Minnesota Trails Summer 2017

Diving the Madeira Toddlers in the BWCAW Crazy Critters MN’s Newest Water Trail

TRAILS Minnesota

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

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

Summer 2017

Selfie Contest page 39

45 33 Bike Trails

1705Summer.indd 1

Tr ai Pa l Bu ge ild 6 er

Top Bike Rides

5/11/17 11:02 AM

522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378

www.MnTrails.com Minnesota Trails Staff Jan Lasar Editor/Publisher

Minnesota vacations begin in the city.

Dave Simpkins Past Editor/Publisher Joyce Frericks Accounting Brian Dingmann Page Layout & Design Pat Turner Graphics Manager Tara Pitschka Amanda Thooft Graphic Artists

Editorial Board

Brett Feldman Executive Director Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Vol. 22, No. 2 May 2017 Minnesota Trails magazine is a continuation of Minnesota Bike Trails & Rides, published quarterly in cooperation with the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that acquires, protects and enhances critical lands for public enjoyment. Your $35 membership subscription supports this work.

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

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

Find the best gear and clothing for your next outdoor adventure, including: Canoes Kayaks SUPs Footwear Outdoor

Backpacking Camping Climbing Nordic Skiing Adventure Travel Ask us. We’ve been there.

Continuing the

309 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis MN 55454 | 612.339.3433 www.midwestmtn.com

Photo: Paddling the Lake Superior Water Trail - Tettegouche State Park by Mark Erickson 2 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 2

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:02 AM

Index Departments

Features

Columns

9

Crazy Critters

4

Minnesota Miles

Tom Watson

Jan Lasar

10 Toddlers in the BWCAW

Tom Watson

11 Minnesota’s Newest

Water Trail

Tom Watson

12 Diving the Madeira

Jan Lasar

6

5 Trails Q&A

People we meet on the Trails 7 Parks & Trails Council Letter from the

Photo Contest and Trail Conditions Executive Director Brett Feldman 14 Bike Ride Guide

Cover photo:

Kari Osmondson, of St. Cloud, takes a selfie on the Central Lakes Trail in Alexandria with Big Ole in the background.

Jan Lasar photo

Bike Rides June-October

19 Bike Trail Guide

Maps and Info

45 MN Trails Map

The State at a Glance 46 Business Directory

Find your Trail Partners

Index photo:

Bike trail at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne, MN. Jan Lasar photo

Proud sponsor of the

Thank yous!

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 3

Find us on:

Summer 2017 3

5/11/17 11:02 AM

LOOKING FORWARD TO RETIREMENT

O

the Chippewa National Forest to Walker n March 22, 2038 I take another, yet unMinnesota Miles and on to Cass Lake on the Heartland I’m going to be a named, trail from Pelican Trail (again). I’m not tired after 35 miles, standard retireRapids to Perham the next so I take another 20-mile spin around ment age and I day. Again, they’re talking have a plan: I’ll strap my tent, about it now and it should be Pike Bay on the MiGiZi Trail.

The next day is challenging. The coffee grinder and french done by the time I’m 65. I also ride back from Cass Lake to Walker is press to my bike and go for a hope that by 2038 someone fair enough and the Shingobee conlong ride on some of the trails will see the potential to connection trail is easy to find, but after I hope will be done by then. nect this Pelican Rapids-Perthe 8% grade rollercoaster through the My trip starts at the ham Trail to Frazee, only 12 Chippewa National Forest, I pop out secret Trails headquarters in miles away. Why Frazee? Beon the Paul Bunyan Trail, panting, and Bowlus, Minnesota. On my Jan Lasar cause by the time I retire, the Trails Editor/Publisher continue to Lake Bemidji State Park for a first day I take it easy and Heartland Trail, now paved total of 75 miles. ride 45 miles on the the Soo between Park Rapids and At this point I need a couple of days Line, Lake Wobegon, Saintly Seven and Cass Lake to the east, will also be paved to rest up for the grand finale: I’m in my Beaver Island Trails into Saint Cloud between Park Rapids and Moorhead to through Holdingford, Albany, Avon, the west, passing through Frazee, home mid 60s and people don’t expect much Saint Joseph and Waite Park. of the largest turkey. After 60 miles I rest of me, so why not ride the whole Paul Bunyan Trail in one day?

The next day, I up the ante and turn at a resort near town.

I write a goodbye letter to my wife, south on the ROCORI Trail through Buffalo River State Park is my destigranite country. Rockville, Cold Spring nation the next day and I get there after just in case, and take off. 120 miles and four brewery stops later, I roll into Crow and Richmond fly by and soon I’m on a refreshing ride of 45 miles in a westWing State Park. I get into my sleeping the Glacial Lakes Trail, passing through erly direction on the Heartland Trail. bag and pass out. No tent. No shower.

Roscoe, Paynesville, New London and The following morning, the winds No fire.

Spicer. I arrive in Willmar and collapse are out of the west at 20 miles and I fly The last leg of this journey is only on my hotel bed after 64 miles. the 70 miles back east to Park Rapids in 35 miles long, but it takes me a whole The following day I go back to about five hours.

Sibley State Park via New London, call The extension north from Park Rap- day. There are a lot of stops and stretching. it quits after only 21 miles and fall into a ids to Itasca State Park is a wonderful I finally get back to Bowlus after 23 very deep sleep in my tent near the lake. ride the next day and I decide to stay the days and 1000 miles on the trail, nine Did you know the original 1971 night at the park after only 20 miles. plan for the Glacial Lakes Trail calls for I then head south towards Wadena, state parks, 15 breweries, and spendit to continue on from Sibley State Park because the Jacob Brower Trail between ing $1000 on hotels, $600 on food, $200 on camping and $75 on souvenir pint to Glacial Lakes State Park and then on Sauk Centre and Long Prairie has glasses. to Lake Carlos State Park? Neither did I, recently been extended to Park Rapids.

If you think this sounds like fun, but that’s where I’m going. It’s a 50-mile Lucky me! I rest the night in Wadena please become involved in a trail project day. and push on for 55 miles through I have no problem with another 50 Hewitt, Bertha, Eagle Bend, Browerville near you. Retirement is only 21 years away. miles to Lake Carlos State Park the next and Long Prairie on the old railroad day. I must be getting used to this retire- grade of the Sauk Centre and Northern ment thing.

Railway Co. Lake The next leg of my trip gets interestIt’s only 40 miles from Sauk Centre Bemidji ing. I take the Glacial Lakes Trail back back to the secret Trails headquarters, Bemidji to where it intersects the Central Lakes Cass but I can’t stay long. As soon as I’m Lake Trail, and then go west to Ashby. People done cutting the grass, I’m Itasca are talking about connecting Ashby to off on the Soo Line Trail and Buffalo Walker Battle Lake right now and I assume this the Camp Ripley/Veterans d River Heartlan will be done when I’m ready. Once I get Trail, which will bring me Park Moorhead Paul Rapids to Battle Lake, I ride the short but sweet to the Paul Bunyan Trail at Frazee Bunyan Perham Glendalough Trail and curl up in my Crow Wing State Park, a Jacob V. yurt at Glendalough State Park after 70 mere 35 miles away.

Maplewood Brower miles.

Nothing much has Brainerd Glendalough I backtrack to Ashby the next day, Fergus changed in Paul Bunyan Crow Falls meet the Central Lakes Trail again and Country since I was a young Wing Central Ashby ride on to Fergus Falls, another day over man, and 60 miles fly by in a Camp Ripley/ Lake Lakes Veterans Carlos Charles A. 50 miles. blur of blue lakes, green trees, Lindbergh Bowlus I decide retirement shouldn’t be this and red plaid until I get to Soo Line Sauk much work and only bike about 35 miles Hackensack, where I fall into Trails Centre Lake to Maplewood State Park via Pelican a deep sleep leaned against Parks Glacial Wobegon Saint Lakes Towns Rapids. It’s another trail people are Cloud Colonel Cobber, a giant carvSibley dreaming about right now. That night, I ing of a corncob-turned-man Existing Trails New Glacial open the door to my tent, let in the cool (or vice versa).

Retirement London Lakes night air and listen to the owls in the Trails When I come to, I hop on Willmar park until I drift off to sleep. my bike and continue through My best guess at a map of my retirement ride.

4 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 4

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:02 AM

TrailsQ&A

2017

Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Sandra Scoles

Norm McKinnon

Occupation: Former detailer at Larson Boats in Little Falls, now retired.

Occupation: Diesel Mechanic Seen: Willard Munger Trail near Carlton Gear: Narco road bike Best MN experience: A bike ride up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais.

Favorite MN place: Stillwater, because of the antique shops and riverboat rides.

How many miles do you bike a year? About 2500km (1500 miles.)

Advice for new bikers: Buy a good bike, you won’t be happy with a cheap one in the long run.

With $1000 I would: Get a new bike and go for a multi-day ride.

Trail treat: Peanut butter and banana sandwich and coconut water.

Future plans: Visit all of Minnesota’s bike trails.

Pierz, MN

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Eric Anderson

Travis Saunders

Williamsport, PA

Occupation: Self-employed in the sign business

Seen: Resting in Pine River on a two-week bike tour of Minnesota with his wife, using the Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon, Soo Line and Paul Bunyan Trails as well as the MRT.

Adelaide, Australia

Occupation: Former teacher, now a stay at home dad.

Seen: Biking the Central Lakes Trail near Fergus Falls on a tour across the northern US, with his wife, Fiona, and son Patrick, who has autism.

QA

Seen: Biking the Mesabi Trail near Grand Rapids with friends.

Gear: Cannondale Synapse carbon road bike and Garmin GPS.

Trails Q & A

Favorite Minnesota trail? My favorite place to ride is the Soo Line Trail between Bowlus and Albany because of the trees, the wildflowers and the animals like sand hill cranes and otters.

Worst experience? One time I tried to zip my handlebar bag while I was riding and I took a tumble in the ditch.

How many miles do you bike in a year? About 1500.

Favorite Minnesota place? Up north, because of the pine trees.

Trail treat: After a ride I like to stop at Subway and get a BLT.

Advice for someone getting into biking: Go get a good bike and just do it. When you get old, I highly recommend biking to stay in shape.

Future plans: Ride the Central Lakes Trail from Alexandria to Fergus Falls.

Gear: Rans Seavo recumbent tandem bike and Arkel panniers.

Trail treat: Healthy nuts and dried fruit.

Best Minnesota trail experience: When we biked through the ‘Tunnel of Trees’ on the Soo Line Trail, a bald eagle with a fish in his talons swooped right at us.

Gear: Hase Pino Tour bike, adapted to carry Patrick in front.

Why are you doing this trip?

Fiona and I wanted to reconnect and do something together as a family. We’re also filming a documentary about this experience.

Best Minnesota experience?

This trail! It’s green and it’s quiet.

Minnesota scenery is amazing.

Favorite US place so far?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We had to wait two hours for a herd of bison to clear the How do Minnesota’s trails road. When they finally did, they compare to others? As far as walked alongside of us and we paved trails go, Minnesota is tops. You can tell Minnesota likes got to ‘ride with the buffalo.’

How many miles do you bike bikers. in a year? We haven’t biked in Future travel plans: Ride many years and this is our way of the Nachez Trace Trail from getting back into it.

Tennessee to Mississippi.

Favorite Minnesota trail: Paul Bunyan Trail at Crow Wing State Park.

Advice for the novice bikepacker: Plan your trip well, decide to camp or lodge and know how to fix your gear.

Trail treat: We’ve adopted a lowsugar diet and it’s been difficult to find healthy food along the route. However, I’ll have a cold, thick milk shake on a hot day.

Advice for someone bike traveling with a special needs child: Do it. We have adopted a saying in our house: “There’s nothing we can’t do.”

With $1000 I would: Money doesn’t affect our lives that much. It’s about relationships and time spent together, but with that money I would develop a working bug spray.

Future plans: Tour the rest of the world and promote cycling for kids with disabilities.

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 5

Summer 2017 5

5/11/17 11:02 AM

people saving special places

www.parksandtrails.org

Letter from the executive director

By Brett Feldman

This summer, enjoy the newest segment of the Mill Towns State Trail

When it comes to the Great Outdoors we all know that Minnesota has something spectacular to offer in every season. This is especially the case during the summer as there are more things to see and experience than there is time to do it all. One of the key features of Minnesota Trails magazine is that it puts a bunch of cool places to visit and a calendar of fun events right at your finger tips. You can use the magazine to plan your summer.

One thing that I hope Minnesota Trails readers will consider doing this summer is checking out the state’s newest segment of the Mill Towns State Trail linking the western terminus of the Cannon Valley Trail in Cannon Falls to two county parks on the northern and southern shores of beautiful Lake Byllesby near the Lake Byllesby Dam.

The new trail means users can start from the Dakota County’s Lake Byllesby Park beach, bike along Lake Byllesby (a dammed section of the Cannon River), wind down to the bridge, descend a gentle grade through prairie and along the river bluff, safely pass under Highway 52 and end at Hannah’s Bend Park in Cannon Falls.

The city is planning to build a trail connection from here to the nearby Cannon Valley Trail, which extends 20 miles from Cannon Falls to the City of Red Wing.

The Mill Towns State Trail was originally authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2000. When complete, the trail will follow the Cannon River for 25 miles from Faribault to Cannon Falls. More importantly, the Mill Towns Trail will connect the Cannon Valley Regional Trail to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail, which travels from Faribault to Mankato.

Parks & Trails Council is especially excited about this newest trail connection as it involved many entities working together – the DNR, three private landowners, two counties and the managers of a dam and a highway. Parks & Trails Council played our part too as we purchased nearly 80 acres needed for the trail and park when that land was about to be sold to the highest bidder.

In addition to this newly opened segment, the DNR recently acquired six miles of former railroad property for the trail between Faribault and Dundas on the other end of the trail so things are really coming together.

If you are looking for the perfect day to check out the new section of the Mill Towns Trail and you want to hear more about the story of how it all came together, please consider joining us for the Grand Opening Celebration We hope to see you there. Please say hello.

Mill Towns State Trail Grand Opening Celebration June 3 from 2-5pm Lake Byllesby Park, Goodhue County

We’re the parks and trails people.

Join Today! www.ParksAndTrails.org

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

www.pincushiontrailsinn.com

6 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 6

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:02 AM

g

people saving special places

www.parksandtrails.org

Did you catch that perfect moment?

Share it with us!

Annual Photo Contest May 18 - Aug. 20, 2017

Time to sort through your photos from your latest adventures in a Minnesota park or trail!

