Minnesota Trails Summer 2020

Summer 2020

MINNESOTA BIKE RIDES AND TRAILS A Paul Bunyan Tale PAGE 8

Shooting Star Connections PAGE 10

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

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

We’re here to help!

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

Brian Dingmann Page Layout & Design Graphic Design

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

Vol. 24, No. 2 June 2020 Minnesota Trails magazine is a continuation of Minnesota Bike Trails & Rides, published quarterly in cooperation with the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that acquires, protects and enhances critical lands for public enjoyment. Your $35 membership subscription supports this work.

Minnesota Trails is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials and reserves the right to reject unsuitable advertising.

Information in this publication is as accurate as possible. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not of Minnesota Trails.

SERVICES

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

CYCLE PATH & PADDLE 115 3rd Avenue SW, Crosby 218-545-4545 www.cyclepathpaddle.com Buy & rent bikes, canoes, kayaks, SUPS.

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

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

LODGING DEERWOOD

MOTEL

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

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

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

EAT & DRINK

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

SPECIALTY STORE

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

ATTRACTIONS

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

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

2 Summer 2020

218-546-8131

www.cuyunalakes.com Minnesota Trails

Index Features

Columns

Departments

8

4

5 Parks & Trails

Council News

Lisa Filter

Tale of Two Trails Molly Brewer Hoeg

Minnesota Miles Jan Lasar

10 Shooting Star 6 Trail Use Surge Andrew Oftedal Connections

Jan Lasar

Cover photo:

Nature’s air conditioning: Rock cut on the Root River Trail.

Jan Lasar photo

Index photo:

Summer on the Cannon Valley Trail.

Jan Lasar photo

12 Trails Q&A

Conversations with Trail Users 13 Bike Ride Guide

Bike Events June-October 16 Bike Trail Guide

Maps and Information 38 MN Trails Map

The State at a Glance 39 Trail Partners Directory

Find Trail-Friendly Businesses

Thank you!

Find us on:

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2020 3

Life

UPSIDE DOWN

Minnesota Miles Instagram. “To keep people

interested and informed about our store, we’re being It’s been a few months very diligent about our social of canceled plans and life media,” he said. upside down for all of us.

Even though ice cream While even iffy April weather and liquor sales are going has brought lots of traffic to well, he misses the day to day Minnesota’s parks and trails, interaction with patrons. “All leisure travel and tourism that said it’s tough to feel so have ground to a halt and far removed from much of that, of course, directly our regular customer base.”

Jan Lasar Trails Editor/Publisher affects those who offer you, Peggy Taplah, manager the reader, a place to play, of the Paynesville Inn and stay, eat and buy gear. To find out how Suites right on the Glacial Lakes Trail, Minnesota Trails’ advertisers have been said the only customers left in the neardoing during this pandemic, I reached empty hotel are traveling construction out to them in April and asked them to workers as all leisure travel has come to tell their story. I’d like to share some of a halt. the responses with you.

“The hotel is lonelier and eerier than Bike event cancellations have been ever before for a day shift,” she said. In rolling in from across the state, one order to keep the staff and guests safe, being the annual Tour of Minnesota. common areas are sanitized on a regular Just about a month after the June 2020 basis, pens have been removed from the Tour filled up, ride organizer Bob front desk and personnel handles credit Lincoln made the tough decision to cards only with gloved hands. While the move the event to 2021. In his letter required shut down of the pool area to riders he wrote, “Going ahead with saves some electricity costs, she aims the Tour of Minnesota in nine weeks to further reduce bills by unplugging amid the COVID-19 pandemic would appliances in all unoccupied rooms. have jeopardized the health and safety “Guests have been surprisingly of you, our riders and staff, our caterers gracious and understanding when we and the people in our host cities.” glove up at check-in which has been Another big bike event, the Great comforting. We certainly don’t enjoy River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour, pulled this time either, however, we all come the plug as well, even though the ride back to homes with possible immune doesn’t take place until August.

“A lot of planning goes into an event that draws 700-800 riders and takes over 150 volunteers,” Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg, ride director and Executive Director of Club Mesabi said, and added that given the uncertainty, the tour committee felt it was best to postpone the ride until 2021. In addition her position has been reduced from full-time to a very limited part-time role, with just a few hours a week. “The good news is, the Mesabi Trail will be open all summer, 135 miles of paved trail offers lots of opportunity for social distancing,” she compromised family members. We’re added. doing our best to keep our own germs Paul Kirkman, owner of Victual, to ourselves and protect those that are said foot traffic to his store has declined coming in,” she said. dramatically. His shop on Main Street Right along with the hotels, Crosby, in the Cuyuna State Recreation Destination Marketing Organizations, Area, sells meats, cheeses, liquor and which are funded by a lodging tax, other items and is exempt from the are seeing their funds dwindle. Pam shelter-in-place order. Kirkman has Borgmann, Director of Visit Sauk reduced store hours and ramped up Centre, said that without that income she his presence on Facebook, Twitter and will struggle to pay the bills. “The 510 4 Summer 2020

Art Lab is closed, the History Museum is closed, The CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) is closed and I am working from home with very reduced hours,” she said. But even with canceled weddings and empty hotel rooms, she added, “I believe that staying home is the smartest decision for all of us.”

In Stillwater, the long anticipated May reopening of the historic lift bridge as a pedestrian and bike facility is still on and Christie Rosckes, Marketing Director of Discover Stillwater, says she’s excited to see it done. In the meantime, the focus is on keeping up spirits and promoting local businesses.

“We’re doing our best to use nature and art to keep smiles during this time, since most everything else is closed. We’re also helping to promote take-out from select restaurants and online shopping with local stores,” she said.

Jake Capistrant, owner of Jake’s Bikes in Alexandria, has locked his doors to the general public, but he and three employees are still working on bike repairs and taking orders over the phone. Their daily routine has become somewhat more complicated as the normal process of taking a bike in for repairs has been replaced with one that involves setting appointments over the phone, a thorough wipe-down of the bike once received, another one after the repair is completed, and more follow up calls. He said his phone has been ringing off the hook and he hopes his customers who are used to what he calls the “Jake’s Bikes experience” understand that it’s happening for a reason. “We’re trying to stay away from youbut not to be mean,” he said. His focus is on keeping his employees, customers and himself healthy. “I don’t want to take it home to my son who has Type I Diabetes, or have one of my employees who lives with his 96-year old mother, get it from here,” he said. “Now is the time to be safe.”

As Governor Walz continues to move the dial toward what will undoubtedly be a new normal, we’ll emerge from our cocoons and begin transforming from homebodies to a new kind of explorer, one in search of recreation away from crowds. Luckily, our state has much to offer there.

Take care, everybody, and be safe as you’re enjoying Minnesota’s outdoors this year.

Minnesota Trails

Northwest State Parks

Northeast State Parks

State Parks Gift Cards awarded in each category

State Trails

PHOTO CONTEST May 20 - Aug 31, 2020 categories:

1st

$50

2nd

$40

3rd

$30

State Parks in four corners plus State Trails parksandtrails.org/events/2020-photo-contest/

Southwest State Parks

Minnesota Trails

Southeast State Parks

Summer 2020 5

people saving special places

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

Research Brief

Trail use surged in response to COVID-19

by Andrew Oftedal, Parks & Trails Council

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of normal life. All across the country, in an effort to slow the spread of this deadly disease, public officials have closed libraries, concert halls, restaurants, bars and more. Most parks and trails across the country have remained open, however, and if you’ve been out enjoying them you’ve probably noticed you’re not alone.

That got us thinking: How much has trail use across Minnesota increased since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place?

To answer that question, we turned to bicycling and pedestrian data collected by MnDOT and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR). Together, the agencies maintain one of the nation’s

premier networks of automated trail counters.

We looked at data from ten trail locations across the state (all of them paved, shared-use and road-separated), ranging from Brainerd and Duluth in the north to Morristown and Lanesboro in the south. And sure enough, trails are experiencing huge increases in use. In fact, nine of the ten locations we studied set daily traffic records for March and/or April.

Trail use in Minnesota typically doesn’t peak until the warm summer months. But COVID-19 has bent the typical curve. In normal times, trail use in March and April is about 30 percent below the annual average, but since the stay-at-home order went into effect on March 27, trail use has been 50 percent to 100 percent higher

than the annual average, depending on the week.

Trail use dipped the week of April 12 thanks to a series of cold, windy, and snowy days. But otherwise use is trending well above normal for this time of year. Put another way, early spring trail use has looked more like what we’re used to seeing in peak summer months.

Further, our analysis shows that trail use has increased with each successive COVID-19 restriction even after controlling for variables that effect trail use, such as weather and weekends versus weekdays.

In early March, before any restrictions were in place, trail use across Minnesota was actually trending below normal levels. But as soon as Gov. Walz declared a state of emergency, that started to change. Trail use the week of March 15, when restaurants and bars were ordered to close, was up 35 percent. The following week, when Gov. Walz announced the stay-at-home order, trail use was up 73 percent. And by the end of April, trail use was up anywhere from 93 percent to 146 percent, depending on the week.

The record-setting numbers of people using trails (and by extension, parks) has led to challenges both nationally and in Minnesota. Many small communities where parks and trails are located expressed concerns about crowds overwhelming local health systems and asked non-locals to stay away.

6 Summer 2020

Minnesota Trails

people saving special places

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

A handful of states, including Wisconsin, temporarily closed state parks after seeing overcrowding and trash pile up. In Minnesota, public officials have consistently reminded people to maintain social distancing in parks and on trails. Some cities closed roads to vehicles, essentially converting them into trails to allow people more space to walk and bike.

