from outcroppings like Chimney Rock, Inspiration Point, Eagle Point, Coyote Point and Signal Point are visual rewards for a challenging hike. This is the landscape that moved legislators to designate the area as a state park in 1919. While in nearby Elba, you can also visit the historic Elba Fire Tower, now managed by the park. Climb straight up the 761 steps to the top for a breathtaking view. %LUGHUV Ă RFN WR :KLWHZDWHU State Park to view rose-breasted JURVEHDNV JROG Ă&#x20AC;QFKHV RULROHV hummingbirds, scarlet tanagers and more. Wild turkeys abound here and a growing presence of sand hill cranes also attracts nature lovers.

Trout are stocked in Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek and DWWUDFW PDQ\ Ă \ DQJOHUV ZKR FDVW their lines in hopes of catching some native brown trout, which can still grow to over ten pounds.

On this one day in July, Jeremy Darst, one of two park naturalists, OHG D JURXS RI DERXW Ă&#x20AC;IW\ NLGV DQG adults in an exploration of aquatic the Whitewater Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life li fe at at tth he Wh Whit itew ew watter er P aarrkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ks excellent e cceelllen ex entt sw sswimming wiim immi ming ng g beach.

Hee beac beac be ach. h. h.

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handed out nets and buckets and the kids began scooping up frogs, tadSROHV WXUWOHV FUD\Ă&#x20AC;VK VQDLOV ZDWHU EHHWOHV GUDJRQĂ LHV DQG PLQQRZV for analysis. Jeffrey told the unique stories of each critter and concluded that, because the waters contained so many freshwater critters and so few foul-water critters, this stream was indeed healthy and a good place to swim and observe natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small details.

Alex Henning from the Minnesota Conservation Corp led a group of 45 people in a two-day camping experience as part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Can Campâ&#x20AC;? series. This program is made possible by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment.

His job is to introduce novices to camping and dispel the notion that â&#x20AC;&#x153;bears, raccoons, snakes and mosquitos Elba Fire are out to Tower. get youâ&#x20AC;?.

For a small fee the park provides tents, stoves and sleeping pads.

Jennifer Drayna arrived from the National Eagle Center in nearby Wabasha to educate a group of eighty at the visitor center amphitheater.

Wasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aka, Wassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ak Wa ka, a, an an injured inju in ureed bald baald b ld eagle eag glee from fro om Florida, Fllorrid F da, now now w a permanent perma err ma m n neen ent nt resident reessid den ent iin n Wabasha, W ba Wa bash bash sha, ha, was was tthe he sstar taar off tthe h he show. s ow sh w. While Wh hil ie perched pee rche p perc rcc hee d o n

Looking for aquatic critters at a naturalist presentation.

In 2005 The Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota helped preserve the integrity of Whitewater State Park with a $1,000,000 purchase of bluff-land directly above the visitor center, protecting 1.25 miles of the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature bluff line and about 215 acres in the process.

Jenniferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gloved hand the eagle Ă DSSHG KLV LPSUHVVLYH ZLQJV turned his head 180 degrees left and right and quietly let his handler do the speaking. Jennifer told the group about the National Eagle Center and its small collection of live eagles, inviting all to visit in the winter when great c o n vocations of wild eagles gather and feed on the river in Wabasha.

By the end of the evening everyone had had a great introduction to these great birds.

The crowd dispersed, most walking the short distance back to the campground where, no doubt, FDPSĂ&#x20AC;UHV ZHUH OLW and discussions about another great day in a Minnesota state park lasted into the night.

