Minnesota Trails Fall 2020

Fall 2020

HIKING TRAILS SCENIC BYWAYS Kekekabic Trail Anniversary …PAGE 8

North Shore Runner’s Guide …PAGE 26

St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon …PAGE 30

Crosby - Ironton - Deerwood - Bay Lake - Cuyuna - Emily 522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378

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

We’re here to help!

Cuyuna Lakes Chamber members are open for business and ready to serve you!

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

Vol. 25, No. 3 August 2020 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 LODGING CUYUNA LAKES CHAMBER 117 West Main Street, Crosby 218-546-8131 www.cuyunalakes.com

DEERWOOD BANK 21236 Archibald Rd., Deerwood 218-534-3111 www.deerwoodbank.com We’re here for you.

JACOBS REALTY Hwy. 6 & 210, Crosby 218-546-8346 www.jacobsrealtymn.com Find a home and a great place to live.

MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 117 West Main Street, Crosby 218-546-5428 www.mmfcu.org A CO-OP Shared Branch! Stop by.

218-546-8131 2 Fall 2020

DEERWOOD

MOTEL

DEERWOOD MOTEL 23688 Forest Road, Deerwood 218-534-3163 www.deerwoodmotel.com Great rooms at great prices.

MOLLY’S COTTAGE ON MAIN 305 W Main St., Crosby 507-867-1471 www.airbnb.com/h/mollyscottageonmain Your local AirBnB Superhost.

RED RIDER RESORT 23457 Co. Rd. 31, Crosby 218-838-6858 www.redriderresort.com Cabins and camping right off the trail.

EAT & DRINK

DEERSTAND RESTAURANT & BAR 24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood 218-534-9253 www.deerstandrestaurant.com Why limit happy to one hour?

SPECIALTY STORE

VICTUAL 124 W Main St., Crosby 218-545-1000 www.shopvictual.com Ice cream, cheese, charcuterie, gourmet, gifts, spirits

www.cuyunalakes.com Minnesota Trails

Index Features

Columns

Departments

5 Scavenger Hunt Parks and Trails Council

4 Minnesota Miles

11 Hiking Guide

6 Frontenac State Park Expansion

Cover photo:

Parks and Trails Council

8 The Kekekabic Trail Volunteer Experience

Martin Kubik, Mark Stange, Derrick Passe and Eric Campbell

26 North Shore Trail Runner’s Guide David Johnson 30 St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon Jan Lasar

Jan Lasar

Fall Hike at Runestone Park in Kensington, MN. James Feist photo

Tom Watson 14 Great Minnesota Hikes

13 Trails Q&A Conversations with trail users 14 Scenic Byway Guide

Scenic Byway Points of Interest

29 Bike Ride Guide Fabulous Fall Rides 37 MN Trails Map

Minnesota’s Trails At-A-Glance

38 Business Directory Find your Trail Partners

32 George Crosby Manitou State Park Rudi Hargesheimer 34 Jay Cooke State Park Rudi Hargesheimer 36 Book Review Jeff Olson

Index photo:

Horseback riders at Maplewood State Park.

Dave Simpkins photo

Thank you!

Find us on:

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 3

W

The Volunteer Challenge

hen it comes to talking about Minnesota Miles North Country Trail Association, Border trail volunteers I make no Route Trail Association, and Superior effort not to sound like a Hiking Trail Association via support broken record. Hence, you’ll often from their members, donors, grants find stories about and interviews and the National Parks Service. with people who give up their free time for a cause in the pages of How has COVID-19 and this magazine. But what if a global the resulting social distancing pandemic has more people fleeing guidelines impacted this schedule? the indoors while at the same time COVID-19 impacted our keeping volunteer groups from doing volunteers’ work on the NCT this spring, what needs to be done to keep trails but it’s mostly back to normal now with Jan Lasar accessible? I recently had a chance to some specific safety measures in place Trails Editor/Publisher talk with Matthew Davis, Regional for group projects. The big exception is Trail Coordinator for Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Kekekabic and Border Route Trails where most North Dakota for the North Country Trail Association of the work is done via group canoe trips. These (NCTA) about how his organization has been trail clearing trips have not re-started yet and may dealing with the effects of COVID-19. be significantly changed in the future because of COVID-19.

How many miles does the NCTA maintain in Minnesota?

How has it impacted trail user numbers?

There are currently about 600 off-road miles Anecdotally, we know that use of the trails of the NCT on the ground in Minnesota that need is up all across the state because more people annual maintenance, including the now official have sought solace in nature because of COVID-19.

400 miles of the Kekekabic Trail, Border Route Trail, Trails have never closed during the pandemic but and Superior Hiking Trail. The NCT’s remaining 250 trail managers have encouraged users to follow miles are roadwalks that link together the off-road social distancing requirements and to recreate segments. responsibly. Our U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service partners shared that visitation to the entire National Wildlife And this takes how many volunteers?

Refuge was triple the normal rates this spring, Our Minnesota chapters have about 200 including increased use of the North Country Trail active volunteers that work on the trail while the within the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge and the Prairie Border Route Trail Association has another 100 and Wetlands Learning Center. the Superior Hiking Trail Association has about 300.

Altogether, that’s 600 Minnesotans who offer up Does increased trail use mean more their blood, sweat, and tears to keep world-class maintenance? hiking opportunities open for the public.

Increased use can mean more maintenance is required, especially in high use areas like the What kind of work needs to be done?

Superior Hiking Trail in North Shore parks. More use The work of maintaining hiking trails like the can lead to quickly filling latrines and widening of North Country Trail is seasonal in nature. Spring wet and muddy spots. work entails clearing the 4’ x 8’ trail corridor. That means removing small debris and branches and What is NCTA doing to recruit more cutting and removing chunks from downed trees volunteers? across the trail. Other spring tasks include draining We have been using social media and virtual wet spots and checking on trail signage. Summer gatherings to promote our volunteer opportunities work entails clearing vegetation from the trail across the Trail and pointing people to our website. corridor to provide a pleasant hiking experience by mowing, weed whacking or lopping by hand.

Have these efforts worked?

This work may have to be repeated more than Yes, we were able to find new volunteers to once each year, especially in prairie areas found in walk sections this spring to help in instances where far western Minnesota. Fall work entails clearing volunteers from the Twin Cities were unable to any summer storm damage and again inspecting travel north to the Trail. We’ve also seen some new signage so that it’s ready for the prime fall hiking volunteers step into Chapter leadership roles. season. The Superior Hiking Trail Association also utilizes campsite and trailhead adopters and an What do you think makes more people Elite Latrine Digging Squad that focus their efforts volunteer in times like these? on maintaining campsites, checking on trailhead There are so many benefits for our mental signage, and digging new latrine holes at their and physical health from being outdoors in nature. popular campsites.

More people have recognized lately that without volunteers the trails they like to recreate on would Who pays for all of this? not provide the experience they do. Our land Volunteers are provided with all the tools, management agencies simply do not have the safety equipment, and training required to resources to do this much-needed work and rely volunteer on the trails. This cost is borne by the upon volunteers more and more each year.

4 Fall 2020

How can trail maintenance be done safely, following public health guidelines?

Many of the tools used commonly in trail maintenance have always required physical distancing for safety reasons. Just think of a chainsaw or an axe or your favorite digging tool with a sharp, metal edge. Safety has always been heavily stressed by trail organizations, the National Park Service, and our land management partners because the volunteers are the lifeblood of our trails. We want them to be safe out on the trail and remain volunteering.

Experts say COVID-19 will be with us for a long time, much like the flu virus. How will this impact the way the NCTA handles it volunteer force in the future?

Trail organizations will continue to talk with the National Parks Service, U.S. Forest Service and our state partners to ensure that we’re providing our volunteers with the best information on how to volunteer safely. It seems likely that remote, multi-day group trips will continue to be the most impacted into the future.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

The biggest benefit of volunteering is seeing the immediate impacts you can make on improving the condition of your favorite hiking trail on your walk out over what you just covered. There is a stark difference between a trail that needs mowing or lopping and one that you just finished working on. Talk about hard work leading to immediate gratification. People receive a great feeling of satisfaction after making a difference as a trail volunteer.

How can people get involved right now?

Sign up to volunteer. If you cannot volunteer, join or donate to your favorite trail organization.

A part of your membership dollars go toward recruiting, training, outfitting, and supporting the volunteers who can get out there to help out. It’s a team effort and every team needs more players.

Pretty much any volunteer skill can be put to good use.

How to get involved LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: • • •

https://northcountrytrail. org/volunteer/ https://borderroutetrail. org/trailclearing.html https://superiorhiking.org/ volunteer/

people saving special places

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

GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT! Thru Sept 7, 2020 find the hunts online:

parksandtrails.org/hunts @ 24 PARKS & TRAILS We’ve partnered with friends groups and others to host hunts here: Regional Parks

State Parks & Rec Areas

State & Regional Trails

Bertram Chain of Lakes (Wright Co.)

Blue Mounds Crow Wing Cuyuna County Forestville-Mystery Cave Frontenac Glacial Lakes Itasca Jay Cooke Lake Bemidji Lake Louise Lake Maria Maplewood Tettegouche Whitewater

Casey Jones

Chester Woods (Olmsted Co.) Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway Irving & John Anderson (Isanti Co.) Oxbow (Olmsted Co.)

Minnesota Trails

Gateway-Brown’s Creek Gitchi Gami Nelson Creek (Jackson Co.) Shooting Star

WIN PRIZES Grand Prize 5 Drawings for a Night Hike Kit

headlamp + owl call + owl finger puppet + bandana Local Prizes Drawings for various prizes are awarded by the friends group from each park or trail.

Fall 2020 5

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

Lisa Filter/P&TC

people saving special places

A major project completed Frontenac State Park expands by 159 acres to include Waconia Cliffs and restored prairie ur largest land project in over 10 O years has just added 159 acres to Frontenac State Park.

This is a park known for awe-inspiring blufftop views of Lake Pepin. And this addition at the southwest border brings another magnificent blufftop view to the park.

Top: View from bluff near Waconia Cliff and looking toward the Pleasant Valley Lakelet. The cornfield in the valley will be restored to prairie by the park in the coming years.

Bottom: Parks staff and volunteers enjoying the view from atop the land in 2017 shortly after P&TC purchased the land.

6 Fall 2020

The land, which Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC) purchased in 2017, includes a bluff historically known as Waconia Cliff. From here you can see for miles the prairies, forests and bluffs, plus the Pleasant Valley Lakelet and Lake Pepin in the distance (photo above).

The addition also includes grasslands that have begun to be restored with native prairie plants (photo left). Today, less than two percent of Minnesota’s once sprawling prairie landscape remains. This land builds on the park’s work to restore this rare and vital habitat.

P&TC spearheaded this project starting back in 2015 when P&TC’s thenpresident, Mike Tegeder, learned that the private landowners were interested in selling. Accepting an invitation to walk the land, Tegeder trekked up the bluff. Looking out over the landscape, he had no doubt this land belonged in the park and that P&TC could help make that happen.

A major hurdle we overcame was the need to expand the parks’ legislatively authorized boundary, which at the time did not encompass this land.

“I promise that once anyone experiences the spectacular views from the bluff, they will understand exactly why we went out on a limb to purchase this special place despite not having any assurance that the Legislature would allow us to add it to the park.”

In 2018, the boundary was expanded thanks to a bill authored by local legislators Sen. Mike Goggin and

Minnesota Trails

people saving special places

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

Rep. Barb Haley. Strong community support from the volunteer-based Frontenac State Park Association (FSPA) proved important to its passage.

“Part of the association’s mission is to reestablish native prairie and this land adds more of that to the park,” says FSPA president Brian Schrieber. “Plus, anyone who visits will want to take in the unique views—they add a lot to the property.”

During the three years P&TC owned the land, restoration work continued to ensure the acres of native prairie were maintained. A local volunteer installed numerous bluebird houses and removed invasive plants as well as old fencing. Plus, hiking paths were mowed to give access to the scenic overlooks that allow visitors to see the landscape spread out over three directions. With the land now in park’s ownership, which happened on June 26, plans will be developed for its use.

