Minnesota Trails Spring 2021

Spring 2021

45

TOP BIKE RIDES

111

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

REDHEAD MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS …PAGE 8

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

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

Vol. 26, No. 1 March 2021 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.

SERVICES LODGING CUYUNA LAKES CHAMBER 117 West Main Street, Crosby 218-546-8131 www.cuyunalakes.com

CYKEL 324 Curtis Ave, Ironton 218-772-0177 www.cykelonline.com Bike sales, rentals, repairs & custom builds

CRMC

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center

HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN CLINIC 320 East Main Street, Crosby 218-546-7000 www.cuyunamed.org

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

OARS-N-MINE 22640 MN-6, Crosby 218-546-6912 www.oarsnmine.com Docks, lifts, bait and tackle

Continuing the TIMBER BUILDING SUPPLY 14506 State Highway 6, Deerwood 218-678-2063 www.timberbuildingsupply.com Your local building supplier 2 Spring 2021

DEERWOOD

MOTEL

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

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

FINANCIAL DEERWOOD BANK 21236 Archibald Rd., Deerwood 218-534-3111 www.deerwoodbank.com Banking Made Nice & Simple

MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 117 West Main Street, Crosby 218-546-5428 www.mmfcu.org Member owned and working for you

EAT & DRINK

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

TRAILSIDE TAVERN & PATIO 212 West Main Street, Crosby 218-546-5465 www.trailsidetavern.com Crosby’s newest trail-friendly restaurant

ATTRACTIONS

SOO LINE DEPOT Cuyuna Range History Museum 101 1st Street NE, Crosby 218-546-6178 or 218-545-1166 www.cuyunahistory.org

SPECIALTY STORE

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

218-546-8131

www.cuyunalakes.com Minnesota Trails

Index Features

Columns

8 Redhead Mountain Bike Trails

6

Gary Sjoquist

23 Lone Lake Park

Mountain Bike Trail

Jesse Izquierdo 24 Monarch

Singletrack Trail

Erin Korsmo 26 Split Rock Wilds Trail

Jan Lasar

Cover photo:

New trails at the Redhead Mountain Bike Park travel along a former mine on Minnesota’s Iron Range.

Joe Treleven photo www.trelevenphotography.com

Minnesota Miles Jan Lasar

Index photo:

Bloodroot blooms along the Glacial Lakes Trail in central Minnesota.

Jan Lasar photo

Departments 4 Parks & Trails

Council News

Lisa Filter 7

Trails Q&A

Conversations With Trail Users

11 Minnesota Mountain

Bike Guide

Minnesota Trails By Region 18 Bike Ride Guide

Minnesota Bike Events May-November 30 MN Trails Map

The State at a Glance 31 Trail Partners

Find Trail-Friendly Businesses

Thank you!

Find us on:

Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 3

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

Sutton Auction

people saving special places

P&TC Land Project

Saving a rare forested peninsula for Lake Shetek State Park

Parks & Trails Council secured a treasured landscape for Lake Shetek State Park during a live auction on Oct. 24, 2020. The sale is expected to be finalized by May.

The 24.5-acre property, with 3,000 feet of lakeshore along Lake Shetek, was put up for auction by the Boy Scouts of America Sioux Council. They had owned the property since 1941 and since that time have meticulously maintained its old-growth forest, which boasts oak trees over 200 years old. Just a few buildings and foot trails have been etched into the forest.

Noxious plants like buckthorn have been kept out. In other words, this property is stunningly unique.

Top: Aerial view of the peninsula. The forested area marks the approximate boundary of the property (see map on next page).

Above: A lodge was built by the Boy Scouts in 1948, only a few other buildings exist on this land.

Bottom: Sandy beach at the tip of the peninsula.

4 Spring 2021

On the eastern border of the property sits the state park. In fact, one must travel through the park to access the property. The Minnesota Legislature has long included this land as a potential property to purchase for the park. But alas, the MnDNR stood no chance at auction; the speed with which it was announced paired with the volatility of an auction are simply outside the public agency’s protocols.

Developers however showed no such constraints. They understood this was prime

real estate with zoning allowing for five separate subdivisions. Of course, such development would alter the land irrevocably and evaporate any chance that it could one day become part of the state park.

With 74 other bidders all vying for this old-growth forest, P&TC placed the final bid at $1.85 million and sealed its fate to be public land for the park. Once we officially take ownership, we will hold the land in trust while we work with the MnDNR to convey it to the state park in the coming years.

This is the most expensive project Parks & Trails Council has undertaken in terms of total dollar amount spent. Others have cost more per acre but encompassed smaller acreage. Part of what makes this place so special, and hence so expensive, is that it is one of the last undeveloped pieces of lakeshore along popular Lake Shetek.

At nearly two square miles in area, Lake Shetek is the largest lake in southwest Minnesota and among the top 70 largest lakes in the state. For a region with relatively few lakes, it is a destination with people coming from miles to enjoy the big lake experience.

Minnesota Trails

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

Dave Simpkins

people saving special places

History of Lake Shetek State Park

Even at the time when the Boy Scouts bought the peninsula 80 years ago, forested land was a rarity around Lake Shetek. The combination of prairie fires followed by plows and then home constructions took its toll on forests. But, this land benefited from a unique placement that protected it from wildfire. And for whatever reason, previous landowners left this forest intact, even as the land immediately behind it was farmed. That adjacent land has since been purchased for the park is being restored to prairie.

Before settlers arrived, this land was part of the Dakota homeland. AcMinnesota Trails

cording to park manager Roseann Schauer, past archaeological digs have turned up Native American artifacts on the peninsula.

While non-burial archaeological sites are not protected from harm on private lands in Minnesota, state park protocols ensure they remain protected. Archaeological reviews are conducted before any ground disturbance is done. Staff then document and protect any artifacts discovered. The park manager at Lake Shetek sees this as an opportunity for interpretation that helps tell a fuller story of the region’s cultural history.

Sources: Meyer, R. W (1991). Everyone's Country Estate, A History of Minnesota's State Park. MNHS Press. Monument signage.

1862 – Tensions escalate between the Dakota and white settlers leading to some Dakota attacking the Lake Shetek settlement in the early days of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

1863 – The bodies of the 15 white settlers who were killed in the attack are buried within the current park boundaries by military officials.

1925 – A 25-foot granite monument is erected at the burial site to honor the white settlers; it does not mention the genocide of the Dakota people.

1929 – The park is established with legislation authorizing the purchase of 10 acres surrounding the monument and stating that it is “hereby declared a state park.”

Mid-1930s – An additional 181 acres is acquired for the park and laborers from the Works Progress Administration and a National Parks Service-directed transient camp build an entrance road, picnic grounds, sewage system, parking area, water system, bathhouse and beach, campground, group camp with a mess hall and causeway to Loon Island.

1937 – The park is re-established in recognition of development work, many consider this the official establishment date of the park.

1963 – Park is enlarged to 397 acres.

1965-67 – Park’s statutory boundary further enlarged to 1,175 acres, but only 708 were owned by 1971.

Today – The park owns 938 acres and a key peninsula is secured for the park by Parks & Trails Council.

Spring 2021 5

MINNESOTA MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES

WHAT’S NEW?

Since the 1990s the Minnesota Minnesota Miles Did any races happen in 2020 or was Mountain Bike Series (MNMBS) has the whole season canceled? No races conducted a 10 race series running took place in 2020 due to the pandemic. I between early May and Labor Day, using believe there was an early attempt to set venues in Minnesota and Wisconsin. up a virtual series, where racers could do The daylong program, typically held different courses on their own and submit on Sundays, has provided a full slate race times, but I wasn’t part of this. of mountain bike races for racers of varying and ages eight to over seventy.

What are some of the challenges The 2020 race season was suspended you’re facing in making sure because of the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone is safe? We have to follow the that has race organizers thinking about state mandated guidelines for our races in Jan Lasar the best way forward for this popular Minnesota, as well as for the two races in Trails Editor/Publisher event series in 2021. I recently had a WI. Minnesota COVID parameters allow chance to talk with Gary Sjoquist, cofor up to 250 people for an outdoor event, founder of the Minnesota High School Cycling League with the normal social distancing, mask wearing, and and Series Administrator of the MNMBS on how it’s hand washing protocols recommended. Wisconsin going. doesn’t seem to have a limit on outdoor gatherings.

I’m in the process of checking with each promoter to To give our readers an idea of the scope of an see if their particular city, county, or state agencies MNMBS event, exactly how many racers and they work with and who help host each race has any spectators attend a typical race? Typically, our other restrictions in place we need to know about. The smaller race days will have just over 300 racers. Our Cuyuna Crusher and the new Tioga race take place at largest races are in the 550 range, which lately has facilities managed by the Minnesota Department of been the Woolly in St. Croix Falls, WI as the first race Natural Resources (DNR), for example. of the season. We’re very family-oriented, so many family members either race or watch other family What are some of the changes MNMBS is members race. We’ll have to address this, as we won’t considering? Online registration only, meaning be able to have spectators milling around. no day-of registration at the site, no paper forms used for waivers, no spectators allowed, no food or

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merchandise concessions available on race day and no large pre-race meetings. We may appoint a Safety Coordinator to be on hand to monitor mask wearing and social distancing. Nothing has been finalized yet, but these are the most likely changes to be made.

Do race venues have to provide a COVID plan? The Series will need to have a COVID plan to present to city councils that approve use of city property for a race.

We’ll work with our promoters to give them whatever they need to get approval for an event.

In practical terms, what would a race day look like under new guidelines? Typically, our races start at 9:30 am and run until about 3 or 3:30 pm.

We may need to start our day a little earlier. Our understanding is that we can’t have more than 250 people at one place for any length of time, so maybe need to create “pods” that stay under 250. Kids Comp and Citizen would be one pod, arriving at 8 for a 9 am start to run our usual length, then these folks depart the site. The next pod, Sport class and a new class, Women’s Comp, would arrive at 11:30 am for a Noon start, run the usual length, and then leave. Finally, our Elite and Comp classes would arrive at 2 for a 2:30 start and be done by 4 or so. Unfortunately, one of our most popular classes, the four-hour Marathon class can’t be run this year under the COVID parameters. But we’re hoping that our racers will understand that we need to make these changes if we want to go racing in 2021.

Two races will be held in Wisconsin, which has slightly different guidelines than Minnesota.