Jennifer Drayna with Wasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aka. all photos Rudi Hargesheimer Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 33

bike rides & tours CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

SEPTEMBER SONG

ST. PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Sauk Centre, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: www.caramelappleride.com ,UQV` [OL MHSS JVSVYZ HUK NYLH[ HWWSL YLMYLZOTLU[Z H[ HSS [OL YLZ[ Z[VWZ PUJS\KPUN JHYHTLS HWWSLZ PU 3HRL >VILNVU ;YHPS *V\U[Y` ;HRL PU H ))8 JVTWL[P[PVU JHY ZOV^ HUK 4VVUZOPUL 4HKULZZ L]LU[Z [OH[ KH`

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Rice Lake, WI Contact: 715-234-4127 Distance: 50 miles ( MYLL ZLSM Z\WWVY[LK IPRL YPKL OLSK I` [OL 5VY[O 9VHKZ )PJ`JSL *S\I ZPUJL

Sun., 09/10/2017 Location: St. Paul, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: www.bikeclassic.org Distances: 15, 32, 47 miles +PZJV]LY [YHMÄJ MYLL NSLL VU 4PUULZV[H»Z IPNNLZ[ IPRL [V\Y VU [OL Z[YLL[Z VM :[ 7H\S

JESSE JAMES BIKE TOUR Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Northfield, MN Website: jessejamesbiketour.org Distances: 12, 30, 45, 60, 100 miles ;OPZ MHI\SV\Z IPRL [V\Y PZ HU VMÄJPHS L]LU[ VM +LMLH[ VM 1LZZL 1HTLZ +H`Z VUL VM 4PUULZV[H»Z SHYNLZ[ JVTT\UP[` JLSLIYH[PVUZ ;OL ILZ[ JLU[\Y` YPKL HYV\UK

TWIN CITIES TOUR DE TUSH Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Richfield, MN Email: stacy@coloncancercoalition.org Website: http://coloncancercoalition.org Distance: 25 miles ( YPKL [V IYPUN H^HYLULZZ [V JVSVU JHUJLY H^HYLULZZ HUK ZJYLLUPUN

PURPLERIDESTRIDE MN Sat., 09/16/2017 Location: Maple Grove, MN Email: kzammas@pancanvolunteer.org Website: http://support.pancan.org Distances: 8, 25, 50 miles 7\YWSL9PKL:[YPKL PZ H ZPNUH[\YL L]LU[ VM [OL 7HUJYLH[PJ *HUJLY (J[PVU 5L[^VYR

RIDEMN1 Sat., 09/09/2017 to Fri., 9/15/2017 Location: Northern Minnesota Email: ridemn1@gmail.com Website: www.ridemn1.org Distance: 346 miles ;OL YV\[L HSS VU /PNO^H` PU UVY[OLYU 4PUULZV[H PZ M\SS` Z\WWVY[LK ^P[O Z[VWZ PU ;OPLM 9P]LY -HSSZ 9LK 3HRL ,MÄL *VVR HUK ,S`

TASTE OF THE TRAIL Sat., 09/09/2017 3HULZIVYV >OHSHU 7L[LYZVU Sat., 09/16/2017 -V\U[HPU 7YLZ[VU HUK /HYTVU` Sat., 09/23/2017 /V\Z[VU 9\ZOMVYK 9\ZOMVYK =PSSHNL Location: Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trail Email: info@rootrivertrail.org Website: www.rootrivertrail.org ;OYLL JVUZLJ\[P]L ^LLRLUKZ LHJO MLH[\YL H KPMMLYLU[ ZLSLJ[PVU VM [V^UZ

Enjoy Fall Colors and Caramel Apple Treats along the way!

&DUDPHO H $SSOH 5LG on Lake

ail Wobegon Tr

Saturday, Sept. 9

The Headwaters 100 at Itasca State Park.

Jan Lasar photo 34 Fall 2017

Take a ride on the trail to Osakis or Melrose. Moonshine Madness, in Osakis, offers fun for everyone.

Enjoy Grillin’ & Chillin’ BBQ Cook-off in Sinclair Lewis Park on your return to Sauk Centre.

BBQ Cook-off, music & Fun! Registration 8-10 am www.lakewobegontrails.com

www.visitsaukcentre.com • 855-444-SAUK

Visit The Centre of it all!