Win state park gift cards and your photo in this magazine.

Seasonal Changes

|

Three categories:

Outdoor Recreation & Appreciation

|

Flora & Fauna

e.

2016 1st place winning photo by Debbie Kippen nya Ryappy

oto by Ta ce winning ph 2016 2nd pla

2016 3rd place winning

Learn more and submit your photos

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 7

photo by Andrea Bauer

www.ParksAndTrails.org/photo-contest2017

Summer 2017 7

5/11/17 11:02 AM

g g

people saving special places people saving special places

www.parksandtrails.org www.parksandtrails.org

From From our our Research Research Department Department

Report: Report: Most Most Minnesota Minnesota State State Trails Trails in in good good or or excellent excellent condition condition So many miles of State Trails So many miles of State Trails and so little time to bike them all. and so little time to bike them all.

But in summer and fall 2016, the But in summer and fall 2016, the staff and volunteers at Parks & staff and volunteers at Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota did Trails Council of Minnesota did just that. just that.

Not only did we bike them Not only did we bike them all, we also recorded our bikes’ all, we also recorded our bikes’ vibrations as they hit any bump vibrations as they hit any bump and crack along the way. And we and crack along the way. And we snapped photos-1,714 of them! snapped photos-1,714 of them!

The results are compiled in the The results are compiled in the first-of-its-kind report we titled first-of-its-kind report we titled “State of the Trails.” It is now avail“State of the Trails.” It is now available online at parksandtrails.org. able online at parksandtrails.org.

Overall, we found that the DNR Overall, we found that the DNR does an excellent job of maintaindoes an excellent job of maintaining the state trail system, especially ing the state trail system, especially considering the uncertain funding considering the uncertain funding they receive from the legislature. they receive from the legislature.

But, this is not to loll us into But, this is not to loll us into complacency. Any cuts to the complacency. Any cuts to the

Check Check out out our our interactive interactive map map at at

STA S TE

FINA TATEOF SLTA OFTHE T FINA SRETRPEEORO FINA LTA TPEOT TF TTHHE TRRAILS L FE FINA REPO RO EBTRUR AILS F TH LP REarPkRT FE RYIL EBTRAA CO P OsR& 20 UN CIar T R S17 TrailFEBRU URAA ksMI& PCOarUNLCIOF 017 NN sFEB ARY YIL2S ESOT L TraA il CO Pks OF RUA 2017 &MINN UN CIar RY ESOT s L OF T k ra s CO 2017 MI& il A UN NN CIL ESOT T s OF

rails

A ESOT A

MINN

DNR’s budget or capital improveDNR’s budget or capital improvement budget could drastically ment budget could drastically change this picture. At the time of change this picture. At the time of this writing, the budget was still bethis writing, the budget was still being debated by the Legislature. You ing debated by the Legislature. You can see updates on these discuscan see updates on these discussions at our website along with this sions at our website along with this report. report.

ParksAndTrails.org ParksAndTrails.org

Go there and you can click on the trail and see photos of that segment Go there and you can click on the trail and see photos of that segment International Falls International Falls Grand Marais Grand Marais Bemidji Bemidji

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids

Moorhead Moorhead

Duluth Duluth Brainerd Brainerd

The The state state of of the the state state Trails: Trails:

Alexandria Alexandria

Excellent condition Excellent condition

St. Cloud St. Cloud

Willmar Willmar Hutchinson Hutchinson

Mankato Mankato Worthington Worthington

150 25% 150 miles miles 25% 322 322 miles miles

Good condition Good condition

Minneapolis Minneapolis

Fair condition Fair condition Rochester Rochester

90 90 miles miles

Poor condition Poor condition

26 26 miles miles

54% 54%

15% 15%

4% 4%

8 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 8

7 Exce799% Excell% or G lleennt or Good t ood

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:02 AM

g g

CREEPY, CRAWLY, CURIOUS & COOL

CRITTERS

by Tom Watson, Outdoor writer

rifices a piece of itself, literally, when attacked. When its tail is grabbed hitetail deer, soaring bald by a predator it breaks off, allowing eagles and swans, along the skink to escape. The tail keeps with playful raccoons, on wriggling to fool its attacker - the colorful songbirds or a skink simply grows a new one. ground squirrel scampering across Also known as a crawdad or mud your campsite, are among the most buggy, the CRAYFISH is Minnesota’s beautiful and rewarding wildlife one and only mini lobster. The Devil viewing encounters our state parks Crayfish (it’s cousin, the Rusty Crayhave to offer. But there’s a broader fish is an invasive species) is found in family of mammals, reptiles, amour streams and waterways where it phibians and insect - the sometimes excavates extensive networks of tuncreepy, crawly, curious and cool critnels near the water’s edge. Their diet ters - that also call Minnesota’s woods consists mostly of decaying vegetaand rocks and waters home. tion. These two traits earn them the Among the lesser known creareputation as ecosystem engineers tures are 13 species of toad and frogs, and environmental cleaners. Bass 9 species of lizards and skinks, and 17 anglers know them as excellent fish species of snakes and other reptiles bait. They are also boiled up as a tasty and amphibians. treat for many people, too, making Here are a few curious facts them a crazy cuisine critter, as well. about some of these critters: At upwards of 13 inches long, the The award for best defense MUDPUPPY is Minnesota’s largest salperformance goes to the PLAINS amander species. It’s proportionately HOG-NOSED SNAKE - When threatsmall eyes, broad, paddle-like tail and ened, it flattens out its neck and head brilliant red, feathery external gills so it looks like a deadly cobra. If that and extreme sliminess make it most doesn’t work, it will hiss menacunusual and creepy-looking. Coningly and strike out (with its mouth trary to myth, they are not poisonous. closed). Its last resort against danger A healthy population of mud puppies is to literally roll over and play dead! usually indicates good water quality.

It might even mimic a timber rattler Seven species of BATS live in by vibrating its tail when threatened. Minnesota. They include the most The FIVE-LINED SKINK, also common one, the Little Brown Bat known as the Blue-tailed Skink, sacwhich hibernates in caves and mines.

The smallest, the Tri-colored Bat that weighs only 0.2 ounces. Contrary to myth, bats do not carry rabies or purposefully get tangled up in people’s hair. What is true is that bats are voracious eaters of mosquitos.

Perhaps the only thing more rare than the nearly microscopic GLACIAL SNAIL is it’s very unique environment. Certain north-facing limestone slopes feature cracks that fill with water. Circulating air during the summer creates a natural air-conditioning that creates a special ecosystem called an algific slope - a micro environment that’s virtually the same as it was ten Plains Hog-Nosed Snake MNDNR photo thousand years ago - habitat ideally

W

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 9

Mudpuppy - MNDNR photo

suited for Minnesota’s rare glacial snail that is merely 1/10th of an inch in size.

Each state park’s website highlights its featured wildlife viewing opportunities, including many programs and presentations offered throughout the seasons. While some of the less common and unfamiliar species may be creepy and crawly to some; curious and cool to others, together they contribute to the diverse ecosystems of our parks and are valued as signs of a healthy environment - making them all very crucial critters as well!

Little Brown Bats at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Mine State Park MNDNR photo

Devil Crayfish - MNDNR photo

3 yearling whitetail on the trail, the “common” scene.

- Tom Watson photo Summer 2017 9

5/11/17 11:02 AM

Toddlers in the BWCA

by Tom Watson, Outdoor writer

J

ack Marko playfully glides the tip of his canoe paddle through the glassclear surface of a boundary waters lake.

Hearing a familiar sound he turns to spot the loon whose call he recognizes from past trips.

It’s a common scene played out each year by thousands of paddlers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It’s also becoming more of the norm for Jack, and he’s barely two years old.

Parents Bobby and Maura Marko took him on his first camping trip when he was just six weeks old. “We wanted him to sleep in a variety of locations so he’d get used to it”, says Maura. It was the first of many outings where sleeping in different settings would show how Jack would adapt to a variety of camping sites and react to changes in the daily routines associated with tent camping.

Each campout was part of what Maura calls a “natural progression” to help build Jack’s enjoyment of a true wilderness experience. Stepping up from a land-based camping experience to a full-fledged BWCA canoe camping adventure took a more focused effort.

“Will he fit in the boat? How long will he sit there?” were just a few of the questions they had. “The best test to see how a toddler will adapt is to simply go on a paddle and see what they’ll do”, advises Maura. But there was a learning curve for Jack’s parents, too.

As experienced campers, the Markos rely on quality clothing when canoe camping with their toddler. “It’s important to have all the right gear with you all the solid base layers,” Maura says. Doubling up on footwear is very important, too - Jack has two pair of sandals on every trip so one pair is always dry and ready to wear.

“You have to have the proper gear, even if it is expensive,” she adds. Buying gear during the off season and looking for other sales helps keep Jack properly outfitted as he grows up through sizes.

Like most parents, “You buy things a size or two too big and just roll up the sleeves” , says Bobby.

The Markos’ general camping gear serves them all well, even with a toddler in the group now. “We used to be more relaxed with our first aid kit when it was just us,” says Bobby. He quickly adds, “Now we even have ‘Superman’ bandages in it, too.” Jack’s plastic child-size stool became a canoe seat, camp chair, step stool and even doubles as a basket-like container on portages.

Water safety is a major concern for anyone canoeing, but it’s especially important when you’re on the water with a toddler. “Jack had his first swimming lesson at nine months old”, says Maura. “We wanted to see how he responded to a water environment.” Safety in the canoe is never compromised. Jack wears a life jacket and is comfortable and familiar with water. His body weight doesn’t noticeably affect the canoe’s center of gravity as he shifts around side to side, reaching out over the gunwales to paddle or touch the water.

It’s important to keep those initial toddler camp outs simple. Bobby stresses that camping trips should be of short duration and within close proximity of your vehicle. “Easy paddling trips, no portages, just easy out and back trips” he says and adds “Car accessible camp sites give you security in knowing you can bail out if things go bad”.

One of the hardest and most critical tasks when camping with toddlers, is campsite selection, especially those at water’s edge. The Markos look for natural or visual barriers that Jack will recognize and tell him to stay behind and not pass without his life jacket on. While they prefer sandy beaches, choices are sometimes limited when arriving late at popular campsites.

Keeping a toddler occupied during the outing is a constant challenge, but also part of the learning curve. Maura brings along toys for playing in the sand as well as a few storybooks. A favorite family game, “What do you see? What do you hear?” teaches Jack about the environment as he plays along. “He’s very observant”, says Maura. “He sees wildlife before we see it and he’s developed a ‘sit still and listen’ mode at two years old.”

Getting out and doing it is the key; both Bobby and Maura agree that their own confidence grew along with Jack’s with each outing.

“Before I had kids I was goal-oriented”, Bobby admits. “How many lakes I could get to on a single trip was my main concern”. Now his goal is to see how much he can get his kids to enjoy it all.

Maura agrees. “Make it as easy as possible. Don’t make it so much about the journey, but about having fun.”

Marko Family photos

10 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 10

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Newest State Water Trail

SHELL ROCK RIVER

by Tom Watson, Outdoor writer

N

amed for a scattering of fossils found in the rock outcroppings along its banks, the Shell Rock River is the latest river to be officially designated as a Minnesota State Water Trail. It’s among a half dozen or more highlighted river routes in southeastern and south-central Minnesota, and among thirty-five paddling trails across the state.

Flowing from its headwaters in Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, the Shell Rock River Trail begins its southern journey amid what at first might appear to be the developed heart of a modern urban setting. However, once paddlers start exploring those waters beginning at the extreme northwest tip of the lake, the backwaters surrounding Bancroft Bay Park and the secluded channel connecting Fountain Lake to Albert Lea Lake, those passages begin to reveal the broader, more natural character of this diverse waterway.

“There’s lots of birds,” says Bill Howe, an avid paddler, photographer and active advocate of the Shell Rock River.

“Most people in Albert Lea have never seen this part of the city.”

Nearly five miles of the river’s 20-mile route down through Minnesota includes a paddling traverse of Albert Lea Lake. Myre-Big Island State Park dominates the entire eastern half of it’s northern shore. Erik Wrede, the State Water Trail Coordinator for Minnesota’s DNR, says southcentral Minnesota’s Shell Rock River State Water Trail has the rare distinction of having both an adjacent State Park and a State Trail that can add variety to a paddling adventure.

“You can paddle from Albert Lea, spend the night at a reservable paddle-in campsite at Myre-Big Island State Park, then bike back to town the next day on the Blazing Star State Trail to get your vehicle. There are only a handful of great pedal-paddle shuttles like this in the state, but this one also offers an overnight camping trip.”

A natural rapids and electronic fish barrier at the start of the river channel outlet at the south end of the lake is bypassed by an easy 60-yard portage - and the main putin access to the start of the 12-mile-plus lazy paddle down to the Iowa border and beyond (it joins the Cedar and Iowa Rivers that then flow into the Mississippi River).

The outlet dam on the south shore of the lake attracts

Right: Bill Howe stands by his iPaddlePort station; Above: his son Logan Howe travels down the Shell Rock River.

- Bill Howe photos Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 11

“amazing bird life” says Wrede. “It’s very wild; lots of wildlife,” adds Howe as he describes the more natural setting of the river downstream.

This transition from modern urban development to the more untouched Minnesota countryside offers a flowing timeline back through a region that reflects the history of the area from before settlements sprung up across the prairie to today.

For canoers wanting to experience a short, casual, countryside paddle, the town of Glenville about 4 miles south of the dam provides a couple of undeveloped roadside take-out options. “We hope to add an access at Glenville and also to work with Iowa DNR to add an access just over the border at Panicum Prairie WMA (co-managed by the two states),” says Wrede.

Just below Glenville, the river passes under tall power lines, oftentimes serving as perches for bald eagles. The river flows along the western edge of the Shell Rock WMA. “This area keeps getting more wild,” says Howe; “There must be lots of fishing holes in this section, too. I always see cars parked along the highway here.”

The river’s gradient is a barely measurable one foot drop per mile, so the entire course is a gentle meandering flow through stretches of rushes, a scattering of trees along the bank and edges of croplands. Paddlers approaching the Iowa border near Gordonsville use a drainage ditch cut as an informal take-out. Wrede says there are no firm plans to develop specific accesses, but “the DNR will explore additional public water access opportunities downstream from Albert Lea Lake.” The community of Northwood, Iowa and a nearby Wildlife Management Area may also provide access/ take-out options in the future.