How will that work? Wisconsin is actually less restrictive than Minnesota, so we don’t see any issues.

In fact, the Minnesota High School League ran races this past fall at River Falls, WI with between 800 and 900 student athletes participating over the two-day weekend. At no time were there more than about 75 people at the facility, as teams were only allowed to show up to race and then had to leave. So, a precedent has been set, at least for River Falls.

RACE SCHEDULE

RACE 1 Sunday, May 2 St. Croix Falls Woolly

RACE 6 Sunday, July 11 Tioga, Cohasset

RACE 2 Sunday, May 23 Gamehaven, Rochester

RACE 7 Sunday, July 25 Bluff Rider’s Charge, Mankato

RACE 3 Sunday, June 6 Detroit Mountain Rec. Area

RACE 8 Sunday, Aug. 8 Powder Monkey, Duluth

RACE 4 Sunday, June 13 River Falls Border Crossing

RACE 9 Sunday, Aug. 22 Cuyuna Crusher

RACE 5 Sunday, June 27 Lester Park, Duluth

RACE 10 Sunday, Sept. 5 Laddies Loppet, Maplelag Resort

More info: www.mnmtbseries.com 6 Spring 2021

Minnesota Trails

2021

TrailsQ&A

Kris Palmer

Minneapolis, MN Occupation: Attorney, Editor and Writer.

Seen: Rock Climbing at the Tourist Rock Climbing Area at Interstate State Park with his friend Tom.

Gear: Butora climbing shoes, Petzl helmet and Belaggles belay glasses.

What does climbing mean to you? So many things in our lives are on these long, stressful arcs.

With climbing, you show up, you look at this thing that’s pretty hard, you get on there, you fight hard, you accomplish it in a day, and when you’re done you feel fantastic.

Where else in Minnesota have you climbed? Barn Bluff in Red Wing.

Do you have a favorite Minnesota State Park? This one. The (climbing) routes aren’t terribly long, but it’s hard to top being on the top of those cliff faces with the river lazily drifting by and the sun angling through the trees and sometimes a bald eagle’s overhead. I mean, you’re killing it, and that’s a really amazing state parks experience.

How often do you go climbing? Outdoors, about five to ten times a year. And gym climbing all through the winter.

Trail Treat: I just grab whatever’s in the cupboard. Pop Tarts, Clif Bars-today I brought two pieces of bread.

What would you do with $1,000? I think I’d buy a kayak.

Advice to the novice climber: Find yourself a gym, take the basic lessons, take the basic courses. Anybody can do it.

What’s on your Minnesota bucket list? It would be good to get up to those larger rock faces at Palisade Head on Lake Superior.

Minnesota Trails

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

Greg Marcus

Kevin Groth

Occupation: I work for the State of Minnesota.

Seen: Hiking at Wolf Creek Falls at Banning State Park with his wife Linda.

What makes Banning State Park special? We’ve been coming here with our girls since they were young. We like the water and the stonework that they’ve done here.

How many miles do you hike per year? Somewhere between 20 and 100. This year it’s been more because of COVID. Do you have a favorite Minnesota state park? No, I don’t think so.

Best Minnesota outdoor experience? We went camping one year at Itasca when the mosquitos were just awful. You live through it and you laugh and it’s something you can look back on and enjoy.

Trail Treat: Anything that has nuts and chocolate chips in it.

What would you do with $1,000? Rent a cabin somewhere. We’ve never done that.

Advice for the novice hiker?

That’s very easy. Either start in your neighborhood or buy a state parks pass.

What’s on your Minnesota bucket list? I would love to get to see a little bit more of the southeast portion of the state and I wouldn’t mind going right up to the point of the Arrowhead and crossing over the border sometime.

Seen: Geocaching on the Glacial Lakes State Trail with friends Jeanie and Brad.

Gear: GPS-enabled phone and tweezers to get the cache logs out of their containers.

What else is essential for geocaching? Snacks, water, bug spray, sunglasses, sunscreen, long pants, a sturdy pair of shoes and a pen to sign the logs with.

Where do you go geocaching?

When the weather is nice we like to get out to the state parks.

They have a program where you go find caches in all the parks across the state. I’ve done it twice.

How many have you found today? 90, just along the trail.

Do you have a favorite state park? My top three are Grand Portage, Bear Head Lake and Whitewater, but if I had to pick one it would be Grand Portage.

It’s a really nice Wilderness park and it really gets you out into the woods.

How often do you go geocaching? I go out every weekend I can and I’m up to more than 17,000 geocaches found all over the country.

Trail Treat: My mom’s homemade treats. I have rice crispy bars in my backpack.

What would you do with $1,000? I would spend some on a geocaching trip and donate the rest.

Future Minnesota plans? I’d like to visit the Cannon Valley Trail and Saint Anthony Falls.

Saint Paul, MN

Spicer, MN

Barbara Reynolds Miramar Beach, FL

Occupation: Retired High School Chemistry and Biology Teacher.

Seen: Camping with husband David at Hayes Lake State Park, their first ever Minnesota camping trip.

Gear: Their first ever travel trailer.

What brings you to Minnesota?

Luck. We were supposed to go to our cottage in Canada if the border opened, but that didn’t happen.

What happened next? We decided to vacation here, went online and bought a Minnesota State Parks Pass for $35, which we thought was a bargain, because in Florida they’re $60 per person now.

First impressions of Hayes Lake?

I love the quiet here. We’ve met so many wonderful people and the ranger here has been so nice to us.

This seems like a hidden gem.

Which trails have you explored here? We’ve done the Pine Ridge Trail, the Interpretive Trail, the Bog Walk and the park roads.

QA

Are you visiting any other state parks? We want to go to La Salle Lake (State Rec Area) and Lake Bronson State Park.

What have you learned while camping? We brought way too much stuff.

What would you do with $1000?

Donate it to Hayes Lake State Park.

What’s your advice for the novice Traveler? The 2-2-2 Rule: Travel 200 miles a day, get there by two pm, stay two nights.

Spring 2021 7

Redhead New Mountain Bike Trails on Minnesota’s Iron Range

By Gary Sjoquist

A decade in the making, Minnesota’s newest mountain bike destination opened with an initial 15 miles on the grounds of the Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC) in Chisholm last June.

At Redhead, riders have been ripping, railing and sending it with rave reviews, and in 2021 there’s even more to come to the fledgling trail system in the heart of the Iron Range.

THE BACKSTORY Redhead joins Cuyuna and Tioga as mountain bike trail networks built from abandoned mines. “It’s spectacular,” Benji Neff, President of the Iron Range Off-Road Cyclists (IROC) said. “At Redhead, you ride down into an abandoned mine, on trails etched into the red rock walls.”

According to IROC member Pete Kero, Redhead began as a shared dream between local riders. “We began thinking about using Redhead for mountain biking 10 years ago,” said Kero, an environmental engineer who lives in Hibbing.

“We’d peek over the fences to see the red rock walls and pit lakes, and it seemed like an awesome place to go riding,” he said.

He knew they’d have to overcome obstacles.

“We talked to the property owners,” he said. “They said it was impossible because of state statutes.

Using abandoned mine sites was illegal for recreation. That was our first dilemma.”

But Kero and others were persistent, and thanks to help from St. Louis County, former Minnesota State Legislator Jason Metsa, and current State Senator David Tomassoni, the goal of repurposing Redhead’s abandoned

mines for recreation continued to gather momentum. Helping their cause was the well-documented economic impacts in the Cuyuna Lakes and Duluth areas brought by mountain bikers.

In 2018, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) voted to invest nearly $5 million into building mountain bike trail networks at three locations on the Range.

Tioga, near Cohasset, received $625,000 to develop a 30-mile system of trails. Redhead received $1.77 million to build 25 miles of trail, and another $2.5 million was provided for 37 miles of downhill and cross-county trails at Giant’s Ridge.

“Trail systems like the Redhead have great potential to significantly impact our region,” said Mark Phillips, IRRRB Commissioner. “The Redhead trail can add to the quality of life for local residents, attract tourism spending, and be a

All photos Minnesota Discovery Center 8 Spring 2021

Minnesota Trails

business recruiting tool for our region.”

BUILDING REDHEAD Once the funding was secured, the IRRRB brought in Project Manager Jeff Schoenbauer, and Project Coordinator Scott Linnenburger, to build Redhead.

Both had worked on Cuyuna, so knew the challenges of building singletrack at abandoned mine sites.

Linnenburger, in particular, was “blown away” by Redhead’s red rock walls, canyons, and iridescent blue water in the mine lakes.

“It just didn’t seem like Minnesota,” he recalls. “Utah, or Colorado, maybe, but here it is, in northern Minnesota.

It’s pretty cool.”

Schoenbauer and Linnenburger assembled five professional trail building companies to work side by side to build Redhead, including Rock Solid, a company

Minnesota Trails

nationally known for high quality rock work. Orange Crush and Fractured Falls, Redhead’s most iconic trails, were built mostly by Rock Solid.

MINNESOTA DISCOVERY CENTER The Minnesota Discovery Center is the state’s largest museum complex outside of the Twin Cities and it now serves as the trailhead facility at Redhead. This 33,000 squarefoot, nonprofit museum and research center sits on the edge of a 660-acre campus that comprises several former mining sites, so it made sense to use MDC’s facilities as the host for the Redhead trail network.

Donna Johnson, MDC’s Executive Director, says riders will have access to MDC’s existing

facilities including the gift shop, outdoor food court, parking, restrooms and the Rustic Pig restaurant. Her plans also include retrofitting an old trolley bus to serve as a food truck, and eventually having lodging options with direct trail access for riders and their families.

Additionally, MDC has partnered with 30 West Fitness and Recreation, a local business in downtown Chisholm, to

Spring 2021 9

construct a bike shop at MDC that will offer bike rentals and tune ups.

“Since Redhead’s soft opening in June, we’ve seen a steady stream of trail users,” said Johnson. “We estimate more than 15,000 visitors came to ride here in 2020.

This park has so much to offer and we are excited to say, we are just getting started.“ RIDING REDHEAD A quick look at Redhead’s map shows how the trails descend from the MDC parking lot down into and around the mine lakes. The Rim Trail, finished late in 2020, winds high above and around the far east side of a massive mine lake and continues along the southern edge to join trails leading to the Glen Location, an operating trolley stop during the summer months.