• Stay in the Center of the Lake Wobegon Trail • Enjoy restaurants and the Original Main Street • Bike to the Sinclair Lewis Boyhood home and Museum just off the trail

Gopher Prairie Inn

• Rest at Sauk Centre’s Hotels & Campgrounds

The Enchanted Inn Sinclair Lewis Campground Minnesota Trails

bike rides & tours HUN-DIRT GRAVEL GRINDER Sat., 09/16/2017 Location: Alexandria, MN Website:Â www.bigolebikeclub.com/hundirt Distances: 50, 100 miles Starts and ends at Brophy Lake County Park. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love the change in terrain and ZJLULY` VU [OPZ Ã&#x201E;YZ[ HUU\HS NYH]LS YPKL

TOUR DE HUGO Sat, 09/23/2017 Location: Hugo, MN email: sdenaway@city.hugo.mn.us website: www.tourdehugo.com Distances: 6, 20, 35, 50, 62 Riders of all ages experience fall colors on the roads and trails around Hugo, MN.

Riders on the Tour de Hugo pose for a fun shot. Carrie Hageman photo

RIDE THE RIDGES Sat., 09/16/2017 Location:Â Winona, MN Email: mbernatz@hbci.com Website:Â www.ridetheridges.bike Choice of four routes in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River.

MORA BIKE TOUR Sat., 09/16/2017 Location:Â Mora, MN Website:Â www.morabiketour.org Distances: 25, 50 miles The annual Mora Bike Tour starts and ends at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center. The route PZ NLULYHSS` Ã&#x2026;H[ ^P[O TVZ[S` NLU[SL OPSSZ

MINNEAPOLIS BIKE TOUR Sun., 09/17/2017 Location: Minneapolis, MN Website:Â www.minneapolisbiketour.com Distances: 16, 32 miles 9PKL [OL ZWLJ[HJ\SHY WHYR HUK I`^H` Z`Z[LT VM 4PUULHWVSPZ [YHMÃ&#x201E;J MYLL

AUTUMN TREK Sun., 09/17/2017 Location:Â River Falls, WI Email:Â jmwebber@sbcglobal.net Website:Â www.rivervalleytrails.org/ Distances: 25, 45, 65 miles and 101-mile Century Super Challenge with over 8,200 feet of climb through Western Wisconsin.

Camping!

Next to the Trail

Primitive tent camping & 8 campsites with cement pads and electrical hook-ups

320-293-6687 320 32 293 6687

Biking!

keep on

adventuring 24-hour ATM 15 E MAIN ST CROSBY, MN 56441

Holdingford

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

Visit us Online www.holdingfordmn.us www.unitybanking.com

Ad courtesy of Holdingford Municipal Liquor Â¥ On Sale/OÈ&#x201D; Sale 320-746-2264 Cyclists Welcome!

XXX (FU)PPLFE0O1SFTUPO DPN

Start planning your Preston visit today!

Visit us for

Taste of the Trail

Tasty Trail Treats!

Sept. 16, 2017

507-765-2100 â&#x20AC;¢ 1-888-845-2100 â&#x20AC;¢ gkinneberg@prestonmn.org Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 35

bike rides & tours DAVID GROTBERG MEMORIAL DUATHLON Sat., 09/23/2017 Location: Fergus Falls, MN Email: clark@centrallakescycle.com Website: www.centrallakescycle.com/clc247-duathlon.html The Central Lakes Cycle 24/7 Duathlon will take place on the Central Lakes Trail. A 20-mile bike ride, followed by a 4-mile run VU [YHPSZ HUK WH]LK YVHKZ ÄUPZOPUN ^P[O H 7-mile bike sprint on paved roads.

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HEADWATERS 100 Sat., 09/23/2017 Location: Park Rapids, MN Email: bike@itascatur.org Website: www.itascatur.org Distances: 45, 75, 100 miles The premier fall event in Northern Minnesota, the Headwaters 100 has ZVTL[OPUN MVY L]LY`VUL

SALSA OREMAGEDDON Sat., 10/07/2017 Location: Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails Email: info@cuyunalakesmtb.com Website: www.cuyunalakesmtb.com/ oremageddon.html Distances: 12, 25, 50 miles The premier mountain bike race of the season on world-class mountain bike trails.

Thomas and Brenda Cornell at the statue of Big Ole on the Central Lakes Trail in Alexandria.

Favorite Bike Shop: Bikes and Pieces in South Minneapolis “We love to ride the Central Lakes Trail because the trails are well kept and there’s plenty of good restaurants to visit!”