The Shell Rock River provides paddlers with many options for paddling the bays and backwaters of a large lake, combining camping in a state park, pairing up with a bicycling adventure or simply enjoying a relaxing float down a bucolic, prairie river.

Long before the Ruble-Hall Mill Dam reined in its waters in 1855, the Shell Rock River was part of the defining landscape of this region of southern Minnesota. This newest water trail couples history with nature as part of our statewide network of great ways to enjoy Minnesota’s vast water resources.

Summer 2017 11

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Diving the Madeira

by Jan Lasar, Trails Editor/Publisher

ABOUT THE MADEIRA The Madeira was an unpowered schooner-barge towed behind the William Edenborn, a steamship. Both sank in the Mataafa Storm of November 27 and 28, 1905, but the Edenborn was recovered and restored. After drifting from the William Edenborn, the helpless Madeira crashed into the shores of Gold Rock and began breaking up. One crewman, Fred Benson, scaled up the icy cliff, dropped down a rope and was able to save all but one man. This shipwreck is one of the few known surviving examples of a schoonerbarge. Though it did break into numerous pieces, the major elements of the hull are mostly intact.

The rights to salvage pieces were sold to a salvage company, which hauled parts to Little Two Harbors Bay southwest of the crash site, but found it too difficult to take them out of the lake. In the early 1960s this practice stopped and the wreck is now open to the public to dive.

Today, about 500 people a year come to visit the wreck.

The Mataafa storm sank, destroyed and damaged 29 vessels and killed 36 seamen and is the reason Split Rock Lighthouse was built in 1910.

One of the Madeira’s anchors is displayed at the historical site entrance at the park.

Sources: Minnesota Historical Society and Wikipedia.

S

tanding on top of Gold Rock Point at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on a calm and pleasant day at the very end of summer, it was hard to imagine Lake Superior could ever turn into a deadly beast. The morning fog had burned off, given way to sunny skies and the air smelled of spruce and fir 60 feet above the lake. The water was smooth.

But in November of 1905 a fierce storm pounded Lake Superior and smashed the schooner-barge Madeira into this rock until she sank.

Today, recreational divers come to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to explore what’s left of her after 112 years on the bottom of Lake Superior.

Scott Valleen, Dan Cafferty and Sam and Dave Alt had come from the Twin Cities to take a look.

Dave Alt likes to dive here.

“This is a great site, because it’s close to town and easy to get to”, he said. That day he was here to help his son Sam, who came to get his advanced diving certificate.

Sam had been SCUBA certified for a year and became interested in diving after a Caribbean cruise.

But a dive in Lake Superior means water temperatures anywhere between 35 and 55 degrees, depending on the season.

Dan Cafferty, who has been a recreational diver since 2003, was looking for his wreck diver certification that day. “I’m diving for the unique experience and

seeing things not everyone has seen”, he said. This new certificate will allow him to enter a wreck as long as he stays within the visible light in view of an exit.

There to test Cafferty was Scott Valleen, instructor at Midwest School of Diving in White Bear Lake. For him, diving means belonging to a very exclusive club.

“Only one percent of the world’s population goes down to see these things”, he said as they were unloading their trucks filled to the top with tanks, regulators, fins, masks, wet suits and lead weights.

They hauled everything down a steep flight of stairs to the pebble beach and got busy with their predive routine: wiggling into their suits, safety checks, adjustments and more safety checks.

“The hardest part of diving is sinking”, said Scott Valleen and strapped on his lead weights.

Divers also wear an inflatable vest called a Buoyancy Compensator Device to control how fast they sink and rise in the water. Let air out and the weights pull you down.

Inflate, and you rise back to the top.

All this equipment can weigh up to 70 pounds and on land a diver isn’t exactly nimble.

They finally started swimming out to the wreck site about 300 yards off shore. A buoy marks where the pieces of the Madeira rest in about 80 feet of water.

Left to right: Scott Valleen, Dan Cafferty, Sam Alt, Dave Alt. Jan Lasar photo

12 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 12

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Then they disappeared.

Dave Alt explained what happened next: “For me the coolest thing is swimming along the bottom and all of a sudden there is this looming darkness ahead of you. At first you think it might be a drop off, but, as you get closer you realize it’s the hull of a ship, tipped on its side, rising 30 or 40 feet up off the lake bottom. If that doesn’t get your heart pumping, I don’t know what will. If you drop down on the wreck from the surface, at first you just see the side rail of the ship. As you descend, the rest of the massive steel hull comes into view. You can see the deck, some of the hatches, the large winch and other mechanical devices on the back of the ship”, he said.

Both Dan Cafferty and Sam Alt received their certifications that day, but from the top of Gold Rock Point the marker buoy was just a small yellow dot, bobbing on Lake Superior. The only clue to what was going on 140 feet below was a constant stream of white bubbles welling to the surface and churning up the calm, dark waters on a beautiful day in September.

David Alt steps into Lake Superior to dive the wreck of the Madeira. Jan Lasar photo

Sam and Dave Alt float above one of the Madeira’s winches.

Dan Cafferty photo

Last one out: Dan Cafferty brings in the dive team’s buoy. Jan Lasar photo

Scott Valleen examines parts of the wreckage.

Dan Cafferty photo Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 13

Summer 2017 13

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

bike rides & tours TWIN CITIES TOUR DE CURE

Sat., 06/03/2017 Location: Minnehaha Falls, MN Email: joatman@diabetes.org Website: www.diabetes.org/ twincitiestourdecure Distances: 7, 18, 29, 43, 62, 100 miles Join us for the Twin Cities Tour de Cure at Minnehaha Falls.

TOUR DE PEPIN

Sat., 06/03/2017 Location: Lake City, MN Email: lcchamber@lakecity.org Website: http://lakecity.org/news-events/ tour-de-pepin/ Distances: 32, 50, 72, 100 miles Begin your tour in historic Lake City and end with a steamboat ride to get back to the start on the 50 and 100 mile routes.

SMOKIN’ IN STEELE BIKE CRUISE SAT., 06/03/2017 Location: Owatonna, MN Email: cephas6@msn.com Website: www.zapevent.com/reg/ event/11964 Distances: 8, 23, 37 miles Ride starts at Straight River Sports.

Complimentary wristband for all other Smokin’ in Steele BBQ event provided to participants.

CARAMEL ROLL RIDE

Sat., 06/10/2017 Location: Albany, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: www.caramelrollride.com This is central Minnesota’s annual “Beginning of Summer” ride on the Lake Wobegon Trail, with caramel rolls at each stop, through the area that gave birth to Garrison Keillor’s legendary town.

THE TOUR OF MINNESOTA

Fri., 06/16/2017 to Fri., 06/23/2017 Location: Stillwater, MN Email: drumminglibrarian@hotmail.com Website: www.tourofminnesota.com Distances: 30-75 miles daily Starting in Stillwater and on to North Branch, Moose Lake, Superior, Danbury, St.Croix Falls/Taylors Falls, back to Stillwater.

Have ride photos to share? jan@mntrails.com

B I K E - RU NAN-DH I K E ORE PL X E R OU TRAILS!

ain

@detroitmount

TOUR OF LAKES

Sat., 06/03/2017 Location: Crosslake, MN Website: www.paulbunyancyclists.com Distances: 35 and 65 miles This is a loop ride that begins and ends at Crosslake Community Center and winds through Paul Bunyan Country with views of lush forests and scenic routes.

Bike Hastings!

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

LUCE LINE LOOPS BIKE RIDE

Sat., 06/10/2017 Location: Hutchinson, MN Email: beth@vimm.com Website: www.hutchinsonrotary.org Distances: 12, 25, 50 miles A fun ride on roads and the paved Luce Line Trail. A 75K gravel grinder is new for 2017. All rides begin and end at the Crow River Winery.

D

LIFT SERVE

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

keep on

adventuring 24-hour ATM

15 E MAIN ST CROSBY, MN 56441

• 30 miles of city trails with breathtaking views of the Mississippi and Vermillion Falls • Ride the MRT • Explore Afton State Park

More than 28 miles of stunning trails along the Mississippi River, Vermillion Falls and other scenic byways.

Hastings Area

Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

For more information or to request a trail map, please call (651) 437-6775 · (888) 612-6122

or visit www.HastingsMN.org

Bridge photo courtesy of David R. Youngren, 2013

www.unitybanking.com

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

14 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 14

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

BELIEVE IN ME BIKE RIDE

Sat., 06/17/2017 Location: Rochester, MN Email: grrbikeride@gmail.com Website: www.grrbikeride.org Distances: 7 up to 100 miles Begins at Mayo High School and takes you through beautiful wide open spaces.

LADY SLIPPER RIDE

Sat., 06/17/2017 Location: Avon, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: www.ladyslipperride.com Distances: 6 miles See the beautiful Lady’s Slipper orchids growing along the Lake Wobegon Trail.

LOOP THE LAKE FESTIVAL

Sat., 06/17/2017 Location: Bemidji, MN Email: mgilman@bemidjistate.edu Website: www.bikebemidji.com/ Distance: 17 miles Family-friendly bike ride around Lake Bemidji. Easy, paved route with festive rest stops and evening programs.

DAM2DAM RIDE

Sat., 06/17/2017 Location: Little Falls, MN Email: cmnbikeclub@yahoo.com Website: www.cmnbikeclub.com Distances: 20 and 40 miles Follow the Great River Road through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park to historic Blanchard Dam. A free ride.

SHOOTING STAR TRAIL RIDE

Sat., 06/24/2017 Location: Rose Creek, MN Email: skjacobson@frontiernet.net Website: www.shootingstartrail.org Distances: 20, 40, 50, 62, 100 miles See the wildflowers and prairie that southwestern Minnesota is famous for.

SWISS CHEESE & SPOTTED COWS BICYCLE TOUR Sat., 06/24/2017 to Thu., 06/29/2017 Email: scscbiketour@yahoo.com Website: www.scscbiketour.com Great routes in the driftless region of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

A. T.

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

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

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 15

Crosby - Ironton - Deerwood Bay Lake - Cuyuna - Emily

~ LODGING ~

Country Inn Deerwood 23884 Front St., Deerwood 218-534-3101 www.countryinndeerwood.com Deerwood Motel 23688 Forest Rd., Deerwood 218-534-3163 www.deerwoodmotel.com Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge 25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd., Deerwood (Open May-October) 218-678-2885 www.ruttgers.com Woodland Beach Resort 15596 Woodland Beach Lane, Deerwood 218-866-0711 www.woodlandbeachresort.com

~ EAT & DRINK ~ Cuyuna Brewing Co. 1 E Main Street, Crosby 320-894-4362 www.cuyunabrewing.com Deerstand Restaurant and Bar 24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood 218-534-9253 www.deerstandrestaurant.com Mixed Company - A Kava House 128 W Main St., Crosby 218-545-1010 Coffee Shop · Panini/Sandwiches · Ice Cream North Country Café 12 W Main St., Crosby 218-545-9908 Homestyle cooking w/friendly service.

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

~ SERVICES ~ Cuyuna Lakes Chamber 221 4th St SW, Ironton 218-546-8131 www.cuyunalakes.com Cuyuna Regional Medical Center 320 E Main St., Crosby 218-546-7000 www.cuyunamed.org Cycle Path & Paddle 115 3rd Ave SW, Crosby 218-545-4545 www.cyclepathpaddle.com Deerwood Bank Deerwood-Garrison-Brainerd-Baxter 800-291-6597 www.deerwoodbank.com Jacobs Realty Hwy. 6 & 210, Crosby 218-546-8346 www.jacobsrealtymn.com Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union 117 W Main St., Crosby 218-546-5428 www.mmfcu.org

Contact Us for More Information Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs

218-546-8131 • www.cuyunalakes.com Summer 2017 15

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

bike rides & tours WATERMELON RIDE

Mon., 07/04/2017 Location: Shoreview, MN Email: watermelon@biketcbc.org Website: www.biketcbc.org/watermelon Distances: 15, 25, 50 miles The Twin Cities Bike Club’s annual Fourth of July ride is a family favorite.

TOUR D’AMICO

Tue., 07/04/2017 Location: Golden Valley, MN Email: info@tourdamico.org Website: http://tourdamico.org/ Distances: 29, 45, 62 miles Routes cover western metro area. Multiple supported rest stops with refreshments.

ROOT RIVER BLUFF & VALLEY BICYCLE TOUR

Fri., 07/07/2017 to Sun., 07/09/2017 Location: Peterson, MN Email: russ@havefunbiking.com: Website: www.havefunbiking.com Distances: 50 to 60 miles each day Discover the magic of riding your bike in southeastern Minnesota’s scenic driftless area.

Need more details?

Visit mntrails.com/events

HABITAT 500 BIKE RIDE

Sun., 07/09/2017 to Sat., 07/15/2017 Location: Central Minnesota Email: habitat500@hfhmn.org Website: http://habitat500.org Distances: 500 miles over 7 days This is a bicycle ride, not a race. This ride helps support the Habitat for Humanity Association.

TOUR OF SAINTS

Sun., 07/09/2017 Location: St. Joseph, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: http://tourofsaints.com/ Distances: 18-50 miles It’s not a race. It’s a heavenly little ride through a pastoral landscape.

RED RIBBON RIDE

Thu., 07/13/2017 to Sun., 07/16/2017 Location: Bloomington, MN Email: marni@redribbonride.org Website: www.redribbonride.org Red Ribbon Ride is a fully-supported bike tour to raise funds for HIV/AIDS services.

SPLIT ROCK TOUR

Sat., 07/15/2017 Location: Ordean Building, Duluth, MN Email: twinportscyclery@gmail.com Website: www.veloduluth.com This bike tour will take you along the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior with lake views and gentle rolling terrain.

BIKE MS: TRAM

Wed., 07/19/2017 to Sun., 07/23/2017 Location: Central, MN Email: fundraisingsupport@nmss.org Website: main.nationalmssociety.org Bike MS: TRAM Ride 2017 is a fully-supported cycling vacation in central Minnesota.

TOUR DE BUN

Sat., 07/29/2017 Location: Montgomery, MN Email: kolackydays@gmail.com Website: www.montgomerymn.org/ tourdebunbikeclassic Distances: 13, 33, 50 miles Three overlapping loops take you for a ride in the heart of Minnesota Czech Country in scenic Le Sueur County.

TOUR DE SAVE

Sat., 07/29/2017 Location: Northfield, MN Email: lmars@save.org Website: www.save.org/event/tour-desave-northfield/ Join SAVE and local area cycling clubs for the 14th annual Tour de SAVE. The ride supports SAVE’s mission to prevent suicide through public awareness and education.