Spending time outdoors provides all kinds of health benefits, which are especially critical during a pandemic.

The CDC recommends exercise as a way to manage stress and anxiety and studies have shown it bolsters the immune system. But it’s important to recreate in a way that’s safe for you and others.

The COVID-19 pandemic is continually evolving, and the recreation guidelines may change as we all learn more about this disease.

Our analysis of trail use during the pandemic shows that while peak hours vary slightly from trail to trail and depending on weather conditions, mornings are generally the best times to maintain social distance on trails. During March and April, only seven percent of daily traffic occurred before 10am. Late evening also sees sparser conditions. Only one percent of daily traffic occurred after 8pm in the spring, though this may trend later during the longer summer days.

Most trails are not lit and you should always use your personal judgement on whether a trail is safe to use before or after dark.

Conversely, try to avoid trails in the afternoons. Nearly two-thirds of daily traffic occurs between 1pm and 6pm.

Wherever you are, be considerate of others while enjoying the parks and trails, and we’ll get through this together.

Minnesota Trails

Parks & Trails Council thanks the following sponsor

pincushiontrailsinn.com Summer 2020 7

A Tale of Two Trails Unfinished Business I had some unfinished business in the North Woods of Minnesota. After cycling half of the Paul Bunyan and Heartland Trail systems a couple of summers ago (see A Tale of Two Trails on page nine of the 2019 Summer edition), I just had to return to complete what I started. At a parking lot south of Walker, near the spot where a golden spike still marks the marriage of the two trails, I hopped on my bike to cycle the remaining 75 miles of the Paul Bunyan Trail all the way to Crow Wing State Park.

The morning fog was burning off as the sun rose higher in the sky, promising a warm day as I piloted my bike down the trail.

Just by looking at the map I could tell this first section was a departure from the rails-to-trails path that characterizes much of the trail system. The 8-mile piece through the Chippewa National Forest was built on forest access

and logging roads and squiggles across the paper with an advisory about steep slopes and curves.

Cutting through stands of stately pines, I wound around curves, dipped and climbed hills and delighted in the wild roses, daisies, strawberries, buttercups and red columbines that dappled the trailside with color. My initial concern that this stretch would be too challenging quickly faded, and I savored the 8-mile joy ride.

The trail resumed its typical personality after the ride through the hilly section. I could see miles of flat, straight trail ahead, now bordered by deciduous trees forming a welcoming canopy to

The Paul Bunyan State Trail in the Chippewa National Forest.

The 115-mile recreational trail is officially part of the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway from Minnesota to Louisianna.

8 Summer 2020

by Molly Brewer Hoeg shield me from the sun. Boggy land, ponds covered in lily pads and lakes comprised my scenery as I pedaled the quiet trail. The Paul Bunyan Trail is popular with cyclists, walkers and in-line skaters throughout the summer months, but given its 115-mile length it never feels crowded.

I met Paul Bunyan’s sweetheart Lucette at the boat landing in Hackensack. Towering over Birch Lake Park, she was the first of the ubiquitous statues and carvings I would find on this part of the trail.

While the northern miles favored wilderness and towns hidden from the cycling path, I soon found that today’s ride would take me straight through the center of many vibrant communities, all eager to share in Paul’s legacy. They also catered to cyclists, with easy access to visitor centers, restrooms, drinking water and tempting restaurants.

I couldn’t miss Colonel Cobber in the center of Backus. The giant cornstalk, created by a local chainsaw artist, loomed overhead, flanked by a sign that filled me in on his elaborate history and introduced his wife, Tasseltop. In a flower-filled park just beyond, I discovered a small plaque marking a time capsule. Buried in 1996 for the dedication of the Paul Bunyan Trail, its contents will be revealed in 2046.

Continuing south, the trail parallels the highway for the next 25 miles. Still bordered by trees and wildflowers, it was enough of a buffer to distract me from the nearby traffic.

Pine River has a unique visitor center, filled with all things Paul Bunyan. While posing for a picture in the lumberjack’s baby booties carved from tree trunks, I learned that the weekly Duck Races were about to Minnesota Trails

begin. How could I resist?

A short jaunt over to the river brought me to a dam where a crowd was gathering for the afternoon event. Young princesses from the County Fair collected money for the ducks and handed out numbered slips to the stakeholders. Youngsters waded in the river to string up the finish line. Right on time, a trash can full of orange decoy ducks was ceremoniously dumped over the side of the dam to begin their race downriver. Ducks floated, lingered and meandered toward the finish line. Some were sidelined in the rocky shore along the way, but all were cheered on by anxious number holders.

I stayed long enough to see a green flock of ducks make the same trip, and then returned to the trail to move on to my next stop.

Pequot Lakes delivered a mighty fine lunch at Lakes Latté, fuel for the rest of my journey. With the bobber-shaped water tower in the background, I noticed a pair of large concrete footprints in the grass. “Paul was here,” the sign stated. It seemed a fitting mantra for my ride.

Journaling along the way in Hackensack. All photos by Jan Lasar

By this time I had reached the lakes region, and soon I had water views alongside the trail.

The canopy of trees returned, and I enjoyed peering through the leaves to peek at cabins and lake homes perched on the water.

I even caught a glimpse of a nesting loon.

Feeling pressed

for time, I reluctantly passed on Nisswa’s Pioneer Village and historic Main Street with its enticing shops. Leaving town, the trail moved away from the highway and traversed woods and marshes in the countryside.

The newest section of trail lies beyond Brainerd, weaving into Crow Wing State Park. Just as it began, the path became free flowing again, winding through the woods with ups and downs that I barely felt. Gliding over the new pavement through the hush of the park, I passed through both forest and prairie to reach the conclusion of my trip. It was the end of the trail, and the rest of the tale.

John Wetrosky, Director of the Pine River Chamber and curator of all things Paul Bunyan, never misses a chance to take a visitor’s picture.

Did You Know?

Minnesota Trails

• Most of the Paul Bunyan Trail follows an abandoned railroad line built in 1893.

• In October 1992, the first 50 miles of the Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Hackensack opened to the public.

• The 115-mile, paved Paul Bunyan Trail is Minnesota’s and the country’s longest, continuous, paved rail trail.

• It has been inducted into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame, as a “Signature Minnesota Destination.”

Colonel Cobber has been welcoming people to Backus since 2006.

Summer 2020 9

The Shooting Star State Trail

Making connections in southern Minnesota

by Jan Lasar “It’s been a long time. Here it goes!”

Gerald Meier of the Prairie Visions group said and cut the ribbon to officially open the Shooting Star Trail’s link into Austin, MN. At the end of October last year a small crowd gathered near the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center to celebrate the realization of what’s been the dream of a handful of local residents in the southern Minnesota towns of LeRoy, Taopi, Adams, Rose Creek, Lyle and Austin. Meier has been part of Prairie Visions since 1993 and credits Mower County, the DNR and countless private individuals with the success of the project. “We had lots and lots of help, it was an unbelievable amount of people that helped”, he said.

Although somewhat delayed from the group’s original estimates, he’s happy to see his years of volunteerism come to fruition.

“We planned on being up here [in Austin] by 1995,” he said and chuckled.

There were cheers from the crowd when the two ends of the cut ribbon fell on the freshly paved trail.

Among those celebrating was Nancy Schnable, Executive Director of Discover Austin, the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This really opens up a gateway for us to be able to connect our 15 miles of city trails to the Shooting Star State Trail,” she said. With the new

extension added, the trail is now almost 30 miles long. It extends from Lake Louise State Park to Austin’s doorstep, just south of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, where it joins Austin’s network of city trails on the north side of I-90.

Schnable hopes the resulting 45 miles of trail will be an attraction to locals and provide a boost for tourism in Southern Minnesota.

The same goes for the Friends of the Shooting Star Trail. Sharon Jacobson, president of the group and member of the Friends of Lake Louise State Park, says they have been working tirelessly to promote the communities along the trail corridor since the beginning. Their signature event, the Shooting Star Trail Ride will be in its 22nd year in 2020.

At first, locals were skeptical of the idea of turning an abandoned railroad grade into a recreational trail. She said the initial reaction was “Why would anyone come ride here and see corn and soybeans?” Now that the trail is almost complete it turns out that “People from the Cities like to see corn and soybeans, instead of skyscrapers and cars,” she said. And since the launch of a bike rental program in June of 2019 she’s also seen an increase in trail

Gerald Meier cuts the ribbon at the October 2019 connection of the Shooting Star Trail into Austin, MN. All photos by Jan Lasar

use by locals who like to connect with the outdoors.

The annual ride draws up to 200 people to the towns of Rose Creek, Taopi, LeRoy, Adams and Austin and offers ride choices of 20 to 70 miles. The shorter routes are trail only while the longer ones explore the quiet country roads of the area. In 2020, new routes will take riders down Iowa’s Wapsi-Great Western Trail as well.

“Ride volunteers are increasingly hard to come by these days,” she said, and credited the roughly 20 locals who help with rest stops and route planning with the event’s success.

Some, like Jerry Utz from LeRoy, MN have been volunteering their time for 20 years.

He enjoys meeting riders at the rest stop, finding out where they’re from and

Trail shelter built in the style of a Norwegian church near Adams, MN.

10 Summer 2020

Minnesota Trails

The trail travels through Lake Louise State Park.

striking up a conversation.

“I think there may be a 90-year old on this ride today, but I haven’t seen him come through, yet,” he said. He continues to help out with the ride because he feels small towns need to be promoted to continue to thrive. “It’s good for all the communities,” he said.