We are proud that, thanks to our members, we were able to play a pivotal role in adding this special place to the park. We are certain it will soon become a place full of beloved outdoor memories.

Looking into the history archives

1870 View from Waconia Cliff

“

A

nother drive that no visitor should fail to take is that on the romantic road along the ridge that terminates at Waconia Cliff from which the delightful spectator gazes upon a panorama of wonderful beauty in which the lake, the bluffs, the prairie, the fields of grain, the railway trains, the steamboats, the sails, the rafts, the farm houses, Dakota Park with its mile track, the villages, and the towns, unite in composing a picture that will be remembered with lasting enjoyment.”

Wood, Alley & Co., 1878, History of Goodhue Co.

The low area west of the farm had a small creek and fenced pastures. When the south end was dammed up in the 1960s, the area was flooded and is now Pleasant Valley Lakelet.

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 7

The

Kekekabic Trail Volunteer Experience

By Martin Kubik, Mark Stange, Derrick Passe and Eric Campbell

at 30 Years

T

he Kekekabic Trail’s rugged, 41 miles of trail cross through remote forests, mostly within the Superior National Forest’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The historic firefighter access trail-turned recreation gem travels from Snowbank Lake Road northeast of Ely to the Gunflint Trail and is maintained by volunteers of the Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA).

The Kekekabic Trail, Kek for short, was abandoned by the US Forest Service (USFS) in the 1980s, but resurrected by volunteers who faced the monumental task of clearing a path that had been neglected for years. Since March 2020 the Kekekabic has been an official part of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT), and offers hikers its greatest true wilderness hiking experience.

In 2020, Kek fans are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the trail’s re-opening and look back on three decades that have been marked by major blowdowns, wildfires, thick brush, and one constant tireless volunteer efforts.

The History of the Re-opening In the 1980s, two young 3M Engineers, Martin Kubik and Steve Cinnamon, backpacked the Kekekabic Trail in late fall. Short on vacation time, they pressed to complete crossing the 40mile trail over the weekend, to be back to work by Monday morning. Daylight hours were few in late fall and they started before sunrise, hiking the first mile by the light of their headlamps. They figured 8 Fall 2020

they would hike 10 hours a day with only three twenty-minute breaks.

An estimated 3,000 fallen trees on the rugged trail slowed the pace down to two miles an hour.

The Kek was a challenge, but Kubik and Cinnamon returned regularly. Each year they encountered more tree falls, and as more trunks toppled across the path, fewer hikers came. By 1990, the Forest Service issued only twenty-five permits annually.

Sometimes game trails veering off the Kek were better travelled than the trail itself and backpacking over the weekend was getting more and more difficult. Kubik called the USFS office in Duluth and inquired about the maintenance, or lack thereof, on the Kek. Barb Soderberg, Wilderness Manager told him that the trail was not maintained because use had decreased over the years, and the Forest Service didn’t have the money to keep it open. In fact, maps showed the Kekekabic Trail

with a disclaimer: “Not Maintained”.

Soderberg thought it would be difficult, if not impossible, to restore the Kekekabic after 10 years without maintenance to the interior 20 miles, but she suggested Kubik contact the district rangers at Ely and Grand Marais. Back then, the red tape was minimal compared to today, and after only three months, the Forest Service gave the green light for the first volunteer trail clearing trips.

“I think they thought ‘let’s give them the old college try and see what they can do,’” Kubik said.

That spring, summer and early fall, Kubik and Cinnamon recruited 115 volunteers, most of them 3M co-workers to venture on the trail and cut tree falls. The first trip was on the Gunflint Trail side in April of 1990, with patches of snow on the ground and lakes still frozen solid. A ranger accompanied the volunteers on this first trip. By lunch he saw that they did not present harm to themselves, felt comfortable with their safety, and left them to continue work. That crew cleared an incredible eight miles of deadfall to Howard Lake.

The crews used cross cut and bow saws to remove fallen pine and poplar trunks. Those

Team work: CASP crew members use crosscut saws to clear downed trees.

Friends of the Boundary Waters photo Minnesota Trails

were glory days, because the trees were huge and everyone felt like they deserved a badge after cutting a two-foot diameter pine by hand. It was hard work and often two sets of sawyers switched halfway through the cut to keep going. Clearing was complete in early October. Kubik and Cinnamon were looking forward to hiking the trail, now completely void of obstacles, but it wasn’t meant to be. A winter storm dropped heavy, wet snow and more trees across the Kek. The July 4th, 1999 Derecho Mark Stange heard news of a couple who had run into trouble on the trail. The two set off to hike the Kek westbound on June 1st and on their third day, came across a massive blowdown west of Thomas Lake. Trees were piled 15 feet high for a quarter mile and only by dropping their big packs and carrying just a few essentials, were they able to clamber over the mass and finally find the trail again. They panichiked onward, arriving at the Fernberg Road in the dark after 10pm, quite exhausted.

Stange contacted both the USFS office in Ely and Kekekabic Trail Chapter President Martin Kubik. Their traditional routine was to clear the trail once a year in May, but since this was a major obstacle on their namesake trail, they decided to send a hot-shot crew out right away. “I can lead a crew over the Fourth of July,” Stange said. The crew was put together and headed out to clear trail over the holiday weekend.

They were finishing up on July Fourth when they noticed ominous, black storm clouds approaching. “Back then we carried no radios or other devices, we had simply told the Forest Service to pick us up around noon on July 5th,” Stange said. The wilderness-experienced group prepared their campsite for the oncoming storm and huddled down. Winds began to pick up and soon reached 90 miles per hour, with drenching rain.

“Keeping my tent from blowing away took two of us,” Stange said. In about 35 minutes the storm passed, leaving four inches of rain in a cookpot and three tall trees locked in a tripod directly over Stange’s tent. Leaving the campsite, they found more downed trees. The hour and a half hike in became five hours back to Disappointment Lake, where it took another twenty anxious minutes for them to find their canoes in the altered landscape.

The 140-rod portage between Disappointment and Snowbank Lakes was heavily traveled that holiday weekend and hikers were having a hard time dealing with the many fallen trees blocking the portage. “Those coming told us of things they Minnesota Trails

had heard on the news about the storm, but little was yet known as to the extent of it at that time,” Stange said. The storm affected nearly the entire 41-mile trail. The Forest Service gathered sixteen crews from around the country and spent $400,000 on reopening the trail. Although they were given special permission to use chain saws, normally not allowed in the Boundary Waters, they reported using them less than one percent of the time.

It took several thousand work hours to clear the trail.

The 2016 Blowdown On July 21, 2016, another blowdown struck the Kek. While the storm affected a smaller area than the Derecho, its impact to the BWCAW and the Kek were no less severe. While the 1999 “Storm of the Century” devastated the Kekekabic Trail from Thomas River to the Gunflint Trail, the 2016 storm affected only

the western end. In addition to large impacts to the Kek, the 2016 storm also wreaked havoc on the Snowbank, Disappointment and Old Pines Trails. In some locations, tree loss was estimated to be around 80%, inspiring descriptions like “Armageddon” by USFS personnel.

Recovery from the 2016 storm followed a similar timeline as the 1999 storm, with campsites and portages reopening quickly after the storm, but it wasn’t until September that the USFS began assessing the condition of the trails in the storm-damaged area. To their credit, USFS crews began the daunting task of clearing the trail beginning at the Snowbank Trailhead, while crews from the Kekekabic Chapter and Vermilion Community College began work in the area South of Snowbank Lake. By the spring of 2017, the first five miles of the Kek outside the BWCAW was passable.

During the winter of 2016, the USFS was contacted by an organization called Conservative Anabaptist Service Program (CASP) to offer their help in removing the storm damage. The CASP program offers an alternative service for conscientious objectors, or in other words making draft age youth available for federally beneficial projects. The USFS worked with the Kekekabic Trail Chapter and CASP and came up with a plan for six young people to work in the Boundary Waters from May 9 to June 3, 2017.

Volunteers pose at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness boundary sign at the eastern end of the Kek. Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the NCTA photo

Fall 2020 9

During this time they experienced 15 days of rain and 13 days below freezing temperatures, but they persevered and successfully reopened the Kek. By the beginning of June they had cleared over 10 miles of trail of an estimated 1,000 trees and rebuilt four campsites. The relationship with the CASP Organization has continued since 2017. It’s partnerships like this that will keep the trail open in years to come.

Kekekabic Trail and Surounding Area Canada

Gunflint Trail Crossing

Snowbank Lake Road

Ely

Border Route Trail

Kekekabic Trail

The Kekekabic Trail Chapter Today Over the years, many conversations about the Kek have started with words like “survival”, “lost”, “rugged” and “difficult.” At times, blowdowns and heavy brush and cleared the last of the blowdown on the made the trail tough to follow, west end of the trail near Snowbank hiking was slow and the Lake, and the heavy brush on Clearing the Kek experience was very the eastern third of the means hours of manual labor challenging. With trail from the Gunflint without power tools. walking access Trailhead to Agamok Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the to the trail Bridge. There’s still NCTA photo limited to the moderate brush in east and west a few areas and trailheads, constant change and almost all from beaver maintenance activity, but the being done by corridor is open, hand, keeping tread is on the the trail clear is ground and the trail a constant test is flagged in areas and struggle. where finding the route BEFORE In 2020 Chapter is difficult. These trail volunteers completed improvements have a huge, four-year effort moved the conversation starters from “survival” to “a great wilderness” hiking or backpacking Volunteers work experience. There are many loop and as a team while clearing lollipop hike options that should brush along the Kek. be considered for day or overnight Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the trips. The Snowbank Lake Trail, NCTA photo Disappointment Loop, Old Pines Loop and the Benezie/Becoosin Loop on the west end of the trail are all cleared and ready for hiking. These trails offer more than 50 miles of hiking with great Boundary Waters views and campsites. The eastern half of the Kek features some easy day

Superior Hiking Trail

Grand Marais

Lake Superior

hikes to Mine and Bingshik Lakes, the Agamok gorge, and fantastic views of Gabimichigami Lake, the second deepest inland lake in Minnesota.

The Kekekabic Chapter is committed to keeping the Kek cleared and welcomes hikers to experience this hidden gem in Northern Minnesota.

If you can take a BWCA canoe trip or have good wilderness hiking and camping skills, you can hike the Kek and really enjoy this pristine area.

Note: The KEK Chapter’s May 2020 trail clearing trips were postponed by the COVID-19 situation so the Kek may be a bit rougher than normal.

Contact them at kek@northcountrytrail.org for the latest trail conditions.

AFTER

About the Authors Mark Stange lives in Shoreview, recently retired from a career in IT. He’s been involved with the Kekekabic Trail since the mid-1990s, serving as president of the Kekekabic Trail Club / Chapter for many years.

Martin Kubik lives in Vadnais Heights, recently retired from a career as an Electrical Engineer at 3M, and is the founder of the Kekekabic Trail Club and of the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee.

Eric Campbell lives in Eden Prairie, recently retired from a career in non-profit fundraising, and has been involved with the Kekekabic Trail for the last 4 years. He is the current President of the Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA).

Derrick Passe lives in Two Harbors where he works as the District Engineer for the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District. He’s been involved with the Kekekabic Trail since the mid 1990s.

10 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

2020

14 Great Minnesota Hikes

14 HIKES

Minnehaha Creek/Falls Trail

Minneapolis The city’s quintessential natural landmark provides a unique city setting for a hike along the creek down a tree-lined ravine, from the waterfall to its mouth at the Mississippi River just a mile away. The more primitive path down the west side (right side going downstream) includes a raised walkway through wetter sections. Bog flowers, songbirds and the roar of the creek all add character to this packed earth trail.

Long Meadow/Bluff Line Trail

Bloomington Starting at the Old Cedar Bridge, an earthen path follows the bluff line of the Minnesota River for over 3 miles.