Blaine

Minneapolis

12741 Central Avenue NE ..................... 763-755-8871 www.pioneercycle.com

3020 Minnehaha Ave ............................. 612-729-0437 www.thehubbikecoop.org

PIONEER CYCLE

THE HUB BIKE CO-OP

St. Cloud

Hopkins

160 29th Avenue S .................................. 320-251-2453 www.revolutioncycleandski.com

16 Shady Oak Road S.............................. 952-938-8336 www.tonkacycleandski.com

REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI

TONKA CYCLE AND SKI

Duluth

Champlin

102 S 29th Avenue .................................. 218-724-5101 www.stewartsbikesandsports.com

11350 Aquila Drive.................................. 763-712-0312 www.trailheadcycling.com

STEWART’S BIKES AND SPORTS

TRAILHEAD CYCLING

Maplewood

STRAUSS SKATES AND BICYCLES

1751 Cope Avenue E ............................... 651-770-1344 www.straussskatesandbicycles.com

Giant is the world leader in cycling innovation, combining engineering and manufacturing expertise to create bikes that are suited to every type of rider.

16 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 16

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017 CANDISC

Sat., 08/05/2017 to Sat., 08/12/2017 Location: Garrison, ND Email: ndfm@restel.com Website: www.candisc.net Distance: 400 miles CANDISC cycles 400 miles of hills, dales and scenic roads in North Dakota every August. This year marks the 25th Anniversary.

bike rides & tours

BICYCLING AROUND MINNESOTA (BAM) Thu., 08/24/2017 to Sun., 08/27/2017 Location: Walker, MN Email: bambiketour@gmail.com Website: www.bambiketour.org/ Starts and ends in Walker with stops in Bemidji, Park Rapids and Staples.

It is primarily a camping tour with limited hotel options. Great attractions along the way offer lots of fun.

SEPTEMBER SONG

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Rice Lake, WI Contact: 715-234-4127 Distance: 50 miles A free, self-supported bike ride held by the North Roads Bicycle Club since 1968.

TASTE OF THE TRAIL

Sat., 08/05/2017 Location: Minnetonka, MN Email: tim.litfin@minnetonka.k12.mn.us Website: www.tourdetonka.org Distances: 16, 28, 40, 48, 57, 67, or 100 miles.

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

GITCHI-GAMI TRAIL RIDE

Sat., 08/17/2017 Location: Two Harbors, MN Email: annualride@ggta.org Website: www.ggta.org/ Distances: 28, 37, 55 miles.

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

Sat., 09/09/2017 Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson Sat., 09/16/2017 Fountain, Preston and Harmony Sat., 09/23/2017 Houston, Rushford, Rushford Village Location: Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trail Email: info@rootrivertrail.org Website: www.rootrivertrail.org Three consecutive weekends each feature a different selection of towns.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY MESABI TRAIL TOUR

CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

TWIN CITIES TOUR DE TUSH

TOUR DE TONKA

Sat., 08/05/2017 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Email: tourinfo@mesabitrail.com Website: mesabitrail.com Distances: 14, 26, 50, 67 miles Enjoy this unique riding experience on the Mesabi Trail, Minnesota’s premier paved bicycle trail.

SURLY RED DIRT FEST

Sat., 08/05/2017 Location: Ironton, MN Email: info@cuyunalakesmtb.com Website: www.cuyunalakesmtb.com/ reddirtfest Join the Crew for this family-friendly event.

It’ll be a day of riding, live music, prize drawings and games.

BIKE DULUTH FESTIVAL

Sat., 08/12/2017 to Sun., 08/13/2017 Location: Duluth, MN Website: bikeduluthfestival.com/ The Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival is a chain-rattling Minnesota mountain and road biking event that you do not want to miss.

HEADWATERS TO HILLS BIKE TOUR

Wed., 08/23/2017 to Wed., 08/30/2017 Location: Park Rapids, MN Email: kerri@mywahooadventures.com Website: www.mywahooadventures.com Distances: 50 miles per day This tour travels from the Mississippi Headwaters all the way to LaCrosse, Wis. for a paddleboat cruise, then a return trip on the Amtrak Empire Builder.

Follow us:

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Sauk Centre, MN Email: lwtevent@gmail.com Website: www.caramelappleride.com Enjoy the fall colors and great apple refreshments at all the rest stops, including caramel apples, in Lake Wobegon Trail Country. Take in a BBQ competition, car show and the Quilts on the Trail and Moonshine Madness events that day.

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Richfield, MN Email: stacy@coloncancercoalition.org Website: http://coloncancercoalition.org Distance: 25 miles A ride to bring awareness to colon cancer awareness and screening.

JESSE JAMES BIKE TOUR

Sat., 09/09/2017 Location: Northfield, MN Website: jessejamesbiketour.org Distances: 12, 30, 45, 60, 100 miles This fabulous bike tour is an official event of Defeat of Jesse James Days, one of Minnesota’s largest community celebrations.

The best century ride around.

RIDEMN1

Sat., 09/09/2017 to Fri., 9/15/2017 Location: Northern Minnesota Email: ridemn1@gmail.com Website: www.ridemn1.org Distance: 346 miles The route, all on Highway 1 in northern Minnesota, is fully supported with stops in Thief River Falls, Red Lake, Effie, Cook, and Ely.

CANDISC Tour 2017

August 5th-12th, 2017

“Victory Lap Tour”

Begins & Ends in Garrison, ND 25th Silver Anniversary Featuring Ft. Totten Historic Site

SAT., August 19, 2017

www.candisc.net 1-800-799-4242 Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 17

Summer 2017 17

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

bike rides & tours ST. PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR

Sun., 09/10/2017 Location: St. Paul, MN Email: info@bikemn.org Website: www.bikeclassic.org Distances: 15, 32, 47 miles Discover traffic-free glee on Minnesota’s biggest bike tour on the streets of St. Paul.

PURPLERIDESTRIDE MN

Sat., 09/16/2017 Location: Maple Grove, MN Email: kzammas@pancanvolunteer.org Website: http://support.pancan.org Distances: 8, 25, 50 miles PurpleRideStride is a signature event of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. A 5k run and walk is part of the celebration.

RIDE THE RIDGES

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

MORA BIKE TOUR

Sat., 09/16/2017 Location: Mora, MN Website: www.morabiketour.org Distances: 25, 50 miles The annual Mora Bike Tour starts and ends at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center. The route is generally flat with mostly gentle hills.

MINNEAPOLIS BIKE TOUR

Sun., 09/17/2017 Location: Minneapolis, MN Website: www.minneapolisbiketour.com Distances: 16, 32 miles Starts and ends at beautiful Boom Island and features two fully-supported routes that take riders through the spectacular park and byway system of Minneapolis traffic free.

HEADWATERS 100

Sat., 09/23/2017 Location: Park Rapids, MN Email: bike@itascatur.org Website: www.itascatur.org Distances: 45, 75, 100 miles The premier fall event in Northern Minnesota, the Headwaters 100 has something for everyone.

SALSA OREMAGEDDON

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

AUTUMN TREK

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

DAVID GROTBERG MEMORIAL DUATHLON

MANKATO RIVER RAMBLE

Sat., 09/23/2017 Location: Fergus Falls, MN Email: clark@centrallakescycle.com Website: www.centrallakescycle.com/clc247-duathlon.html The Central Lakes Cycle 24/7 Duathlon will take place on the Central Lakes Trail. A 20-mile bike ride, followed by a 4-mile run on trails and paved roads, finishing with a 7-mile bike sprint on paved roads.

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

ramseybicycle.com Your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop!

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

Open 7 days a week.

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

763.784.6966 CARSBikeShop.com

Sunday, September 17, 2017 16 or 32 mile route

REGISTRATION 40 register through Sept. 10 $ 50 day of registration

$

minneapolisbiketour.com

TREK • GIANT 6825 Hwy 10 • Ramsey, MN

763-323-6666

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA FIVE SCENIC ROUTES 10 miles / 30 miles / 45 miles / 60 miles / 100 miles REGISTER ONLINE:

jessejamesbiketour.org

18 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 18

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Short & Sweet

Blue Mounds Trail near Luverne, MN

MINNESOTA’S BIKE TRAILS 33 Destinations for Adventures across the State

Blazing Star State Trail • 6.5 miles Albert Lea to Myre-Big Island State Park Blazing Star Bike Trail connects the City of Albert Lea with Myre-Big Island State Park and will eventually continue west for 20 miles, connecting with the city of Austin and the Shooting Star Bike Trail. The trail is groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

www.dnr.state.mn.us

Camden Regional Trail • 10 miles

Douglas State Trail • 12.7 miles

The Camden Regional Trail extends from Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) through Marshall and connects to Camden State Park. About 4 miles of additional paved trail connect to a network of city bike lanes.

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

Marshall to Camden State Park

www.lyonco.org

Centennial Trail • 8 miles

Blue Mound Trail • 6 miles

Luverne to Blue Mounds State Park

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

www.luvernechamber.com

Villard

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

www.glenwoodlakesarea.org

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail • 9 miles

Pine Island to Rochester

www.dnr.state.mn.us

e arth BluE

Crosby

The longest completed part of the Cuyuna Country Trail starts in Crosby, and travels Pipestone & Currie through the Cuyuna Country Recreation The trail consists of three main sections, not Area. Two more sections are currently paved: yet connected to one another: Five paved Brainerd (1.5 miles) and Aitkin (0.5 miles). It miles east out of Pipestone, 2.5 miles of will eventually connect the city of Aitkin to natural surface west of Lake Wilson and a six- the Paul Bunyan Trail. The 7-mile segment is mile paved loop between Lake Shetek State groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

Park and Currie. Eventually, the Casey Jones Trail will span 120 miles between Luverne and www.dnr.state.mn.us Redwood Falls.

Casey Jones State Trail • 12 miles total

Minnesota

www.caseyjonestrail.org

photo credit: Taylor Smith

SLEEPY EYE

Brewery, Shopping, Antiques, and Coffee Shop

Come for the fun, stay for the memories

RIGHT IN THE

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

Buttered Corn Days August 18 & 19, 2017 Visitors Information

800-290-0588

www.sleepyeyechamber.com Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 19

507-723-3508

Riverside Days – June 23-25, 2017

OF THE CITY

• WALK/BIKE Trails • GIANT PARK with 55’ Green Giant statue & tourist info.

• Camping • Lodging • Water Park • Fun-Food-Festivals

www.blueearthchamber.com

507.526.2916 chamber@bevcomm.net Summer 2017 19

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Short & Sweet

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

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

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

www.cityoffairfax-mn.gov

Saint James and Watline Trail • 9 miles St. James

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

www.ci.stjames.mn.us.

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

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

www.rockvillecity.org

Starbuck Trail • 5 miles

Glendalough Trail • 3 miles Battle Lake to Glendalough State Park

ROCORI Trail • 5 miles

Cold Spring

Starbuck to Glacial Lakes State Park

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

www.starbuckcitygov.com

Sunrise Prairie Trail • 17.5 miles

North Branch

The 9.5-mile Sunrise Prairie Trail starts in North Branch. At the Washington/Chisago County line it connects with the Hardwood Creek Trail into Hugo.

www.co.chisago.mn.us

www.morethanatrail.com

Great River Ridge State Trail • 13 miles

Carley

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

www.dnr.state.mn.us

Hardwood Creek Trail • 9.5 miles

stjameschamberofcommerce.com • 888-859-0813

Hugo

Take a e break at th lake!

Over 9 miles of paved bike trails starting at Memorial Park

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

www.co.washington.mn.us

- Picnic Tables and Grills - Beautiful Lake Views!

- Kayaks, Paddle Boards, Canoes * New in 2017!

- Disc Golf - Sand Volleyball - Fishing Docks - Skateboarding

Lake Okabena Trail • 5.5 miles Worthington

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

www.worthingtonmnchamber.com

Leaf River Recreational Trail • 4 miles

Wadena

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

www.wadena.org

Sleepy Eye Bike Trail • 3 miles

Sleepy Eye

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

www.sleepyeyechamber.com

FREE bike rentals

Right on St. James Area Bike Trail

super8.com | 800-800-8000 Tiell Campground | 507-375-3241 Casey Jones State Trail | Bike Rentals | Historic Downtown

Pedal the Prairie

…Discover what’s #OnlyinPipestone

PipestoneMinnesota.com

World’s

Large

st Pip e

Pipestone

ument Nat’l Mon

Ghost W alks

20 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 20

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

Shooting Star State Trail • 25 miles

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

Much of it is built on an abandoned railroad grade.

The eastern terminus is in LeRoy, MN, which is on MN Hwy 56 just west of its junction with US 63 right above the Iowa/ Minnesota state line. The trail soon passes

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE through Lake Louise State Park and continues northwest to the town of Taopi and then on to Adams. The western trail head is the town of Rose Creek.

Highlights:

Remnant tallgrass prairie with wildflowers like prairie smoke, rattlesnake master, wild indigo, aster, goldenrod and blazing star.

The trail passes by several interpretive and

Jay C. Hormel

Austin Nature Center 58

45

Shooting Star recreational opportunities, including Rustic Retreat Wildlife Management Area, Shooting Star Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Taopi Prairie Interpretive Area and Mower County Natural and Scenic Area.

Connections: An extension to Austin is

underway. The trail will terminate at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and connect to Austin’s city trail network.

SHOOTING STAR STATE

13

90

Elkton

TRAIL

LEGEND

3

56

4

Undeveloped Trail Paved Trail P Parking Restroom

Rose Creek

25 MILES PAVED

7

207

4

218

10

Adams

5

i in

les

Mi

ek

203

Cre

Ro se

ces

an

ist

Ad am

s

19

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

6

7

Little Cedar River

LeR oy lD

Tao p

Adams City Park

5

56

P

208 56

14

8

River

a Tot 1705Summer.indd 21

wa Upper Io

217

6

Minnesota Trails

240

27

10 14 20 4

4

9

19

North Branch

Taopi

230

11

P Underpass

63

18

63

9 56

Lake Louise State Park

P

56 278

Lake Louise

244

56

245

6

6 9

236

P P

LeRoy

Summer 2017 21

5/11/17 11:03 AM

7 14.5 24.5

Wa te

tan Dis

10

Lak e

al Tot

7.5 17.5

Western Portion Eastern Portion 10 6

Cosmos

7

L.