While the trail has become an asset to the towns it connects, it also draws in leisure travelers in search of a getaway.

Elaine Manovich from Hastings, MN and her friend, Sue Niebur, from Miesville, MN were fueling up for the last leg of their ride at the Leroy stop. After riding in other events like the MS TRAM, they decided to give the

Shooting Star Trail Ride a try. They both liked the route and scenery. “There were nice, rolling hills, no real climbers,” Niebur said. Manovich had praise for the rest stops. “They had great snacks and some nutritional things I’ve never heard of before,” she said. They both enjoyed seeing churches, graveyards and farms on the way while they kept an eye out for barn quilts, decorative panels on farm buildings.

Even 27 years after its inception, the Shooting Star State Trail is not complete, as far as the Master Plan is concerned. The last leg of the project calls for it to drop south another ten miles or so, from Austin to the town of Lyle on the Minnesota-Iowa border.

While a timeline for this last part has not been established, another extension has the potential to become a reality much sooner.

From near Taopi, a four-mile leg will extend to the MinnesotaI o w a border a n d connect to the

Wind turbines are a common sight on the Shooting Star Trail Ride.

Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail. This 27-mile paved trail travels southeast from the state border into Elma, IA. Together with Austin’s city trails, the resulting network will be nearly 72 miles long.

The Wapsi Trail is already extended to the state line and on both sides of the border people are ready to turn to this new project and link the two trails together. At a reception after the ribbon cutting, Elaine Govern of the Wapsi Trail group said, “We welcome you.”

Due to the uncertainties the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, the 2020 Shooting Star Trail Ride has been rescheduled for June 19, 2021.

Parts of the Shooting Star Trail follow an abandoned railroad corridor, which once served southern Minnesota agricultural communities.

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2020 11

TrailsQ&A

2020

Trails Q & A

Jim Doubek

Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Eric Anderson

Prescott, AZ

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Retired Electrical Contractor Seen: Biking on the HarmonyPreston Valley Trail near Harmony, MN with his wife, Charli, and their wire-haired fox terrier, Bugsy.

Gear: Specialized Vado e-bike with a dog basket in the back.

How many miles do you bike a year? 500-1000 How long have you been bicyclists? About 15 years Favorite Minnesota Trail: The Root River Trail, followed by the Mesabi and Gitchi-Gami Trails.

What’s a highlight of this trail system? Yesterday we went all the way to Houston, that’s such a beautiful part of the trail. We stopped for a Diet Pepsi over ice at Stumpy’s in Rushford.

What other places would you like to visit in Minnesota? We might stop in Moorhead on the way back home. We got married near there in Vergas, MN 47 years ago.

What would you do with $1,000? I’d give it to my wife and she would probably invest it in something like this bike.

Trail Treat: It’s pretty tough to beat a Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Charli is a Pumpkin Blizzard fan so she can only get it in the fall.

Advice for the novice? Buy a decent bike. They say the guy who buys on a budget, buys twice. Sometimes on bikes it’ll be three times.

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. 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.

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

How do Minnesota’s trails compare to others? As far as paved trails go, Minnesota is tops.

You can tell Minnesota likes bikers.

QA

12 Summer 2020

Future travel plans: Ride the Nachez Trace Trail from Tennessee to Mississippi.

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

Megan O’Leary Foley, MN

Occupation: Nurse’s Aid and Anoka Ramsey Community College student.

Seen: Taking the History Tour at Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park.

Gear: Keen sandals.

Highlight within this park: Right here! The living history characters were so good. I enjoyed being with them in 1899.

What does this park mean to you? I can’t wait to bring my grandkids here!

Favorite Minnesota State Park: Itasca Best experience in a Minnesota State Park: Witnessing the preservation of nature and sites like this. It is in all the parks!

Worst experience: Witnessing disrespect for the environment, littering and noise.

Norm McKinnon Thunder Bay, Ontario

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.

Trail Treat: Clif Bars

Advice for other visitors: Come expecting a great time with unforgettable memories.

Minnesota Trails

2020

Bike Rides and Tours:

Keep in mind that the current situation regarding public events in Minnesota is a fluid one and subject to last minute changes. As of deadline, the information listed in this calendar was accurate.

A lot of ride organizers are taking a wait-and-see approach as the season progresses, some have canceled, others rescheduled. Please check www.mntrails.com/events for the most up to date information and consider donating to your favorite fundraiser ride, even if it is canceled. If you have already registered, you can help organizers out by waiving reimbursement.

Twin Cities Tour de Cure Virtual Fundraiser Location: Online

June 6, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/twin-cities-tourde-cure

Bike MS: MS 150 Virtual Fundraiser Location: Online

June 13, 2020

For more information visit:

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

CARAMEL ROLL RIDE

Albany, MN

Rescheduled for June 12, 2021

Bike Rides & Tours SHOOTING STAR TRAIL RIDE

LeRoy, MN

Rescheduled for June 19, 2021

Take a ride through Minnesota’s prairies.

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

www.shootingstartrail.org

Bikes4Kids Legacy Ride Virtual Fundraiser Location: Online

July 1-August 22, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/bikes4kids-legacy-ride

River Towns Tour Hastings, MN

July 12-17, 2020

For more information visit:.

www.mntrails.com/event/river-towns-tour

Tour of Saints

Habitat 500 Bike Ride Virtual Fundraiser Location: Online

July 12-18, 2020

For more information visit:

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

The Minnesota North Shore Tour Duluth, MN

July 25-30, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/the-minnesotanorth-shore-tour

TOUR DE BUN BIKE CLASSIC VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER

Location: Online

July 25, 2020

In the spirit of Kolacky Days, a virtual ride for the 30th Annual Tour de Bun will take the place of the of an in-person event.

Proceeds will help support the Montgomery Area Community Club’s mission to enhance community pride. Riders are encouraged to wear their ride t-shirts and share photos from wherever they bike.

www.montgomerymn.org/virtual-tour-debun

St. Joseph, MN

July 12, 2020

For more information visit:

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

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

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

The Tour of Minnesota Hastings, MN

Rescheduled for June 18-25, 2021 For more information visit:

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

LADY SLIPPER RIDE

Avon, MN

Rescheduled for June 19, 2021

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

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

Details at www.mntrails.com/events Minnesota Trails

Summer 2020 13

2020

Bike Rides & Tours Bike MS: Ride Across MN Rochester, MN

July 26-31, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-rideacross-minnesota

CANDAK

Carrington, ND

August 1-8, 2020

This ride carries on the tradition of the CANDISK ride of North Dakota with daily routes ranging from 35 to 70 miles and a century option through North Dakota’s unforgettable scenery.

KRAUS-ANDERSON BIKE DULUTH FESTIVAL

Duluth, MN

Date of event is TBD.

The Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival is a Minnesota biking event you don’t want to miss. However, Spirit Mountain, the original venue, will remain closed for the remainder of 2020 and festival organizers are looking at holding the event at a different time and place. A final decision is expected by July 1, 2020.

www.bikeduluthfestival.com

GITCHI-GAMI TRAIL RIDE

PAUL’S BACON RIDE #3

Brainerd, MN

August 29, 2020

You’ll ride with friends, visiting the trail towns of Merrifield, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes with bacon stops along the way and lots of cold Minnesota craft beer and drinks to wash it down. Registration includes bacon-themed breakfast and lunch, bacon stops along the route, drink specials, ride t-shirt and SAG. Distance: 45 miles.

www.paulsbaconride.com

CARAMEL APPLE RIDE

www.candak.net

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Sauk Centre, MN

Tour de Tonka

Due to COVID-19, the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association will not be holding its Annual North Shore Bike Ride in 2020. Please mark your calendars to join them on Saturday, August 21, 2021. They’re are planning a 2020 Do-It-Yourself ride at no cost, details to be posted online.

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

Rescheduled for August 21, 2021

Minnetonka, MN

August 1, 2020

For more information visit:

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

RAIL TRAILS 100 Fergus Falls, MN

Rescheduled for August 7, 2021

The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails offer some of the best trail riding in the state of Minnesota and this is your chance to conquer both of them in one day! You’ll board a luxury coach bus in Saint Joseph early in the morning and you and your bike get shuttled to the start in Fergus Falls. All you have to do is enjoy the 100-mile ride back. Watch the scenery change from countless sparkling glacial lakes on the Central Lakes Trail to the green fields and dairy farms of the Lake Wobegon Trail as you cruise this central Minnesota gem of a trail system. Rest stops in communities along the way will keep you fed and hydrated and, best of all, the whole ride is just a little bit downhill. Registration is limited to 50 riders.

www.ggta.org/ride.php

Lumberjacks and Loons Bike Tour Northern Minnesota

August 17-24, 2020

For more information visit:

www.mntrails.com/event/lumberjacks-andloons-bike-tour

Red Ribbon Ride Minneapolis, MN

July 25, 2020

Virtual Fundraiser! www.montgomerymn.org/tour-de-bun-bike-classic 14 Summer 2020

Fire55 Bicycle Ride Richmond, MN

September 12, 2020

The Fire55 Bicycle Ride raises funds for the Richmond Fire Department, a 100% volunteer organization. All registered riders will receive a T-shirt. During the ride there will be snacks and beverages at each rest stop for everyone to enjoy.

Distances: 55, 25, 15 miles

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

Taste of the Trail

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

Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, MN

For more information visit:

September 12, 2020 September 19, 2020

Fountain, Preston, Harmony, MN

September 26, 2020

Houston, Rushford Area, MN For more information visit:

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

Details at www.mntrails.com/events

Bike Classic

www.lakewobegontrail.com/lwta-rides

August 21-23, 2020

www.railtrails100.com

Tour de Bun

September 12, 2020

PurpleRideStride Saint Paul, MN

September 12, 2020

For more information visit:.

www.mntrails.com/event/purpleridestride

September 26, 2020 tourdehugo.com

Pre-register and receive a commemorative bandanna and t-shirt.