Pedestrian crossings over freeway bridges let hikers link up to miles of dirt trails extending northward to Fort Snelling and beyond.

within 60 minutes of Minneapolis & Saint Paul

by Tom Watson

Lake Elmo Regional Park

Lake Elmo The 3.8-mile Eagle Point Lake Trail follows almost the entire shoreline for a pleasantly bucolic journey around a reed-lined lake. Several intersections along the western route lead to long loops across the prairie-like landscape, while eastern routes merge to join the more developed east side of the park.

Afton State Park

Afton This entire park is a hiker’s delight. The northern Prairie Loop winds through the bluff-top, grassy hills where some sections are shared with horseback riders. A route through the northeast section provides incredible views and a steep descent down to the shoreline of the St. Croix where a paved trail takes you back to the Visitor Center.

Southern grassy trails follow the bluff line.

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Lake Independence This park has trails suited for two and four-legged users. All hiking trails, from those along the Crow River to the expansive prairies restoration sections, accommodate hikers and horses.

There are 10 miles of dog-on-leash trails shared by hikers and horses and a 40-acre off-leash area just for dogs and their human companions.

Murphy-Hanrehan Regional Park

Savage A shorter network of trails in the northern corner of this park offers a demanding and rewarding landscape formed by glaciers. A loop of more than four miles winds up and over numerous hills under a canopy of northern hardwoods. This park has lots of intersections and trail segments to choose from among its wooded hills.

Hikers atop Barn Bluff in Red Wing. Jan Lasar photo

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 11

2020

14 Great Minnesota Hikes Louisville Swamp/Mazomani Trail

Carver This 4.5-mile trail rich in Native American and early Minnesota pioneer history provides an often-soggy route through upland forest, across grassy plains and down through a swampy floodplain on the banks of the Minnesota River. Remnants of the Ehmiller home site and the restored building at the Jabs Farm site offer quaint reminders of some who walked these grounds a long time ago.

Barn Bluff

Red Wing A short, 1.75-mile out-and back hike scales this massive sandstone monolith rising 340 feet above the Mississippi River. Once atop, the grassy plateau is modestly etched in pathways that lead to overlooks above the city and the Wisconsin side of the river.

Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park

Faribault Half of the park’s 11 miles of earthen trails are woven into a series of loops in the northern half of this hilly, forested landscape. White Oak Trail skirts the perimeter of the park while others wind through stands of hardwoods.

All trails connect to bring hikers to the backcountry beauty of Hidden Falls.

Hiking trails along the creek in the Minnehaha Ravine. Tom Watson photo

Frontenac State Park

Frontenac Of the 13 miles of trails, the short stretch along the steep bluffs above the river is the most challenging and scenic. Some sections pass 30-foothigh limestone outcroppings, others provide steep access to the river’s edge. Other side trails lead to and from the campground, including a spur to In-Yan Teopa Rock at the bluff’s edge.

Scenic overlooks provide incredible views of Lake Pepin.

Lake Maria State Park

Monticello The terrain is quite hilly and covered in birch, maple and other hardwoods making it a great fall hiking destination.

Bjorkland and Big Woods loops offer nearly 8 miles of woodland walking, while the 2-mile Kettle Kame Trail winds through classic glacial moraine amid beautiful birch forests. Camper cabins along hiking routes make it possible to stay and explore the trails over several days.

Pine needles soften your step on a path along the Saint Croix River at William O’Brien State Park. Tom Watson photo

12 Fall 2020

William O’Brien State Park

Marine-On-St. Croix Best known for its St. Croix riverfront, the grassy hills on the west side of the park provide excellent upland hiking through a series of loops off the main route, Woodland Edge and Wetland Trails. Another path leads you down through the tall pines along the St. Croix River.

Interstate Park/Minnesota

Taylors Falls Another iconic natural landmark offers a rambling route along the steep, rocky, root-strewn path high above the St. Croix River canyon. A return trip option includes a steep ravine interpretive trail followed by a treelined corridor along an abandoned railroad right-of-way.

Wild River State Park

Almelund The short, 1.2-mile walk along the banks of the St. Croix makes a trip to this park worthwhile. A series of looped trails in the southern half add to the earthen path mileage while the paved Old Logging Road connects hikers with more routes at the north end.

Minnesota Trails

2020

TrailsQ&A

Trails Q & A Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Bill Dryborough

Tom Johnson

Seen: Hiking from Jay Cooke State Park to the Wisconsin border on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Occupation: College Math Teacher and trail routing volunteer for the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

How many miles do you hike per year? About 200.

Best Minnesota hiking experience: Wherever I’m standing at the time.

Worst Minnesota hiking experience: Garbage on trails.

Sad, but true.

Favorite Minnesota place to hike: Ely’s Peak in Duluth.

Future hiking plans: I’d like to do the entire Superior Hiking Trail over again.

Trail Treat: Good Old Raisin and Peanuts (GORP).

What would you do with $1,000? I’d donate it to the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

Advice to novice hikers: Get out there and do it. The Superior Hiking Trail has 310 miles waiting for you.

Seen: Climbing the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies route at Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park.

Occupation: Software Engineer Gear: Grigris and all the standard top-rope climbing gear.

Best Minnesota experience: Scrambling along the cliffs at Banning State Park’s Kettle River.

Worst experience: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in six days.

That’s 26 miles per day, normally done in nine days. I ran out of food on the fifth day and I was hungry!

Advice to new climbers: Use your feet, not so much your arms. Go with people who own the best gear.

Favorite Minnesota place: Right here at Tettegouche State Park.

Future Minnesota plans: Biking the Duluth Traverse Mountain Bike Trails.

Trail Treat: Chocolate-covered Peanut M&Ms.

Superior, Wisconsin

Minneapolis, MN

QA

Minnesota Trails

Jim Henn Bemidji, MN

Seen: Hiking the North Country Trail near Itasca State Park.

Gear: Hiking pole, High Sierra hydration backpack with clipon REI thermometer/compass, Garmin GPS watch.

Joe Siedlecki Fridley, MN

Seen: Hiking to Carlton Peak on the Superior Hiking Trail at Temperance River State Park.

Occupation: Retired software engineer

Occupation: Retired now, but used to work for Vail Resorts.

Best Minnesota experience: Jay Cooke State Park camping and hiking

Worst Minnesota Experience: Getting blisters on my feet while hiking the Superior Hiking Trail.

What would you do with $1,000?

I’d invest it wisely.

Best Minnesota Experience: Hiking with wife, Barb.

How many miles do you hike a year? Over 100.

Trail Treat: Trail mix and Milky Way.

Advice for new hikers: Don’t bite off more than you can chew when it comes to hiking and smell the roses.

With $1,000 I would: Buy a new pair of downhill skis.

Future Minnesota plans: Try to keep up with Barb and hike more.

Advice to novice hikers: Explore new parks and don’t forget binoculars or camera batteries.

Favorite Minnesota place: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Future Minnesota plans: I want to do more North Shore parks and Superior Hiking Trail hikes.

How many miles do you hike per year? My knees limit me these days. Just 50 or so.

Favorite Trail Treat: Nut mix with dried fruit.

Your Adventure Starts Nearby.

Download our FREE detailed hiking maps at

northcountry trail.org/

Volunteers from the six North Country Trail Association Chapters, the Superior Hiking Trail Association, and the Border Route Trail Association in Minnesota invite you to get out and hike on the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) across northern Follow us on Facebook (@NCTinMN) Minnesota this fall.

Fall 2020 13

Minnesota’s Scenic Byways are a great way to get to know the state like you never knew it.

On the following pages we’ve compiled a list of more than 50 points of interest on six of our 22 scenic routes.

Find out how many natural, recreational, cultural, historical and archeological attractions wait to be discovered on and near the byways, whether you travel on foot, by bike or in your car.

Get Loopy Stillwater

Route Length: 124 miles Route: St. Croix Scenic Byway runs from Point Douglas (near Hastings) to a point north of Sandstone, MN.

Stillwater’s historic 1913 lift bridge has been reimagined as a bike and pedestrian crossing. The resulting 5-mile loop trail is a great way to get some exercise and take in the best views around town. You can even visit our neighbors in Wisconsin.

www.discoverstillwater.com

Tag it

Stillwater

The town’s historic district downtown features a year-long outdoor exhibit of free public art as multiple art sculptures by Midwest artists will be on display. Stroll downtown to see what you can find, snap a photo and don’t forget to tag #DiscoverStillwater.

www.discoverstillwater.com

Become a Stairmaster Stillwater

Stillwater has five sets of historic steps you can climb for exercise, fun or for the view. Each set has about 100 steps in a very steep vertical climb. Wind your way through downtown for a sense of accomplishment and about a 3-mile walk. You’re only 500 steps away from earning a very cool Stillwater Stairs Patch!

www.discoverstillwater.com

Shop in Old Style

Marine on St. Croix

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

www.marinegeneralstore.com

Visit Venice Stillwater

Meet the Residents Shafer

120 large-scale outdoor sculptures created by artists-in-residence inhabit this 43-acre outdoor exhibit at Franconia Sculpture Park. Metal, glass, stone, concrete and a variety of other materials come together in this display that’s often larger than life.

www.franconia.org

Park it

Along the Byway

You’ll find seven state parks along the route of the 124-mile St. Croix Scenic Byway, each with its own character. Visit Afton, William O’Brien, Interstate, Wild River, St. Croix and Banning State Park and experience what the river has to offer.

It’s like traveling to Italy without the plane ticket.

You don’t need a passport to take a ride on an authentic 36-foot long Italian gondola. Whether it’s the Ponte di Rialto on the Canal Grande or the Stillwater lift bridge on the St. Croix River, it’s a cruise for the romantic in you.

www.gondolaromantica. com

www.mntrails.com/state-parks 14 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

Augment Reality Stillwater

Get to know historic Stillwater like never before and take a deep dive into the past with today’s technology. Your smart device knows where you are and each time you enter a new historical geo fence as you make your way around town, the display and audio opens to show you photos from the historical John Runk collectionno guide needed.

www.lensflarestillwater.org

Lift a Pint Stillwater

Stillwater is home to not one, but two breweries. So whether you have a Resting Kölsch Face or a White Butt, it’s a perfect way to end the day.

Lift Bridge & Loop Trail OPEN!

Trailheads right downtown near outdoor dining and shops Stay Overnight New Main Street Hotels & Vacation Rentals

www.mapleislandbrewing.com www.liftbridgebrewery.com

Cruise with Royalty Taylors Falls

The Taylors Falls Queen and Princess paddleboats make daily river excursions for sightseeing, lunch, dinner, history or musical entertainment. There’s even a sunset cruise. Thousands have seen the Dalles of the St. Croix River this way since 1906.

Bike Map Included

Order a 2020 Visitor’s Guide: DiscoverStillwater.com

www.taylorsfallsboat.com

Abridge History Stillwater

Much of the St. Croix Scenic Byway follows the 1852 Point Douglas Superior Military Road. Catch a glimpse of a surviving artifact from this time, Minnesota’s oldest stone bridge, which was built in 1865. Start at the historic Stillwater Depot and ride your bike about 2 miles to an interpretive stop on the Brown’s Creek State Trail. Keep your eyes open, it’s easy to miss.

www.stcroixscenicbyway.org/ point-douglas-superior-militaryroad Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 15

Get Sculpted

Trail through Time

Take a walk around town and discover an ever-changing outdoor exhibit, Take a photo and tag #VisitBemidji on social media.

Steel, stone, brass, rock, glass and other materials come together in a celebration of public arts in Minnesota’s Northwoods. New temporary pieces are added each year and spend two to three years on display. Most new and encore pieces are also for sale, so you may find a one of a kind souvenir.

Bemidji’s Great Northern Depot was the last train station built by railroad tycoon James J.Hill and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1968. Today it houses the Beltrami County Historical Society and Museum.

Their latest exhibit Trails through Time takes a sweeping look at Beltrami County from the time of the glaciers to the middle of the 20th Century. It covers Ojibwe history, the fur trade, logging and the county’s namesake, Giacomo Constantino Beltrami.