Redhead’s most challenging trails are a mixture of steep descents, elaborate rockwork, and stunning scenery. Fractured Falls, a one-way expert trail, drops through canyons before threading past a lagoon draining over a waterfall; you ride over the waterfall, and then climb perhaps the steepest short climb in Minnesota.

Orange Crush, another one-way expert trail, is basically a steep drop off the edge of a cliff. It’s difficult to walk, let alone

10 Spring 2021

ride. Repeat riders will note carefully placed mine rock to create multiple riding lines.

Mine Blast, rated intermediate, takes you to Redhead’s highest point, where the massive Hull Rust Mine looms to the west, before descending through steep switchbacks and monster berms. Nearby, the beginner rated Bright Side and intermediate level Boneyard loops feature steady rollers and short climbs through heavily forested areas.

With Phase One trails completed, Phase Two development, anticipated to start as early as 2022, will include a skills park and more beginner and intermediate trails. It also includes plans for a shuttle van and trailer to drop off and pick up riders at the Glen Location who might want to return to the main trailhead or visit nearby Chisholm.

Minnesota Trails

2021

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

Bethel | Bethel Haunted Forest Trails 5 miles: A series of interconnected loops in an 80-acre wooded area, one mile south of the town of Bethel. Rated easy to intermediate with advanced sections featuring hills, twists and log crossings. Trails are shared with hikers and are open for fatbiking and snowshoeing in the winter.

Bloomington | Minnesota River Trail 11 miles: Nicknamed Minnesota River Bottoms.

Mostly intermediate singletrack winds through wooded area near river. Challenging trail that can be muddy after rain. Plenty of jumps and some obstacles.

Burnsville Area

• Terrace Oaks - 2.3 miles: Intermediate: Mainly singletrack. A fairly technical, challenging trail with lots of climbs and amazing descents.

• Buck Hill - 6 miles: Beginner to intermediate, includes two downhill flow trails. Skills Park features a bermed course with drops, rock garden, skinnies and a dragon tail.

Cambridge | Springvale County Park 3 miles: Flowy singletrack trails with banked turns and rolling jumps. Elevation gain is just under 160 feet, but these trails are fast and great for beginner to intermediate riders. Constructed drops, teeter-totters, boardwalk sections and rock gardens keep the ride interesting. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Cottage Grove | Cottage Grove Bike Park This family-friendly bike park at 26-acre West Draw Park is a work in progress. Currently, it includes a 4x track, two pump tracks, and a complete dirt jump plaza.

Eagan | Lebanon Hills Regional Park 11 miles: Mostly intermediate: This course is much improved and a favorite for many. Good mixture of rolling hills and more technical singletrack. Woods provide secluded feel in suburban area. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Inver Grove Heights | Salem Hills 4.4 miles: Gently rolling hills through woods and reclaimed prairie consisting of three loops: Harmon Park, Sawmill, Foul Pond Loop.

Lake Elmo Area

• Lake Elmo Park Reserve - 8 miles: Beginner to intermediate: Beautiful park with a pleasant view of Eagle Point Lake. This is a multi-use trail, including horseback riding.

Some hard-packed singletrack, some grassy trail. Fat bikes are allowed on Big Bluestem Trail in the winter.

• Reid Park Trails - 1 mile: This beginnerfriendly trail at 30-acre Reid Park is a work in progress.

• Sunfish Lake Park - 3.9 miles: Three loops with distinct ratings of easy, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Features include a bridge, logs and switchbacks. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.

Lakeville | West Lake Marion Trail 5 miles: Beginner to advanced: Hard-packed singletrack through woods and fields on the west side of Lake Marion near Casperson Park.

Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Maple Grove | Elm Creek Park Preserve 12.7 miles: Interconnected singletrack loop trails. Built to accommodate all skill levels of riders, but mostly intermediate with short sections of easy and advanced trails. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Minneapolis | Theodore Wirth Park 8 miles: Intermediate to advanced: Singletrack has twists and turns with many technical features. Challenging course and a great trail system consisting of five separate loops: North, South, Southwest, Brownie and Glenwood Loop.

Just minutes from downtown Minneapolis.

Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Minnetonka | Lone Lake Park 5 miles: This trail system is designed to accommodate a variety of skill levels. It offers ample challenges, from the steep topography to the fast, flowy single-track. The trail is also open to hiking and trail running in dry months, as well as snowshoeing and fatbiking in the winter.

Monticello Area

• Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park - 14.25 miles: This trail offers many options for all skills levels including a fast singletrack, switchbacks and a meandering doubletrack.

Be ready to deal with logs, roots, and wooden bridges. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

• Montiview Mountain Bike Challenge Course - 2.75 miles: As the name implies, this trail demands good bike handling skills to negotiate. A very tight and twisty singletrack route with many short, steep hills runs through the woods and some open spots with great views of the surrounding area. Jumps, bridges, teeters, rock gardens, boulder piles and other features keep the ride interesting. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Oak Park Heights| Valley View Trails 3.2 miles: Intermediate singletrack with some beginner and advanced sections. Features include a bridge, boardwalk, rock garden and switchbacks. Trails are one way with an estimated 400’ elevation change.

Rockford | Lake Rebecca Park Reserve 13.25 miles: Easy to advanced singletrack loops through wooded landscape with wetlands. Start at the Hilltop picnic area. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

METRO AREA Saint Paul Area

• Battle Creek Regional Park-West - 9.5 miles: Intermediate to advanced: Battle Creek features a wide selection of trails within its boundaries. Plenty of steep, narrow singletrack.

Thickly wooded, some limited visibility on turns.

• Fort Snelling State Park - 10 miles: Beginner: Enjoyable ride along the Dakota County side of the river. Generally flat trail, but scenic. Starts as a wide double track, then narrows to singletrack. Trails are multi-use and include fatbiking in the winter.

Savage | Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve 10 miles: This trail features glacial ridges, hilly terrain and an extensive, lush forest. This is a challenging trail and a favorite for mountain bikers. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Waconia | Monarch Singletrack 10 miles: This new trail system at Carver Park Reserve is made up of five connected loops that accommodate all experience levels. Easy Rider features wider tread and few sharp turns and climbs, making it ideal for hand cyclists and beginners. The Raptor Ridge loop has flowy trails and a highlight of the entire singletrack.

Paradise Trail has the longest climb of the system and an expert feature area with a concrete rollout, jumps, a slalom section and a shorter, technical climb. It offers bypasses for the difficult features. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Woodbury | Carver Lake Park 4 miles : A series of interconnected loops and switchbacks on the south side of Carver Lake.

Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Sources: Lakeville Cycling Association, Minnetonka Mountain Bike Trail Advocates, MNDNR, MORC, SASCA, Three Rivers Parks District, MTBProject.com, Singletracks.com, TrailForks.com, individual cities, counties and organizations

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We feature quality bicycles from Marin, Reid, Specialized, Sun, Torker & Worksman.

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Children’s, Road, Comfort, BMX, Mountain Bikes & Unicycles

home of the 10-mile loop

2661 County Road I - Mounds View MN

763.784.6966 CARSBikeShop.com Minnesota Trails

visit hastings mn.org Spring 2021 11

NORTHEAST MN

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

2021

The High Climber and Jackpot trail system is a 16-mile backcountry trail between Tofte and Lutsen. Bryan Hansel photo Duluth Area Mountain Bike Trails

• Hartley Park - 9 miles: Intermediate trails through the hardwood forests and open marsh areas of Hartley Nature Center.

• Lester Park - 5.5 miles: Intermediate.

Beautiful views of the river valley and smooth, flowing single track. There are some rocky or rooty sections, but overall the trail is nontechnical and the best option in the Duluth area if you are newer to mountain biking. Groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

• Mission Creek - 23 miles: Beginner to intermediate. Fast and flowing singletrack with many bridges, berms, and rollers. This trail network traverses a dramatic, heavily forested landscape with spectacular views of the St. Louis River Valley and Jay Cooke State Park.

Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

• Mont du Lac - 4 miles: Intermediate single track and advanced level downhill trails.

Open year round

For our guests hitting the trails a boxed breakfast is available.

• Piedmont & Brewer Trails - 9 miles: Intermediate to advanced. Challenging trails with bridges and features. Significant elevation changes with large rocky bluffs. Groomed for fat biking in the winter.

• Pokegama Trail - 4 miles: Challenging, tight and twisting single-track trail with drops, boardwalks and short, steep climbs through beautiful stands of white pine, cedars and paper birch. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

• Spirit Mountain Bike Park Beginner to advanced. Outstanding views of Lake Superior are the norm at Spirit Mountain.

The terrain is demanding, but is sure to reward with amazing vistas. Lift-assisted downhill mountain biking and fatbiking.

• Duluth Traverse - 40 miles: As beginner level singletrack, the Duluth Traverse (DT) connects the city’s trail networks at Lester Park, Hartley Park, Piedmont-Brewer Park, Spirit Mountain and Mission Creek. Currently, 75% of the DT is on singletrack trail, the balance is on gravel roads and some paved road sections.

It’s a work in progress and will eventually be all standalone singletrack.

• C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail 146 miles: This remote and rugged backcountry trail travels through wilderness areas on Minnesota’s North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais. It’s primarily used for snowmobiling, but is open to hiking and biking and, in parts, ATV riding.

Ely Area Mountain Bike Routes

2810 Meyers Bay Road, Grand Rapids, MN 218-999-5795 • www.greenheronbandb.com 12 Spring 2021

• Ely Skills Course The city of Ely built a one-half mile skills course at the Hidden Valley Chalet in 2019. Look for an additional nine miles of singletrack to come in 2021.

• Fenske Lake Area This area has many opportunities to explore forest and logging roads. Trails cross over rolling hills and pass through spruce forests.

• Fernberg Tower Area This area is located along the Fernberg Road east of Ely. Several county and forest roads intersect giving an opportunity to explore the Superior National Forest. The route includes both gravel and natural surface trails.

• Hidden Valley Trails - 13 miles: This area offers hilly, wooded loop trails on the outskirts of Ely. The system consists of several smaller loops with a connection to the Pine Park loop on the northern end.

• Nickel Lake Area - 12 miles: This area provides rolling wooded hills, grassy bogs and beaver dams. There is access to several isolated lakes and an abandoned granite quarry that last operated in the 30s.