6, 20, 35, 50 and 62 mile routes Minnesota Trails

2020

Bike Rides & Tours

RIDEMN1-Minnesota Crossing Breckenridge, MN

September 13-18, 2020

For more information visit:.

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

MINNEAPOLIS BIKE TOUR

Minneapolis, MN

Rescheduled for May 2021

The Minneapolis Bike Tour starts and ends at beautiful Boom Island and features multiple fully supported routes that take riders through the spectacular park and byway system of Minneapolis at their own pace, traffic free. Distances: 3.5, 19, 32 miles.

www.minneapolisbiketour.com

Time for a selfie on the Lake Wobegon Trail during the Rail Trails 100. Jan Lasar photo

Heck of the North Two Harbors, MN

Mora Bike Tour

September 26, 2020

Mora, MN

September 19, 2020

For more information visit:

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

For more information visit:.

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

Minnesota Iron Man Bike Ride Shakopee, MN

Ride the Ridges

Rescheduled for September 26, 2020

Winona, MN

September 19, 2020

For more information visit:

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

Tour de Pepin

For more information visit:

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

The Filthy 50 Lanesboro, MN

Lake City, MN

Rescheduled for September 26, 2020 For more information visit:

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

TOUR DE HUGO

October 10, 2020

For more information visit:.

www.mntrails.com/event/filthy-50

Terravail Oremageddon

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Hugo, MN

October 10, 2020

Explore the beautiful variety of landscapes that Minnesota has to offer! Catch glimpses of lakes and ponds as you tour through prairie, farmlands, and forests.

The rides start and finish at Hugo City Hall. Distances: 6, 20, 35, 50, 62 miles

www.mntrails.com/event/terravail-oremageddon

September 26, 2020

For more information visit:

www.tourdehugo.com

SEE YOU IN MAY 2021!

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.MINNEAPOLISBIKETOUR.COM

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Minnesota Trails

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2020

Bike Trail Guide

MINNESOTA’S BIKE TRAILS 50 Destinations for Adventures across the State

Afton to Lakeland Trail • 4 miles Afton

This paved, flat trail travels through the scenic St. Croix Valley. Start at Afton City Hall and ride north through St. Mary’s Point and Lake St. Croix Beach. In Lakeland, you’ll cross the I-94 bridge across the Mississippi River into Hudson, WI where the trail ends at a Dairy Queen between Birkmose and Lakefront Parks.

Blazing Star State Trail • 6.5 miles Albert Lea to Myre-Big Island State Park

The Blazing Star State Trail connects the city of Albert Lea with Myre-Big Island State Park with a planned future connection to Hayward and Austin, where it will connect to the Shooting Star Trail. The trail is groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

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.

Camden Regional Trail • 15 miles Marshall to Camden State Park

The Camden Regional Trail connects the southwestern Minnesota town of Marshall to nearby Camden State Park and makes for a nice afternoon outing in southwestern Minnesota. There are plenty of benches to rest along the Camden Regional Trail and interpretive kiosks with maps tell the natural and historical story of the area. Marshall’s network of on and off-street bike routes take you to some of the city’s numerous parks and Camden State Park offers about 5 miles of mountain bike trails.

Casey Jones State Trail • 18.5 miles total

Pipestone & Currie

The trail consists of three main sections, not yet connected to one another: Eight paved miles and two gravel miles between Pipestone and Woodstock, 2.5 miles of natural surface west of Lake Wilson and a six mile paved loop between Lake Shetek State Park and Currie. Eventually, the Casey Jones Trail will span 100 miles from Luverne through Pipestone to Redwood Falls.

Centennial Trail • 8 miles

Villard to Glenwood

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

Details at www.mntrails.com/trails

16 Summer 2020

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail • 9 miles

Riverton to Deerwood

The longest completed part of the Cuyuna Lakes Trail travels through the Cuyuna Country Recreation Area between Riverton and Deerwood. Two more sections are currently paved: Brainerd (1.5 miles) and Aitkin (0.5 miles). It will eventually connect the city of Aitkin to the Paul Bunyan Trail. The segment between Riverton and Crosby is groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

Dairyland Trail • 10 miles Elrosa to New Munich

This limestone surfaced trail connects the villages of New Munich and Elrosa and will one day reach the Lake Wobegon Trail in Albany.

Dakota Rail Regional Trail • 28.5 miles Wayzata to Lester Prairie

This paved trail follows what was once the corridor of the Dakota Rail through the towns of Wayzata, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, Mound, Minnetrista, St. Bonifacius, Mayer, New Germany and Lester Prairie. Wonderful lake views and scenery that changes from urban to rural make it worth a trip.

After you pass through New Germany, the trail continues paved for about another two miles. An extension of the Dakota Rail Trail west into Lester Prairie in McLeod County was completed in 2019 and the long-term vision has it extend west into Hutchinson to link up with the Luce Line State Trail. In Wayzata, trail users can connect to the 63-mile Luce Line state trail and go east to Plymouth and west to Cosmos on a variety of surfaces.

Douglas State Trail • 12.7 miles Rochester to Pine Island

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

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.

Flower Valley Trail • 4.25 miles near Wacouta Township

This paved trail is not currently connected to anything, but makes for a nice, short trip into the countryside. You can access its eastern end just south of the intersection of Highway 61 and Flower Valley Road near Red Wing. It currently ends at the intersection of Flower Valley Road and Highway 58 near the Red Wing State College campus, but a two and a half-mile combination of city trails and roads takes you past Twin Bluffs Middle School near the intersection of Pioneer Road and County Road 1, where you’ll find the trailhead for the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail.

Glendalough Trail • 12 miles Battle Lake to Glendalough State Park

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

Goodhue Pioneer State Trail • 9 miles

in two sections Red Wing and Zumbrota

This trail is a work in progress. Currently, two short, paved sections exist. A four-mile stretch starts at the southern end of the 1.5mile Hay Creek Trail on Pioneer Road in Red Wing and takes riders through the Richard J. Dorer State Forest to Hay Creek. The other paved section travels north five miles from Zumbrota. When complete, the trail will be 47 miles long and connect Red Wing with Pine Island.

Great Northern Trail • 4.75 miles Elk River

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

Great River Ridge State Trail • 13 miles

Plainview

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.

Hardwood Creek Trail • 9.5 miles

Hugo

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.

Hay Creek Trail • 1.5 miles Red Wing

This scenic trail along the namesake creek is short, but it makes the vital connection between the Cannon Valley Trail in Red Wing and the Goodhue Pioneer Trail.

Lake Bronson Trail • 2.5 miles

Lake Bronson

This short, paved trail connects the town of Lake Bronson with Lake Bronson State Park’s visitor center and the Pioneer Cemetery.

Lake Koronis Trail • 18 miles Paynesville

The trail is a combination of paved trail and signed on-road route on the shoulder of a Rustic Road. Parking is available at Veterans Park near Paynesville. This trail connects with the Glacial Lakes State Trail.

Minnesota Trails

2020

Bike Trail Guide

Leaf River Recreational Trail • 4 miles

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail • 39 miles

Wadena

Starts at Wadena’s Sunnybrook Park and connects to a bike route to make a loop of 10.5 miles.

Mankato to Faribault

Mi Gi Zi Trail • 14 miles Cass Lake

This loop around Pike Bay is easily accessible from the Heartland Trail. Near Cass Lake, where the trail intersects with County Road 76, connect to the Mi Gi Zi Trail by riding about a half mile east on a signed road route.

Follow the trail counterclockwise around Pike Bay’s beautiful shores and the Chippewa National Forest and arrive at a trailhead north of Pike Bay after about ten miles. A signed bike route connects back to the Heartland Trail.

Minnesota River State Trail • 12 miles in three segments Ortonville, LeSueur, Granite Falls, Mankato

This paved trail is envisioned to connect Ortonville, MN with LeSueur via Granite Falls and Mankato as it follows the Minnesota River. Currently, three unconnected segments exist. In Ortonville, a 4.5-mile section links the city with Big Stone Lake National Wildlife Refuge starting at the Minnesota River headwaters at Riverside Park. After a very short paved segment the route runs on city roads for less than a mile and picks up again for the rest of the way at Mill Road. The route crosses the river three times, travels past 30-foot granite outcroppings and joins with roads inside the refuge. The next piece of three miles starts at the town of Milan and heads west to Milan Beach Resort on Lac Qui Parle Lake along Highway 40. The last segment of five miles takes off from the outskirts of Montevideo and travels south to the town of Wegdahl following Highway 15.

Okabena Lake Trail • 5.5 miles Worthington

This loop of road routes and paved trail around Okabena Lake connects eight city parks and crosses a bicycle bridge near Lakefront Park.

Rainy Lake Trail • 12 miles Rainy Lake to International Falls

The Rainy Lake Recreation Trail is a combination road route and paved stand alone trail.

It starts near the Rainy Lake Visitor Bureau, follows the south shore of Rainy River and terminates at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for Voyageurs National Park.

Rattlesnake Bluff Trail • 4 miles

Wacouta Township

This short, paved loop with some out and back connections starts at the Wacouta township hall and circles Grotes Pond. It’s worth exploring for its majestic views of Rattlesnake Bluff on the Mississippi River.

This trail will become part of the Mississippi Blufflands State Trail, which is currently in the planning stages.