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Bobby Youngdahl & Bea Winkler on the Luce Line Trail in Hutchinson, MN Favorite Bike Shop: Revolution Cycle and Ski in St Cloud “We like the Luce Line because it is long, varied and scenic; urban to rural with paved, crushed limestone, and gravel sections.”

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MANKATO RIVER RAMBLE Sun., 10/08/2017 Location: Mankato, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: www.bikeriverramble.org Distances: 12, 26, 42 or 50 miles Savor the fall colors on this classic countryside ride.

Need more details?

Visit mntrails.com/events

Connie and Jeff Lennartson on the Paul Bunyan Trail Favorite Bike Shop: Bike King in Inver Grove Heights “We love the peaceful nature of the Paul Bunyan Trail and there are great B&Bs along the way!”

Nancy Terrett, Meg Hanson, & Deb Lynch enjoying artwork on the Dakota Trail in Mound, MN Favorite Bike Shop: Now Bikes in Arden Hills “One of our favorite trails we ride multiple times during the riding season and its just a short jaunt to the Luce Line trail to extend our ride.”

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

Visit CentralLakesTrail.com for maps and resources 36 Fall 2017

Minnesota Trails

Northwest Angle

Lake of the Woods Roseau River

Lost River

Garden Island Zippel Bay

Lake Bronson

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

Big Bog Rec. Area

Lit

tle

Red Lake

Lower Red Lake

Big

Fo Koochiching rk Riv er

Fo rk

Border Route Trail

Kekekabic Trail

Riv er Burntside

Big Fork

Buena Vista

Schoolcraft

Golden Anniversary

Remer

Trail North Country Hill River

Badoura Huntersville

Pine River

Lyons

94

Fergus Falls

71

Terr e Riv er

pew a Riv er Chip

Sibley

Nort

h Fo

Monson Lake

Glacial Lakes Trail

River

River

rk C

row Rive r

Shurburne National

Mis

St. Cloud

siss

Lake Maria

ipp

i Riv er T rail

STATE PARKS

Nemadji

WITH FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT

WILDLIFE REFUGES

St. Croix

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

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LRT

Fort Snelling

MN National Wildlife Refuge

r

Not for Navigation March 2016

Afton

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Minnesota Valley

Pipestone Casey Jones Trail

Split Rock Creek

ood onw Cott Lake Shetek

Rive

r

Minneopa

Watonwo n River

Nerstrand Big Woods Sakatah Singing Hills Trail

Straight River

Regional Trail Camden Pipestone National Monument

GoodhuePioneer

Cannon Valley Trail

Mankato Sakatah Lake

iver

Flandrau

Frontenac

Rice Lake

Douglas Trail

Kilen Woods

r ive at R rail Greidge T Whitewater R

Rochester

Des Moines River

35 Blue Mounds Blue Mounds Trail

Zum bro R

Fort Ridgely

Red Wing er Cannon Riv

Fair Ridge Trail

Marshall Camden

Albert Lea Blazing Star Trail

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Maps • Guides • Features

St. Croix

Ru m

Sauk River

Jay Cooke

35

on il Tra

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Glacial Lakes

Two Harbors

Banning

Rum River

ipp

Pom m

siss

Lac qui Parie

Trail

Wob eg

Mille Lacs

r

ail Tr

DESIGNATED FOREST

Father Hennepin

Soo Line Trail

Mis

Charles A. Lindbergh

x Aleeau t Lav men Seg

Moose Lake

Willard Munger Trail

River

Lake Carlos

Soo Line

Big Stone National

Lake Mille Lacs Mille Lacs Kathio

Long Prairie River

Lak e

Big Stone Lake

Brainerd Crow Wing

Alexandria

Rice Lake National

Solana

io

ng

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

iss

Cuyuna Country Rec. Area

Pillsbury

Crow

Glendalough

M

r ve

Ri

ip

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Paul Bunyan Trail

Maplewood

pi

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Foot Hills

Gooseberry Falls

iver

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Savanna

Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Trail

Park Rapids

Kettl e

Walker

Smoky Hills

North Country Trail

l rai rT

Buffalo River

Heartland Trail

tR que

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Cloquet Valley Whiteface River