Biwabik | Giants Ridge This resort offers lift-served mountain biking on five downhill runs ranging from easy to expert. Riders can also explore a variety of mountainside trails consisting of cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and abandoned logging roads. A major expansion in 2020 added four more downhills and about 20 miles of dedicated singletrack. 60km of the groomed ski trails are available for fatbiking. The resort also offers lift-served downhill fatbiking.

Carlton | Jay Cooke State Park 13 miles: Trail is a mix of grass, dirt and pavement with spectacular views. Silver Creek Trail and Summer Trail are groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Chisholm | Redhead Mountain Bike Park 15 miles: A new, developing trail system on the grounds of the Minnesota Discovery Center. Built around a series of former mine pits, this challenging trail system has some beginner trails, but is mostly for intermediate to advanced riders. Punchy climbs and descents, plenty of rock gardens and jumps make for a great ride while the scenery is nothing short of spectacular with its ravines, red cliffs and views of deep, blue lakes. There’s even a waterfall crossing on Fractured Falls Trail.

Minnesota Trails

2021

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

Cloquet | Pine Valley Park 2 miles: Stacked loops rated beginner to intermediate with switchbacks and flow sections through pine trees and open areas.

Cohasset | Tioga Trails 25 miles: This new mountain bike trail system in the location of a former mine pit offers trails for all skill levels as well as jump lines, flow trails and a beginner skills section. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.

Grand Marais | Pincushion Mountain 10 miles: Challenging trails with awesome Lake Superior views. Switchbacks, bridges, rock gardens and lots of elevation changes.

Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

Grand Rapids Area

• Forest History Center Trails - 5 miles: Explore the Forest History Center by bike.

Beginner trail travels through 1900s logging camp and virgin timber forest.

• Legion Trails - 7 miles: Hand-built singletrack trail ranging from fast and flowing to tight, twisty and technical. Near Grand Rapids High School.

• Sugar Hills - 20 miles: Enjoy the solitude on this mixture of singletrack and fire roads.

Intermediate to expert trail on hilly terrain through hardwoods in the Hill River State Forest. Thunder Peak provides excellent panoramic views.

Grand Rapids to Ely | Taconite State Trail 165 miles: Popular multipurpose trail that moves through out-of-the-way forests and stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely. It travels through Bear Head Lake State Park intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake Vermillion. Some areas may be impassable in the summer.

Hibbing |Maple Hill Park 5 miles: Intermediate, two-way singletrack with a dirt surface in a 133-acre city park.

Hinckley | Saint Croix State Park 21 miles: Wide, grassy trail in the woods with some dirt sections on the Matthew Lourey State Trail.

McGregor | Savanna Portage State Park 10 miles: Mix of grass and dirt doubletrack. The trail offers varied topography in its several loops with a challenging climb up the Continental Divide with an awesome view as a reward.

Side Lake | McCarthy Beach State Park 17 miles: A choice of nice rides is available on the park trails and the low maintenance St. Louis County roads inside the park boundary.

Bikers can venture out of the park on the Taconite State Trail.

Tofte | Britton Peak Trails 5.5 miles: Trails are intermediate to Advanced with a short beginner loop. Enjoy views of the Temperance River Valley and some advanced features like a rock garden and boardwalk.

Access the Jackpot/High Climber Trail System from the Britton Peak parking lot.

Tofte/Lutsen |Jackpot and High Climber Trails 16 miles: This unique ride follows the rolling ridges overlooking Lake Superior and features machine-built flow trail with big berms, rock gardens, drops, jumps and rock-armored creek crossings in a Wilderness setting. It’s laid out to be beginner-rated, but technical B-line options are up to expert level. Parking is available on either end at Britton Peak Trailhead (Tofte) and Ski Hill Road Trailhead (Lutsen Mountains) as well as on Onion River Road

Tower to International Falls | Arrowhead State Trail 35 miles: Approximately 69 miles of the trail are suitable for mountain biking in the summer, but there may be wet areas. Intersects with the Taconite State Trail. Mountain bikers should call the nearest Parks and Trails Area office before leaving for their destination to inquire about local trail conditions and amenities. This is a multi-use trail, including horseback riding.

loop near the campground. Additional trail building of approximately 10 miles is expected in 2021. Temporary access can be found across from Cove Point Lodge, but the trails into to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park will be closed until the official opening date, projected for 2021.

Virginia Area

• Big Aspen Trail - 21 miles: The Big Aspen Trail in the Superior National Forest has many loop opportunities and beautiful scenic vistas.

The trail is part of old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades from the Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company. It is a multiuse trail, allowing mountain bikes, ATVs, horses, and in the winter, cross-country skiers.

• Lookout Mountain - 11 miles: The trail system has dedicated mountain bike singletrack with berms, bridges and rock gardens in the Superior National Forest. Once you get to the top of a large hill it’s mostly rolling hills through forestland. There are a few large rock features and some challenging intermediate skill level sections. The trails are two-way, look out for oncoming bikes and hikers. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.

Two Harbors Area

• Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest - 7 miles: Easy beginner trails through boreal woods in the Superior National Forest, shared with hikers. Trail system is set to expand, with the ultimate goal of 15-20 miles. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter, skis and snowshoes are also allowed.

• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 3 miles: Easy trail with a mix of dirt and grass shared with hikers. No singletrack. Great views of the Split Rock Lighthouse along Lake Superior. Can be combined with a return on the paved Gitchi Gami Trail for a 6 mile loop.

Snowshoers and fatbikers share a groomed 8-mile loop.

• Split Rock Wilds Trail - 12 miles: The newest mountain bike trail system to the area offers a challenging, point to point backcountry riding experience connecting the new Shipwreck Creek campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park with Cove Point Lodge.

Trail conditions vary from rugged and rocky to fast and flowy and include multiple advanced and expert level features like jumps, rock rolls and drops. There is, however a beginner-friendly

Sources: COGGS, GRIMBA, MNDNR, IROC, Superior Cycling Association, MTBProject.com, Singletracks.com, TrailForks.com, individual cities, counties and organizations

Details at mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails

135 MILES OF PAVED TRAIL,

Countless moments to smile.

Ride the Mesabi Trail on Minnesota’s Iron Range and fall in love with historic mining towns, stand in awe of old-growth forests, and take in the scenic beauty of abandoned mines along the way.

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Minnesota Trails

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VIRGINIA Spring 2021 13

CENTRAL MN

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

Alexandria | Lake Brophy County Park 6.5 miles: Beginner to expert gravity flow trail singletrack with 200-foot elevation change. The top overlooks the entire park and the city of Alexandria and has a prairie landscape. Dock jumps, drops and a rock garden can be found on the more technical, expert sections on the west side of the trail system. The eastern part is more of a cross-country ride with long straightaways and sweeping turns. There are bathrooms, beach access and a playground.

The paved Central Lakes Trail skirts the park and provides access by bike.

Brainerd | Pillsbury State Forest 27 miles: Mix of gravel logging roads, grass and dirt winding and twisting through forest and past lakes. All trails are multi-use, some include horseback riding.

Cuyuna, Crosby, Ironton | Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trail System 30 miles: An IMBA Silver Level Ride Center.

Singletrack trails from beginner to expert.

Stunning views off overburden piles left from the area’s mining days. Deep mine lakes offer refreshment after a hard ride. Lots of trails are groomed for fat biking in the winter, except the new Cruser’s Kettle, an 8-mile, challenging backcountry trail. The town of Cuyuna also has a pump track. Look for an expansion in 2021, adding a connector trail to the city of Cuyuna, and trails in the new Moroco mine lake area.

Goal is to have 60 miles of trail by 2022.

Elk River | Hillside Park 6 miles: This expert trail either climbs or descends for the entire course. Good skills practice. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Fergus Falls | Ferber Park 2.2 miles: A mix of rolling hills and flat terrain in wooded and grassy areas with less difficult to more challenging trails. Trails were developed by volunteers with help from the City of Fergus Falls and continue to be improved. Look for additional trails in the future.

Glenwood | Barsness Park 4 miles: Beginner-friendly single track with two challenging climbs to panoramic views of Lake Minnewaska near downtown Glenwood.

Hutchinson | Stahl’s Lake Park 3 miles: Moderate terrain with some small hills, a balance beam and seesaw.

Kensington |Kensington Rune Stone Park 7.5 miles: Beginner to intermediate, dedicated singletrack. The park has a visitor center with bathrooms. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

McGregor | Savanna Portage State Park 10 miles : Mix of grass and dirt doubletrack. The trail offers varied topography in several loops with a challenging climb up the Continental Divide with an awesome view as a reward.

Milaca | Milaca City Trails 14 miles : Located near the Rum River, this singletrack offers a variety of trail options for riders of all skill levels. Most of the trails are singletrack and go through a mix of woods, hills and fields. Trails are groomed for nordic skiing and fatbiking in the winter.

Pillager | Pillsbury State Forest 27 miles : Mix of gravel logging roads, grass and dirt. The trail winds and twists through forest and past lakes with rolling terrain. All trails are multi-use, some include horseback riding.

Sources: Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, Milaca Trails Initiative, MMCC, MNDNR, Pedal FF MTBProject.com, Singletracks.com, TrailForks.com, individual cities, counties and organizations

14 Spring 2021

2021

Pine River | Cut Lake Trail 10 miles: Wide, grassy trails through the forest around Deer and Cut Lakes, ranging from beginner to intermediate. Great solitude and backcountry riding. Groomed only for skiing in the winter.

Saint Cloud Area

• Jail Trail - 7.5 miles: Beginner to intermediate with advanced options.

Singletrack trail runs through dense woods with sections along the fence of the Minnesota Correctional Facility. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

• River Bluffs Regional Park - 3 miles: Beginner singletrack loop near the Mississippi River. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Spicer | Prairie Woods ELC 4 miles: Easy singletrack trails at the Environmental Learning Center start at the parking lot and wind through a mix of open prairie and deciduous woods. The Oak Savannah Trail has a seesaw; other trails have short sections of boardwalk and bridges. The Kandi Trail Riders maintain these trails and groom for fatbiking in the winter.

Wadena | Black’s Grove 8 miles : Beginner to advanced scenic trails that wind through a wooded setting and along Oak Creek. Groomed for skis and fatbikes in the winter.

