Minnesota riding

[NGE]

I am hoping that people will help me out with some suggestions on where to trail ride in MN... maybe find some people who ride near me (Minneapolis)...

Here's some good places I know of in Northern MN-

Big Aspen Ski Area- Near Virginia MN, great CC ski trails that double as great single track trails for riders in the summer- The network of trails is pretty extensive and it connects to the Laurentian Divide snomobile trails (largest snomobile trail system in the world I believe)- This place has trails for all skill levels, from open fire roads to tight single track- fairly hilly... it also connects to many other various trails

Laurentian Divide- just north of Virginia MN- an extremely diverse and extensive trail system that can take you anywhere on the Iron Range in the Arrowhead region of MN.... this is a snomobile trail system in the winter (unmatched), so some of it runs though swamps and the such, but you can always find ways through.... These trails are mostly wide and fast (being snomobile trails)... but they run to every town in the area (Ely, Tower, Eveleth, Virginia, Cook, Hibbing, and everywhere in between)... they also pull right up to many many bars and filling stations (thank the snomobilers for that one... :) ) You can get on this system at the Laurentian Divide rest stop (about 1/4 mile north from the parking lot is a trail entrance).... thorough maps are available for this whole system at most gas stations in the area.

Lookout Mtn- Wouri Township MN... north of Virginia on hiway 53 to 169 N (Ely) exit.. go to Fireweed road (first intersection) and take a right... follow it past the last house on the road.. you can park anywhere past here and ride from there (the road quickly degrades).. till you hit the trails on Lookout Mtn and Pike Mtn... ride

 

[salamander]

Check out the Nickerson, nemadji ride coming up 9/21-22, 70+ miles of excellent single track, its about 30 miles south of duluth details can be found at the D23 ARMCA site

 

[NGE]

Along the Nemadji River I assume.... knowing that area, I am sure its awesome... where is the trail head, little details?

 

[NGE]

I am headed to Nemadji tommorow.

I'll let you know what I think of it. Have you ever been there?

 

[roosteater]

Paul Bunyan State Forest. Akeley, MN. Go to the Martineau trailhead just north of town on 64. A little of everything. Tight single track. ATV trails. Powerline trails. Wider trails. Logging and fire roads.

Also, two can't miss events are the Spring and Fall Golden Eagles trail rides in Theilman, MN (Zumbro River Bottoms area). There's a state park down there that is only opened up twice a year to motorized vehicles. Normally, it's a horse park.

 

[salamander]

nickerson trail ride
check out http://www.straightarrows.org/ for info on the nickerson nemadji trail ride, I've been there twice and will be heading up sat a.m. its always been a great ride

the straight arrows do a nice job organizing this event.

the martineau trail is an awesome ride to.

 

[NGE]

Nemadji rox!! The single track is well maintained and intermingles with extensive 4-wheeler trails, so there is something for everyone.

The single track is labled "no 4-wheelers" so it has remained single track!!

I entered near Foxboro at the DNR lot near the golf course.. we rode single track most of the day but the 4-wheeler trails run all the way to Forest Lake I am told....

maps of the area are available through the DNR.

Salamander- directions to get to the trail head would be nice

 

[NGE]

Salamander- just realized that you posted a site for directions... sorry about the confusion

*for some reason I can't edit my post

 

[NGE]

Chenguatana Sate Forest (or however it's spelled)-

Just East of Pine City MN- 1 hour north of the cities.... Dropped in for a little bit of riding because I was at Dennis Kirk anyways so it was just a hop away.

Didn't get to do much in the way of riding there, just an hour or so... spent all of that on double track.. but it looks like there is some good potential though..

anyone know more about this area?... my brother has a cabin just near there, so I would like to know where the best riding is around it.

 

[headbanger]

The trails up at Paul Bunyan State Forest are very good. The east side has some very good single track. It will make Big Aspen ski trails seem like I-35!!
The Twin City Trail Riders have a trail ride up there in the summer, check it out next year.

 

[NGE]

if you like tight single track, you should really check out Nemadji... very very tight... hitting both bars going through some spots...

thanks for the input, I will get up there and check it out

 

[headbanger]

I have been riding at Nemadji for a few years now. It used to be tight single track through out most of the trails. The AVT's have widened out most of the trails. The best stuff is on the east side close to the Gandy Dancer.
How did you find out about lookout mountain?

 

[NGE]

Originally posted by headbanger How did you find out about lookout mountain?

I grew up about 2 miles away.. used to ride there all the time.. Lookout has some VERY technical climbs and drops, but they are not on the ski trails... check the north face, BE CAREFULL, they are wicked..

some really tight trails on the mtn just behind Lookout. I forget it's name, but it is on your left if you go in the way I said... (lookout would be on the right)

I was able to ride very tight single track all day out in Nemadji... no 4-wheelers had been on them, period.... way to tight and technical for 4-wheelers.. they cross the 4-wheeler trails every so often

 

[headbanger]

I'm a Ranger also. I will have to check out lookout mountain new time we go up north.

 

[NGE]

let me know, maybe I'll join ya out there

 

[NGE]

Im going up to Nemadji this coming weekend 25th-26th from St. Paul... if anyone wants to join me PM me an email or phone number

 

[headbanger]

NGE send me a pm with your e-mail address. A few of us may be going to Nemadji or Akeley this weekend.

 

[NGE]

hmmm, don't know how to PM you (<--- n00b)

you can email me at [email protected] ... I'll be up in Duluth Friday night, can ride Sat. or Sun. but I need to make arrangements so let me know where and when.... (might need specific instructions)

Akeley?... do tell...

 

[NGE]

anyone up for a roadtrip to some trails this winter from the Mpls/St Paul area?

see this thread for my first suggestion http://dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87559

 

[headbanger]

There will be a group going to Hot Springs, Arkansaw in Feb. for the WUDI ride. We rode Knobby Ridge in Neilsville Wi. Sunday and it was a blast!

 

[NGE]

what group, and how do I get ahold of them?

how far is Niesville from Mpls?

 

[RiDeReDmX228]

another good track near MN is Arkansaw Cycle park, it is in WI but only about 45 minbutes across the border, its a great track

 

[NGE]

The OHV park in Gilbert MN!!!.... it's a LOT of fun for a cycle... most guys are on 4-wheelers, but there is EVERYTHING out there... single track, fire roads, sand pits. crazy hill climbs, trials stuff, rock crawls, mud pits....

It is currently 1500 some odd acres and they are adding another 3,000 some odd this year..

The guys on 4-wheelrs all commented on how much more fun the cycles looked to be.. :laugh: ... I had to agree

The best part?.... IT'S FREE!!!!.... compliments of MN DNR.

Worth checking out for sure...

There's also a lot of places to ride nearby and even connected to the OHV park....(indirectly via roadside 4wheeler trail)... you can take trails just about anywhere up there... Gilbert even seems to endorse OHV's in the alley's off of the main street...

 

[goater]

You mean the Iron Range OHV park

 

[MX86]

well it's kinda old thread but i don't you if ya guys hit these spots.

General Andrews state park in stergon lake
There is a huge trail riding area right here in nashwauk Minnesota and surrounding area's (email me or pm for details or maybe a get together)
Danbury wisconsin (get off in hinckley and it's believe 36 miles past the casino... great riding.
there is the echo speedway just out of duluth. fun track.
the OHV park in gilbert is a lot of fun. i see some of ya have been there.

we should set-up a group ride for this coming summer or somethin