Butler Lake

South Fork Crow River

8

P

7

M ar y

Proposed

20

MEEKER CO. Boon 122 Lake

9

261 South Lake

P 12

33

Mil Th ls om pso nL ake

(ne a

rC

osm os)

nso n

16

19

17

16 Otter 10 P Lake P 22 Watertown P20 76 122

21

14

25

10

Mud L.

61 Ox Yoke Lake

P

79

Hutchinson

7

4

6

Lyndale

7

26

Whaletail Lake

10

South Fork Crow River

P

7

7

Cedar 22 Mills

Minnetonka

5

Find More Maps at

83

Baker Park Reserve Katrina Lake

5

201

Minnetrista

7

2

Lake

6

12

P

Stubbs Bay

84

2

Silver Lake

24

51

2

P

20 61

Gleason Lake

146

Orono

15

Mud Lake Lake

Parkers Lake

15

12

Wayzata

il

il Tra Dakota Ra

7

16

15

Minnetonka

Proposed Winsted Lake

Plymouth

5

Long Lake

135

Mound West Arm 4 71

Dutch Lake

101 Wood-Rill S.N.A.

6

19

151

33 Winsted

55

24

Silver P P 19 16 Lake Swan

26

6

16

5

Summer Only

(mowed grass)

MEEKER CO. Boon Lake

12

20

19

7

Belle Lake

73

Hooke Lake

15

12

261

394

494

Lester Prairie 5

RENVILLE CO.

Otter Lake

22 14

115

61

on7the Luce 76 79 P Cairns 12 nearPCosmos.

Line Jan Lasar photo 7 7

Hutchinson

6 The Luce Line State Trail 16 stretches 63 5 direction 71 33 Winsted miles in a westerly from the metro suburb of Plymouth of 2 to the small town 5 5 Cosmos in west-central Minnesota. The trail runs on a former railroad line covered with20 a variety of surfaces ranging from crushed Silver 16 limestone between Plymouth and Winsted, Lake 261 Swan 2 Lake P between pavement Winsted and just west of 7 Hutchinson, gravel between Hutchinson and Silver Lake Cedar Mills to a mowed grass path between Mud

Proposed Winsted Lake

4

19 26

4

Lake

MCLEOD CO.

1

Cosmos

West Arm

Luce Line State Trail • 63 miles

Cedar

35

4

P

71

Maple Plain

Western Portion Thompson Lake

Mound

Parkers Lake

Wayzata

Stubbs Bay

s)

Independence

P

Gleason Lake

www.MNTrails.com

90

92 15

Oak Lake

24

115

Dutch Lake

12

92

15

12

12

RENVILLE CO.

Whaletail Lake

Hooke Lake

17

19

151

7

Rice Lake

20

P

Minnetrista

sm o

92 15

Oak Lake

19 Summer Only

7.5 17.5 Lyndale 26 10 Co

Wa te

Belle Lake

73

25

26

MCLEOD CO. CARVER CO.

21 5

6

Winsted Lake

20

19

Ox Yoke Lake

Mud L.

13

WRIGHT CO.

Winsted

Lake

Cedar 22 Mills

10

(mowed grass)

103

4

30 1

MCLEOD CO.

n An

P

L. Emma

26

Katrina Lake

83

6 24.5 14.5

ear

Stu 10

Cedar

35

L.

Thompson Lake

430

tch i

fiel

24

122

P

90

Undeveloped Adjacent Horse Trail 55 24 201 101 Plymouth Crushed Aggregate Base Wood-Rill S.N.A. LimestoneP Crushed 6 6 61 12 Public Campground Long Lake 15 P State Park 394 12 15 Parking P 146 il Trail 84 Orono Dakota Ra 135 Restroom 16 494 51 Picnic/Rest Area Lake

Baker Park Reserve

Maple Plain

15 22.5 33 Independence

P7

les Mi

122

South Lake

17

20

Watertown

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com Paved (Asphalt)

LEGEND

Tra ilhe ad Lan e sbu rg Vic k

P 10

9 261 ON A VARIETY 63 MILES OF 21SURFACES 25 33 5

8

Rice Lake

HENNEPIN CO.

Proposed

16

20

P

d-C bb’ o s B So nry Re ay uth Fork Crow sRit Aver R rto d. T rea w Wi rai n nst lA e cce d Silv ss er Lak HENNEPIN CO. Hu e tch ins Ced on ar Mil Th l s om pso nL ake (n

20

13

25

in ces

21

MCLEOD CO. CARVER CO.

6

Winsted Lake

92

12

10 18 25 32.5 43

tan Dis

Winsted

16

al Tot

WRIGHT CO.

103

13 23 31 38 45.5 56

Crow River

10

1

12 22 30 37 44.5 55

South Fork

M ar y

19 29 39 44 51.5 63

Wa ke

n An

TRAIL L.

Butler Lake

7

17

2017

Ced ar

les Mi

L.

6

8

30

Hu

in ces

LUCE LINE STATE

6

Eastern Portion

L. Emma

Silv er

Luce Line BIKE TRAIL GUIDE 63 MILES ON A VARIETY OF SURFACES 30

15 22.5 33

St u

TRAIL

8

Adjacent Horse Trail Crushed Aggregate Base Crushed Limestone Public Campground State Park P Parking Restroom Picnic/Rest Area

LEGEN

Wa kef iel

Vic k

d-C bb’ onr sB y ay R rto d. T w Wi rai n nst lA ed cc

sbu r

STATE

10 18 25 32.5 43

4

71

ExploreHUTCHINSON.com

24

2

Lake

15

Lester Prairie

EXPLORE…

#MuchInHutch

… the LUCE LINE STATE TRAIL AmericInn 1115 Hwy. 7 E, Hutchinson 320-587-5515 www.americinn.com

Lillians 21 Main Street N, Hutchinson 320-234-3708 www.lillianshutch.com

Outdoor Motion 141 Main Street S, Hutchinson 320-587-2453 www.outdoormotionbikes.com

Crow River Winery 14848 Hwy. 7 E, Hutchinson 320-587-2922 www.crowriverwinery.com

Elena’s Bakery 8 Main Street N, Hutchinson 320-429-2253 www.elenasbakery.com

Zellas Restaurant 14 Main St. S, Hutchinson 320-587-9463 www.zellas.net

Hutchinson Chamber & Tourism

800.572.6689 | info@explorehutchinson.com 22 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 22

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

7.5 17.5

Lak e

10

10

Winsted Winsted Lake

21 5

Proposed

9

261 South Lake

6

MCLEOD CO. CARVER CO.

WRIGHT CO.

103

20 33

25

P 10 122

21

rC

(ne a

Mil Th ls om pso nL ake

Independence

P

Watertown

24

25

10

P

20

Oak Lake

Ox Yoke Lake

92 15

Mud L.

Whaletail Lake

83

Katrina Lake

26 Minnetrista Dutch Lake

P

19

Mound

P

Plymouth

6

12

Stubbs Bay

151

101 Wood-Rill S.N.A.

6 Summer Only

55

24

201

19

6

Lyndale

26

Baker Park Reserve

Maple Plain

90

16

20

P

122

Rice Lake

17

Luce Line

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com 12

92 HENNEPIN CO.

13

M ar y

17

South Fork

n An

L.

Butler Lake

16

Crow River

L.

6

8

30

Crushed Limestone Public Campground State Park P Parking Restroom Picnic/Rest Area

Ced ar

les Mi

Hu

tch i

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Eastern Portion L. Emma

osm os)

nso n

in ces

Silv er

tan Dis

Wi nst ed

St u

7 14.5 24.5

63 MILES ON A VARIETY OF SURFACES 30

15 22.5 33

al Tot

TRAIL 2017

8

LEGE

Wa kef iel bb’ s Ba Wa yR ter d. tow n

STATE

Long Lake

84

146

Orono

15

15

16

51

Lake Minnetonka

61

Parkers Lake

12

Wayzata

il Trail

Dakota Ra

135 West Arm

P Gleason Lake

394

494

5

Western Portion

Cedar Mills and Cosmos. The western 6 Cedar 7 16 4 is just west of Cosmos in a35county Belle trailhead 5 Lake 71 33 Winsted South Fork Crow River 19 Hooke Lake 1 22 Lake park on Thompson Lake. While it starts in theCedar Mills 2 5 20 5 73 P heart ofPthe western suburbs, the Luce Line 10 12 15 4 7 Trail offers a varied7landscape of woodland, 19 20 Cosmos marsh and lakes with a portion running (mowed grass) Silver 16 through remnants of the Big Woods and 61 Lake 261 Otter Swan 7 stands of maple and basswood. A horse trail26 Lake 2 Lake 22 P 76 79 P 7 parallels the Luce Line between Hutchinson 12 P Silver MEEKER CO. Lake and Plymouth.

12 RENVILLE CO. 14 7 4 Mud Boon 115 15 4 71 24 2 Lake Lester Prairie Hutchinson 7 Lake History: The trailway dates back to the old Electric Short Line of 1908 which moved goods and passengers in and out of the Twin Cities. It was renamed Luce Line after the family who owned and extended it as far as Lake Lillian. After the railroad ceased operations, the DNR acquired parts of the corridor to create the state’s first nature trail in 1970. By 1975 the state owned most of the right of way and between 1977 and 1980 built the trail to Winsted. In 2015, a 23-mile section between Winsted and Hutchinson was paved.

Bridge between Otter Lake and Campbell Lake on the paved part of the Luce Line in Thompson Lake

MCLEOD CO.

Proposed Winsted Lake

Connections: In Plymouth, the natural

Hutchinson. Jan Lasar photo

surface part of the Luce Line State Trail connects to the paved Luce Line Regional Trail. It continues nine miles into Theodore Wirth Park, and allows access to the Cedar Lake Trail, Grand Rounds, the Midtown Greenway and more.

Runner on limestone surface near Watertown. Jan Lasar photo Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 23

Summer 2017 23

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Gateway/Browns Creek

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Ferns along the Gateway and Brown’s Creek State Trails. Jan Lasar photo.

Gateway/ Browns Creek Trail 18.3 miles

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

The Gateway State Trail provides access to other trail opportunities in PhalenKeller Regional Park, Bruce Vento Trail, and connections to Stillwater. It is is also close to Como Park, Lake Elmo Regional Park, Afton State Park, William O’Brien State Park and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Brown’s Creek Trail

Highway 95. This section of the trail provides views of spectacular fall colors and small waterfalls. The final miles of the Brown’s Creek trail follow the St. Croix River into Stillwater.

Connections: The Browns Creek trail

will eventually cross the St. Croix River into Wisconsin on the historic lift bridge.

An extension of the Gateway north into Taylors Falls is being explored.

5.9 miles

About 9 miles from St. Paul on the Gateway Trail, at Duluth Junction the Brown’s Creek Trail starts and runs 5.9 miles into downtown Stillwater. The trail passes through heavilywooded areas and past golf courses. Riders can view a historic stone bridge from the mid1800s. At about the halfway point, Brown’s Creek Park provides restrooms and ample parking. Then, riders will descend a canyon to

GATEWAY/BROWNS CREEK STATE

P Pine Point County Park

TRAIL 24 MILES PAVED

Grant P

Stillwater

White Bear Lake Vadnais-Snail Lakes Reg. Parks

Mahtomedi

Duluth Browns Creek Trail Junction

35E

Vadnais Lakes P

694

Little Canada Gervais L.

L. Owasso

North St. Paul

61

Roseville

35E

Maplewood P

Keller L. P

P St. Paul

rail te T Sta y wa

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

5.9 miles Browns Creek Trail.

e Gat

Lake Phalen Phalen-Keller Regional Park

Minnehaha Ave.

Oakdale Bike Trail Rest Area P Parking

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

24 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 24

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

CANNON VALLEY

3.6 9.6 19.4

TRAIL

t Are Wi ation a ng Ac c es s

Re st s on

More detailed information at www.cannonvalleytrail.com

316

To Hastings

9.8 61

7

P

hS

W

in ces an

Welch Station Access

Red Wing

Re d

ist

We lc

D al Tot

19.4 MILES PAVED

An der

Ca nno n

Fal ls

6.0 15.8

Cannon Valley

les

Mi Hidden Valley Campground (private)

Welch

Cann o

n Riv er

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

52

Mill Towns Trail

LEGEND

To Twin Cities

Anderson Memorial Rest Area

Cannon Falls 19

Goodhue County Park

Cannon Falls Campground (private)

Oak Lane

Lake Byllesby

Find More Maps at

To Rochester

www.MNTrails.com

It also has several interpretive sites as well as rest stops with benches, water and toilets.

Trail users are required to purchase a wheel pass ($4/day, $25/season).

Along the Trail: In Cannon Falls, the city

The Cannon Valley Trail offers a nice ride with breathtaking views.

Dave Simpkins photo.

Cannon Valley Trail • 19.4 miles

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

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

section of the trail begins in a park on the Cannon River near the falls that gave the city its name.

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

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

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

downtown Red Wing trailhead near the historic Pottery Place.

Connections: At Cannon Falls, the trail

connects to the Mill Towns Trail, which will link to the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail at Faribault. Currently paved sections of the Mill Towns Trail: Two miles at Cannon Falls, three miles between Dundas and Northfield, two miles east from Faribault.

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

A 1912 train wreck spilled a load of granite blocks on the hillside near Welch. These blocks, rumored to be tombstones, can still be seen today.

The trail then passes by Cannon River Turtle Preserve SNA, Red Wing, Silvernale Archaeology Preserves and a wetland observation deck, before reaching the

Outdoor fun for everyone

www.redwing.org Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 25

EXPERIENCE MINNESOTA AT ITS BEST! VISITNORTHFIELD.ORG Summer 2017 25

5/11/17 11:03 AM

169

M in ne so ta Ri ve r

10

SAKATAH SINGING HILLS STATE

Kasota

22

North Minnesota River Trail

Lower Sakatah Sakatah Lake

Eagle Lake

14

P

Madison Lake

Ballantyne Lake

27

P

Madison Lake Bray County Park

Janesville Sportsman’s Park

Lake Elysian 18 3

Sakatah Lake State Park

P

3.0 7.0 9.0 15.7 23.2 33.2 7

6.0 13.5 23.5

13

les

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

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

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

10.0

Mi

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

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

Besides the woods and open fields, there are several river crossings, fields of sumac, many ponds, several lakes and lots of benches for resting. At Madison Lake, a historical marker tells of Charles Lindbergh’s barnstorming days when he gave rides in his Jenny for $5 in a nearby field.