Minnesota Trails

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

Jan Lasar photo

Red Jacket Trail • 12 miles Mankato

The Red Jacket trail between Mankato and Rapidan crosses over three railroad trestles, including historic Red Jacket Trestle, which is 80 feet high and 550 feet long and has great views of the Blue Earth River. It connects to Mankato’s city network of trails and the Minneopa Trail into Minneopa State Park.

ROCORI Trail • 5 miles Cold Spring

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

Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail • 60 miles

Southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country

The Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail system in the heart of southeastern Minnesota’s bluff country. The Root River Trail 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 two thirds of this trail are built on abandoned railroad grade and are fairly flat.

The southern segment leaves the constraints of the railroad bed and climbs to the rim of the valley with great views of the countryside. A connection of the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail south toward Niagara Cave and then the Iowa border is currently being worked on. On the Iowa side trail groups are working to connect the Trout Run and Prairie Farmer trails near Decorah to the Minnesota side to form an interstate trail network.

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 takes you to Long Lake Wayside Park in southwestern Watonwan County. An extension of the trail south into Normsby is in the works.

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. Connections 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.

Sleepy Eye Lake Bike Trail • 3 miles

Sleepy Eye

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

Starbuck Trail • 5 miles

Starbuck to Glacial Lakes State Park

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

Sunrise Prairie Trail • 15 miles

North Branch

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

Swedish Immigrant Trail • 6 miles

Lindstrom to Chisago City

When complete, the Swedish Immigrant Trail will connect the town of Wyoming on the Sunrise Prairie Trail to Interstate State Park and be about 20 miles long. Currently, some short segments exist: A three-mile paved section between Lindstrom and Chisago City, a 2-mile piece through Shafer and a 1.8-mile route traveling southwest from Interstate State Park.

Western Waterfront Trail • 5 miles

Duluth

At the end of the Willard Munger State Trail in Duluth, at Pulaski Street, you can access the Western Waterfront Trail. This packed gravel trail runs along the St. Louis River shoreline from the Spirit Lake Marina to near Fremont Street in Duluth’s Irving neighborhood.

Willard Munger State Trail • 70 miles Hinckley-Duluth

The 70-mile Hinckley-Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail passes by Banning and Moose Lake State Parks and through the spectacular scenery of Jay Cooke State Park as it makes its way from Hinckley through Finlayson, Willow River, Moose Lake, Barnum, Mahtowa, Carlton and Duluth, where it terminates near the Lake Superior Zoo. Summer 2020 17

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79 Twin P in76and out of the 7 goods and passengers Medicine Lake Regional Trail and the Basset It runs on a former railroad line covered 12 P Silver MEEKER CO. Lake Creek Regional Trail. The Medicine Lake Trail with a variety of surfaces ranging from 12 RENVILLE CO. Cities.14It was renamed Luce Line after the 7 4 Mud Boon 115 2 Lake 15 family who owned and 7extended it as far as 4 ends at Elm24Creek Park Reserve inLester Maple 71 Prairie Hutchinson Lake Plymouth and crushed limestone between Lake Lillian. After the railroad ceased operaGrove. Connections from here include the Winsted, pavement between Winsted and tions, the DNR acquired parts of the corridor Rush Creek and Crystal Lake Regional Trails. just west of Hutchinson, gravel between to create the state’s first nature trail in 1970.

In Wayzata, a short ride on city roads will Hutchinson and Cedar Mills to a mowed By 1975 the state owned most of the right of take trail users to the Dakota Rail Regional grass path between Cedar Mills and Cosmos. way and between 1977 and 1980 built the Trail, which continues roughly southwest for The western trailhead is just west of Cosmos trail to Winsted. In 2015, a 23-mile section be- 28.5 miles and ends just shy of Lester Prairie. in a county park on Thompson Lake. tween Winsted and Hutchinson was paved.

While it starts in the heart of the western Thompson Lake

MCLEOD CO.

Proposed Winsted Lake

EXPLORE… the LUCE LINE STATE TRAIL

Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

800.572.6689 info@explorehutchinson.com 18 Summer 2020

ExploreHUTCHINSON.com #MuchInHutch

Minnesota Trails

2020 Jay C. Hormel

Austin Nature Center

Elkton

215th Street

45

SHOOTING STAR

13

90

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58

STATE TRAIL

LEGEND

3

56

Picnic/Rest Area Paved Trail P Parking Restroom

Rose Creek

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BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Taopi

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Shooting Star State Trail

28.75 miles

The Shooting Star State Trail travels through Lake Louise State Park. Jan Lasar photo

The Shooting Star State Trail is a 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 through Lake Louise State Park and continues northwest to the town of Taopi, Adams and Rose Creek. The final leg of the trail travels north out of Rose Creek and picks up Austin’s network of city trails north of I-90.

Highlights: Remnant tallgrass prairie with wildflowers like prairie smoke, rattlesnake master, wild indigo, aster, goldenrod and blazing star wildflowers. The trail passes by several interpretive and recreational opportunities, including Rustic Retreat Wildlife Management Area, Shooting Star Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Taopi Prairie Interpretive Area and Mower County Natural and Scenic Area.

Connections: The last leg of the project calls for the trail to drop south from Austin to the town of Lyle on the Minnesota-Iowa border. While a timeline for this last part has not been established, another extension has the potential to become a reality much sooner.

From near Taopi, a four-mile leg will extend to the Minnesota-Iowa border and connect to the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail.

This 27-mile paved trail travels southeast from the state border into Elma, IA. Together with Austin’s city trails, the resulting network will be 72 miles long.

Shooting Star Bike Ride

22nd Annual

Rescheduled for June 19, 2021

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

See you next year!

STATE BI-

Shooting Star

Home of the

www.AustinMN.com 507-437-4563

Minnesota Trails

Trail

IA BI K E RI D

E

MN

shootingstartrail.org Summer 2020 19

Mesabi

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

MESABI

169

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16.3 29.3 39.3 46.3 51.3 64.3 74.5 83

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Oxhide Lake Overlook

7

110

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Keewatin

Nashwauk

McKinley Gilbert Sparta Eveleth Fayal 53 Veterans Park & Campground

US Hockey Hall fo Fame

25

Aurora

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38

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Hill Annex Mine State Park Marble

Minnesota Discovery Center

Biwabik

169

Buhl 169

Virginia

Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort

api

Kinney

169

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Mt. Iron

73 Chisholm Museum of Mining

Hibbing

Babbitt

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Birch Lake

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Hull Rush Mine Overlook Greyhound Bus Museum

Boundary Waters Canoe Area

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Bear Head Lake State Park Bear Head Lake

Embarrass

State Park

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Soudan

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Chisholm

169

Fortune Bay Bois Forte Heritage Museum and RV Park

Ely

North American Bear Center

169

McCarthy Beach State Park

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Grand 2 Rapids

Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Lake Vermilion

TRAIL

Bike Trail Future Trail Public Campground

Winton

Shagawa Lake

Mesabi Trail 135 miles

The wonders of the Mesabi Iron Range are in a class by themselves. Via the Mesabi Trail, cyclists, walkers and hikers can enjoy over 135 miles of paved trail stretching from the Mississippi River (Grand Rapids) to the Boundary Waters (Ely), and connecting 28 communities. When completed in 3 to 5 years, that mileage will expand to 155 miles. The trail runs through a wide range of scenery, from dramatic views of mining operations, to secluded woods, a jungle of vegetation, mine lakes and reservoirs.

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

Unlike a lot of paved trails in the state, the Mesabi Trail is created from old logging and mining roads, former roadways, some abandoned rail grade and new trail though the forest. There are even a couple of floating bridges. The trail crosses Minnesota’s tallest

Bicycle Sales, Repairs, and Rentals

(218) 236-1716

1285 South Pokegama Ave., Grand Rapids, MN 55744

20 Summer 2020

At the Hawkins Mine Overlook in Nashwauk. Jan Lasar photo Minnesota Trails

2020

bridge just outside of Virginia. It spans 1,132 feet and crosses the Rouchleau mine lake 200 feet above the water’s surface for a spectacular view from your bike seat.

Currently, over 75 continuous miles stretch from Grand Rapids to McKinley. After a short diversion to the shoulder of Hwy 135, riders can re-connect with the trail again just outside of Biwabik, with another 15 miles taking them past Giant’s Ridge Recreation Area to Embarrass. This section includes a 3/4 mile long floating bridge across the Embarrass Wetland Complex and the Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area.

There are another ten miles around Tower/ Soudan, including trail through the new Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park, and six miles near Eagles Nest Lakes off Hwy 169 on the way to Ely. There are additional spurs into communities like Chisholm and the Minnesota Discovery Center, Eveleth (with the world’s largest hockey stick), and Aurora.

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

Food, lodging, shopping, antiquing, golfing, fishing, camping and swimming are all in close proximity to segments of the trail, with communities and services available near all entry points.

2020 construction includes: 9.5 miles from Embarrass to Kugler Township heading towards Tower, leaving a 6 mile gap before actually connecting to Tower. This will create a 24 mile continuous stretch from Biwabik to Kugler Township. Another 2 miles will also be added to the Trail from the Lake Vermilion State Park heading towards Ely. Minnesota Trails

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Mesabi

The longest continuous segment of the Mesabi Trail stretches from Grand Rapids to McKinley. Jan Lasar photo

135 Miles of paved trail,

But Butwho’s who’s counting? counting?