am

Leech Lake

ive

Moorhead

Tettegouche Split Rock Lighthouse

iR ipp

Two Inlets

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iss

Tamarac National

George H. Crosby Manitou

l

ouis St. L

Hill Annex Mine

iss

Paul Bunyan Trail

White Earth

Me

Grand Rapids

Battleground

Grand Marais

River Superior National Forest Temperance

Bear Head Lake

River

il i Tra sab

M

Red River

Migizi Trail

Grand Portage

Judge Pat Bayle C.R.Magney Cascade

Bear Island

Soudan Underground Mine

Finland

Hibbing

Bowstring Lake Winnibigoshish

Bemidji Paul Bunyan

Itasca State Park

Chippewa National Forest

Blackduck

Lake Bemidji Itasca Wilderness Trail

Vermilion State Park

Sturgeon River

McCarthy Beach George Washington

Scenic

Kekekabic Trail

Ely

71

Grand Portage

BWCA BWCWA

iG

iver

Red River Rec. Area

Kabetogama

er Riv

Red Lake R

Upper Red Lake

tc h

Thief River Fall

lion mil Ver

Agassiz National

La ke Su pe rio rW at er Tra il

Hayes Lake

Gi

Twin Lakes

Carley

John A. Latsch

Whitewater

Ro

ot

Riv er

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood

Great River Bluffs

Root River Trail Myre Big Island

Shooting Star Trail

Austin

Lake Louise

HarmonyPreston Forestville/ Valley Trail Mystery Cave

Beaver Creek Valley

STOP INVASIVE SPECIES IN YOUR TRACKS Wipe ‘Em Off. Wipe ’Em Out!

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2017 37

Business Directory

Northeastern MN

Metropolitan MN

Northwestern MN

Southern MN

CENTRAL LAKES CYCLE

"EMIDJI

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

CYCLE PATH AND PADDLE

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

EASY RIDERS BICYCLE & SPORT 218-829-5516

105 7th Avenue S, St. Cloud ^^^ Ã&#x201E;[aOHYYPZTU JVT

ITASCA TRAIL SPORTS

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

320-251-2844

218-326-1716

320-219-7433

NORTHERN CYCLE

218-732-5971

100 Mill Road, Park Rapids e-mail: northerncycle@charter.net

NORTHERN CYCLE

117 3rd Street NW, Bemidji e-mail: northerncycle@charter.net

218-751-(BIKE) 2453

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

BIKE KING

651-457-7766

CARS BIKE SHOP

763-784-6966

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

6825 Hwy. 10 NW, Ramsey www.ramseybicycles.com

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

-ETRO 2EGION

-ANKATO

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL ASSOCIATION 320-763-0102

324 Broadway, Alexandria www.centrallakestrail.com

218-332-5425

PO Box 268, Nevis www.nevischamber.com

A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

800-450-7247

B&Bs

HUTCHINSON CHAMBER

320-587-5252

310 3rd St SE, Little Falls www.wallerhouseinn.com

LANESBORO CHAMBER

507-467-2696

5 miles from Taylors Falls www.countrybedandbreakfast.us

507-334-4381

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

VISIT BRAINERD

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

100 Milwaukee Road, Lanesboro www.lanesboro.com

FARIBAULT TOURISM

530 Wilson Ave., Faribault www.visitfaribault.com

WALLER HOUSE INN

BERTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CABINS

15782 Wilderness Drive, Lake Itasca www.bertscabins.com

320-632-2836

COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST 651-257-4773 GREEN HERON B&B

218-999-5795

FUN SPIRIT MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK 218-628-2891 800-642-6377

9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth www.spiritmt.com

LODGING 218-266-3312

Bike The Root River Trail

SINCLAIR LEWIS CAMPGROUND 826 Park Road, Sauk Centre 320-352-2203 AMERICINN SILVER BAY