7.5 17.5

in

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

14

t l u a b i r a F

Sakatah Singing Hills Trail • 39 miles

4.2 6.0 12.7 20.2 30.2 1.7 8.5 16.0 26.0

Waseca Rapidan

5.7 8.7 13.0 14.7 21.5 29.0 39.0

16

ces an

Red Jacket Trail

Jenesville

22

Morristown

Waterville

Morristown Centennial Park

ist

14

83

State Park

Elysian

35

P

Reeds Lake

60

Eagle Lake

Mankato

Lake Francis City Park

Tetonka Lake

60

P

D al Tot

Minneopa Minneopa Trail

Eagle Lake County Park

Round Lake

LEGEND

P

P

Duck Lake

Duck Lake County Park

Cannon Lake

Warsaw

14

10

Faribault

Wells Lake

16

39 MILES PAVED

Wita Lake

Cedar Lake

13

TRAIL

Lake Washington

21

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

St. Peter

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

Sakatah Singing Hills

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Connections: They include the paved

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

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

TA MINNESO

[

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

Photo from Thrifty Minnesota

]

EXPLORE

26 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 26

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Central Lakes

Biking through fields of wildflowers on the Central Lakes Trail. Jan Lasar photo.

Central Lakes Trail • 55 miles

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

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

DeLagoon Park is named for Lucy and Philip DeLagoon, who homesteaded the land in 1914. This large park offers camping,

swimming and picnic facilities, and is connected to the city with bike routes that take you to Grotto Lake Park with the famous

Along the Trail: The official Fergus Falls

Trailhead is at DeLagoon Park, where you can find parking, bathroom, picnic and camping facilities about a mile south of the intersection of Minnesota Highway 210 and Pebble Lake Road.

SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS One block off Central Lakes Trail

611 3rd Ave. East ALEXANDRIA, MN

320-219-7433

CALL

Rates Greaat ckages &P E ONLIN

jake@jakesbikes.com www.jakesbikes.com Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 27

Summer 2017 27

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017 13 19 25 30 34 39 49 14 20 25 29 34 44

aki s

8

6

12 17 21 26 36 11 15 20 30 5

Bra

ndo

Eva n nsv ille

ield

Ga rf

Ale x

an d

ria

6

9

14 24

4

9

19

5

15 10

n Fer gus Fal ls

lto Da

les Mi

As hby

Me lby

in ces an ist

55 MILES PAVED

5

D al Tot

TRAIL

11 19 25 31 36 40 45 55

n

CENTRAL LAKES

6

Os

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Ne lso

Central Lakes

The Central Lakes Trail is a 14’ foot wide black top trail open to non-motorized travel extending 55 miles from Osakis to Fergus Falls passing through nine towns, farm and marsh land as well as lakes.

statue of Otto the Otter.

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

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

A Combined History:

The Lake Wobegon and Central Lakes Trail are built on the rail corridor formerly owned by Burlington Northern Railroad Company. As the profitability of the railroad line declined, Burlington Northern leased use

of the tracks to smaller short line railroads.

One of the last such companies was the Otter Tail Valley Railroad, which ran trains between Moorhead, MN and Avon, MN, from 1986 until 1991, when the line was officially abandoned.

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

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

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

Garrison Keillor drives the spike where the trails meet in Osakis Paul Post photo

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

Visit CentralLakesTrail.com for maps and resources 28 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 28

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

Lake Osakis

Lake Wobegon Trail

LAKE WOBEGON

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

TRAIL

Connects to Central Lakes Trail

Osakis

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

62 MILES PAVED

127

Little Falls

Blanchard Dam

P

10

Royalton West Union

26

Bowlus

S oo L Tra ine il

Sauk Lake

Mis

County Line

siss

ipp

71

17

P

McCormick Lake

Sauk Centre

17

Mill Pond Sauk River

3

8

14 20.5 28.5 35 42.5

5

11 17.5 23.5 32 39.5

Jos eph lleg evi Avo lle n Alb

St.

Co

6 14.5 22

ion Un

We st

les

Mi

Sau k

in

LEGEND

Cen tre

lro

se

ort

Fre ep

ces

an

ist

Me

lD

any

a Tot

8.5 16

P

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

P Holdingford

Melrose P

Freeport Lake

Freeport P

NORTHERN SPUR

9

10

Uhlenholts Lake

6.5 12.5 21 28.5

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 29

94

6 12.5 18.5 27 34.5

7.5

i Riv er

Two Rivers Lakes

P

Lake Wobegon Albany to Holdingford Holdingford to County Line

9.4 miles 3.5 miles

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

4.0 miles 3.5 miles 2.5 miles

Albany

Albany Lake

Avon P

Lower Spunk Lake

Ochotto Lake Lake Anna

Middle Spunk Lake

Upper Spunk Lake

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Linneman Lake Minnie Lake

94

Saint John’s University

St. Joseph P

Sagatagan Lake Kraemer Lake

College of St. Benedict’s

Summer 2017 29

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Lake Wobegon Trail

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

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

Lake Wobegon Trail • 62 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Head west for 5.7 miles to Melrose, home of the historic St. Mary’s Church and Rectory and the Melrose Area Museum. The official

Melrose Trailhead is across the road near the Melrose Feed Mill.

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

Camping!

Connections:

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

An extension into Waite Park the so-called Saintly Seven, is currently being worked on. At the Stearns/Morisson county line, the Wobegon connects to the paved Soo Line Trail, see page 36. A link from Sauk Centre north to Browerville is being explored.

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

320-293-6687

Biking!

Visit Home of Sinclair Lewis’ Original “Main Street”

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

Holdingford

Home of the Lake Wobegon Trail Covered Bridge

N Lake Wobegon Trail

L

Stop by for a bite, an overnight or even shopping on Original “Main Street.” www.visitsaukcentre.com • 855-444-SAUK

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

Visit us Online www.holdingfordmn.us Ad courtesy of Holdingford Municipal Liquor • On Sale/Off Sale 320-746-2264 Cyclists Welcome!

30 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 30

Next to the Trail

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Where every season is above average!

ur Join us for o il enjoyable tra rides!!

lakewobegontrails.com

Shop

Lake Wobegon Trail Gallery

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

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

Eat & Drink Kay’s Kitchen

Avon Cabin Café

Jordie’s Trailside Café

The Outpost Mercantile

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

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

Gathering Grounds 200 Avon Avenue S, Avon gatheringgroundsavon.com (320) 356-1106

Fisher’s Club

428 Stratford St. Avon, MN fishersclub.com (320) 356-7372

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

Bad Habit Brewing

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

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

1705Summer.indd 31

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

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

Services

Minnesota Trails

Cornerstone

Enjoy the many amenities of the Lake Wobegon Trail!

Shopping - Attractions Restaurants and Much More!

Joel Schneider Auto Service

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

Summer 2017 31

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Mesabi

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Cyclists will find beauty and grandeur Boundary Waters that sets the Iron 1 Lake Canoe 169 Vermilion Range apart from Area most of the world.

21 Soudan 1 Tower You can also take Birch U.S. Route Bar Head Lake Lake time out to tour a Bike Trail 135 169 Future Trail mine, a logging camp, 120 MILES PAVED State Route Babbitt the Greyhound bus 21 County Route McCarthy Beach museum or visit the State Park Public Campground Embarrass 21 childhood homes of State Park P Parking Judy Garland and Bob 169 53 Dylan.

Find More Maps at Many campgrounds Biwabik Virginia 5 73 Mt. Iron www.MNTrails.com Hoyt Lakes and local parks are Kinney 110 169 Aurora easily accessible Chisholm McKinley 135 Gilbert 37 16.3 29.3 39.3 46.3 51.3 64.3 74.5 83 Buhl 7 from the trail, 169 Sparta 65 13 23 30 35 48 58.2 66.7 25 Eveleth highways and nearby Fayal Kelly Lake 10 17 22 35 45.2 53.7 57 Hibbing 53 Veteran’s Park 8 communities. Food, Keewatin 37 & Campground 7 12 25 35.2 43.7 169 Hill Annex Nashwauk lodging, shopping, 5 18 28.2 36.7 Mine State Park antiquing, golfing, 13 23.2 31.7 38 73 Pengilly Marble Taconite 10.2 18.7 fishing, camping and Swan Calumet Lake Coleraine 8.5 swimming are all in Trail is closed between Virginia and Gilbert Bovey 61 Grand 65 close proximity to 169 until 2018 because of Hwy. 53 reconstruction.

2 Rapids segments of the trail, See mesabitrail.com for detour maps. with communities and 169 LaPrairie 2 services available near all entry points.

Mesabi Trail • 120 miles Rapids and Ely. The route runs through a The trail traverses forest, meadows, rivers, The wonders of the Mesabi Iron Range wide range of scenery, from dramatic views streams and lakes in a region bound on the are in a class by themselves. Bikers can ride of mining operations, to secluded woods, east end by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area over 75 paved miles from Grand Rapids to a jungle of vegetation, mine lakes and Wilderness and on the west by the Mississippi McKinley and from Biwabik past Giant’s reservoirs.

River.

Ridge Ski Resort for another 15 miles. Spurs The Mesabi is unlike most paved trails In between, the Mesabi Trail takes visitors into communities like Chisholm, Eveleth and in the state that are straight, flat and on past the edges of the open pit mines of Aurora bring the current mileage up to 120. abandoned railroad beds. the Iron Range and areas abundant with When complete, it will be 145 miles long and It follows an occasional bikeway, mining wildlife, nature and the rich heritage of hardy connect 28 communities between Grand road and even a floating bog walk. pioneers.

MESABI

LEGEND

TRAIL

Shagawa Lake

Lake Vermillion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Winton

Ely

North American Bear Center

International Wolf Center

Fortune Bay Bois Forte Heritage Museum and RV Park

Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort

Chisholm Museum of Mining

US Hockey Hall fo Fame

al Tot

ing

Oxhide Lake Overlook

les

Mi

Vir g Mc inia Kin Gia l e y nts R id ge ®

in

Bu hl

Ch

idh

ces tan Dis

olm

Minnesota Discovery Center

Gra Ma nd Ra rbl pid e Ke s e Hib wati n b

Hull Rush Mine Overlook Greyhound Bus Museum

ITASCA TRAIL SPORTS

www.itascatrailsports.net

CYCLE THE MESABI WAY.

www.mesabitrail.com/visitor

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

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

Now located on Silver Lake!

• •

OPEN EVERY DAY.

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

Located just steps off the Mesabi Trail!!

218.741.4663 • naturalharvest.coop

32 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 32

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Willard Munger

Bikepacking on the Willard Munger Trail. Jan Lasar photo

WILLARD MUNGER STATE

TRAIL

Cloquet Scanlon Sawyer

P

Carlton

Otter Creek

P

P Jay Cooke State Park

St. Louis River

Wrenshall

13 23 32 36 45 55 59 70

Alex Laveau Memorial Trail

Nickerson

Sturgeon Lake

Sturgeon Lake

Kerrick

P

r

4

15 19

Nemadji State Forest

Bruno

Rutledge

A 5-mile section between Grand Ave. and Becks Rd. in West Duluth will be closed from April through August 2017 for reconstruction.

23

Finlayson 18

Askov

Banning State Park

Groningen

11 15 26

Duquette

Willow River

P

17 21 32

les Mi

P

6

in ces

an

Holyoke

Moose Lake State Park

10 23 27 38

eL

ist

Moose Lake

Kettle River

4

lD

27

P

13 19 32 36 47

Mo os

Barnum

Kettle River

9

Wi llow R

Fin

35

10 19 23 29 42 46 57

ive

23

ake

Mahtowa 73

Superior

Ba rnu m Ma hto wa Ca rlto n Wr ens hal Du lut l h

210

St. Louis River Trail

Hin ckl ey lay son

Cromwell

P

Proctor

70 MILES PAVED

Lake Superior

Duluth

2

a Tot

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

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

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

Sandstone

St. Croix State Park

Friesland

LEGEND

Willard Munger Trail • 70 miles

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

P Parking

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com P

Hinckley

48

St. Croix State Park

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2017 33 Chengwatana State Park Brant Brook Pines State Natural Area

1705Summer.indd 33

Snake River

ix Cro St.

er Riv

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Eat Shop Bike Tour

Find Harmony in Your Life.

Explore the Root River and Harmony/Preston Valley trails.

“Bridge ahead” is a common call on the Root River Trail. Dave Simpkins photo.

Root River Trail/ Harmony-Preston Valley Trail 60 miles

and

Home of Niagara Cave More exploreharmony.com To request your FREE Visitor Guide, call

1-800-247-MINN

The scenic Root River Trail in the heart of southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country runs from Fountain all the way through Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston for a total of 42 miles. The former rail bed follows the meandering Root River through spectacular limestone bluffs, picturesque farms and small towns. It is generally flat and level, except for short stretches on its eastern segment.

At Isinours Junction it connects with the 18-mile-long Harmony-Preston Valley Trail which connects the two communities for which it was named. The northern twothirds of this trail are built on abandoned

Three Times the Fun in 2017!

June 23-24: 60-Mile Garage Sale July 6-9: Root River Bluff and Valley Bicycle Tour September 9, 16 and 23: Taste of the Trail

railroad grade and are fairly flat. The southern segment leaves the constraints of the railroad bed and climbs to the rim of the valley with great views of the countryside. Stop and see a large sinkhole at the Karst Interpretive Site a half-mile from Harmony. A similar site is about a mile from Fountain on the Root River Trail.

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

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

Come join the fun!

rootrivertrail.org

34 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 34

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley

Isinours Trail Junction

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

TRAILS

ctio tain ony

sto n Ha

rm

les

Mi

Pre

in

Fou n

ces

Tra il

60 MILES PAVED

12.3

Jun

Lan

12 24.3

n

oro

6.5 5.5 17.8

esb

ala n

4.7 12.2 10.2 22.5

an

LEGEND

4.6 9.3 15.8 14.8 27.1

ist

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

lD

a Tot

Ho ust on Ru shf ord Pet ers Wh on

8.9 13.5 18.2 24.7 23.7 36

ROOT RIVER/ HARMONY-PRESTON VALLEY STATE

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Along the Trail:

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

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

Houston: International Owl Center with live owls on display.

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

Peterson: Peterson Station Museum of Norwegian culture.

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

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

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

Minnesota

www.lanesboro.com

Bike The Root River Trail

We Rent Tubes, Canoes & Kayaks!