135 Miles of paved trail,

mesabitrail.com

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

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

Summer 2020 21

Cannon Valley

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

CANNON VALLEY

3.6 9.6 19.4

TRAIL

316

To Hastings 61

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Welch

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52

Mill Towns Trail

LEGEND

To Twin Cities

Anderson Memorial Rest Area

Cannon Falls 19

Cannon Falls Campground (private)

Goodhue County Park

Oak Lane

Lake Byllesby

Find More Maps at

To Rochester

www.MNTrails.com

Cannon Valley Trail 19.7 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 non-motorized use and groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter. It also has several interpretive sites as well as rest stops with benches, water and

toilets. Trail users need to purchase a wheel pass.

Along the Trail: In Cannon Falls, the city section of the trail begins in a park on the Cannon River near the falls that gave the city its name. This half-mile trail winds around the park, picnic areas and ponds before heading through a residential area to the official start of the Cannon Valley Trail. Seventeen old mileage markers can be seen along the trail’s route. Originally, these concrete

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

posts were used to identify the number of miles from Mankato, which explains why you’ll see these same markers on the Sakatah Trail. The little town of Welch is the midpoint of the ride and has a rest stop that includes bathrooms. The trail then passes

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

Lift-Served downhill mountain biking Welch, MN

T I H

Welchvillage.com

E H T

Red Wing, MN

TR

L AI

RedWing.org

22 Summer 2020

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Memorial Park Mountain Bike Trails

Minnesota Trails

2020 Connections: At Cannon Falls the trail connects to the Mill Towns Trail, which will eventually link to the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail at Faribault. Currently paved sections of the Mill Towns Trail: Two miles at Cannon Falls,

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE three miles between Dundas and Northfield, two miles east from Faribault. Another connection in Red Wing takes you down the 5-mile northern portion of the Goodhue Pioneer Trail, which currently ends at the Hay

Cannon Valley

Creek Campground, but will one day connect to the Douglas State Trail near Rochester.

Another future trail connection includes the Mississippi Blufflands State Trail, which will link Red Wing with Lake City.

Summer in full swing on the Cannon Valley Trail. Jan Lasar photo

NEW! Introducing the

Minnesota Trails e-newsletter.

Your source for sneak previews, trail news, events and the latest blog posts.

Go to www.mntrails.com and click on Newsletter to sign up!

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2020 23

Hastings Loop

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

3.3 miles to Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead

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U.S. Route Bike Trail MRT Connection County Route Parks Parking Points of Interest

A - Scenic Overlook B - River Dike Trail C - Federal Lock and Dam #2 D - Scenic Overlook E - Hastings Bridge Plaza F - Off Leash Dog Park G - Leduc Mansion H - Disc Golf Course I - Vermillion River Falls J - Whitewater Rafting K - Vermillion River Gorge Bridge L - Old Mill Ruins

Hastings Ten Mile Loop

10 miles

The paved Ten Mile Loop is the highlight of Hasting’s 30-mile trail system. Numerous city parks and points of interest invite you to park the bike and explore. The trail takes you along the Mississippi River, allowing you to practically step out onto the river on an overlook platform and watch the boats and barges go by.

Continue along the trail past Lock and Dam #2, over a dike holding back the Mississippi backwaters, and up to a gorgeous river bluff overlook to catch glimpses of Bald Eagles soaring overhead.

Travel along the Mississippi River, but also along the banks of the Vermillion River, using underpasses on County Road 46/47 and Highway 61 to stop for a break at Vermillion Falls Park, where you can take in beautiful, 35-foot Vermillion Falls in a limestone ravine.

G IN W D D RE BLV

Points of Interest

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VERMILLION ST.

61

15TH ST. W

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BAILEY ST.

PINE ST

2ND ST W 4TH ST. W

316

Peaceful scene on the Vermillion River.

Lee Stoffel photo

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Another highlight along the route is the new Hastings Riverwalk, which connects two city parks located right on the Mississippi River.

Levee Park is a perfect spot for summer entertainment with an outdoor concert venue that fills up with live music, classes and outdoor movies from May through September. Other must-see stops are the Vermillion Gorge Bridge with its expansive river views and ruins of the old Ramsey Mill.

Connections: On the northwestern edge of the loop near Eagle Bluff Park, connect with the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway (MRT) and reach the Schaar’s Bluff trailhead at Spring Lake Park Reserve after a brief three-mile road ride. At Hastings Bridge Plaza the northeastern edge of the trail, take the paved Point Douglas Regional Trail, also part of the MRT, across the Mississippi River into Prescott, WI.

Get Away To Someplace Close...

visit hastings mn.org The trail in the Hastings river flats with the iconic bridge in the background.

Lee Stoffel photo 24 Summer 2020

Minnesota Trails

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Central Lakes

Participants of the Rail Trails 100 Bike Tour are ready to take on a century ride. Jan Lasar photo

Central Lakes State Trail 55 miles

The 55-mile-long, paved trail starts at the Fergus Falls trailhead on Highway 210 and travels southeast through the communities of Dalton, Ashby, Melby, Evansville, Brandon, Garfield, Alexandria, Nelson and Osakis. 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.

Along the Trail: The official Fergus Falls Trailhead is near the intersection of Minnesota Highway 210 and 19th Street, where you can find parking, bathrooms,

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Minnesota Trails

CALL

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Summer 2020 25

Central Lakes

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

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picnic facilities, a bike repair station and play sculpture. Camping is available at DeLagoon Park, about a mile down the trail from the trailhead. This large park also offers a swimming beach and picnic facilities.

Traveling from Fergus Falls you’ll cross the Continental Divide, where water flows south into the Mississippi or north into Hudson Bay. The small communities along the trail tuck in neatly between reed-lined lakes and the occasional farm field and you’ll easily find camping, restaurants and places to rest.

Stop for a photo op at the well-known statue of Big Ole the Viking at the north end of downtown Alexandria, near the Runestone

Museum. If you’re visiting in early summer, keep an eye out for pink or yellow Lady’s Slippers blooming along the trail.

A Combined History: The Lake Wobegon and Central Lakes Trails 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 until1991, 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: Just east of Osakis, the Central Lakes State Trail connects to the 65-mile-long, paved Lake Wobegon Trail.

From DeLagoon Park, city bike routes take you to Grotto Lake Park with the famous statue of Otto the Otter. Feasibility of a connecting 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.

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

SAVE DATE SAVE THE THE DATE

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AUGUST 7TH AUGUST 1ST

2021 2020

RailTrails100.com RailTrails100.com 26 Summer 2020

Minnesota Trails

2020

LAKE WOBEGON

Osakis P

127

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

REGIONAL TRAIL

Lake Wobegon Regional Trail trail ends in Osakis and connects to Central Lakes Trail

Lake Osakis

Lake Wobegon

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

65 MILES PAVED

Little Falls

10

Blanchard Dam

P

Royalton West Union P

26

Bowlus

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Sauk Lake

iss

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County Line 71

2.3 miles

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Sauk Centre

17 McCormick Lake

17

2.3 5.3 10.3 16.3 22.8 28.8 37.3 44.8 50.8 8

14 20.5 26.5 35 42.5 48.5

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Sauk River

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

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NORTHERN SPUR 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

Two Rivers Lakes

P

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

River’s Edge Park

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St. Cloud Waite Park

Summer 2020 27

Lake Wobegon

Lake Wobegon Regional Trail 65 miles

The paved Lake Wobegon Trail extends through the Central Minnesota counties of Stearns and Todd from Waite Park to Osakis through the state’s leading dairy county. The trail also has an extension from Albany heading northeast to Holdingford and the Stearns/ Morrison County line. Starting at Rivers Edge Park in Waite Park, you’ll cross the Sauk River on this newest section of the Lake Wobegon Trail. En route to St. Joseph you ride along natural areas and farm fields. 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

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BIKE TRAIL GUIDE 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 west 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 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.

Connections: Just outside of Osakis, continue on to the Central Lakes State Trail, a 55-mile paved trail to Fergus Falls. At the Stearns/Morrison county line north of Albany, the Wobegon connects to the paved Soo Line Trail. A link from Sauk Centre north to Browerville is being explored.

2020 Start YOUR JOURNEY Here on the Lake Wobegon Trail!

Stay in Sauk Centre and bike to Alexandria or St. Cloud.

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

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Joel Schneider Auto Service PotSpot 701 Railroad Ave., Albany

Avon Cabin Café Barbacoa 105 Ave. 105 Avon Avon Ave. S, S, Avon Avon

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

441 Railroad Ave, Albany 105 Avon Ave. S, Avon avoncabincafe.com cornerstonedeliandmarket. www.avoncabincafe.com (320) 403-1590 Barbacoa Avon Cabin Authentic Mexican & American Authentic avoncabincafe.com (320) 356-7198 arvigmedia.com (320) 356-7198 MexicanCafé & 441 Railroad Ave, 105 Avon845-2363 Ave. right S, Avon food right breakfast off theAlbany trail (320) 356-7198 (320) Homestyle American food Authentic Mexican & American avoncabincafe.com (320) 403-1590 and lunch. off the trail! food right off the trail (320) 356-7198 (320) 403-1590

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

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

Services Services

Helping Hands Joel Schneider Outreach Auto Service Rent a surrey bike Joel Schneider 701 Railroad Ave., Albany PaintAuto, yourcycle, ownATV pottery & snowmobile in Holdingford!

Service PotSpot Auto, Auto cycle, ATV & snowmobile 107 Avon Ave.and N, Avon holdingfordhelpinghands.org service accessories Joel Schneider 701 Railroad Ave., Albany Helping Hands Outreach Paint your own pottery service accessories potspotceramics.com (320) 845-4856 (320)and 746-9960 Auto Service Auto, cycle, &Holdingford snowmobile 101 Plymouth St., 107(320) Avon 356-2233 Ave. N, Avon (320)ATV 845-4856

701 Railroad Ave., Albany potspotceramics.com www.joelschneiderservice.com (320) 356-2233 (320) 845-4856 Quality work at a great price.