Bemidji

Route Length: 565 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.

www.bemidjisculpture.com

Bemidji

www.beltramihistory.org

Feed the Snake Bemidji

Take a Bog Walk Bemidji

For a “do not miss” experience, visit the Lake Bemidji State Park bog walk to see carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, rare orchids and century-old spruce trees that only stand five feet tall. This gem is worth exploring in any season.

www.mntrails.com/project/lakebemidji-state-park

The Headwater Science Center is 7,500 sq. feet of self-guided and hands-on experiences. Most of the more than 70 exhibits require your active participation to help you better understand and appreciate scientific principles and concepts.

Check their calendar for the live snake feeding.

www.hscbemidji.org

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

Trails Only Minutes from Our Door!

THE BEMIDJI SUPER 8 The Pride of Super 8 Quality Award Winner

1815 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW Bemidji, MN 56601

(218) 751-8481 1-800-800-8000

www.bemidjisuper8motel.com 16 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

See Color

Roam Around

The Crossing Arts Alliance has been a gateway to the arts in the Northland for twenty years. Stop into their downtown Brainerd location to see local artists’ work in traditional and contemporary styles. The eye-catching You Betcha mural on the side of the building was sketched out by artist Tony Powers and painted by community members. Don’t forget to browse the gift shop!

The heart of Brainerd/Baxter is home to the 500-acre Northland Arboretum with an unusual mix of grassland, prairie, wetland, sand plain and shrub bog. Here, nature lovers can experience one of Minnesota’s best examples of Jack Pine Savanna, get a workout on 20 miles of hiking trails, or just kick back and relax in one of the many flower gardens and listen to the birds.

Brainerd/Baxter

Brainerd

www.crossingarts.org

www.northlandarb.org

Visit Brainerd photo

Salute

Visit A Friend

Camp Ripley

Brainerd/Baxter

If you enjoy the work of saccharomyces cerevisiae and its cousins, the Brainerd Lakes area has great options for the beer, wine and spirit aficionado. Whether it’s the Detonator Dopple Bock at Roundhouse Brewery, the Lemon Shandy at Jackpine Brewery, the Cold North Vodka at Five Rocks Distilling Co. or the Port Dessert Wine at Dennis Drummond Wine Company, your invisible friends deliver many options here. Take a photo and tag #LoveBrainerd on social media.

www.visitbrainerd.com/directory/categories/eat-drink

Learn about the men and women who served in all branches of the military from Minnesota’s early statehood days to the present. Permanent indoor exhibits include Forts on the Frontier, Story of the Jeep and the Arms Room with models of firearms from revolvers to submachine guns. Outdoor exhibits let visitors explore more than 60 vehicles like tanks and aircraft.

www.mnmilitarymuseum.org

RIDE THE CANNON VALLEY TRAIL Red Wing to Cannon Falls

Red Wing, MN

RedWing.org

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 17

Loop the Town Hastings

The paved 10-Mile Loop is the highlight of Hasting’s 28-mile trail system. This scenic loop takes you along the shores of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers with great views of the 35-foot Vermillion Falls. Snap a photo and tag #VisitHastingsMN on social media.

www.visithastingsmn.org/bikehike-trail-maps

Release Raptors Hastings

This September 26, the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center holds their annual Fall Raptor Release where rehabilitated birds are returned to nature. It’s a full day of learning and fun with orchard hay wagon tours, activities for the kids and more.

www.carpenternaturecenter.org

Get the Boot Red Wing

The Red Wing Shoe Company Museum in downtown Red Wing is home to the world’s largest boot, a US size 638 1/2, standing over 20 feet tall. How tall would you be if you wore shoes that size?

www.redwing.org/map-ofattractions

Shoot the Cannon Red Wing

The 20-mile Cannon Valley Trail connects Red Wing to Cannon Falls and Welch. Keep an eye out for endangered Minnesota plants as you follow this scenic trail along the Cannon River.

Get Away To Someplace Close...

www.cannonvalleytrail.com

Change Perspective Red Wing

Send It

Red Wing

visit hastings mn.org

The mountain bike trails at Red Wing’s Memorial Park have many options: Long climbs, challenging obstacles, outstanding vistas and twisting singletrack. Select a ride that matches your skills and enjoy the view off Sorin’s Bluff. Rated intermediate to advanced, this 7-mile system is maintained by the Red Wing Area Mountain Bike Organization (RAMBO). The park also has hiking trails, picnic areas and a disc golf course.

www.redwingmtb.com

VISITBRAINERD Choose Your Adventure.

18 Fall 2020

MN_Trails_Fall2020.indd 1

Exploring Red Wing on foot is wonderful and the river looks nice from the road. But to really experience this town on the Mississippi, you need to get in the water and take a paddle to some of the lesser-known corners of Red Wing. The people at Broken Paddle Guiding will take you on a variety of kayak outings to show you the silent and natural side of town. Their Flooded Forest Tour leads deep into the backwaters of the river and their Raptor Tour includes a stop at Wabasha’s National Eagle Center.

Bonus: The Sunset Tour ends at a brewery.

www.brokenpaddleguiding.com

VisitBrainerd.com Minnesota Trails

2/11/2020 10:52:34 AM

Meet the Pupil Park Rapids

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.

The Nemeth Art Center is known for its annual exhibitions by contemporary artists who work in a variety of media including fiber, print and photography. However, the Gabor and Edith Nemeth Studio collection is very unique in Minnesota and contains more than 40 paintings by students of master painters like Paul Rubens, Hieronymus Bosch and Rembrandt van Rijn.

www.nemethartcenter.org

Take it to Heart Park Rapids

The 49-mile Heartland State Trail is one of Minnesota’s best-loved trails. It starts at Red Bridge Park in Park Rapids and travels north through the towns of Dorset, Nevis and Walker and ends at Cass Lake. Each community has its own charm and is worth exploring. Take a photo and tag #VisitParkRapids on social media.

www.mntrails.com/project/ heartland-state-trail

Take a Smoke Break

Smoky Hills State Forest

It’s good to get out and stretch your legs every now and then when you’re traveling along a scenic byway. A great place to view fall foliage is the 25,000-acre Smoky Hills State Forest between Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes.

25 miles of hiking trails let you explore your rugged side and get back in touch with nature.

Ride A Pumpkin Park Rapids

The Fall Festival and Pumpkin Party at Carter’s Red Wagon Farm is everything you love about fall. Duck races, cow milking and steer roping are just the beginning at this family-friendly get-together.

Watch kids paddle giant boats carved from real pumpkins, see a Rube-Goldberg pumpkin contraption at work, or just carve your own gourd to take home. Hayrides keep the family entertained while the bluegrass band plays old-timey favorites and they have not one, but two corn mazes.

www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_ forests

www.redwagonfarm.net

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.

www.nevischamber.com

Get to know Paul Akeley

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

www.akeleymn.com/pbhs

Minnesota Trails

Paddle the Crow Wing River Water Trail or one over 400 lakes to enjoy fallPARK colors from a new WORLDofFAMOUS ITASCA STATE perspective. Rentals are available and lodging WORLD FAMOUS amenities abound to make your trip enjoyable.

ITASCA 800-247-0054 STATE PARK www.parkrapids.com • #VisitParkRapids

Home of

Fall 2020 19

Fly with a Guide Preston

Route Length: 88 miles Route: Hwy. 16 between LaCrescent and Dexter. A small loop on US-52 and MN-80 also connects Wykoff and Fountain.

A scenic alternative to I-90.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a fly fishing expert, the crew at Driftless Fly Fishing Company knows where they live. They provide the gear and expertise and all you have to do is bring a desire to land that big trout you’ve been after. Take a picture and tag #GetHookedOnPreston on social media.

www.minnesotaflyfishing.com

Ride Easy

Get to the Root

After a day on the trails, there’s nothing better than a pint with friends. Trout City Brewing is the new kid on an old block in Preston and their Easy Rider Blonde drinks as easy as the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail rides.

The 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley Trail in the heart of southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country connects its two namesake towns across a scenic valley that’s nothing short of beautiful. It joins the Root River Trail at Isinours Junction for a 60-mile cyclist’s paradise.

Preston

Preston

www.troutcitybrewing.com

www.mntrails.com/project/ root-river-harmony-prestonvalley-state-trail

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 permanent exhibit. Step back in time at Ed’s Museum.

www.wykoff.govoffice2.com

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.

www.cityofhokah-mn.gov

Get Wilder

Give a Hoot

Visit the 1876 Spring Valley Methodist Church, where Laura Ingalls Wilder once attended services.

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.

Spring Valley

www.springvalleymnmuseum.org

Houston

www.internationalowlcenter.org

Fall in love with Fall in Preston!

www.gethookedonpreston.com | 507-765-2100 20 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

GEAR UP FOR FALL Fall is the best time to hit the trails. Make sure you and your bike are ready for whatever adventure you have in mind. Need great gear? Looking to upgrade?

Searching for places to ride? Visit your authorized Trek retailer online today for information, hours, and services!

Adventure Cycle & Ski advcycle.com | Winona DL Bike Shop dlbikeshop.com | Detroit Lakes Downtown Bicycles downtownbicyclesllc.com | Northfield Gateway Cycle gatewaycycle.com | Oakdale Jake’s Bikes jakesbikes.com | Alexandria OneTen Cycles onetencycles.com | Mendota Heights Ramsey Bicycle ramseybicycle.com | Ramsey Revolution Cycle and Ski revolutioncycleandski.com | St. Cloud Rick’s Cycling and Sports Center rickscycling.com | Willmar Rydjor Bike Shop rydjor.com | Austin Scheels Eden Prairie scheels.com | Eden Prairie Scheels Mankato scheels.com | Mankato Scheels Rochester scheels.com | Rochester Scheels St. Cloud scheels.com | St, Cloud

Minnesota Trails

TK20_MN_Retailers_July_Group_Ad.indd 1

Fall 2020 21

7/15/20 4:52 PM

Meet the Wizard

Seek a Legend

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.

Legend has it, the ancient Mesabi created what we now call the Iron Range.This paved, scenic Mesabi Trail leads you to discover the area’s history and beauty by bicycle, on foot or with rollerblades. Via the Mesabi Trail, cyclists, walkers and hikers can enjoy over 135 miles of paved trail stretching from the Mississippi River (Grand Rapids) to the Boundary Waters (Ely), and connecting 28 communities.

When completed in three to five years, that mileage will expand to 155 miles. The trail runs through a wide range of scenery, from dramatic views of mining operations, to secluded woods, a jungle of vegetation, mine lakes and reservoirs.The newest trail section north of Giants Ridge travels over a 3/4-mile long floating bridge through a wetland.

Grand Rapids

www.judygarlandmuseum.com Route Length: 47 miles Route: Highway 38 between Grand Rapids and Effie, MN.

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.

Find them on Facebook

Break Trail Cohasset

Grand Rapids to Ely

www.mesabitrail.com

2020 marks the official opening of the new Tioga mountain bike trails near Grand Rapids. This purpose-built trail system, a reclaimed former mine on Pokegama Lake, has 25 miles of singletrack to explore.

www.grimba.org

135 Miles of paved trail,

But Butwho’s who’s counting? counting?

135 Miles of paved trail,

mesabitrail.com

mesabitrail.com Register for the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour—held Saturday August 1, 2020.

Register for the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour—held Saturday August 1, 2020.

22 Fall 2020

Find Peace Bigfork

Scenic State Park lives up to its name: Pristine lake views, lots of wildlife and historic buildings from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era give visitors a glimpse of what this wild place was like before the area was settled. Ten miles of hiking trails, a peaceful setting and remote hike-in campsites will let you have some peace and quiet. Chase Point Trail, which follows the crest of a narrow, serpentine ridge between Coon and Sandwick Lake, is the park’s most impressive trail. The skinny, steep ridge marks the position of a former sub-glacial river.

www.mntrails.com/project/ scenic-state-park

Bicycle Sales, Repairs, and Rentals

(218) 236-1716

1285 South Pokegama Ave., Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Minnesota Trails

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 the beach. Find your favorite and explore 83 square miles of water. Take a snapshot and tag #ExploreAlex on social media.

www.explorealex.com

Visit Broadway Alexandria

The Alexandria Area Arts Associations’ Andria Theatre produces five mainstage shows a year. This season’s lineup includes shows like Hello Dolly, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Disney’s Frozen Jr. It’s miles from New York, but right on Broadway-in Alexandria, MN.

www.andriatheatre.org

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

Double Down

Central Lakes Trail

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 in a 50-mile radius and offers great views.

www.mntrails.com/project/sibleystate-park

Legacy of the Lakes Museum photo

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. The boat exhibit includes gleaming wooden vessels and sparkling, futuristic cruisers made from fiberglass.