Waite Park | Quarry Park 2.2 miles: Intermediate doubletrack with a mix of gravel, dirt and grass around some granite outcroppings. Runs through a heavily wooded area with a few fairly technical sections. Bike over billion-year old bedrock. This park has separate trails for walking, skiing and fatbiking in the winter.

Minnesota Trails

2021

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

NORTHWEST MN

Chippewa National Forest Trails • Deer River| Simpson Creek Trail 13 miles: Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp. Cyclists travel on both old tote roads and dirt trail. Access at the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center or Eagle Nest Road (FR2198).

• Deer River | Cut Foot Sioux Trail 18 miles: An extension of the Simpson Creek Trail, this is an 18-mile loop along old Forest Roads with gravel and sand. Access from the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center or the Hwy. 46 Wayside Rest 5 miles north of the Center.

• Marcell | Suomi Hills Trail 19 miles: The remote and stunning Suomi Hills has 19 miles of hiking, biking and ski trails and is part of a semi-primitive non-motorized area.

The rolling topography offers mountain bike trails for intermediate and advanced cyclists.

Access the Suomi Hills area from the Highway 38 National Scenic Byway.

• Marcell | Trout Lake Trail 11 miles: This is a nice short scenic trail into the woods and out onto the Trout Lake Estate, a national historic site featuring a 1920 lumber baron estate. Access from the north end of Trout Lake off Co. 326 or from the south end near FR 2065.

Bemidji Area

• Lake Bemidji State Park - 5 miles: Beginner to advanced: Park has much to offer with dirt and packed grass trails. System is well maintained. Forested terrain has some challenging sections.

• Movil Maze - 8 miles: This system lives up to its name, so bring a compass and use the map of the area. There are several spurs that branch off this trail. The trail is a combination of grassy sections and dirt singletrack with ramps.

Parts of the system are groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

Callaway | Maplelag 23 miles: Mix of challenging singletrack and grassy double track, easy to expert. About 15 miles are groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

Wildflowers bloom on the Mount Roseau mountain bike trail. Jan Lasar photo Moorhead Area

• Gooseberry Mound Park - 3.5 miles: Flat and wide singletrack loops on the banks of the Red River of the North. Connects to a short skills building trail with bridges and rock gardens in Horn Park. Beginner-friendly, because obstacles have ride-around options. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

• M.B. Johnson Park - 4 miles: Singletrack loops along the banks of the Red River of the North with some obstacles. Trailhead has bathrooms, water and a shelter. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

• Iwen Park - 7 miles: Beginner-friendly trail consisting of a north and south section. Not groomed for fatbikes, but usually well-travelled by snowshoers.

Roseau Area

• Hayes Lake State Park - 5 miles: Beginner trail on grassy, level terrain in a wooded area.

Trails start at Hayes Dam. • Mount Roseau - 10 miles: Easy, twisting trails on rolling hills in an open, grassy area.

Ulen to Crookston | Agassiz Rec. Trail 53 miles: This abandoned railroad grade is a designated multiple use trail shared by pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and ATV riders.

It passes through Ulen, Twin Valley, Gary, Fertile and Crookston and offers scenic views of the Sand Hill and Wild Rice Rivers and Minnesota farmland.

Sources: BAMB, LAMBAT, Fargo Moorhead Trail Builders, MNDNR, MTBProject.com, Singletracks.com, TrailForks.com, individual cities, counties and organizations

Detroit Lakes Area

• Detroit Mountain - 8.5 miles: This trail system has trails from beginner to expert. Ride contour flow trails, or take the lift up to the top and zip down the downhill flow trails, or ride the skills park. Lodge with bathrooms, bar, and concessions is a must-see. Connecting trail takes you to Mountain View Rec Area. Groomed fatbike trails are available in the winter.

• Dunton Locks County Park - 3 miles: Trail loops along the shores between Lake Sallie and Muskrat Lake. Some wind through hardwood forested hills. Trails are shared with hikers and are groomed for skiing in the winter.

• Mountain View Recreation Area 6 miles: Single track loops through mature, mixed hardwood forest. Trails are laid out to be challenging. Connecting trail takes you to Detroit Mountain.

Lake Bronson | Lake Bronson State Park 5 miles: A good variety of easy trails and loops to allow for different choices. The trails go through forest and prairie and are a mixture of grass and gravel.

Details at mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 15

SOUTHERN MN

Mankato Area

Albert Lea | Myre Big Island State Park 7 miles: Intermediate, well-marked trails shared with hikers run through forested hills and by Albert Lea Lake. Lots of trails to choose from.

Limited access when wet.

Austin | Schindler’s Way 5 miles: This flat and fast singletrack system flows through forest and prairie and sweeps along the Cedar River near the Hormel Foods campus and Todd Park. A great beginner trail.

Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Faribault Area

• Caron Park - 3 miles: Beginner and intermediate singletrack loops with a dirt surface through a completely wooded area.

Runs by Prairie Creek and features a natural waterfall. One interesting feature is a large erratic boulder on the intermediate loop. Trails are bi-directional.

• River Bend Nature Center - 10 miles: Multi-use, dirt and grass trail is shared with hikers and travels through hardwoods along the Straight River with scenic bluff views. Fatbikes are allowed in the winter, but must stay off groomed ski trails.

• Shattuck St. Mary’s Trail - 3 miles: The trails at Shattuck-St. Mary’s are built into the side of the riverbank above the Straight River in Faribault. Hand built, old school singletrack traverses up one ravine and down the next.

Although the trails aren’t rated as expert, fitness and skills for riding switchbacks are key as you make your way up and down the many ravines. The trail is an out and back with a loop at both ends. The system is a work in progress with about 80% of it built, and completion is expected for spring of 2021.

2021

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

Schindler’s Way mountain bike trail in Austin travels along Wolf Creek. Gareth Hataye photo Henderson | Ney Nature Center Trail 1.5 miles: Two single-direction trails: Trail one is rated intermediate and trail two is rated difficult with berms, drops and a rock garden. Trail access is not on Ney Nature Center property, but just north of the intersection of Henderson Station Road and County Road 19.

Lynd | Camden State Park 5.25 miles: Beginner to advanced: Mixture of fire roads and singletrack rolls through hardwood forests and prairie with a 1-mile section of rake-and-ride trail on top of the river valley.

• Ft. LeHillier Skills Trail - 2.2 miles: A short skills building area south of Mankato on the Blue Earth River with rollers and berms winding through the wooded river bottom contours. This is a perfect trail to get new riders acquainted with their bike. Trails are bidirectional.

• Kiwanis Mountain Bike Trail - 6 miles: Two single-direction loops on the Minnesota River.

The short beginner loop consists of rolling, berm filled singletrack in the river bottom land with no obstacles or challenging climbs for the novice rider. More advanced features and options like log piles, jumps and drops can be found on “B” lines with ride-arounds on the intermediate loop. A kids’ loop and skill park are accessible from the trailhead. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.

• Mount Kato - 7 miles: Mount Kato has roughly seven miles of cross-country singletrack winding through the wooded hills of their ski area for novice to expert riders. Riders who like a challenge will enjoy the climbs and descents.

• Seven Mile Creek - 8 miles: Seven Mile Creek’s multi-use bi-directional trails feature little technical challenge but some climbs and descents are steep and very challenging. The area transitions from the Minnesota River to grasslands in the valley, to deciduous forests on either side and up the bluffs of the creek.

Details at mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails

experience the trails VISIT redwing.org 16 Spring 2021

Minnesota Trails

2021

Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

SOUTHERN MN Owatonna | Kaplan’s Woods 6 miles: Moderately difficult singletrack through hardwood forest in a 225-acre park. Some log jumps add challenges. The Owatonna Trails Association maintains six miles of mountain bike trail and grooms for fatbikes in the winter.

Red Wing | Memorial Park Trails 7 miles: Beginner to advanced: Trail has many options: Long climbs, challenging obstacles, outstanding views, twisting singletrack. Select a ride that matches your skills and enjoy the view off Sorin’s Bluff. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.

Rochester Area

Riding ravines at the new Shattuck St. Mary’s trail in Faribault. Todd Trembley photo • Sechler Park - 1.75 miles: Trail is designed to introduce beginners to mountain biking and runs along the woods on the shore of the Cannon River. Part of this system is a skills park with berms, jumps, drops, log piles, a teetertotter and more. Connects to Heath Creek Trail across County Road 78.

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Northfield Area

• Heath Creek Trail - 1 mile: Across County Road 78 from the Sechler Park Trails you’ll find a short, more technical trail with a rock garden along Heath Creek. Great views in a densely wooded area.

• Eastwood Park - 5 miles: Three easy and two intermediate trails by Eastwood Golf Course. Trail is mostly wooded with many tight twists and turns along the Zumbro River.

• Gamehaven Trails - 8 miles: Five easy and two intermediate singletrack loops with scenic overlooks on Gamehaven Lake. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.

St. Peter | Traverse des Sioux Park 11 miles: This system consists of rolling and winding trail through the Minnesota River bottoms weaving through the trees and over the undulating flood plain. The trails are bidirectional with trail difficulty rated easy and beginner friendly. These trails have some of the area’s best views of the Minnesota River.

Winona |Holzinger Lodge Trail 7 miles: Advanced: One of the area’s best singletrack trail system with short, steep climbs, winding curves and excellent views of the Mississippi at Bluffside Park. Some winter trails. .

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ExploreSouthernMinnesota.com Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 17

2021

Bike Events Bike Rides and Tours: Keep in mind that the current situation regarding public events in Minnesota is a fluid one and subject to last minute changes. As of deadline, the information listed in this calendar was accurate. A lot of ride organizers are taking a wait-and-see approach as the season progresses, some have canceled, others rescheduled. Please check www.mntrails.com/events for the most up to date information and consider donating to your favorite fundraiser ride, even if it is canceled.

Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour

The Heywood

Road | Red Wing, MN

Gravel | Northfield MN

May 15-16, 2021

May 15, 2021

For more information visit:

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/lake-pepin-3speed-tour

www.mntrails.com/event/the-heywood

Mama Marla’s Hike It or Bike It Road | Clotho, MN

May 15, 2021

Bike MS: Twin Cities Road | Saint Paul, MN

May 16, 2021

For more information visit:

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-twin-citiesride

www.mntrails.com/event/mama-marlashike-it-or-bike-it

Le Grand Du Nord

Gravel | Grand Marais, MN

May 29, 2021 Photo Credit: Explore MN

Walker, MN is connected to more than 150 miles of paved trails!