Minnesota Trails

1998-2018 1998-2018

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

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

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

(320) 845-2363

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

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

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

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

Join the s of iendHands rOutreach FHelping e kbike aHands Helping e aL th Rent surrey Outreach ino Holdingford! begon W Rent a surrey bike holdingfordhelpinghands.org ail! r746-9960 THoldingford! in (320)

service and accessories holdingfordhelpinghands.org holdingfordhelpinghands.org (320)746-9960 845-4856 (320) 746-9960 (320) Rent a surrey bike in Holdingford!

Summer 2020 29

Gitchi-Gami

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Trail30 miles Gitchi-Gami StateFuture Trail

Destined to become one of the most scenic paved trails in the nation, the GitchiGami parallels the North Shore Scenic Drive Byway, the popular Superior Hiking Trail and the Lake Superior Water Trail. Gitchi-Gami Grand Marais offers an active way to enjoy Minnesota’s North Shore with fantastic views of its Cascade River State Park 30 MILES PAVED namesake lake.

Lutsen P Along the Trail: The Gitchi-Gami State Trail will eventually trace 89 miles of Tofte P the North Shore, weaving its way through Future Trail Temperance River State Park five state parks from Two Harbors to Grand Bike Trail GrandPMarais Marais. The longest trail section to date State Park Schroeder P runs more than 17 miles from Gooseberry Cascade River State Park P Parking Taconite Harbor 30 MILES PAVED r Falls State Park across the Split Rock River, rio George H. Crosby ManitouLutsen State Park P Picnic/Rest Area through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and pe u S Beaver Bay, and on to Silver Bay. At Split Rock Restroom e P k Tofte Lighthouse State Park, you ride just below La Camping Temperance River State Park a wayside rest and scenic overlook with a Tettegouche State P Park picture-perfect view of the lighthouse. To Schroeder P Silver Bay P visit the lighthouse and interpretive center, Taconite Harbor take the short spur trail leading there. Split Beaver Bay Pior George H. Crosby Manitou State Park er Rock Lighthouse State Park and Beaver Bay Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Sup P both have trail centers with parking. The e P kP a half -mile lakeside swing around Highway Gooseberry Falls State Park L 61’s Silver Creek Tunnel is worth visitingTettegouche on P State Park wheels or on foot for its panoramic views P of Lake Superior. There’s also a three-mile Silver Bay Two P stretch of trail from Schroeder to Tofte, Beaver Bay Harbors P passing through Temperance River State

GITCHI-GAMI

STATE TRAIL

GITCHI-GAMI

STATE TRAIL

Split Rock Lighthouse Park and offering a view of Carlton Peak.State Park P P This stretch could make a nice out-and-back P Gooseberry Falls State Park casual ride or family trip of six miles with Pa stop for a hike to see the Temperance River P of Tofte, Gorge. Navigating through the TwoTown plan to take the Town ParkHarbors Road, which can bring riders some excellent opportunities to engage with Lake Superior. The trail once again picks up on the northeast side of Tofte where it continues another 7.3 miles.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail Find More Maps at Four Sections www.MNTrails.com Silver Creek Cliff

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail begins with a short yet impressive one-mile section of the original North Shore Drive, running 4,000 feet around the Silver Cliff Creek Tunnel northwest of Two Harbors. This section of the trail offers a spectacular vista of Lake Superior and has a reproduction of the original 1924 North Shore Gateway arch and brass plaque welcoming visitors. While this section isn’t ready for through traffic, you may want to park just east of the tunnel and walk across the trail bridge to enjoy the view.

This is also an area to see rock climbers and a great place for travel photos.

Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

thought to have been an ancient route for the Temperance River into Lake Superior.

There Temperance River Gorge offers spectacular views of the river and rocks below. You can also view the 1,526-foot Carlton Peak. You’ll have to cross Highway 61 at the east end of Tofte and use the Town Road to access the community of Tofte. Trail users can use the Blue Fin Bay lake walk trail for about a half-mile to rejoin the trail on the east edge of town. This trail segment currently offers parking in Schroeder at the Tofte Public Water Access.

Food, beverages and restroom facilities are available in Tofte.

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 . The 1.5-mile segment of completed Gitchi-Gami Trail in Grand Marais lies within the 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.

Gooseberry State Park to Silver Bay

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

Temperance River State Park

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

This segment crosses the Temperance River Gorge and an ancient stream bed that is 30 Summer 2020

AUGUST 21, 2021 Minnesota Trails

Fu Bi St P Pa Pi Re Ca

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

We know you’re ready to get out and ride. Make sure you and your bike are ready for whatever adventure you have in mind. Need a tune-up?

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

Adventure Cycle & Ski advcycle.com | Winona

Jake’s Bikes jakesbikes.com | Alexandria

Red Wing Bicycle Company redwingbikes.com | Red Wing

Bikes on Howard bikesonhoward.net | Hibbing

Jerry’s Schwinn Cyclery jerrysschwinn.com | Coon Rapids

Revolution Cycle and Ski revolutioncycleandski.com | St. Cloud

Central Lakes Cycles centrallakescycle.com | Fergus Falls

Maklin Bike Shop maklinbikeshop.com | Shafer

Rick’s Cycling and Sports Center rickscycling.com | Willmar

DL Bike Shop dlbikeshop.com | Detroit Lakes

Maple Grove Cycling maplegrovecycling.com | Maple Grove

Rochester Cycling cycling-fitness.com | Rochester

Downtown Bicycles downtownbicyclesllc.com | Northfield

Martin’s Cycling & Fitness martinscyclingandfitness.com | Albert Lea

Rydjor Bike Shop rydjor.com | Austin

Easy Riders Bicycle & Sportshop easyridersbikes.com | Brainerd

Northern Cycle northerncyclemn.com | Park Rapids, Bemidji

Scheels scheels.com | 4 MN Locations

Forest Lake Cycle & Skate forestlakecycleandskate.com | Forest Lake Freewheel Bike freewheelbike.com | 9 Metro Locations Gateway Cycle gatewaycycle.com | Oakdale Gear West Bike & Triathlon gearwest.com | Long Lake

Minnesota Trails

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OneTen Cycles onetencycles.com | Mendota Heights Outdoor Motion outdoormotionbikes.com | Hutchinson Ramsey Bicycle ramseybicycle.com | Ramsey

Straight River Sports straightriversports.com | Owatonna The Bike Shop thebikeshopmarshall.com | Marshall The Ski Hut theskihut.com | Duluth

Summer 2020 31

4/20/20 12:33 PM

Soo Line

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE Trail, is currently in the planning stages.

This link will start at Blanchard Dam, run through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, then on to Camp Ripley, and finally reach the southern terminus of the Paul Bunyan State Trail at Crow Wing State Park. When complete, the Camp Ripley/Veterans

Find More Maps at www.MNTrails.com

Little Falls Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

SOO LINE

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

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

State Trail will link the Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon, Paul Bunyan, Heartland and Mi Gi Zi trails and become a major connector between central and northern Minnesota’s trails. The first mile between Little Falls’ Mill Ruins Park and the state park is expected to be completetd in 2020.

LEGEND

10 miles

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.

Along the Trail: 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 at Blanchard Dam on the Mississippi, which has a 1920s hydroelectric station still in use today. 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, WI with another paved 11-mile segment between Isle and Onamia near Mille Lacs and Father Hennepin State Parks.

Connections: A few miles north of Holdingford, the Soo Line Trail connects with the Lake Wobegon Trail in Stearns County.

A future trail connection to the Paul Bunyan Trail, the Camp Ripley/Veterans State

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Soo Line Trail

The Bowlus trailhead was built to resemble the former railroad depot. Jan Lasar photo 32 Summer 2020

Minnesota Trails

2020 GLACIAL LAKES

Richmond Connects to Rocori Trail

STATE TRAIL

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71

Norway Lake

Sibley State Park

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Paynesville City Bike Trail

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Find More Maps at

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LEGEND

Games Lake

Glacial Lakes

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Atwater

5

Glacial Lakes State Trail 25 miles

The area around the Glacial Lakes Trail is dotted with countless lakes shaped by retreating glaciers some 10,000 years ago.

Today, communities in this popular tourist area welcome visitors who come here to recreate at the lake, on the bike or both.

Along the trail: The trail starts at the Civic Center on the northern edge of Willmar. It goes northeast through beautiful farm land, prairie, and 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. Many resorts campgrounds and hotels offer plenty of lodging options just off the trail.

Connections: Just northeast of Willmar, take the five-mile Eagle Lake Loop Trail which circles back to the Civic Center. A city bike route also takes you to downtown Willmar. In Spicer, take a ride around Green Lake on a combination of trails and signed routes. A five-mile on-road connection takes you to Sibley State Park near New London, but plans are underway to build a standalone trail. At the eastern end of the Glacial Lakes Trail, take Paynesville’s connector route to the Lake Koronis Trail, an 18-mile route around its namesake lake. At Richmond, the Glacial Lakes Trail connects to the RoCoRi Trail, which will connect Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville.

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

PAYNESVILLE INN & SUITES Right on the Bike Trail Ride the Glacial Lakes & Lake Koronis Trail

Cruising down the trail on a sunny day. Jan Lasar photo

t c a r d f. f i g s i You, thr next day of u and yo

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

Give the gift of Minnesota’s spectacular natural world.* Purchase gift cards at mnDNR.gov/GiftCard

Minnesota Trails

Summer 2020 33

Paul Bunyan/Heartland Map

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

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

Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific & Natural Area

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Minnesota Trails

2020

Paul Bunyan State 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’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 and you’ll see many incarnations of Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox, in towns along this one-of-a-kind trail.