We’ll Drop You Off! 35455 State Highway 16 Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-467-2598 • www.eagle-cliff.com Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 35

Summer 2017 35

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Soo Line Trail • 10 miles

Little Falls

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

SOO LINE

TRAIL 10 MILES PAVED

P

10

Blanchard Dam Little Two Ri

ver

Royalton

Bowlus

Mis

siss

Lin e

ipp

i Ri

ver

S oo

County Line

26

Tra il

Two River

P Holdingford

3.6 7.6 11.6 13.6 4

ine

10

4

6

m Da

nch

ard

Bo wlu s

8

2

unt yL

Mi

Hw

in

y1

0

Bla

ces

an

o W

ist

e ak

lD

g be

a Tot

on

a Tr

Co

il

ldin

gfo

rd

17

Connections: The connection to the Lake L

les

Wobegon Trail was completed in 2007. A future trail connection to the Paul Bunyan Trail, the Camp Ripley/Veterans State Trail, is currently in the planning stages.

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Ho

Soo Line

Morrison County Bike Route Guide

WHERE THE MISSISSIPPI PAUSES…YOUR DISCOVERY BEGINS

Mansions and Museums on the Mississippi River

BOWLUS • LINCOLN LAKES • RANDALL • ROYALTON • PIERZ • SWANVILLE

E FUN!” H T D N A D O O F E H T “STAY FOR 1.800.325.5916

www.littlefallsmn.com

36 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 36

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

THE DAY ENDS. THE DAY ENDS.

BUT THE FUN DOESN’T. BUT THE FUN DOESN’T.

Ask About Ask About Our Our Easy Rewards Easy Rewards Program!

LoyaltyLoyalty Program!

After you’ve hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked, the fun is just beginning.

After you’ve hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked, the fun is just beginning.

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

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

AmericInn.com | 800.634.3444

AmericInn.com | 800.634.3444

Tofte/Lutsen 7231 West Hwy 61 Tofte/Lutsen 218.663.7899 7231 West Hwy 61

218.663.7899

Two Harbors Silver Bay 1088Two HwyHarbors 61 North 150 Mensing SilverDrive Bay 218.834.3000 218.226.4300 1088 Hwy 61 North 150 Mensing Drive

218.834.3000

218.226.4300

Cozy Serta® Perfect Sleeper beds | Free hot breakfast | Hotel-wide, high-speed Internet | Indoor pool and whirlpool

Cozy Serta® Perfect Sleeper beds | Free hot breakfast | Hotel-wide, high-speed Internet | Indoor pool and whirlpool

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 37

Summer 2017 37

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Gitchi-Gami

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Gitchi-Gami State Trail • 29 miles

Future Trail

The Gitchi Gami Trail comes close to the Superior Hiking Trail and Water Trail at Split Rock Creek near Split Rock State Park. Dave Simpkins photo.

ure Trail

GITCHI-GAMI STATE

TRAIL

GITCHI-GAMI STATE

Grand Marais Cascade River State Park

29 MILES PAVED

Lutsen P Tofte P

TRAIL

Temperance River State Park

GrandPMarais Schroeder P Cascade River State Park Taconite Harbor r 29 MILES PAVED rio George H. Crosby ManitouLutsen State Park P pe Tofte P

Temperance River State Park Tettegouche State P Park

Schroeder P Silver Bay P Taconite Harbor Beaver Bay ior

Gooseberry Falls State Park P Tettegouche State Park

P Silver Bay Two P Beaver Bay Harbors

ock Lighthouse State Park

erry Falls State Park

r

e up PkePSP La

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

P PP

L

u eS ak

Future Trail Bike Trail State Park

P Parking Picnic/Rest Area Restroom Camping

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail will eventually trace 88 miles of the North Shore, weaving its way through five state parks from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Destined to become one of the most scenic paved trails in the nation, the Gitchi-Gami parallels U.S. Highway 61, the popular Superior Hiking Trail and the Lake Superior Water Trail. Gitchi-Gami offers one more active way to enjoy Minnesota’s North Shore.

The longest trail section to date runs 14.6 miles from Gooseberry Falls State Park across the Split Rock River, through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Beaver Bay, and on to Silver Bay. At Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, you ride just below a wayside rest and scenic overlook with a picture-perfect view of the lighthouse. To visit the lighthouse and interpretive center, take the short spur trail Future Trail leading Bikethere.

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

ThePicnic/Rest one-mileArea lakeside swing around Highway 61’s Silver Creek Tunnel is worth Restroom visitingCamping on wheels or on foot for its panoramic views of Lake Superior.

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

Experience all our area has to offer!

P

wo P bors

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

nd More Maps at

ww.MNTrails.com

Biking • Birding • Hiking Canoeing • Kayaking • ATVing

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

Silver Bay Area Tourism Association

Gateway to the Superior Natl. Forest Byway

www.heartofthenorthshore.com

218-226-4408

38 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 38

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017 Gitchi-Gami State Trail Four Sections Silver Creek Cliff

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

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

Gooseberry State Park to Silver Bay

Seven miles east of Silver Creek Cliff is the popular Gooseberry Falls State Park where

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE the next segment of the Gitchi-Gami Trail starts just a quarter-mile east of the TH 61 Bridge. This trail segment leads to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and the towns of Beaver Bay and Silver Bay.

Temperance River State Park

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

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

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

Gitchi-Gami

half-mile to rejoin the trail on the east edge of town.

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

Food, beverages and restroom facilities are available in Tofte.

Tofte to Grand Marais

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

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

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

2017 Selfie Contest 1st prize:

100

$

2nd prize: $50 3rd prize: $25 Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 39

This summer, while you’re out on Minnesota’s bike trails, take a selfie for a chance to win a gift certificate to your favorite bike shop and to have your photo published in Minnesota Trails Magazine.

Details at mntrails.com/ 2017-selfie-contest Summer 2017 39

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Glacial Lakes State Trail • 25 miles

GLACIAL LAKES 5

Connections: Just northeast of Willmar,

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

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

Richmond Connects to Rocori Trail

TRAIL

Roscoe

25 MILES PAVED

City Bike Trail 23

71

Sibley Park Sibley State Bike Way Park 9

Games Lake Norway Lake

Paynesville City Bike Trail

Lake Koronis

Hawick

Andrea Lake

148

New London 40

P

40

Spicer P

6.5 12 18 16 25 36 41

10

5.5 11.5 9.5 18.5 30.5 35.5

on

lD

8

18 23

13.5 18.5

ick

Diamond Lake

7

Sib l Pay ey Sta te P nes Ric vill ark hm e Co o ld S nd pri ng

26

13 24 29

17 28 33

Spi P

4 10

Ne wL Ha ond w

Eagle Lake Loop

Wi llm

ar

6

cer

P

a Tot

5

an

ist

5

ces

in

les

Mi

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

Eagle Lake

Public Campground

P Parking

4 9

County Route State Park

r ve

Green Lake Bike Way

Ri

Green Lake

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

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

2 Nest Lake

71

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

Lake Koronis Trail

Lake Koronis Regional Park

ow Cr

PAYNESVILLE INN & SUITES

will connect Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville. Currently, this trail ends about a mile east of Cold Spring, but will continue on to Rockville soon and eventually reach the Lake Wobegon Trail.

A five-mile on-road connection takes you to Sibley State Park near New London. At the eastern end of the Glacial Lakes Trail, take Paynesville’s connector trail to the Lake Koronis Trail. At Richmond, the Glacial Lakes Trail connects to the RoCoRi Trail, which

k For dle Mid

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

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

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

LEGEND

Glacial Lakes

P

Kandiyohi

Atwater

Willmar

Jump Right In!

WILLMAR LAKES AREA 360 lakes and miles of trails to explore!

• • • •

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

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

800.845.8747 ext. 79 www.willmarlakesarea.com

40 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 40

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017 Paul Bunyan Trail • 115 miles

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

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

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

The northern trailhead is located in Lake Bemidji State Park.

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

Crow Wing State Park to the Chippewa National Forest

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

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

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

The Pequot Lakes Visitor’s Center is a good place to rest and recharge. Rumor has it Paul Bunyan’s bobber now serves as the town’s water tower. Stop and take a rest in Paul Bunyan’s chair at Bobber Park.

At the Pine River Information Center you can see vintage displays, including a pair of Paul Bunyan’s baby shoes, big enough to stand in. You can meet Paul Bunyan’s girlfriend, Lucette, in Hackensack, home to an annual chainsaw carving festival.

Keep an eye out for carved critters along the trail, like Colonel Cobber in Backus. This 10-foot chainsaw carving of a corncob man is a favorite picture opportunity with cyclists.

After Hackensack, you’ll come to a Y intersection. Go left and ride the hilly section of the Paul Bunyan Trail through Chippewa National Forest to the intersection with the Heartland Trail west of Walker. Go right and take the easier Shingobee Trail into Walker from the south. Both routes connect to downtown Walker, called the city on the bay on the south side of Leech Lake.

Walker is another hub for visitors because it is at the crossroads of the Paul Bunyan and Heartland Trail and the North Country Hiking

Best Western Bemidji

Trail, surrounded by state forests and the Chippewa National Forest.

Walker to Bemidji

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

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

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

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

BLE: RENTALS AVAILAes and trailers

DISCOVER the BEAUTY of the

NORTH COUNTRY at

Paul Bunyan

ns bik

ildre Comfort, Road, Ch

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

(877) 857-8599 (218) 751-0390

www.bestwestern.com/bemidji

800-450-7247 www.visitbrainerd.com

Area Trails Include: Cuyuna Lakes Trail Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails Pillsbury Forest Mountain Bike Trails Scenic & low-traffic routes

NEW N LOCATIO

Sales • Accessories Rental • Repair

On the Heartland Trail By the Paul Bunyan Trail 100 Mill Rd., Park Rapids, MN 117 3rd St. NW, Bemidji, MN 218-732-5971 218-751-BIKE (2453) Enjoy over 150 miles of the beautiful Heartland and Paul Bunyan Trails

Two-wheeled forest bathing on the Paul Bunyan Trail. Jan Lasar photo.

The Brainerd Lakes Area offers hundreds of miles of scenic, low traffic, and smooth bike routes.

Minnesota’s Playground Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 41

Summer 2017 41

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Paul Bunyan

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

2017

Crow Wing State Park is at the southern end of the Paul Bunyan Trail. Jan Lasar photo.

Bike. Shop.

Eat. Repeat.

ASSOCIATION

Paved and mountain bike tours for all skills.

Trails from 6 to 160 miles through parks, forests and along sparkling sky blue lakes.

Nice Ride bike share rentals & shuttle service available.

www.mnbiketrail.com

VisitBemidji.com/what-to-do/outdoor-activities/biking/

42 Summer 2017 1470_MNTrails_4_625x4_87_4_19_17HR.indd 1

1705Summer.indd 42

Minnesota Trails 4/19/17 3:03 PM

5/11/17 11:03 AM

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Paul Bunyan/Heartland Map

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

Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific & Natural Area

Lake Bemidji State Park

P

P

Elf Lake

Lake Ave.

Grant Ave.

nD ya un r.

du

Heartland State Trail

P

ria st

16

197

k ar lP .

Dr

Trail

Guthrie

Mi-Gi-Zi Trail

Pike Bay

1st St. 4th St.

In

P

2

371

5th St.

B ul Pa

40

Cass Lake

e Stat nyan l Bu Pau

71

P

Cass Lake

P

Washington Ave.

2

Irving Lake

1st St.

9

Lake Itasca

il

State Tra Paul Bunyan

8

Mississippi River Trail

Mill St.

P

12

H

7

71

Itasca State Park Wilderness Trail

Lake Bemidji

P

Little Norway Ave.

Bemidji

39

Clauson Ave.

Lake Itasca 14

20

Gould Ave.

Lake Bemidji

Wilkinson

★

★★★

★★

★

★★★★

te r

0

ax

6.9 13.1 16.4 22.4 31.7 39.2 62.0 68.6 73.8 80.0 85.2 91.6 98.9

Walker Trail Loop

Stony Lake

P

Map Courtesy of Pleasant Lake

Br ai n

5

10

371

9.5 15.5 24.8 32.3 55.1 61.7 66.9 72.1 78.3 84.7 92.0

M e Ni rri fi Pe ssw eld a Je quo n Pi kin t La ke Ba ne R s s Ha cku iver W cke s a Be lke nsa ck La ned r Gu por ict Na thr te Be ry ie m La id ke ji Be m i

6.2

3.3

9.3 18.6 26.1 48.9 55.5 60.7 66.9 73.1 78.5 85.8

7.5 30.3 36.9 42.1 48.3 53.5 59.9 67.2 22.8 29.4 34.6 40.8 46.0 52.4 59.7 6.6 11.8 18.2 23.2 29.6 36.9

l ai Tr es an il ny in M Bu e ul anc Pa ist D

5.2 11.4 16.6 23.0 30.3 6.2 11.4 17.8 25.1 5.2 11.6 18.9 6.4 13.7

LEGEND

9.3 16.8 39.6 46.2 51.4 57.6 62.8 69.2 76.5

Pine Mountain Lake

84

P

More Maps at MNTrails.com

Backus

Norway Lake

84

P

Big Trout Lake

Pine River

Paul Bunyan State Trail

Upper Whitefish Lake

P

Upper Hay Lake

P

S nd hla Hig

Rollinger St.

1st St.

2nd St.

34

iss ip p

Jasperwood Rd.

Charles St.

ss Mis

30th Ave.

Downtown

Franklin Ave.

King St.

P

i cen

ver

P Boom Lake

Crow Wing State Park

P

Gull Lake

371

Brainerd

i

Bridge St.

Minnesota St.

Northland Arboretum

Pelican Lake Lower Cullen Lake

Nisswa

Ri

210 Perch Lake

c Dr.

Rush Lake

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail

P

Excelsior Rd.

371

Heartland Park

P

Baxter

Park Rapids

Heartland St.

Pearle St.

White Sand Lake

Evergreen Rd.

North St.

Todd St.

Pequot Lakes

371 Eastern Ave.

Forestview Ave.

Lawn St.

Lower Whitefish Lake

Jenkins

dj i

St at ep

ar k

7.3

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

Kaywood Dr.

Fish Hook River East River Dr.