The Central Lakes Trail is a wonderful 55-mile ride from Fergus Falls to Osakis. Like pearls on a string, 10 communities offer a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options if the countless lakes and abundant wildlife aren’t enough. In Osakis the trail makes a seamless transition to the Lake Wobegon Trail for even more riding. The best part is that, travelled west to east, it’s just a little bit downhill.

www.centrallakestrail.com

www.legacyofthelakes.org

Be Minnesota Nice Alexandria

Whether you prefer Hot Dish Red, You Betcha Blush or Wobegon White, the Minnesota Nice Series of wines at Carlos Creek Winery is a heckuva deal.

Bonus: 22 Norsemen Brewery is in the same place. Skål!

www.carloscreekwinery.com www.22norsemen.com

James Feist photo

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

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 23

A weekend or a week long, loaded with family fun, an outdoor excursion or a getaway laced up with romance,

UNLEASH YOUR INNER EXPLORER THIS IFALL! Over 350 Lakes• Central Lakes State Trail Plentiful Parks• Thriving Downtown Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway• Fantastic Fishing Unique Museums• Over 150 Holes of Golf Wineries, Breweries & Distillery

24 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

Rewrite History

Bog Down

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.

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.

Alexandria

www.runestonemuseum.org

Lake Carlos State Park

www.mntrails.com/project/ lake-carlos-state-park

Rebuild History 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. You can check on him 24hrs a day on the Big Ole live cam.

Pennock

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

www.nllha.org

James Feist photo

Make a Splash Alexandria

After you’re done cruising the Central Lakes Trail, get wet refreshment at the 38,000 square foot Big Splash Minnesota Water Park. If you’d rather stay dry, there’s always the Atikwa Championship Golf Course where you can work on your game and upper body on 18 holes around Lake Alvin. For tired muscles, the Darling Reflections Spa is the ticket after a long ride. Top it off with dinner at one of three dining spots and it’s a full day at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.

www.arrowwoodresort.com

www.explorealex.com/big-olelive-camera

Ride a Trail Starbuck

The 5-mile Glacial Ridge Bike Trail connects Glacial Lakes State Park to nearby Starbuck for a quick ride into town.

www.mntrails.com/project/ central-minnesota-short-andsweet-bike-trails

Mill Around Glenwood

A welcome stop on the byway, the Terrace Mill Historic District features a 1903 vintage flourmill, keystone arch bridge, weir dam, log cabin and other historic buildings set in a picturesque valley.

www.terracemill.org Minnesota Trails

CALL

Rates Greaat ckages &P E ONLIN

Fall 2020 25

A TRAIL RUNNER’S GUIDE TO THE NORTH SHORE

A

ny runner knows the runner’s high, that warm glow of endorphins our body rewards us with after punishing it. But those who dare turn their steps off the asphalt may also know the trail runner’s high. It’s the same endorphins, plus all those rapturous neurotransmitters that begin to fire when you immerse yourself in nature.

Both challenging and beautiful, the footpaths of Minnesota’s North Shore make it a superlative place for trail running. With expansive views of Lake Superior, an overabundance of pristine creeks and waterfalls, highly variable topography, and innumerable stretches of deep, dark and silent woods, a trail runner’s high is guaranteed. From Jay Cooke and Duluth to Grand Portage, the North Shore offers trail running adventures at all lengths and difficulty levels.

LOOPS

If you prefer not to turn around on a run, the trails of Duluth and Minnesota’s state parks along Highway 61 are your main spots for running loops.

DULUTH: Being in urban Duluth doesn’t mean wilderness is far away. Despite its 86,000 residents, it’s still surprisingly easy to find your Zen in the quiet woods within city limits. The Duluth Traverse and Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) systems both run the length of the city, linking parks together and extending loop runs into long chains.

• Chester Park (at 4th Street and 14th Ave East), first follow the steady climb of Chester Creek up to its falls, take it in, and then add on the Chester Bowl Rim trails beyond, or a few repeats of the ski hill. Coast back downhill on the other side of the creek, for a four to six (or more) mile loop.

• Lester Park has three different one-way trails shared with mountain bikes. They roll as they gradually trend upward over 2.5, 3, or 4 miles. At the top of Lester is Hawk Ridge, which offers a near-continuous ridge top view of the lake, and a perch at the summit where you can view raptor migration activity in the spring and fall. Within Hawk Ridge, combining the Duluth Traverse and the Snively Trail along Amity Creek creates an additional four-mile loop. There are also several primitive trails to follow for solitude and adventure. Back at the bottom of Lester Park, cross Superior Street towards the lake to reach Brighton Beach, where you can take a lap up and down to appreciate the big lake up close -and ice your legs if you dare.

By David Johnson HIGHWAY 61 STATE PARKS: The concentration of beauty preserved within state parks along the North Shore is something Minnesotans can be deeply proud of. The trail running these parks offer is always a humbling workout and a rugged adventure.

• Jay Cooke State Park offers about 50 miles of loops and linkage trails within the St. Louis River gorge, enough to craft a run of almost any custom distance. The park has a delightfully varied topography that includes some stretches of extra-rocky footing near the river, and some cedar groves with soggy footing. But these challenges lead to incredible and unique ridgeline running, often on long spines where the woods drop off steeply on both sides. To run in the northern half of the park, start in the visitor center parking lot. For the southern half, park off the road along MN 23 near the spur to the Spruce and High Trails.

• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has 12 miles of great trails. The most popular route, the Split Rock River Loop is in need of pending trail improvements to address frequent mud pits, and there’s currently no bridge to cross the river at the apex. But the rest of the park’s trails form many other convenient loop options, running both through the woods and right along Lake Superior for almost 3 miles. Look for the wild raspberries in late summer.

• Tettegouche State Park, formerly an early 20th century retreat for a group of Duluth businessmen, has 23 miles of hiking trails presenting lots of loop possibilities. The terrain is hilly, to say the least, but your climbing effort is constantly rewarded with birds-eye views of the park and beyond. You’ll also feel some vintage North Shore history at the old camp, and encounter several beautiful lakes.

• George Crosby Manitou State Park is a rugged and remote backpacker’s park. It has 24 miles of trails cut in very customizable loop run possibilities. Runs at Manitou treat you to beautiful overlooks and waterfalls, and to that hard-to-find feeling of true remoteness.

• Cascade River State Park offers an 18-mile trail system for hiking in the summer and Nordic skiing in the winter, with all the loop options that this arrangement implies. Here, you can climb the Cascade’s grade up 900 feet in 3 miles, or up to Lookout or Moose Mountain to either side, or run right along Lake Superior for a mile on the Shoreline Trail. Do all 3 in the same run for a good dose of trail runner’s high.

Bean and Bear Lakes on the Superior Hiking Trail 26 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

THROUGH RUNS

With a running partner, a little extra driving time and two cars, you can prevent an out-and-back for a through run and explore more trails. Here’s how it works with two people and one car: • Drop off Person A at the near trailhead • Person B drives and parks at the far trailhead • A and B run toward each other, meet and exchange key if necessary • A drives the car back and picks up B. • I recommend each person carry their own key, because it’s easy to do the handoff midway.

THE SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL: The above strategy is perfect for runs with a friend on the North Shore’s iconic trail, the Superior Hiking Trail. It holds Minnesota’s toughest climbs, best views, and most scenic attractions in woods, waterfalls, and wildlife.

I’ve run the whole trail in segments over weekends with my significant other over the years. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought, “I didn’t expect this kind of expansiveness from Minnesota”.

Get the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s (SHTA) maps, to both plan and execute your run and always check their website superiorhiking.org for trail conditions.

Major portions of the SHT are closed in November for firearms deer season, and some stretches get logged- things come up all the time. The SHT has a very generous number of trailheads, so for much of the trail, runs can be customized in increments of about five miles or fewer. Note that the more rural trailheads are on some of Minnesota’s less-traveled roads, with no cell service, and they can be easy to drive right by. So make sure you’re good on gas, and have the paper map and a general idea of where you’re going before you set out. The SHT is infamous for its rocks, roots, and mud. Generally, there’s more runnable trail where it climbs or follows a ridgeline, i.e. in the Sawtooth Mountains, and after stretches of dry weather. But remember, mud is fun too, once you commit to it. Water is abundant on the trail -- a filtering straw or chemical purification is a possibility or even a must for very long or hot runs.

I absolutely recommend any and all sections, including a piecewise through-run of the whole trail, but these are my top five sections to run: • Penn Boulevard (Silver Bay) to MN Hwy 1: 11 miles ; This route is full of must-sees, with ample climbing: Bean and Bear Lakes, Palisade Creek, Mount Trudee, Tettegouche State Park and the Baptism River.

• Lake County 7 to George Crosby Manitou State Park: 11 miles ; A relatively flat section, where the SHT swings inland into the quiet woods near Finland, MN. The trail curves to reach Egge and Sonju Lakes, which means swimming opportunities when it’s hot. Add on 8 miles and a lung-busting climb up the Section 13 cliff by starting at the Lake County 6 trailhead instead and be rewarded with a scenic view.

• Temperance River to Lutsen Mountains Recreation Area: 17.5+ miles; This is the infamous, challenging home stretch of the Superior Trail Race. Add on even more mileage and natural beauty by taking the highly recommended loop trails on top of Leveaux and Oberg Mountains • Caribou Trail to Cascade River State Park: 11 miles; This is simply fun running along a very long ridgeline between Indian Camp and Spruce Creeks, with many spectacular views. If you don’t find this strenuous enough, add a quick up-and-down to White Sky Rock, west off of the Caribou Trail, for yet another worthwhile view.

• Jackson Lake Road to the 270-Degree Overlook: 10 miles; The view at the junction of the Superior Hiking Trail and Border Route Trail is a full 270-degree panorama of the Pigeon River gorge and layers of hills beyond in Ontario, Canada. It’s more than worth the long drive to the tip of Minnesota’s arrowhead. On the run from Jackson Lake Road, you’ll also enjoy stretches of deep, quiet woods and challenging climbs up Rosebush Ridge, including the highest point on the SHT, for that coveted feeling of remoteness.

Minnesota’s “Lowest-to-Highest” Run is about 18.5 miles one-way that climbs from Lake Superior, 600 feet above sea level, to Eagle Mountain, 2301 feet. Although this is only a trail run for the first 3 and last 3.5 miles, the locations of Minnesota’s lowest and highest points make it a unique opportunity for a long run.

I suggest arranging a pickup, hiring a local shuttle, or timing it with a friend who would like to just hike Eagle Mountain while you run. The route requires running county roads that frequently change direction, numbers and names and you need to map it and carry the directions with you. Start by climbing the Cascade River west SHT spur trail for about 3 miles. Turn left onto Cook County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road) and Minnesota Trails

The author taking a break with his dog Freya at the top of Mount Trudee at Tettegouche State Park.

All photos by Alison Liewen

Early winter twilight, running in ice cleats and looking at Carlton Peak from Britton Peak.

Fall 2020 27

Views of Lake Superior from an overlook at Temperance River State Park

follow this west, then north 3.5 miles. Catch County Road 157 (Cascade River Road) and run it for 3 miles north, then east. Turn onto County Road 158 to run north 5.6 miles to the Eagle Mountain trailhead at the intersection with County 153. The trail up to the top of Eagle Mountain is another 3.5 miles. That portion is only accessible by foot, so you’ll need to walk or run back to the trailhead for a total of 22 miles.

The Grand Portage is the 8.5-mile historic Ojibway and Voyageur land route bypassing the falls and rapids of the Pigeon River’s final 20 miles toward Lake Superior.