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/le-grand-du-nord

Tour de Cure: Minnesota-Virtual Fundraiser Road | Minneapolis, MN

June 5, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/tour-de-cure-minnesota

Bike MS: MS 150

Road/Trail | White Bear Lake, MN

June 12, 2021

leech-lake.com | 218-547-1313

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-ms-150

CARAMEL ROLL RIDE

Trail | Albany, MN

June 12, 2021

This is the annual “Beginning of Summer” ride on the trail and this year marks the 20th anniversary. Choose from three options: East to Avon, Collegeville and Saint Joseph, west to Freeport, and of course, north to Holdingford and the covered bridge, then on the Soo Line Trail to Bowlus and Blanchard Dam on the mighty Mississippi River. As always the best caramel rolls you can find anywhere will be available at all the rest stops along the way!

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

THE SOURCE OF Pedal at your own pace

Discovery

Explore Itasca Park on two wheels

Cruise the Heartland Trail

The Tour of Minnesota Road/Trail | Hastings, MN

June 18-25, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/the-tour-of-minnesota

LOOP THE LAKE RIDE

Trail | Bemidji, MN

June 19, 2021

Easy, paved trail ride around beautiful Lake Bemidji, features a rolling start time, food, music, and activities at rest stations along the way. Registration includes food, music, and photo ops on a scenic route.

Distance: 17 miles.

| 18 Spring 2021

800-247-0054

www.bikebemidji.com

| www.parkrapids.com Minnesota Trails

2021

Bike Events

DAM2DAM RIDE

Tour de Meeker

June 19, 2021

July 17, 2021

Road | Little Falls, MN

Follow the Great River Road through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park to historic Blanchard Dam and enjoy miles of Mississippi riverfront and quiet back roads with two rest stops. The Dam2Dam Bike Ride is a great way to experience the Mississippi River and the Little Falls area and it’s free! Sign up on the day of the event.

Distances: 20, 40 miles.

www.cmnbikeclub.com/dam2dam-bike-ride

LADY SLIPPER RIDE

BLUENOSE GOPHER 50

Road | Litchfield, MN

Gravel | Granite Falls, MN

For more information visit:

Minnesota’s newest gravel ride explores the challenging ups and downs of the Minnesota River Valley in search of the route of a long-forgotten 1890s bike race. Breathtaking views, billion year old granite and quiet back roads steeped in history are the backdrop for a unique ride that starts and ends at Bluenose Gopher Public House.

July 24, 2021

https://mntrails.com/event/tour-de-meeker

More details at www.mntrails.com/ events

www.bluenose.coop/bluenosegopher50

Trail | Avon, MN

June 19, 2021

See the Minnesota State Flower, the Pink and White Showy Lady’s Slipper in full bloom. This is a short ride to see the beautiful Lady’s Slipper orchids growing along the Lake Wobegon Trail. It’s a free ride, but donations will be accepted. Distance: 6 miles

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

SHOOTING STAR TRAIL RIDE

Road/Trail | Le Roy, MN

June 19, 2021

The 52 and 70-mile routes will be crossing into Iowa for a ride on the Wapsi Great Western Line Trail for an interstate experience. Take a ride through Minnesota’s prairies. All routes are fully supported with rest stops and SAG support and are either a combination of trail and hard surface county roads or trail only. Distances: 55, 70 miles on a combination of road and trail. 20, 40 miles on the Shooting Star Trail only.

www.shootingstartrail.org

Trans Mni Sota Wheel Race

° Camp at Memorial Park ° Shops | Dining | Arts Falls Cafe and Canoe Rentals ° 507-401-5566

www.bluenose.coop/bluenosegopher50

Saturday, July 24

June 20, 2021

For more information visit:

https://mntrails.com/event/trans-mni-sotawheel-race Road | Prior Lake, MN

July 4, 2021

For more information visit:

visitgranitefalls.com

Minnesota’s Newest Gravel Ride

Road | White Bear Lake, MN

Great Scott 50

MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE

LIVE MUSIC BY: Maddy Braun & Brody Cordes 6-9 PM Bluenose Gopher outdoor beer garden

° Minnesota River Paddling ° Upper Sioux Agency State Park ° Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway

22nd Annual

Shooting Star Bike Ride

www.mntrails.com/event/great-scott-bikeride

Habitat 500 Bike Ride Virtual Fundraiser

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Road | Location TBD

Explore Minnesota’s Shooting Star Trail and Iowa’s Wapsi Trail with rides of 20, 40, 55 and 70 miles.

July 11 to 17, 2021

For more information visit:

Tour of Saints

Road/Trail | St. Joseph, MN

July 11, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/tour-of-saints Minnesota Trails

Starting in LeRoy, MN

STATE BI-

MN

IA BI K E RI D

E

www.mntrails.com/event/habitat-500-bikeride

shootingstartrail.org Spring 2021 19

2021

Bike Events Tour de Bun Bike Classic

Tour de SAVE

RAIL TRAILS 100

July 24, 2021

July 31, 2021

August 7, 2021

Road | Montgomery, MN

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/tour-de-bun-bicycle-classic

HOLDINGFORD VINTAGE BICYCLE SHOW AND RIDE

Trail | Holdingford, MN

July 24, 2021

Art in Motion and the Minnesota Cycling Museum are teaming up to bring you a week-long celebration of the arts and all things bike. It kicks off with the Vintage Bike Show with some classic rides from the Minnesota Cycling Museum on display. Then, take a ride on the scenic, paved Lake Wobegon and Soo Line Trails to the village of Bowlus and back. Art in Motion is a one of a kind art gallery, workshop, poetry and music venue right on the Lake Wobegon Trail in Holdingford and the BOHO Café inside keeps you fed and hydrated. Catch a show, take in an exhibit and enjoy fresh, local coffee, craft beer and food. Vintage Bike Show: Noon to 2PM, bike ride starts at 2PM.

Road/Gravel | Northfield, MN For more information visit:

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

GREAT RIVER ENERGY MESABI TRAIL TOUR SERIES

Trail | Chisholm, Grand Rapids, Virginia

Tour 1: July 31, 2021 Tour 2: August 28, 2021 Tour 3: September 18, 2021

www.mesabitrail.com

Tour de Tonka

Dirty Lemming

August 7, 2021

July 31, 2021

Red Ribbon Ride Road | Location TBD

August 20-22, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/red-ribbon-ride

Gitchi-Gami Trail Ride

Road/Trail | Gooseberry Falls State Park

August 21, 2021

For more information visit:

mntrails.com/event/gitchi-gami-trail-ride

The Wolf and the Fox

Gravel | Two Harbors and Finland, MN

Road/Trail | Minnetonka, MN For more information visit:

The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails offer some of the best trail riding in the state of Minnesota and this is your chance to conquer both of them in one day! You’ll board a luxury coach bus in Saint Joseph early in the morning and you and your bike get shuttled to the start in Fergus Falls. All you have to do is enjoy the 100-mile ride back.

www.railtrails100.com

The annual bike ride on the Mesabi Trail is changing its format for 2021. Instead of one big tour, choose from three smaller events at three different venues throughout the biking season with out and back routes of 25 and 50 miles. Registration is limited and starts six weeks before each ride.

Tour 1: Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm Tour 2: Itasca County Fairgrounds, Grand Rapids Tour 3: Olcott Park, Virginia

www.artinmotiononthelakewobegontrail.com Gravel | Watertown, MN

Trail | Fergus Falls, MN

August 27-29, 2021

For more information visit”

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

www.mntrails.com/event/the-wolf-and-thefox

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/dirty-lemming

Enjoy 55 miles

of beautiful, paved rail-trails across central Minnesota.

SAVE THE DATE

RAIL TRAILS 100 BIKE TOUR

AUGUST 7TH

2021

EXPLORE… the LUCE LINE STATE TRAIL

Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

800.572.6689 info@explorehutchinson.com 20 Spring 2021

ExploreHUTCHINSON.com #MuchInHutch

Minnesota Trails

2021

Bike Events

CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

Trail | Sauk Centre, MN

September 11, 2021

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

RIDEMN1

Road | East Grand Forks, MN

September 12-18, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/Ridemn1

North Star Bicycle Race

Road | Saint Paul, MN to US-Canada border

September 15, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/north-star-bicyclerace

Mora Bike Tour Road | Mora, MN

September 18, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/mora-bike-tour Rural scenery along the Lake Wobegon Trail on the Rail Trails 100 ride.

Jan Lasar photo

Biking!

Ride Winona’s beautiful Bluff Country!

September 18, 2021

23, 44, 67 and Century routes

www.RideTheRidges.bike

ONE STEP FOR ME

120 miles for you

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!

The Central Lakes Trail Starts Here BikeFergusFalls.com

IT’S LEGENDARY

MNBIKETRAIL.COM Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 21

2021

Bike Events Ride the Ridges

Road/Trail | Winona, MN

Park to Park Ride

September 18, 2021

Road/Trail | Crow Wing State Park to Charles A. Lindbergh State Park.

www.mntrails.com/event/ride-the-ridges

For more information visit:

For more information visit:

Taste of the Trail

September 25, 2021

mntrails.com/event/park-to-park-ride

Road/Trail

Gravel Grovel

Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, MN

September 26, 2021

September 11, 2021 September 18, 2021

Fountain, Preston, Harmony, MN

September 25, 2021

Houston, Rushford Area, MN For more information visit:

Gravel | Miesville, MN For more information visit:

mntrails.com/event/gravel-grovel

Fall de Tonka

www.mntrails.com/event/taste-of-the-trail-1

Road/Trail | Minnetonka, MN

Heck of the North

For more information visit:

Gravel | Two Harbors, MN

September 25, 2021

For more information visit:

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

September 26, 2021

mntrails.com/event/fall-de-tonka

The Filthy 50

Gravel | Lanesboro, MN

October 9, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/filthy-50

More details at www.mntrails.com/ events

The Pie Burner

Gravel | Hibbing, MN

November 27, 2021

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/pie-burner-fatbike-ride/

The Tour of Minnesota travels through a different region of the state each year.

Tour of MN photo

A. T.

THE BLACK & WHITE www.attheblacknwhite.com

Best Dining inalls!