1705Summer.indd 43

★

★★★★★

9.0 15.9 22.1 25.4 31.4 40.7 48.2 71.0 77.6 82.8 89.0 94.2 100.6 110.0

6.0 15.3 22.8 45.6 52.2 57.4 63.6 68.8 75.2 82.5

Minnesota Trails

★★

ak e

ss L

Ca

Birch

Hackensack

★

★★★

16

★★★★

★★

P

Ten Mile Lake

★

371

★★★

★★

P

★★★ ★ Trail ★ ★State

83

★★★★

Akeley

34

Paul Bunyan

★★

★★

P

★★ ★

★ ★

★

★★★

★

★★★★★

P

★★★

★

200

★★

★

★★

26

Shingobee Connection Trail ★ ★★

12

★

Pa Do rk R r se apid Ne t s Ak vis e l W e y a W lke r ilk 2m in i. so S. n of

★ ★★

★★★

★

200

★★

W in gS er t. d/ Pa rk B

★★

★

13.0 24.0 28.9 45.1 38.4 44.4 53.7 61.2 84.0 90.6 95.8 104.0 107.2 113.6 123.0

71

34

★

★★★ ★

★

Park Rapids

Cr ow

★★

P

H

★

12

★★

Heartland State Trail Nevis

★★

★★★★★★★

P P

Leech Lake

★

★★★★

7.2

Dorset

371

Heartland State Trail

★★

Agency Bay

P

★

12.5 19.7

Traders Bay

Walker Bay

Walker

★★

9.4 21.9 29.1

H Di ea st rt an la ce nd in Tr M ai ile l s

Benedict Lake

64 ★★

6.3 15.7 28.2 35.4

★

Benedict

★

Long Lake

★

★★

★

★★ ★

★★

★★★

5.3 11.6 21.0 33.5 40.7

Leech Lake

★

★★★

North Country Hiking Trail

6.3 11.6 17.9 27.3 39.8 47.0 71

Kabekona Bay

Kabekona Lake

★

★★★★

P

★

★

★★★★

North Country Hiking Trail ★★ ★★★

★

★★★★★

P

May Lake

371 Ste am Bayboat

★

★

★ ★★

★

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Garfield Lake

P

★

Laporte

Lake George

Itasca State Park

North Long Lake

Mississippi River Trail

Wilson Bay

Buffalo Lake

B371 123

Baxter

210

Merrifield

PH

210

Brainerd

Crow Wing State Park

Summer 2017 43

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Heartland

2017

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Heartland Trail

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

Park Rapids to Dorset

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

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

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

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

Dorset to Nevis

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

Nevis to Akeley

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

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

Akeley to Walker

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

Alternatively, you can continue on the shared segment and access the town of Walker that way. Just outside of Walker, the Paul Bunyan and Heartland Trails part ways. The Paul Bunyan Trail continues northwest to Bemidji, while the Heartland Trail continues northeast to Cass Lake. At 23.3 miles, the North Country Hiking Trail crosses the trail.

Walker to Cass Lake

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

Connections: In Cass Lake, connect with

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

SAVE THE !

DATE

Featuring Levi Pelzer August 10-13, 2017

• Meet Smokey the Bear at Itasca State Park • Watch the Pig Races in Nevis • Drop a line in a local Fishing Tournament • Bike the Heartland Trail

800-247-0054

www.parkrapids.com

Home of

WORLD FAMOUS ITASCA STATE PARK

Home of

WORLD FAMOUS ITASCA STATE PARK

44 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 44

Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Northwest Angle

Lake of the Woods Lost River

Garden Island Zippel Bay

Parks, Trails, Forests, Rivers

Franz Jevne Rainy Lake Trai

Smokey Bear

International Falls

Pine Island

Voyageurs National Park

Big Bog Rec. Area

Upper Red Lake

Red River Rec. Area

Lit

Red Lake

Lower Red Lake

Big

71

tle

Fo Koochiching rk Riv er

Fo rk

Riv er

Itasca Wilderness Trail

Battleground

ak

es

Mille Lacs Kathio

Long Prairie River Lake Carlos

er i Riv

Lake

Trail

Terr e Riv er

pew a Riv er

e de

Chip

Pom m

Lac qui Parie

il Tra

Big Stone National

Big Stone Lake

Sibley

Nort

h Fo

Monson Lake

Glacial Lakes Trail

Willmar

rk C

row Rive r

siss

Lake Maria

ipp

i Riv er T rail

NATIONAL FORESTS BWCAW VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS

Interstate William O’Brein

DESIGNATED WATER WAYS BIKING TRAILS

Browns Creek Trail

Grand Rounds

BIKEWAY

Gateway Trail

l Luce Line Trai Upper Sioux Agency

Hutchinson inn

Dakota Trail

es

ot

aR

71

ive

Fort Snelling

MN National Wildlife Refuge

r

Not for Navigation March 2016

Afton

LRT

Minnesota Valley

Casey Jones Trail

Split Rock Creek

Lake Shetek

iver

Nerstrand Big Woods

Mankato Minneopa

Watonwo n River

Sakatah Singing Hills Trail

Sakatah Lake

iver

R ood onw Cott

Straight River

Regional Trail Camden

Frontenac GoodhuePioneer

Cannon Valley Trail

Rice Lake

Douglas Trail

Kilen Woods

r ive at R rail Greidge T Whitewater R

Rochester

Des Moines River

35 Blue Mounds Blue Mounds Trail

bro R

Flandrau

Marshall Camden Pipestone National Monument

Red Wing er Cannon Riv

Fair Ridge Trail

Albert Lea Blazing Star Trail

Myre Big Island

Carley

Zum

Fort Ridgely

Pipestone

WILDLIFE REFUGES

Wild River

Carlos Avery

94

Lac qui Parle

M

Kettl e

River

River Shurburne National

Mis

St. Cloud

WITH FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT

St. Croix

35

Wob eg

Sauk River

STATE PARKS

St. Croix

Ru m

on

Glacial Lakes

Maps • Guides • Features

Nemadji

Banning

Rum River

ipp

Soo Line

siss

Alexandria

Mille Lacs

Jay Cooke

DESIGNATED FOREST

Father Hennepin

Soo Line Trail

Mis

Charles A. Lindbergh

Moose Lake

River

Tr ail

Lake Mille Lacs

x Aleeau t Lav men Seg

Willard Munger Trail

Solana

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Duluth

Fond du Lac

Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Trail

lL

Brainerd Crow Wing

71

Two Harbors

S

Snake

Ce nt ra

Rice Lake National

Wealthwood

Wing River

e up

Savanna Portage

Cuyuna Country Rec. Area

Pillsbury

Crow

r ve

il ra gT

kin

i rH

rio

Savanna

Ri

Gooseberry Falls

iver

gw ata n

Lyons

pi

ip

iss

iss

qu Clou

Che n

Maplewood

North Country Trail

M

et R

Whiteface River

a

Pine River Paul Bunyan Trail

Tettegouche

Cloquet Valley

l rai rT

Hill River

Foot Hills

Glendalough Trail

Trail

Badoura

Glendalough

George H. Crosby Manitou

Split Rock Lighthouse

ive

North Country

Huntersville

Fergus Falls

Anniversary

Remer

Walker

Park Rapids

River Superior National Forest Temperance

r Rive

iR ipp

Heartland Trail

Smoky Hills

North Country Trail

Ottertail River

Schoolcraft Golden

Leech Lake

ouis St. L

Hill Annex Mine

iss

Two Inlets

Moorhead

94

sa

Me

Grand Rapids iss

Tamarac National

Buffalo River

Migizi Trail Paul Bunyan Trail

White Earth

Cascade

Bear Island

Bear Head Lake

River

rail bi T

M

Red River

Itasca State Park

Soudan Underground Mine

Finland

Hibbing

Bowstring Lake Winnibigoshish

Bemidji Paul Bunyan

Grand Portage

Grand Marais McCarthy Beach George Washington

Chippewa National Forest

Blackduck

Grand Portage

Judge Pat Bayle C.R.Magney

Ely

Vermilion State Park

Sturgeon River

Scenic

Buena Vista

BWCA BWCWA

Burntside

Big Fork

Lake Bemidji

Border Route Trail

Kekekabic Trail

rW at er Tra il

r

iT ra il

Rive

am

Lake

er Riv

Red

Kabetogama

iG

Thief River Fall

lion mil Ver

Agassiz National

up eri o

Beltrami Island Thief Lakes

Old Mill

l

La ke S

Hayes Lake

Twin Lakes

tc h

Lake Bronson

Gi

Roseau River

John A. Latsch

Whitewater

Ro

ot

Riv er

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood

Root River Trail Shooting Star Trail

Austin

Lake Louise

Forestville/ Mystery Cave

HarmonyPreston Valley Trail

Great River Bluffs

Beaver Creek Valley

COME CLEAN. LEAVE CLEAN Give Invasive Species The Brush Off.

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 45

Summer 2017 45

5/11/17 11:03 AM

Business Directory

Northeastern MN

Metropolitan MN

Northwestern MN

Southern MN

Bemidji

218-739-5651

CYCLE PATH AND PADDLE 115 3rd Avenue SW, Crosby www.cyclepathpaddle.com

218-545-4545

2

Duluth

St. Cloud

Southern Region

Metro Region

Mankato

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL ASSOCIATION 320-763-0102

71

324 Broadway, Alexandria www.centrallakestrail.com

35

90

90

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

218-332-5425

A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

NEVIS CIVIC & COMMERCE

www.easyridersbikes.com

FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

320-251-2844

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

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

35 94

FERGUS FALLS CVB

EASY RIDERS BICYCLE & SPORT 415 Washington Street, Brainerd 218-829-5516

61

71

INFORMATION

CENTRAL LAKES CYCLE 2010 Hwy. 210 E., Fergus Falls www.centrallakescycle.com

Northeast Region

2

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

BIKE SHOPS

Minnesota Trails Directory Regions

Northwest Region

218-326-1716

320-219-7433

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

218-732-5971

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

218-751-(BIKE) 2453

REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI 320-251-2453 160 29th Avenue South, St. Cloud www.revolutioncycleandski.com

320-639-2453

OUTDOOR MOTION

320-587-2453

BIKE KING

651-457-7766

CARS BIKE SHOP

763-784-6966

141 Main Street South, Hutchinson www.outdoormotionbikes.com

VISIT BRAINERD

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

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

800-450-7247

HUTCHINSON CHAMBER

320-587-5252

LANESBORO CHAMBER

507-467-2696

2 Main St., Hutchinson www.explorehutchinson.com

100 Milwaukee Road, Lanesboro www.lanesboro.com

JAKE’S BIKES ALEXANDRIA 611 3rd Avenue E, Alexandria www.jakesbikes.com

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

PO Box 268, Nevis www.nevischamber.com

FARIBAULT TOURISM

507-334-4381

530 Wilson Ave., Faribault www.visitfaribault.com

B&Bs WALLER HOUSE INN

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

320-632-2836

COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST 5 miles from Taylors Falls 651-257-4773 www.countrybedandbreakfast.us GREEN HERON B&B

218-999-5795

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

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

9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth www.spiritmt.com

LIFT SERVED DOWNHILL MTB

2661 Co Road I & Old Hwy 10, Mounds View www.CarsBikeShop.com PIONEER CYCLE 12741 Central Ave., NE, Blaine www.pioneercycle.com

763-755-8871

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

763-323-6666

STRAUSS SKATES AND BICYCLES 651-770-1344

1751 Cope Avenue E, Maplewood www.straussskatesandbicycles.com

TONKA CYCLE AND SKI

952-938-8336

TRAILHEAD CYCLING & FITNESS

763-712-0312

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

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

CARLTON BIKE RENTAL AND REPAIR 218-384-4696

100 Chestnut Ave., Carlton www.carltonbikerental.com

46 Summer 2017

1705Summer.indd 46

SpiritMt.com Minnesota Trails

5/11/17 11:03 AM

LODGING BERT’S CABINS

15782 Wilderness Drive, Lake Itasca www.bertscabins.com

218-266-3312

SINCLAIR LEWIS CAMPGROUND 320-352-2203

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

AMERICINN SILVER BAY

218-226-4300

AMERICINN TOFTE/LUTSEN

218-663-7899

AMERICINN TWO HARBORS

218-834-3000

50 Mensing Drive, Silver Bay www.americinn.com 7231 W Hwy. 61, Tofte www.americinn.com

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

COUNTRY INN TWO HARBORS 218-834-5557

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

SEE WHERE HISTORY HAPPENED. Visit our 26 historic sites and museums throughout Minnesota.

PLAN YOUR VISIT MNHS.ORG

Adventure Cycle & Ski

Gateway Cycle

Northern Cycle (2 locations)

178 Center St, Winona, MN 55987

6028 Hwy. 36 Blvd. N, Oakdale, MN 55128

Bemidji/Park Rapids

Boehms Cycle

Jake’s Bikes

OneTen Cycles

1592 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

611 3rd Avenue E, Alexandria, MN 56308

1040 Dakota Dr., Mendota Heights, MN 55120

Central Lakes Cycle

Maple Grove Cycling

Ramsey Bicycle

2010 Hwy. 210 E, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

13950 Grove Dr., Maple Grove, MN 55311

6825 Hwy. 10, Ramsey, MN 55303

Freewheel Bike (4 locations)

Milltown

Rochester Cycling

1812 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55454

311 Central Avenue., Faribault, MN 55021

1211 7th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901

507-452-4228 www.advcycle.com

651-644-4990 www.boehmscycle.com

218-739-5651 www.centrallakescycle.com

612-339-2219 www.freewheelbike.com

651-777-0188 www.gatewaycycle.com

320-219-7433 www.jakesbikes.com

763-420-8878 www.maplegrovecycling.com

507-331-2636 www.milltownsports.com

218-732-5971 northerncycle@charter.net

651-454-2066 www.onetencycles.com

763-323-6666 www.ramseybicycle.com

507-289-7410 www.cycling-fitness.com Rydjor Bike Shop

507-433-7571 www.rydjor.com

219 N Main St., Austin, MN 55912

Minnesota Trails

1705Summer.indd 47

Summer 2017 47

5/11/17 11:03 AM

FREE HOT HOME-STYLE BREAKFAST

INVITING INDOOR POOL

UPDATED GUESTROOMS

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT

AMERICINN

[800] 634.3444 AMERICINN.COM

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

1705Summer.indd 48

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

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

[320] 763.6808 [507] 437.7337 [218] 634.3200 [218] 751.3000 [218] 879.1231 [218] 847.8795 [218] 739.3900 [320] 587.5515 [218] 283.8000 [507] 847.2444 [218] 568.8400 [218] 463.1045 [320] 352.2800 [218] 226.4300 [320] 253.6337 [218] 663.7899 [218] 834.3000 [651] 429.7131

5/11/17 11:03 AM