The route 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 length is closer to 123 miles. Links with the Heartland, Shingobee and Bemidji Lake Loop Trails make this a system worth visiting over and over.

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE 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.

Connections: Traveling north on the Paul Bunyan State Trail after Hackensack,

Paul Bunyan

you’ll enter the Chippewa National Forest and come to a Y intersection. Go left and ride the hilly section of the Paul Bunyan Trail through the 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.

After you cross Paul Bunyan Drive on the bridge in Bemidji, connect to the 17-mile Lake Bemidji Trail around Lake Bemidji. It doesn’t matter which way you go around the lake, the route ends at Lake Bemidji State Park.

The Paul Bunyan Trail is also part of the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway, a signed route from the Mississippi Headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.

Crow Wing State Park to Walker

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. North of Brainerd you’ll find wetlands, gardens and the little towns of Merrifield and 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. 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. Farther down the trail you can meet Paul Bunyan’s girlfriend, Lucette, in Hackensack, home to an annual chainsaw carving festival. After Hackensack, take either the hilly route through the Chippewa National Forest to the shared section of the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Trail or the Shingobee Connector trail. Both routes connect to downtown Walker, but the Shingobee trail is shorter and easier.

08.29.20 Paul Bunyan Trail Brainerd to Pequot Lakes

VISITBRAINERD Choose Your Adventure.

Minnesota Trails

MN_Trails_Summer2020.indd 1

PaulsBaconRide.com VisitBrainerd.com Summer 2020 35

2/11/2020 10:44:13 AM

Heartland

2020

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Heartland State Trail 49 miles

The Heartland State Trail is another mustsee destination in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country. Numerous towns, resorts and parks provide amenities to the rider on one of Minnesota’s most visited recreational trail systems. Since this trail connects to the Paul Bunyan, Shingobee and Mi Gi Zi Trails, there’s well over one hundred miles to explore over several days.

Park Rapids to Dorset

The official start of the Heartland Trail is at 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 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. The trail travels through the woods with glimpses of an occasional pond. Pines and poplar trees are plentiful and birch stand out nicely from the green background.

Just before you get to Nevis, enjoy views of Shallow and Belle Taine Lakes as you cross over the channel connecting the two.

Rugged landscape near Cass Lake. Jan Lasar photo

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.

Akeley to Walker

The Heartland Trail and the Paul Bunyan Trail share a trail segment from just northeast of Akeley to 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 eight-mile segment on paved logging roads-turned-trail

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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 town, 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.

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 Walker, connect to the Shingobee Trail near Chase on the Lake Resort. This seven-mile combination of road routes and standalone trail crosses Shingobee Bay on the south end of Leech Lake and will take you to the Paul Bunyan Trail. Go south at this intersection toward Hackensack or west through the Chippewa National Forest and loop back to Walker via the Heartland/Paul Bunyan Trail.

Near Cass Lake, where the trail intersects County Road 76, connect with the Mi-Gi-Zi Trail by riding about a half a mile east on a signed road route. Follow the 14-mile trail counterclockwise around Pike Bay’s beautiful shores and the Chippewa National Forest and arrive at a trailhead north of Pike Bay after about ten miles. From there, a signed bike route will take you back to the Heartland Trail on quiet city streets through Cass Lake.

Future expansions of the Heartland include an 86-mile segment from Park Rapids west to Moorhead and a 40-mile extension north from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park.

The Paul Bunyan/Heartland State Trail system is also part of the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway (MRT), a signed route from the Mississippi River headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.

| www.parkrapids.com Minnesota Trails

2020

Gateway

BIKE TRAIL GUIDE P

GATEWAY/ BROWN’S CREEK

Pine Point Regional Park

STATE TRAIL

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and St. Croix River Crossing Loop

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Vadnais-Snail Lakes Reg. Parks

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18 miles of paved trail from St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park.

5.9 miles Brown’s Creek Trail.

4.9 miles St. Croix River Crossing Loop.

Oakdale

Phalen-Keller Regional Park

St. Paul

P P

St. Croix Crossing Bridge

North St. Paul

Minnehaha Ave.

LEGEND

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Stillwater

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L. Owasso

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Find More Maps at

www.MNTrails.com

18 miles

The Gateway Trail is a true getaway trail starting deep in metropolitan St. Paul, just a mile from the State Capitol. It finishes after 18 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 can be busy, especially on weekends.

Connections: The Gateway State Trail provides access to other trail opportunities in Phalen-Keller Regional Park, the 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. An extension of the Gateway north into Taylors Falls is being explored.

Brown’s Creek State Trail 5.9 miles

About 15 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. It passes through heavily wooded areas and past golf courses. Riders can view a historic stone bridge from the mid-1800s. At about the halfway point, Brown’s Creek Park provides restrooms and ample parking. Then, riders will descend a canyon to Highway 95. This section of the trail provides views of spectacular fall colors and small waterfalls. The final miles of the Brown’s Creek trail follow the St. Croix River into Stillwater.

Connections: The Brown’s Creek Trail connects with the St. Croix River Crossing Loop near the Zephyr Theatre.

St. Croix River Crossing Loop

4.7 miles

This paved trail takes off from the end of the Brown’s Creek State Trail, travels through downtown Stillwater and makes a loop across the river into Wisconsin. Riders cross the river on the iconic Stillwater lift bridge open only to non-motorized traffic, and the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge, which has separated bike and pedestrian lanes. Lots of scenic views on this section.

Minnesota Trails

Selfie with a view on the St. Croix River Crossing Loop.

Discover Stillwater photo Summer 2020 37

Garden Island Rec. Area

Lake of the Woods

Zippel Bay Lake Bronson

Red River of the North

Rainy River

Hayes Lake

Franz Jevne

75

International Falls

Old Mill

Red Lake

59

Crookston

Lake Bemidji

2 La Salle Lake Rec. Area

Leech Lake Walker

Itasca

Moorhead

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

Glendalough Central Lakes Alexandria

75

Glacial Lakes Pomme de Terre

Big Stone Lake 12

Chippewa

Lake Wobegon

Willmar

Kettle

Lake Maria

Father Hennepin

59 71

212

Lake Rec. Area

George H. Crosby Manitou Silver Bay

Gooseberry Falls

Gitchi Gami Trail

Superior Hiking Trail Lake Superior Duluth

Moose Lake

Alex Laveau Segment

MAP LEGEND PRAIRIE

Sand Stone

DECIDUOUS FOREST

Banning

CONIFEROUS FOREST

St. Croix

Mora

Split Rock Lighthouse Two Harbors

Hinckley

TALLGRASS ASPEN PARKLAND Snake

35

St. Croix River

STATE PARKS

Rum

North Branch Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek Grand Rounds

Minneapolis Luce Line Hutchinson Crow, Dakota LRT South Fork Greenleaf

212 Upper Sioux Agency

Mille Lacs Lake

Lake Superior

Tofte

Tettegouche

Cloquet

Munger

Crosby

Charles A. Lindbergh

12

St. Louis

Jay Cooke Savanna Portage Willard

Cuyuna Country Rec. Area

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

Monson Lake Lac qui Parle

OHV Rec. Area

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Marais

Temperance Cascade River River

Hibbing Iron Range

Hill Annex Mine

2

Soo Line Little Falls

Lake Carlos

Bear Head Lake

Grand Portage Judge C.R. Magney

Kekekabic Trail

Eveleth

169 Mississippi

North Country Trail

Mille Lacs Kathio

71 Long Prairie 10

Mesabi

Grand Rapids

Crow Wing

Glendalough

Fergus Falls

McCarthy Beach

Lake Cass Winnibigoshish Lake Paul Bunyan Migizi Schoolcraft

Bemidji

75

BWCA

Lake Vermilion /Soudan Undergound Mine

Scenic

Erskine

Border Route Trail

53 Vermillion

Big Fork

71

Lower Red Lake

Red River Rec. Area

Voyageurs National Park

Little Fork

Big Bog Rec. Area

Upper Red Lake

Rainy Lake

Rainy Lake

Hugo

Fort

Saint Paul

52

STATE RECREATIONAL AREAS

Wild River

BIKE TRAILS

Interstate

ROADS

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

Afton

STATE WATER TRAILS MAJOR CITIES LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS

Hastings

Not for Navigation Jan. 2019

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

Mystery Cave

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Pedal the Prairie …Discover what’s #OnlyinPipestone

PipestoneMinnesota.com 38 Summer 2020

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Minnesota Trails

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Southern Region

Metro Region Mankato 90

A quick and easy reference for planning your adventure!

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WHERE

EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE A WEEKEND

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

EAT & DRINK

DEERSTAND RESTAURANT AND BAR 218-534-9253

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SPECIALTY STORES VICTUAL

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

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

St. Cloud

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2

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JAKE’S BIKES ALEXANDRIA

DEERWOOD MOTEL

61

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94

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Bemidji

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FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT

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Northeast Region

2

225 West Superior Street, STE 110 www.visitduluth.com

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

Minnesota Trails Directory Regions

Northwest Region

124 West Main Street, Crosby www.shopvictual.com

218-545-1000

SERVICES JACOBS REALTY

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

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See more details about these trail-friendly businesses at

www.mntrails.com/trail-partners

CHOOSE YOUR BIKE ADVENTURE

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Summer 2020 39

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