The corridor is now part of Grand Portage National Monument. The portage has an initial gradual climb from lake level, is generally well maintained, but is best run in dry conditions, as the boardwalks get rather slippery.

For a shorter run or bailout point, there is an access point about midway on the portage, reached via County 17 and County 89 (Old Hwy 61). Ask for permission before using other roads through the Grand Portage Reservation.

While you’re there to take in an impressive waterfall, add on the easy one-mile trail to the High Falls from Grand Portage State Park or get sweeping views of Lake Superior and Isle Royale by taking the leg-burning 2.5-mile climb up Mount Josephine.

SAFETY AND GEAR

While trading asphalt for trail can take some stress off the knees, it can put other joints at risk, namely the ankles. A fall is much more likely on rocky, rooted, wet, or leaf-covered ground. On the other hand, a typical North Shore trail will naturally slow you down, likely two minutes per mile or more. Out on the trail, help may be far away, and cell service nonexistent.

But knowing what to expect and being prepared with the right gear can help mitigate some of the risk.

Besides good, technical running skills, a good pair of trail running shoes with deep tread will help you storm up hills and slip less going downhill or through mud.

A comfortable running pack is essential

for carrying gear, water and snacks. Keep in mind that with hills to climb and rocks to avoid, your exertion level per mile will increase. In my case I need at least 20 ounces of water for every five miles on a typical trail run, even more if it’s hot or humid.

Make sure you pack a headlamp, and a fully charged phone in waterproof containers.

A whistle and thermal blanket are a good idea, as is a spare warm layer, especially on longer or colder runs. Trekking poles are more useful on runs with more elevation change, otherwise they can be burdensome to carry. Over-the-shoe ice cleats will extend your trail running season until there’s about four or more inches of snow on the ground.

Finally, as with any adventure into the woods, always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back and mentally rehearse an emergency plan beforehand.

And, you’ll always thank yourself for leaving a change of clothes, extra water and food in the car for when you’re done.

About the Author

The view of Pigeon River Gorge at the 270-Degree Overlook at the Junction of the Superior Hiking and Border Route Trails 28 Fall 2020

David Johnson is a runner from Duluth with intimate knowledge of the North Shore’s best natural surface trails. His passion for exploring Minnesota’s outdoors on foot comes from a perpetual desire to see what’s around the next bend, and his bucket list includes skiing the whole Banadad Trail when running in northern Minnesota is a little tougher.

2020

Bike Rides & Tours

CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

Heck of the North

September 12, 2020

September 26, 2020

Sauk Centre, MN

Enjoy the fall colors and great apple refreshments at all the rest stops including caramel apples and other treats from local vendors. Spend the day riding the great Lake Wobegon Trail Country.

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

Fire 55 Bicycle Ride Richmond, MN

September 12, 2020

The Filthy 50

Two Harbors, MN

Lanesboro, MN

For more information visit:

For more information visit:

October 10, 2020

www.mntrails.com/event/heck-of-the-north

www.mntrails.com/event/filthy-50

Minnesota Iron Man Bike Ride

TERRAVAIL OREMAGEDDON

September 26, 2020

October 10, 2020

Shakopee, MN

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/minnesota-ironman-bike-ride

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/fire55-bicycle-ride

Cuyuna Country Recreation Area For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/terravailoremageddon

Details at www.mntrails.com/events

RIDEMN1-Minnesota Crossing Breckenridge, MN

September 13-18, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/ridemn1-minnesota-crossing

Mora Bike Tour Mora, MN

September 19, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/mora-bike-tour

Tour de Pepin Lake City, MN

September 26, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/tour-de-pepin

FUN

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Come join the fun!

Saturday, Sept. 12

Caramel e Apple Rid

Take a ride on the Lake Wobegon Trail and enjoy local caramel apple treats.

gon Trail

on Lake Wobe

The Centre of it all!

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

Saturday, Sept. 19 510 Sinclair Lewis Ave Hosted by 510 Art Lab

• Rest at Sauk Centre’s Hotels & Campgrounds

Local and Regional Artists displaying and selling their art outdoors on our closed street. Come and tour the Art Lab.

visitsaukcentre.org • 855-444-SAUK

Sinclair Lewis Campground

EXPLORE OVER 34 MILES THROUGH THE PRAIRIE AND INTO THE WOODS

Your stop for

art, food, beer & wine VISITMARSHALLMN.COM | 507-537-1865

Minnesota Trails

on the Lake Wobegon Trail

Open April-October | 1400 4th Street, Holdingford | 320-746-0680

www.artinmotiononthelakewobegontrail.com Fall 2020 29

St. Croix

FAT CAT TRIATHLON

By Jan Lasar

On July 13 of last year, the Log House Boat Landing in Scandia, MN was unusually busy for a Saturday morning. At 8 a.m. sharp, racers in the 6th annual St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon quickly tossed their kayaks, canoes and paddleboards in the water, jumped on and pushed off downriver with the help of race volunteers in bright, yellow shirts. Within 20 minutes, 188 competitors had launched into the St. Croix River on the first leg of the race and were on their way to William O’Brien State Park. It was a quiet morning on the river, interrupted only by shouts of excitement and the occasional bump of a paddle into the side of an aluminum canoe.

The Fat Cat requires a paddling segment in a competition that normally consists of swimming, running and biking a course in the fastest time. In this event racers had to paddle 3.8 miles to the state park and transition into their running gear. After a 5.5mile run through William O’Brien State

Park, they hopped on their bikes at Scandia-Marine Lions Park and completed two loops totaling 11 miles through quiet back roads to finish in the same place.

Participants split into six age groups ranging from 12 to 60 and above, competed as individuals, in tandem or as relay teams of two or three.

William O’Brien State Park was established in 1947 and its 1,700-acre size put it somewhere in the middle of the list of Minnesota’s 67 state parks.

It sits in the wooded, rolling hills of the St. Croix River Valley, a short drive northeast of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro area and two miles north of Marine-on St. Croix, a historical village of about 700. The 169-mile Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is managed by the United States Parks Service and along with its namesake, the St. Croix Scenic Byway, the area is a hotspot for fishing, boating and tourism.

The morning of the race a small crowd had gathered at the busy boat landing at William O’Brien to watch racers appear around a bend in the River.

They quickly pulled in, transitioned to the next leg and disappeared down the trail and into the woods among cheers from the crowd. They worked their way through 5.5 miles of the park’s 12-mile trail system, this meant a climb of about 300 feet to reach the next transition.

It was still early in the morning when the first runners started to appear in the humid haze, making their way down the road to Scandia-Marine Lions Park.

They again changed modes quickly, downed cups of water snatched from the outstretched hands of volunteers, put on helmets, grabbed their bikes from the corral and took off.

Just a mile away fourth-year volunteer and member of the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails, Mary Hooley, was standing guard at a road intersection. She had been there for a few hours, but didn’t mind. To her it was important to support the Lions Club and she enjoys seeing the enthusiasm of the participants. “People come from 13 different states for this and it’s kind of nice to wish them well, encourage them and keep it safe for them,” she said.

Because of the variety of competitors-from the seasoned racer on a razor-thin triathlon bike to the first-timer on their trusted Schwinn-the field began to stretch out. Some runners were just arriving into the transition area while others were crossing the final

Scenic Scandia: The Hay Lake School was built in 1896.

30 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

finish line.

At Scandia-Marine Lions Park, the celebration had already started. A DJ was pumping music, the smell of fried catfish from the Lions food booth swirled around the crowd and people were posing for photos at the finish line. Every time another racer crossed, the music briefly paused and to the cheers of the crowd their name and bib number were announced. It was a party.

Among those celebrating was John Bottema from Corcoran, MN. He was wearing a red shirt saying “Fastest Cat 2016,” his reward for coming in first that year. He and teammate, Alan Jensen, have competed as a tandem in every race since 2014 and usually fair well. “This is my favorite race to do. It’s a challenging course, you run uphill, and it’s fast on the bike,” he said.

He also enjoyed the atmosphere and camaraderie and praised the organizers for putting on a competition that he said “seems more like a town event, than just a race.” Bottema and Jensen didn’t break their streak this time. “We won again,” he said.

Another racer satisfied with their performance was 78-year old Janie O’Connor from Scandia. As a member of the local Lions Club she used to be involved in organizing the event, but has since learned that she likes participating much better. “When [they] introduced the possibility of a triathlon, I immediately thought that I should be in it because I love riding my bike,” she said. This year, her fourth, she and granddaughter, Isabelle, Kenkel, and friend, Lisa Schlingerman, made up Team Isa, Lisa And Janie. They came in last, but it didn’t matter to O’Connor.

“The point’s not winning or being the fastest in the relay, it’s just so much fun,” she said.

She trains about 800 miles a year, logging times and wind speeds, but still finds the route challenging. Riding up hills on her 17-year old Bianchi

The 2020 St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon has been cancelled. Registration for the July 10, 2021 event will open late 2020 or early 2021.

More information at www.stcroixfatcat.com

Vigorelli-which she feels is heavy at 21 lbs.-is a struggle. “I train on the route and I make myself go up those hills and I write that in my log,” she said. All that hard work comes with rewards. “As I walk away from the finish line, young women look at me and say ‘How old are you?’” she said and giggled. “It’s like there’s some inspiration for them to keep doing what they’re doing because at my age I’m still doing something like that.” Those kinds of reactions keep her going and she plans on competing in the next event. “I have no reason not to,” she said.

After everyone had crossed the finish line, race organizer, Ross Brunfelt, was busy announcing placements and handing out medals, but he was happy about another race that went off without problems. “An awesome day! The race went well, the volunteers showed up and did their work, we had no injuries, the racers had fun. It was just a beautiful day on the course,” he said.

For him, race day is the culmination of months of planning and gathering up to 80 volunteers, a process that takes up his spare time beginning in October the year before. “Every year we get towards the end and we go ‘Boy, can we

do this another year?’ But then we have so much fun on race day as volunteers that we end up doing it,” he said. This time, 188 racers attended, which is down slightly from previous years, and Brunfelt hopes to continue to grow those numbers. “It would be wonderful to see it jump to 300, maybe 500, maybe who knows where,” he said.

For a successful race, course layout, race timing, volunteers and parking arrangements have to come together and, according to him, 2019 was “the best it’s ever been.”

Volunteers help a racer land his kayak at William O’Brien State Park.

All photos by Jan Lasar

A runner leaves the transition area at the park Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 31

George CrosbyManitou State Park

By Rudi Hargesheimer George H. Crosby made his fortune in the iron mining districts of Minnesota. In 1955 he donated his unspoiled 3,200 acre property on the Manitou River to the state of Minnesota and it was made into the state’s only wilderness state park. Before the now famous Superior Hiking Trail and the Border Route Trail ever existed, the park was the only place in Minnesota where hikers could load up a pack, walk for an hour or two, find a wilderness-like remote campsite, pitch a tent by a roaring stream or a lake teaming with trout and settle in for a night or two—or three—of nature’s pure bliss.

The park, although considered a North Shore state park, is accessible only from Lake County Road Seven, the gravel road that follows a long gone logging railroad bed north and east from Finland, Minnesota. Compared to the other North Shore parks, this one is unique. There is no visitor center or park office or gift shop and the few visitors you may encounter here, disperse quickly into the wilderness. George Crosby Manitou is not staffed, but managed by Tettegouche State Park.

Twenty-four miles of trail twist, turn and loop through very rugged terrain and lead to 21 hike-in only, secluded campsites. Most of the sites are along the spectacular Manitou River, which slices through the heart of the park. Manitou

32 Fall 2020

Cascades is just one of many waterfalls and continuous rapids as the river quickly descends from a languid bog environment near campsite number one to campsite sixteen, nearly 450 feet below. Trail highlights include the Misquah Trail Overlook with its sweeping view of the river valley and Lake Superior.

At Benson Lake, an easy trail, flat with lots of boardwalk, encircles the lake. Hikers might see anglers seeking a variety of trout from shore or in a canoe, since Benson Lake only allows non-motorized use. Admiring the old growth trees in the forest is another highlight. 400 year-old fir trees, 200 yearold maples and 300 year-old cedars can be seen along the trails.