Little F

- Innovative Menu - Craft Beers on Tap - Great Wine Selection - Historic Setting

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SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS

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Right Lakes Trail Trail Right off off the the Central Lakes N. Nokomis 419 N.419 Nokomis Street,Street Alexandria

22 Spring 2021

Minnesota Trails

BUILDING COMMUNITY:

By Jesse Izquierdo

Minnetonka’s New Mountain Bike Trail Offers Something for Everyone

While many Twin Cities mountain bikers dream of escaping to destination trail systems hours and plane rides away, access to local, purpose-built trails remains vital for the health and growth of the sport and offer a fun and easy way to keep the legs fresh, close to home. Completed in November of 2020, the new five-mile singletrack mountain bike trail at Minnetonka’s Lone Lake Park does just that.

Just off Shady Oak Road, 146-acre Lone Lake Park is a hidden gem in the west metro area, offering area residents a natural oasis within major thoroughfares and suburban sprawl. Its new mountain bike trail is the perfect gateway trail system – certain to get new mountain bikers hooked and hungry for more access to the Great Outdoors. The trail offers a dynamic blend of fast and flowing single-track that accommodates a variety of skill levels but it also allows hiking, running and snowshoeing while treading lightly on the environment.

“Don’t let the relatively short five miles fool you,” says trail build volunteer Eric Ekstrand. “Lone Lake Park packs a lot of trail into that distance, everything from grinding up hills to eye-watering descents.” On a late October evening, Ekstrand is watching a variety of riders enjoying Lone Lake Park: Families with Trail-a-Bikes, young riders, even fully kitted racer types. It’s a diverse vibe that truly makes the track something special.

Laid out over 52 acres, the system was constructed to incorporate what once were ski slopes, a topographical leftover from the 1960s, when the park was a ski resort. In fact, with 450 feet of elevation gain over the course of the trail, or 90 feet of elevation per mile, the route is the steepest trail system in the metro. What it lacks in technical b-lines, it more than makes up for with an engaging flow trail that conforms to a rider’s skill level, making it all about how you attack the trail. Then there’s the scenery. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently designated Lone Lake Park a Big Woods Remnant Forest, and as riders turn through the steep grades, they’re enveloped by a dense canopy of oak woodland, maple-basswood and sizeable aspen groves.

The development of the mountain bike trail at Lone Lake Park was all about access. Bikers are encouraged to leave their cars at home and enter the park from regional bike trails like the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, which is only about a half-mile away. Once at the park, two trailheads provide users easy access from Rowland Road in the southwest and Shady Oak Road in the east. For the youth cyclists, Lone Lake Park is conveniently located within a 5-mile bike ride from Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina and Eden Prairie High Schools. And for the adults, Unmapped and Boom Island breweries are each located within two miles of the trailhead for that all-important post-ride pint.

Access builds community. And in a powerful way, the Lone Lake Park mountain bike trail is doing just that. It’s difficult to quantify, but the new trail has brought a community together. Perhaps it’s best illustrated by the impressive number of people who helped make the trail possible. 163 dedicated build volunteers contributed over 1,000 hours to the trail construction process. Or maybe community is found in the diverse groups of riders stopping at trail crossings, sharing their joy about the excellent new mountain bike trail so close to home.

“This is so much more than a trail,” says longtime volunteer Ben Marks. “We’ve created a community, and so many friendships have developed through this shared vision. Years from now we’ll look back and realize how much value the Lone Lake Park mountain bike trail brought to us.”

Now more than ever the world feels separated and disconnected. But it’s heartening to see how a trail like the one at Lone Lake Park can bring all sorts of good people together. The world could certainly use a few more mountain bike trails. Get out and ride.

Minnesota Trails

MORE INFO:

minnetonkamn.gov/LLP-MBT

Eric Ekstrand photo Spring 2021 23

Find Your Place on the

By Erin Korsmo

Monarch Singletrack Trail On a cloudy afternoon, the trails are still. A black-capped chickadee swoops across the narrow path before calling from a thicket of gnarled sumac. “Chickadee! Chicka-dee-dee-dee!” Fragrant cedar trees stretch toward the sky, and past their shaggy trunks lies picturesque Parley Lake. It feels like the Northwoods, but it’s just 40 minutes from Minneapolis.

Suddenly, a pair of mountain bikers approaches, flying through the forest and skillfully navigating the sharp turns, berms and steep descents. They laugh and cheer each other on as they rumble over a bridge to begin a tough climb, then disappear again.

Here, at Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Minnesota, the Monarch Singletrack Trail is the latest addition to the array of mountain bike trails in the Three Rivers Parks District,

All photos Three Rivers Parks District

24 Spring 2021

which comprises 27,000 acres of parkland in the seven-county metro area.

A TEAM EFFORT The 10-mile trail system opened in October of 2020.

Creating it was a team effort between Three Rivers Parks District and One Track Mind Foundation, a nonprofit focused on funding and supporting mountain bike trail development and maintenance around the country.

Tracy Paradise, President and Executive Director of One Track Mind, recognized the lack of trails in the southwest metro area and approached Three Rivers with the idea to

add a trail to Carver Park Reserve and an offer to fund the project.

For Paradise, working on the trail was also part of a greater calling. “This is my way of leaving the world a better place,” she said.

“Leaving a singletrack trail for everyone of all ages to ride.”

For Three Rivers Parks, which operates three other singletrack trails, it was a unique opportunity to partner with a private organization and further its own mission of promoting environmental stewardship by providing recreational opportunities in the metro area.

In line with this mission, the Monarch Singletrack Trail was designed to have minimal impact on the wildlife and natural ecosystems of Carver Park Reserve. It was built to maintain soil structure and minimize erosion, requiring little long-term maintenance.

Progressive Trail Design, an Arkansas firm that also built the Duluth Traverse Trail, designed the trail. Help from a Conservation Corps team was essential to completing construction and volunteers of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) and Three Rivers Parks District staff will maintain the system in the future.

What to Expect on the Trail The Monarch Singletrack is made up of five connected loops and can accommodate all experience levels. Easy Rider, an accessible trail with a wider tread and few sharp turns and climbs, is ideal for hand Minnesota Trails

cyclists and beginners.

“It’s a pretty unique trail system and offers a bit of everything to all levels of riders,” says Chad Macy, avid mountain biker, Three Rivers volunteer and Assistant Mountain Bike Coach at Minnetonka Public Schools. “If you can ride a tar bike path, you can ride Easy Rider.”

Other trails are more challenging.

Ravine Rush features fast riding through wooded areas. True to its name, riders will traverse punchy climbs and steep descents with rock jumps and bridge crossings.

The Raptor Ridge loop, one of Macy’s favorites, features flowy trails and a highlight of the entire singletrack: A vista overlooking Parley Lake followed by berms and a roller descent. Here, you can see nests of bald eagles and ospreys from the trail.

Advanced riders looking for an adrenaline rush should try the Paradise trail, named after One Track Mind President Paradise. It has the longest climb of the system and an expert feature area with a concrete rollout, jumps, a slalom section and a shorter, technical climb.

Macy calls Paradise trail “A roller coaster on a mountain bike, just an up-anddown thrill ride.” It offers bypasses around difficult features, so intermediate-level riders shouldn’t be scared to try it.

On Grimm’s Grind, an intermediate trail named for the historic Grimm Farm in the same section of the park, the trail opens up to allow for faster riding in and out of woods and prairie landscape.

Minnesota Trails

A Trail for Everyone The Monarch Singletrack Trail offers a unique opportunity for riders of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in nature and challenge their bodies and minds. From its inception, recreation has been carefully folded into nature through thoughtful and sustainable trail design and placement.

You can see wildlife and experience heartpounding exhilaration at once, whether

you’re a beginner or advanced rider.

“Absolutely, I would recommend the trail to other riders, and I have many times,” says Macy. For riders new to the trail, he offers some advice: “Just have fun!”

Spring 2021 25

SPLIT ROCK WILDS A new mountain biking destination on Minnesota’s North Shore

By Jan Lasar

Northeastern Minnesota’s Lake County is prime habitat for outdoor recreation. Bounded in the south by one of the largest lakes in the world and an international border in the North, its roughly two million square miles are home to the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and three of five of Minnesota’s most visited state parks, Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche and Split Rock Lighthouse.

Roughly 120 miles of the 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail travel through Lake County, bikers enjoy the Gitchi-Gami State Trail’s scenery, canoeists can spend days paddling through the Boundary Waters and skiers come here to hit the tracks of so many well-groomed ski trail systems.

Until recently, mountain bikers visiting Lake County had their choice of forest roads and ski trails at Hidden Valley near Ely, or the multi-use trails at the Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest in Two Harbors. The new Split Rock Wilds Trail adds a lot of backcountry riding to their options.

In 2020, Lake County, with the help of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), Greater

26 Spring 2021

Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, One Track Mind Foundation, Cove Point Lodge and Castle Danger Brewery, built 12 miles of mountain bike trails between the new Shipwreck Creek Campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and the Cove Point Lodge property in Beaver Bay. This includes a 10-mile point-to-point ride and two short loop trails on the state park side.

“Split Rock Wilds is a very accurate description,” said David Cizmas, Lake County Recreational Forester of the 10-mile route that travels through some rugged and remote parts of Minnesota’s North Shore. Construction began in November of 2019 and is almost complete, except for a final leg into the new state park campground, which will

have its grand opening later this year.

The trail is open for use and can currently be accessed from Cove Point Lodge.

According to Cizmas, riding it takes some stamina and dexterity. “There are many rock gardens and bedrock areas that’ll require intermediate to advanced bike handling skills to successfully navigate,” he said. He also recommends bringing food, water and tools and walking some of the more advanced features before riding them. “This is a backcountry trail with no access to food or potable water,” he said. “If you plan on riding the entire trail, expect a three-plus-hour ride.”

If you’ve hiked the North Shore, the terrain should be familiar: Spruce, birch, pine and aspen trees spring from mossy, volcanic rock. The trail is crooked and

Minnesota Trails

rarely flat and views of Lake Superior are abundant. In mountain biking terms, it varies from fast to flowy and is designed to be a unique, challenging experience.

Starting at Cove Point Lodge, the trail gets more technical and rocky as it first climbs, then drops in elevation along its 10-mile route. Near the Shipwreck Campground you’ll find a short, beginner-friendly loop. Across the creek from there, at Pine Knob, riders can access multiple advanced and expert level trails with jumps, rock rolls and drops. Currently, this is the end of the ride because the connection into Split Rock Lighthouse will be closed until the new campground opens.