218-226-4300

AMERICINN TOFTE/LUTSEN

218-663-7899

AMERICINN TWO HARBORS

218-834-3000

50 Mensing Drive, Silver Bay www.americinn.com

320-587-2453

12741 Central Ave., NE, Blaine www.pioneercycle.com

3OUTHERN 2EGION

www.ci.sauk-centre.mn.us

320-639-2453

OUTDOOR MOTION

141 Main Street South, Hutchinson www.outdoormotionbikes.com

3T #LOUD

2 Main St., Hutchinson www.explorehutchinson.com

JAKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIKES ALEXANDRIA

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

$ULUTH

NEVIS CIVIC & COMMERCE

415 Washington Street, Brainerd www.easyridersbikes.com

FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

FERGUS FALLS CVB

218-545-4545

INFORMATION 218-739-5651

.ORTHEAST 2EGION

Online & In Print $250/annually â&#x20AC;¢ Call Jan @320-266-5132

BIKE SHOPS

-INNESOTA 4RAILS $IRECTORY 2EGIONS

.ORTHWEST 2EGION

7231 W Hwy. 61, Tofte www.americinn.com

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

COUNTRY INN TWO HARBORS 218-834-5557

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

We Rent Tubes, Canoes & Kayaks!

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Drop You Off! 35455 State Highway 16 Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-467-2598 â&#x20AC;¢ www.eagle-cliff.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`JSPUNHUKÃ&#x201E;[ULZZ JVT

CARLTON BIKE RENTAL AND REPAIR 100 Chestnut Ave., Carlton 218-384-4696 www.carltonbikerental.com 38 Fall 2017

More Features MnTrails.com Minnesota Trails

Where every season is above average!

XU -RLQ XV IRU R LO D HQMR\DEOH WU ULGHV

lakewobegontrails.com 6KRS Lake Wobegon Trail Gallery

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

6OHHS HS S America’s Best Value Inn 322 12th St. S, Sauk Centre americasbestvalueinn.com (320) 351-7256

(DW 'ULQN Kay’s Kitchen i

Avon C A Cabin bi C Café f

Jordie’s J Jo ordi die’ ie’s ’s Trailside Café

Th O The Outpost Mercantile

303 College Ave. N, St Joseph kayskitchen.us (320) 557-0030

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

Bad Habit Brewing

AmericInn A i I

1230 Timberlane Dr, Sauk Centre americinn.com (320) 352-2800

15 E Minnesota St., St. Joseph badhabitbeer.com (320) 402-4442

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

615 6th St. S, Sauk Centre theoutpostmercantile.com (320) 351-7678

Buffet in Melrose cornerstonebuffetrestaurant.com Deli & Market in Albany cornerstonedeliandmarket.com

Fisher’s Club

428 Stratford St. Avon, MN ƓVKHUVFOXE FRP (320) 356-7372

(QMR\ WKH PDQ\ DPHQLWLHV RI WKH /DNH :REHJRQ 7UDLO

6KRSSLQJ $WWUDFWLRQV 5HVWDXUDQWV DQG 0XFK 0RUH

6HUYLFHV Helping Hands Outreach H Rent a surrey bike R iin Holdingford! www.holdingfordhelpinghands.org w ((320) 746-9960

Minnesota Trails

Cornerstone rn sto s

Joel Schneider Auto Service

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

Fall 2017 39

FREE HOT HOME-STYLE BREAKFAST

INVITING INDOOR POOL

UPDATED GUESTROOMS

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT

AMERICINN

[800] 634.3444 AMERICINN.COM

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

40 Fall 2017

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.

Alexandria, MN Austin, MN Baudette, MN Bemidji, MN Cloquet, MN Detroit Lakes, MN Fergus Falls, MN Hutchinson, MN International Falls, MN Pequot Lakes, MN Roseau, MN Sauk Centre, MN Silver Bay, MN St. Cloud, MN Tofte/Lutsen, MN Two Harbors, MN White Bear Lake, MN

[320] 763.6808 [507] 437.7337 [218] 634.3200 [218] 751.3000 [218] 879.1231 [218] 847.8795 [218] 739.3900 [320] 587.5515 [218] 283.8000 [218] 568.8400 [218] 463.1045 [320] 352.2800 [218] 226.4300 [320] 253.6337 [218] 663.7899 [218] 834.3000 [651] 429.7131

Minnesota Trails