About five miles of the Superior Hiking Trail cross through the boundaries of George Crosby Manitou State

Minnesota Trails

Park. The path uses several park trails before dropping to the bottom of the river canyon and proceeding steeply up the east wall on its way to the Caribou River.

Winter trails are not groomed

for skiing, but snowshoeing is possible on Benson Lake and Middle Trails. Seeing the Manitou River waterfalls encased in snow and ice is a special treat.

BEFORE YOU GO George Crosby Manitou is a rugged and remote place with few amenities and there are some important things to keep in mind before visiting: • There are no modern restrooms, only latrines and vault toilets.

• Only three campsites have bear lockers for storing food.

Hanging food out of reach of bears is recommended where vaults are not provided.

• All hikers are expected to use Leave No Trace principles and pack all garbage out.

• Campers need to register at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_ parks/reservations.html or by calling 1-866-857-2757 before occupying a campsite.

• Cell phone access at the park is not always reliable, so it’s best to make reservations before you get there.

• Water is available from one hand pump near the entrance kiosk and needs to be carried to your campsite. The farthest site is 4.5 miles away.

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 33

Jay Cooke State Park

By Rudi Hargesheimer

One of the most spectacular Lake Superior state parks in Minnesota is not actually on the big lake. Jay Cooke State Park is bisected by the lake’s largest US tributary, the St. Louis River, and the dramatic landscape is as stunning as any of the North Shore’s popular parks. The view from the iconic swinging bridge is nothing short of spectacular and during times of high river levels the rushing whitewater cuts through rapids formed by severely tilted, twisted and tortured, ancient rocks.

Kristine Hiller, Jay Cooke State Park’s Naturalist says there is much to be learned about the human influences on the area. “This park is loaded with history: logging, railroad, CCC, voyageurs, water power and, most recently, the relatively new history of the 2012 flood. It’s all here, probably more history than in any other state

34 Fall 2020

park,” she says.

Duluth, passed through.

But the lesser-known history goes The park’s origins relate to Jay back much further to a time Cooke, the Philadelphia before any European had financier who in ever set foot on the 1868 brought the North American first railroad to Continent. Local Duluth, built a Ojibwe and brick factory Dakota travelled and created through the hydroelectric area by birch dams to bark canoe on harness the the way from power of the Lake Superior St. Louis River.

View upriver from the to Big Sandy The rail grade swinging bridge.

Lake and the passing through All photos by Mississippi River. the park is now Rudi Hargesheimer They created a home to the paved 7-mile portage around Willard Munger State the river’s rapids, today’s Trail between Hinckley and Grand Portage Trail at the park.

Duluth. The power company, French voyageurs and missionaries not needing the deep gorge between followed beginning in 1679, when the dams, donated the land to the French explorer Daniel Greysolon, state in 1915 to establish Jay Cooke as Sieur du Lhut, namesake of the city of Minnesota’s fifth state park. The original swinging bridge was built in 1924. The

Minnesota Trails

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) (NCT) use the park’s rebuilt it and fashioned the stone and trail system and the log park buildings in the 1930s. new bridge. Other The remarkable flood of June 2012 hiking trails wind destroyed the 200-foot long bridge, along the scenic many of the park’s 50 miles of hiking river gorge and trails, part of the Willard Munger State up into the Trail and the main road through the s u r r o u n d i n g park. Floodwaters exceeded 52,000 h i l l s . cubic feet per second, eclipsing the B a c k c o u n t r y old record of 42,000. The swinging c a m p s i t e s bridge was under six feet of rushing serve as a great water and was torn to shreds. After introduction to this extraordinary amount of damage, backpacking for it took five years for the park those who to recover. w a n t Today, things at to hike Jay Cooke State the longer Parks are back trails. 80 drive-in to normal. The campsites and a pedestrian group camp area swinging bridge are available for was rebuilt rent. The CCCtaller and better built River Inn than ever to visitor center accommodate with its giant future flooding fireplace, indoor events.

Both picnic tables and the Superior a wonderful 3D Hiking Trail (SHT) map of the park is Not just utilitarian: The rest and North Country used for Naturalist room buildings at Oldenburg National Scenic Trail presentations year Point, like many other

round. The Oldenburg Overlook has additional CCC buildings and an eye-popping view from a bluff to the continuous whitewater rapids of the river far below.

In the winter, 34 miles of trail are groomed for cross-country skiing. Those who come to observe the natural beauty of the park will be rewarded with a display of spring wildflowers as thousands of Trillium carpet the forest floor early in the season. Later on, yellow and pink Lady’s Slippers start showing up.

“On the new Superior Hiking Trail, as it heads to Wisconsin, there are hundreds of showy Lady’s Slippers, the Minnesota state flower. The yellow bloom in June, the showy around July 4th.” She adds that the park is home to over 190 species of birds, as well.

“There are many reasons to love Jay Cooke State Park,” Hiller says.

structures in the park were built by the CCC in 1934

The swinging bridge was rebuilt after the 2012 floods

Minnesota Trails

Fall 2020 35

THE SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL STORY

Book review by Jeff Olson

I

n his first book, Rudi Hargesheimer aims to tell the story of Minnesota’s iconic long-distance path, the Superior Hiking Trail, from its conception in 1986 to the well-known and loved 310-mile trail of today. Hargesheimer shines a light on those that made it happen; the volunteers, trail blazers and dreamers who had the vision and the stamina to see the project through all of its victories and failures. But he also gives a voice to those who hiked the trail and left notes and remarks in the log books at trail heads over the years. Paired with the author’s original photography, the book wants to take readers on a trip down the trail and even lets them in on a few secrets along the way.

Hargesheimer does a beautiful job telling the story of the Superior Hiking Trail project, beginning in the mid 1980’s with a number of the legendary fathers and mothers of the trail. Those early supporters conducted feasibility studies and brought together multiple government agencies and volunteers to plan the route of a footpath on Minnesota’s North Shore, modeled after the 2,200mile Appalachian

Trail linking Maine and Georgia.

Hargesheimer writes that one such advocate, Tom Peterson would “pencil in on a map, negotiate easements, search for the best North Shore vistas, and manage the first crews that built the trail. The results were spectacular.”

These efforts gave rise to the Superior Hiking Trail Association, which formally organized on January 28, 1986 with the mission of “Linking people with nature by footpath along the North Shore of Lake Superior”.

The story continues with the most recently completed parts of the trail, the connection from the Wisconsin Border to Jay Cooke State Park, then Duluth and the connection

About the Book The Superior Hiking Trail Story

by Rudi Hargesheimer North Shore Photo Art April 2020 Marine on St. Croix, MN Printed by Friesens, Manitoba, Canada First Edition: Hardcover 160 pages • 400 color photos

36 Fall 2020

$34.95 at select stores listed on www.northshorephotoart.com, or $39.95 including shipping and sales tax if purchased on the website.

ISBN 978-0-578-65565-9

to Two Harbors.

In seven more chapters Hargesheimer details each following section of the trail with photos of natural beauty and unique features such as the Split Rock River, weaving in stories of the Palisade Valley with mailman, John Beargrease and other giants of North Shore lore. The reader becomes the hiker on the trail, heading towards the Pigeon River and the Canadian border. Like a good trail book, the author’s photos of solitude among rivers, canyons and waterfalls leave readers ready to lace up the boots and go. Through Hargesheimer’s lens they’re looking out over the grand vistas of the huge sea of Lake Superior and stopping at trailheads to read messages scribbled down by anonymous hikers from around the world. These notes are witty, insightful and give a glimpse into the joy that comes with immersion in nature: “Hey! I thought I was all alone out here.

I’m being. Just being.

It isn’t easy these days.

Knowing I am one and the same as all around me feels good. Can’t feel lonely in this exquisite aloneness!”

-JS “Just sitting out by the bridge after a hot meal and some too hot cocoa, listening to the gurgle, churgle, ploop and tinkle of the water on its journey. This is my second night out of my first solo trip. I sometimes find myself wondering what other people’s solo trips are like. I love it. Time to think, breathe, live.

Lots of wildlife, lots of scenery. This will definitely not be the last time I sit in this spot. And I hope to find many other pieces of heaven like it. Enjoy this beauty and live life to the fullest!

-C, Canada

Minnesota Trails

Garden Island Rec. Area

Lake of the Woods

Zippel Bay Lake Bronson

Red River of the North

Rainy River

Hayes Lake

Franz Jevne

75

International Falls

Old Mill

Red Lake

59

Crookston

Lake Bemidji

2 La Salle Lake Rec. Area

Leech Lake Walker

Itasca

Moorhead

Heartland Park Buffalo River Detroit Paul Rapids Lakes Bunyan North Country Pine Trail Crow 59 Wing Maplewood Otter Tail 94 Brainerd Wadena

Glendalough Central Lakes Alexandria

75

Glacial Lakes Pomme de Terre

Big Stone Lake 12

Chippewa

Lake Wobegon

Willmar

Kettle

Lake Maria

Father Hennepin

59 71

212

Lake Rec. Area

George H. Crosby Manitou Silver Bay

Gooseberry Falls

Gitchi Gami Trail

Superior Hiking Trail Lake Superior Duluth

Moose Lake

Alex Laveau Segment

Sand Stone

Banning St. Croix

Mora

Split Rock Lighthouse Two Harbors

Hinckley

MAP LEGEND PRAIRIE DECIDUOUS FOREST CONIFEROUS FOREST TALLGRASS ASPEN PARKLAND

Snake

35

St. Croix River

STATE PARKS

Rum

North Branch Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Grand Rounds

Minneapolis Luce Line Hutchinson Crow, Dakota LRT South Fork Greenleaf

212 Upper Sioux Agency

Mille Lacs Lake

Lake Superior

Tofte

Tettegouche

Cloquet

Munger

Crosby

Charles A. Lindbergh

12

St. Louis

Jay Cooke Savanna Portage Willard

Cuyuna Country Rec. Area

169 Sauk Sauk Centre Soo Line Albany Saint Cloud St. Joseph ROCORI 94 Mississippi Paynesville Sibley Crow, Glacial North Fork Lakes

Monson Lake Lac qui Parle

OHV Rec. Area

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Marais

Temperance Cascade River River

Hibbing Iron Range

Hill Annex Mine

2

Soo Line Little Falls

Lake Carlos

Bear Head Lake

Grand Portage Judge C.R. Magney

Kekekabic Trail

Eveleth

169 Mississippi

North Country Trail

Mille Lacs Kathio

71 Long Prairie 10

Mesabi

Grand Rapids

Crow Wing

Glendalough

Fergus Falls

McCarthy Beach

Lake Cass Winnibigoshish Lake Paul Bunyan Migizi Schoolcraft

Bemidji

75

BWCA

Lake Vermilion /Soudan Undergound Mine

Scenic

Erskine

Border Route Trail

53 Vermillion

Big Fork

71

Lower Red Lake

Red River Rec. Area

Voyageurs National Park

Little Fork

Big Bog Rec. Area

Upper Red Lake

Rainy Lake

Rainy Lake

Hugo

Fort

Saint Paul

52

Wild River Interstate William O’Brien Marine on St. Croix Brown’s Creek Stillwater Gateway

Afton Hastings

STATE RECREATIONAL AREAS BIKE TRAILS ROADS STATE WATER TRAILS MAJOR CITIES LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS Not for Navigation Jan. 2019

Snelling Cannon Red Wing Minnesota Valley 61 Redwood Fair Frontenac Valley Cannon Ridge Rec. Area 35 Falls Lake City Goodhue Fort Camden Marshall Cannon Mississippi Pioneer 63 Flandrau Ridgely Sakatah Camden New Ulm Nerstrand Great Zumbro Cottonwood Lake Mankato Big Woods River 14 Carley Faribault 75 Springfield Sleepy Straight Douglas Ridge John A. Latsch Sakatah Eye Lake Shetek Whitewater Pipestone Minneopa Singing Hills 14 Watonwan National Monument Winona Owatanna Rice Lake Pipestone Great River Bluffs Rochester Whitewater St. James Des Casey 52 Root Moines Cedar Root 59 Jones River Kilen Woods Myre Blue Blazing 90 Split Rock Lanesboro Big Island Blue Earth Star Creek Shooting Mounds Beaver Creek Valley Preston Star 63 90 Blue Blue Austin Shell Albert Harmony-Preston Valley Earth Mounds Worthington Rock Lea Lake Louise Harmony Forestville / Luverne

D

Minnesota

iscover

Mystery Cave

P IP E ST O N E N A T IO N A L M O N U M E NT SP L I T R O C K C RE E K ST AT E P A R K C A SE Y J O N E S ST A T E T RA I L

WH AT 'S # ON L YINP I PES T ON E

Minnesota Trails

HISTORIC DO WNTOW N D ISTR IC T PIP ESTO NE CO UNTY MU SEUM PCC 9 HO LE GOL F CO UR S E UNIQ UE SH OPS & DINI NG 8 CITY PARK S & TRA I L S

P I P E S T ON E MI N N E S OT A.C O M

Fall 2020 37

Trail Partners You need a place to eat, stay, play and upgrade your gear?