But there’s more to come, especially for those who aren’t expert mountain bikers. In 2021, Lake County plans to build another, less technical trail between Shipwreck Creek and Cove Point Lodge, about 10 additional miles in length. This will allow riders to make a loop or ride either trail as an out-and-back. Near Cove Point Lodge, builders will add an intermediate level jump trail.

Cizmas hopes this new trail project will cement the legitimacy of the area as a mountain biking destination. “Split Rock Wilds will add a challenging and rewarding trail system to the mountain biking experience in northeastern Minnesota,” he said.

Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 27

SPLIT ROCK WILDS MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL • Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to Cove Point Lodge • 12 miles built in 2020: Intermediate to Expert • 10 more miles to come in 2021: Beginner to Intermediate • Access trail from Cove Point Lodge now • State park access will open late summer or fall 2021 • Trail Map at www.trailforks.com Shipwreck Creek Campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park • 46 electric sites • Modern shower and bathroom building • Paved access to Gitchi-Gami Trail • Access to Split Rock Wilds Trail • Connects to state park via road under Highway 61 • Opens late summer or fall of 2021

You, a bike and a scenic ride.

Find your way to a state trail mnDNR.gov/ParksAndTrails

28 Spring 2021

Minnesota Trails

MAKE MORE POSSIBLE A little extra boost leads to incredible possibilities and a whole lot of fun. On an electric bike, you can ride farther and faster, easily carry everything you need, and explore new places. E-bikes make it simple to ditch the daily traffic jam, get more exercise, and feel great about treading more lightly on the planet. Best of all, no matter your reason to ride, you’ll have a blast along the way. Visit your authorized Trek retailer today!

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Downtown Bicycles downtownbicyclesllc.com | Northfield

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Minnesota Trails TK21_MN_Retailers_Ebike_Feb_Group_Ad.indd 1

Spring 2021 29 2/16/21 11:22 AM

Garden Island Rec. Area

Minnesota’s bike trails, long distance hiking trails, water trails, state parks, state recreation areas and biomes

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

Lake Cass Winnibigoshish Lake Paul Bunyan Migizi Schoolcraft

Bemidji

La Salle Lake Rec. Area

75

Eveleth

Mesabi

Leech Lake Walker

Grand Rapids

OHV Rec. Area

St. Louis

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Marais

Temperance Cascade River River

Lake Superior

Tofte

Tettegouche

Chisholm Iron Range

Hill Annex Mine

Judge C.R. Magney

Kekekabic Trail

Bear Head Lake

Grand Portage

BWCA

Ely

Lake Vermilion /Soudan Undergound Mine 169

McCarthy Beach

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

George H. Crosby Manitou Silver Bay

Gooseberry Falls

Split Rock Lighthouse

Gitchi Gami Trail Cloquet Two Harbors Heartland 169 Mississippi Park Buffalo River Detroit Superior Hiking Trail North Paul Rapids Lakes Country Lake Superior 2 Bunyan Trail North Duluth Country Jay Cooke Pine Trail Crow Savanna 59 Cuyuna Wing Portage Willard Alex Country Otter Maplewood Laveau Rec. Area Munger Tail Segment Moose 94 Brainerd Wadena Kettle Crosby Lake

Itasca

Moorhead

MAP LEGEND

Crow Wing

Glendalough

Fergus Falls

Glendalough Central Lakes

Lake Wobegon

Glacial Lakes Pomme de Terre

Big Stone Lake 12

Chippewa

59 71

Redwood

Camden

Minnesota

Fair Ridge

14

Pipestone Casey Jones

Blue Mounds

Blue Mounds Luverne

59

Des Moines

Watonwan St. James

Kilen Woods

90 Worthington

30 Spring 2021

MN_Trails_Spring2020.indd 1

St. Croix River

STATE PARKS

North Branch Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Grand Rounds Hugo Saint Paul

STATE RECREATION AREAS

Wild River

BIKE TRAILS

Interstate

ROADS

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

Afton

Hastings Fort 52 Snelling Cannon Red Wing Minnesota Valley 61 Frontenac Valley Cannon

New Ulm Mankato

Sakatah Lake

35 Falls Cannon

Goodhue

STATE WATER TRAILS CITIES LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS Not for Navigation Jan. 2021

Lake City

Mississippi Pioneer 63 Nerstrand Great Zumbro Big Woods River Carley

Faribault Straight Douglas Ridge John A. Latsch Sakatah Singing Hills Whitewater 14 Winona Owatanna Rice Lake Great River Bluffs Rochester Whitewater 52 Root Cedar Root River Myre Blue Blazing 90 Lanesboro Big Island Earth Star Shooting Beaver Creek Valley Preston Star 63 Blue Austin Shell Albert Harmony-Preston Valley Earth Rock Lea Lake Louise Harmony Forestville /

Minneopa

VISITBRAINERD Choose Your Adventure.

35

Rum

Rec. Area

Flandrau

Lake Shetek

Pipestone National Monument

Split Rock Creek

Lake Rec. Area

212

Fort Marshall Ridgely Camden Cottonwood

75

TALLGRASS ASPEN PARKLAND

Minneapolis Luce Line Hutchinson Crow, Dakota LRT South Fork Greenleaf Rail

212

CONIFEROUS FOREST

St. Croix Snake

Lake Maria

12

Willmar

DECIDUOUS FOREST

Banning

Mora

Charles A. Lindbergh

Monson Lake

PRAIRIE

Sandstone

Father Hennepin Hinckley

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

Lac qui Parle

Upper Sioux Agency

Soo Line Little Falls

Lake Carlos

Alexandria

75

Mille Lacs Kathio

71 Long Prairie 10

Mille Lacs Lake

Mystery Cave

VisitBrainerd.com Minnesota Trails

2/10/2020 5:01:52 PM

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

Our Trail Partners are here to help!

BIKE SHOPS CYKEL

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FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

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A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

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COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST 651-257-4773

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

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THE DEERSTAND RESTAURANT AND BAR 24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood 218-534-9253 TRAILSIDE TAVERN & PATIO

61

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Bemidji

117 West Main Street, Crosby www.mmfcu.org

GATEWAY CYCLE

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

FERGUS FALLS CVB

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

2661 Co Road I & Old Hwy 10, Mounds View www.CarsBikeShop.com 6028 Hwy. 36 Blvd N, Oakdale www.gatewaycycle.com

Northeast Region

2

21236 Archibald Road, Deerwood www.deerwoodbank.com

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

CARS BIKE SHOP

Minnesota Trails Directory Regions

Northwest Region

320 East Main Street, Crosby www.cuyunamed.org

REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI 320-251-2453

TOURIGHT BICYCLE SHOP

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL ASSOCIATION 320-763-0102

324 Broadway, Alexandria www.centrallakestrail.com

VISIT BRAINERD

160 29th Avenue South, St. Cloud www.revolutioncycleandski.com 124 2nd Street NE, Little Falls www.tourightbicycleshop.com

INFORMATION

VICTUAL

218-545-1000

218-546-5465

See more details about these trail-friendly businesses at

www.mntrails.com/trail-partners Minnesota Trails

Spring 2021 31

is above aver Where every season is above average!

Join us fo enjoyable trail

We’re here to help! lakewobegontrail

Lake Wobegon businesses are open and 100 miles: ready to serve you!

Shuttle RAIL TRAILS 100 out, ride back.

1st Saturday in August

Caramel R ll

BIKE TOUR

RIDE

lakewobegontrail.com

2nd Saturday in June

Caramel Sleep R ll

Eat & Drink 100 miles: Shuttle RAIL TRAILS 100 out, ride back.

BIKE TOUR

RIDE

2nd Saturday in June America’s Best Value Inn 322 12th St. S, Sauk Centre americasbestvalueinn.com (320) 351-7256

Sleep

1st Saturday in August Bad Habit Brewing

Come celebrate over 20 years of the Lake Wobegon Trail!

25 College Ave. N, St. Joseph badhabitbeer.com (320) 402-4442

Eat & Drink

Baymont By Wyndham Barbacoa The Estates Bed Bad Habit Brewing St.Railroad Joseph Ave, Albany 820 Shamrock Lane, Albany and Breakfast 25 College Ave. N, 441

www.badhabitbeer.com www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotel/45394 Authentic Mexican & American 29 E Minnesota St., Saint Joseph (320) 845-2145 estatesbedandbreakfast.com (320) 402-4442 food right off the trail Grab an after-ride(320) pint 403-1590 Right off the Lake Wobegon Trail (320) 557-0300

Avon Cabin Café

105 Avon Avon Ave. Ave. S, S, Avon Avon 105 www.avoncabincafe.com avoncabincafe.com (320) 356-7198 356-7198 (320) Home cooking at its finest

Corner Deli and

379 Railroad A cornerstonede arvigmed (320) 84

Shop The Outpost Mercantile Art in Motion

The Estates Bed and Breakfast

6th St. S, Sauk Centre 1400 4th Street,615 Holdingofrd theoutpostmercantile.com 29 E Minnesota St., Saint Joseph www.artinmotiononthelakewobegontrail.com Lake Wobegon (320) 351-7678 www.estatesbedandbreakfast.comTrail Gallery (320) 746-0680 (320) 557-0300 431 Railroad Ave., AlbanyArt, music, food, craft beer info@estatesbedandbreakfast.com lakewobegontrailgallery.com (320) 845-4100

PotSpot

Paint your own pottery

107 Avon Ave. N, Avon potspotceramics.com 701 Railroad Ave., Albany (320) 356-2233 www.joelschneiderservice.com (320) 845-4856 Expert repair with 30 years of experience

32 Spring 2021

200 Avon Avenue S, Avon 105 1st Ave., Bowlus gatheringgroundsavon.com www.jordiestrailside.com (320)584-8193 356-1106 (320)

Jordi Trailside

105 1st Ave jordiestrails (320) 584

Best pie on the trail

ComeServices celebrate over 20 years of the Lake Wobegon Trail!

Services

Joel Schneider Auto Service

Gathering Jordie’sGrounds Trailside Café

Joel Schneider Auto Service

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

Helping Hands Outreach

Rent a surrey bike in Holdingford! holdingfordhelpinghands.org (320) 746-9960

Minnesota Trails