Our Trail Partners are here to help!

FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

JAKE’S BIKES ALEXANDRIA

419 N. Nokomis St., Alexandria www.jakesbikes.com

320-251-2844

320-219-7433

REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI 320-251-2453

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

320-639-2453

BIKE KING

651-457-7766

CARS BIKE SHOP

763-784-6966

GATEWAY CYCLE

651-777-0188

RAMSEY BICYCLE

763-323-6666

TONKA CYCLE AND SKI

952-938-8336

TRAILHEAD CYCLING & FITNESS

763-712-0312

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

2661 Co Road I & Old Hwy 10, Mounds View www.CarsBikeShop.com 6028 Hwy. 36 Blvd N, Oakdale www.gatewaycycle.com 6825 Hwy. 10 NW, Ramsey www.ramseybicycles.com 16 Shady Oak Road S, Hopkins www.tonkacycleandski.com

HUTCHINSON CHAMBER

2 Main St., Hutchinson www.explorehutchinson.com

FERGUS FALLS CVB

112 Washington Ave. W, Fergus Falls www.visitfergusfalls.com 14084 Baxter Drive, STE 12, Brainerd www.visitbrainerd.com

JACOBS REALTY

800-450-7247

35

Central Region

Duluth

St. Cloud

Southern Region

Metro Region Mankato

71 35

90

90

A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

218-546-8346

218-545-1000

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

9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth www.spiritmt.com

2

218-332-5425

SPECIALTY STORES VICTUAL

61

71

94

MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 218-546-5428

124 West Main Street, Crosby www.shopvictual.com

Northeast Region

Bemidji

320-587-5252

SERVICES Hwy. 6 & 210, Crosby www.jacobsrealtymn.com

Minnesota Trails Directory Regions

Northwest Region 2

117 West Main Street, Crosby www.mmfcu.org

TOURIGHT BICYCLE SHOP

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

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL ASSOCIATION 320-763-0102

324 Broadway, Alexandria www.centrallakestrail.com

VISIT BRAINERD

BIKE SHOPS 105 7th Avenue S, St. Cloud www.fitzharrismn.com

INFORMATION

Biking!

HOLDINGFORD

Home of the Lake Wobegon Trail Covered Bridge Explore the most scenic stretch of the Lake Wobegon and Soo Line Trails!

Visit us Online www.holdingfordmn.us Ad courtesy of City of Holdingford and Holdingford Municipal Liquor Cyclists Welcome!

11350 Aquila Drive, Suite 505, Champlin www.trailheadcyclingandfitness.com

B&Bs

COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST 651-257-4773

5 miles from Taylors Falls www.countrybedandbreakfast.us

GREEN HERON B&B

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

218-999-5795

MOLLY’S COTTAGE ON MAIN

305 W Main Street, Crosby 507-867-1471 www.airbnb.com/h/mollyscottageonmain

LODGING/CAMPING DEERWOOD MOTEL

23688 Forest Road, Deerwood Great rooms at great prices.

RED RIDER RESORT

23457 Co. Rd. 31, Crosby www.redriderresort.com

218-534-3163

218-838-6858

EAT & DRINK

DEERSTAND RESTAURANT AND BAR 218-534-9253

24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood www.deerstandrestaurant.com

38 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails

Where every season Where seasonaverage! is aboveevery average! is above is above average!

Where every season is above average!

Join us for our Join us for our enjoyable trail rides!! enjoyable trail rides!!

We’re to our help!

Join ushere for Lake Wobegon businesses enjoyable trail rides!!

mel l

lakewobegontrail.com lakewobegontrail.com are open and ready to serve you! lakewobegontrail.com 100 miles: 100 miles: Shuttle Shuttle RAIL TRAILS 100 out, ride 100 miles: lakewobegontrail.com RAIL TRAILS 100 out, ride back.

Shuttle

Caramel Caramel R ll 1st Saturday in August ll J 2 R S 1st Saturday in August 2 Caramel S J 1st Saturday in August Eat & Drink Come celebrate over Sleep Eat & Drink R ll 20 Drink years of theCome celebrate over Sleep Eat & BIKE TOUR

BIKE TOUR

RIDE

in June

SEE YOU IN 2021

nd

nd

RIDE aturday in une

SEE YOU IN 2021

aturday in une

2nd Saturday in June

Sleep 322 12th St. S, Sauk Centre badhabitbeer.com

ueinn.com 7256

America’s Best Inn americasbestvalueinn.com (320) Value 402-4442 322 12th St.351-7256 S, Sauk Centre (320) americasbestvalueinn.com (320) 351-7256

Barbacoa The Estates Bed The Estates Bed 441 Railroad Ave, Albany and Breakfast and Breakfast Authentic Mexican & American St., Saint Joseph Saint Joseph 29 E Minnesota Estates Bed E The Minnesota St., Saint food right offJoseph the trail www.estatesbedandbreakfast.com akfast.com 29 and Breakfast estatesbedandbreakfast.com (320) 403-1590 (320) 557-0300 0300

s Bed kfast

29 E Minnesota St., Saintthat Joseph (320) 557-0300 Luxurious suites estatesbedandbreakfast.com make you feel at home.

(320) 557-0300

Shop The Outpost Shop Mercantile Services 615 6th St. S, Sauk Centre theoutpostmercantile.com

e., Albany gallery.com 4100

(320) 351-7678 Lake Wobegon Trail Gallery Lake Wobegon 431 Railroad Ave., Albany Joel Trail Schneider Gallery lakewobegontrailgallery.com Auto Service 431 Railroad Ave., Albany

Services

845-4100 701(320) Railroad Ave., Albany lakewobegontrailgallery.com www.joelschneiderservice.com (320) 845-4100 (320) 845-4856 Quality work at a great price.

Joel Schneider Auto Service PotSpot 701 Railroad Ave., Albany

ot

n pottery

N, Avon ics.com 2233

BIKE TOUR

BIKE TOUR

RIDE

Bad Habit Brewing t Value Inn BestAve. Value 25 College N, St.Inn Joseph auk Centre America’s

egon lery

back.

SEE YOU100 IN 2021 RAIL TRAILS out, ride back.

100 miles: Shuttle RAIL TRAILS 100 out, ride back.

20 celebrate years of the Come over Lake Wobegon 1st Trail!

Saturday in August Lake Trail!

20Wobegon years of the Bad Habit Brewing Eat &Ave.Drink 25 College N, St. Joseph Lake Wobegon Trail!

1998-2018

Badbadhabitbeer.com Habit Brewing 25 College N, St. Joseph (320)Ave. 402-4442 badhabitbeer.com (320) 402-4442 Avon Cabin Café Barbacoa 105 Ave. 105 Avon Avon Ave. S, S, Avon Avon

441 Railroad Ave, Albany 105 Avon Ave. S, Avon avoncabincafe.com cornerstonedeliandmarket. www.avoncabincafe.com www.barbacoaam.com Barbacoa Avon Cabin Café Authentic Mexican & American avoncabincafe.com (320) 356-7198 arvigmedia.com (320) 356-7198 (320) 403-1590 441 Railroad Ave, Albany 105 Avon Ave. S, food right breakfast off the trail (320)845-2363 356-7198 (320) Homestyle Authentic MexicanAvon & Authentic Mexican & American avoncabincafe.com (320) 403-1590 and lunch.

American food food right off the trail (320) right off356-7198 the trail!

(320) 403-1590

Gathering The Outpost Grounds Mercantile 200 Avon Avenue S, Avon The Outpost Outpost 615The 6th St. S, Sauk Centre gatheringgroundsavon.com Mercantile Mercantile theoutpostmercantile.com (320) 356-1106

6156th 6th St.S,351-7678 S,Sauk SaukCentre Centre 615 St. (320) theoutpostmercantile.com www.theoutpostmercantile.com (320)351-7678 351-7678 (320) Fresh, healthy and organic soups and sandwiches.

Services Services

Helping Hands Joel Schneider Outreach Auto Service Rent a surrey bike Joel Schneider 701 Railroad Ave., Albany in Holdingford!

Service Auto, Auto cycle, ATV & snowmobile holdingfordhelpinghands.org

PaintAuto, yourcycle, ownATV pottery & snowmobileds rien PotSpot F e th 107 Avon Ave. N, Avon service and accessories in o J 701 Railroad Ave., Albany Paint your own pottery service and accessories potspotceramics.com (320) 845-4856 (320) 746-9960 the Auto, cycle, & snowmobile ofN, Avon 107(320) Avon 356-2233 Ave. (320)ATV 845-4856 and accessories potspotceramics.com e Wobegon service ak356-2233 (320) 845-4856 L(320) Trail!

Minnesota Trails

Cornerstone Deli and Market Barbacoa Avon Cabin Café 379 Railroad Ave.,Albany Albany 441 Railroad Ave,

1998-2018 1998-2018

Cornerstone Cornerstone Deli and Market Market Deli and Cornerstone 379 Railroad Railroad Ave., Ave., Albany Albany 379 Deli and Market cornerstonedeliandmarket.

cornerstonedeliandmarket.com 379 Railroad Ave., Albany arvigmedia.com (320) 845-2363 cornerstonedeliandmarket.

(320) 845-2363 Deli foods and delicious arvigmedia.com coffee drinks.

(320) 845-2363

Jordie’s Gathering Trailside Café 105 1stGrounds Ave., Bowlus Gathering Jordie’s 200 Avon Avenue S, Avon jordiestrailside.com Grounds Trailside Café gatheringgroundsavon.com (320) 584-8193

200 Avon Avenue S, Avon 105 1st Ave., Bowlus (320) 356-1106 gatheringgroundsavon.com www.jordiestrailside.com (320)584-8193 356-1106 (320) Best outdoor dining on the trail.

Jordie’s Trailside Café Jordie’s 105Gathering 1st Ave., Bowlus Trailside Café Grounds jordiestrailside.com

105 1st Ave., Bowlus 200 Avon Avenue S, Avon (320) 584-8193 jordiestrailside.com gatheringgroundsavon.com (320) (320)584-8193 356-1106 Hot and cold coffee drinks, pastries and more.

Helping Hands Outreach Helping Hands Rent a surrey bike Outreach in Holdingford!

Rent a surrey bike holdingfordhelpinghands.org in Holdingford!

(320) 746-9960 holdingfordhelpinghands.org (320) 746-9960

Fall 2020 39

FREE HOT HOME-STYLE BREAKFAST

INVITING INDOOR POOL

UPDATED GUESTROOMS

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT

AMERICINN

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.

Hutchinson, MN Lake City, MN Red Wing, MN Roseau, MN Silver Bay, MN Tofte/Lutsen, MN Two Harbors, MN

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[800] 634.3444 www.wyndhamhotels.com

See more about these locations at www.wyndhamhotels.com. ©2019 AMERICINN INTERNATIONAL, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL HOTELS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED EXCEPT CERTAIN HOTELS MANAGED BY A SUBSIDIARY OF WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.

40 Fall 2020

Minnesota Trails