monticello-camp manitou

[country]

I noticed that there is no indication if the monticello trails are still open? I wondered what the best way to find out would be. Thanks

[gopherhockey]

Hmmm.. good question. Perhaps Blast would know? I can't remember their web site offhand... and I think it is actually a different group that does much of the maintenance there.

Or, write the city - perhaps they would know. I'll send em' a quick email and try find out.

[igor]

Here's the link. I just did a quick check and it doesn't say if it's open or closed.

porkchop racing (http://www.porkchopracing.org/)

[Kevin Leis]

The blast site is www.bikeblast.com . But it hasn't been updated since August. Their email address is located at the bottom of their home page.

[ryno lite]

It's not worth emailing the city of Monticello, it's not even in the city limits and thus not even in their jurisdiction. To be honest, probably 99.9% of the population of that town probably hasn't even heard that there is a mountain bike trail just outside of their own city. It is/was a BLAST trail and since Elk River and Milaca are closed, I'd assume that is a good bet for Monti also. To be honest, it's hard enough to follow that trail during the summer much less with snow everywhere, plus they got a good chunk of snow last night and I'll bet there isn't a person riding out there so it would be almost impossible to ride. There are a ton of biking and other use trails out there and with the snow covering everything, I think you'd just get lost and have a miserable time blazing through 6-8 inches of snow that is already on the ground there.

[country]

Thanks for the info, sounds like good advice. It's better not to do something stupid like get lost in the snow in an unfamiliar trail system and eliminate myself from the gene pool. I guess I am stuck with the bottoms trail for the winter.

[ryno lite]

Mark, if you never have been there, I recomend checking it out next year. It's pretty cool if you're looking for some different single track near the cities. It would be reasonably close for you. Check it out when it's dry if possible and after they've trimmed it. As I've said before, it's a pain to navigate without snow, but I'd recommend it to anyone if the trail is dry. It's pretty cool!

[country]

I just moved here and it sure feels like spring is a long way off. I am used to pretty much riding year round in the 30's-40's with a little snow that would melt after a few days. I was a bit optomistic about doing the same here. I missed most of the riding season moving from Germany. I really wanted to try out Monticello, Milaca and Memorial but I didn't get out there. I was able to sample Hillside, Lebanon, Bottoms, farm and Battle Creek. Pretty good riding I am just not used to having to drive so far to get to the trails. I appreciate the help. Thanks

[ryno lite]

Yeah, the weather can be a pain here. Our snow rarely melts here until the end of winter. Good for winter sports, bad for biking. There are a couple of courses open in the winter. I've never done the winter riding there so someone else would have to tell you about them. I think one of them is Murphy Hanerhan and the other is Elm Creek if I am right. You'd have to check that out yourself cause I am not sure.

I am counting down the days till Spring myself!

[sensorysonic]

Baker Park Reserve and Murphy-Hanrehan have multi-use trails open sunrise to sunset in the winter as snow conditions permit. Baker Park Reserves winter trail is 4 miles. Murphy-Hanrehans winter trail is 3 miles. Call 763-559-6700 for snow conditions for biking. The trails are only open after proper snow pack, as these trails are only for winter mountain biking on snowpack. Mountain biking is NOT ALLOWED at Baker Park Reserve in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Elm Creek Park Reserve does NOT have winter mountain biking.

[TML]

Monticello is definitely worth checking out in the spring. I had fun with the Blast guys while helping out with a few sections of it. It's got a little of everything along a 90% singletrack 9+ mile loop. I think it is a great trail where you can get in a lot of off-road miles without getting dizzy or sick and tired of the same thing. You can put on 20 miles in two laps and still feel pretty good. Sure, you could put 26 or so miles on at Milaca in two laps but that trail puts you through the ringer a little more. Monticello is a good cruiser.

[ryno lite]

I agree Troy, I'm surprised with how close it is to the cities and how few miles of trails we have, that more people don't ride Monti.

[ryno lite]

It's always great to be corrected by your older brother. I needed it though, seeing as I don't know a damn thing about what is open in the winter.

[Don Youngdahl]

Quoting a post on another thread: ''I think the damage by the enduro motorcycle race that has occurred the last few years has been blown way out of proportion. 96% of the mountain bike trail has been untouched by motocross......"

In my view, that's an accurate assessment of the trail conditions. This may be nitpicking, but for those unfamiliar with the various forms of dirt bike competition, I'll explain that the events the Norsemen have been holding at Manitou are neither enduo nor motocross. They are hare scrambles, which is an out-and-out race like motocross, but over a course that's several miles long, as opposed to less than a mile in motocross. Enduro is a timed event, like a sports car rally, with penalties for being late to checkpoints, and much bigger penalties for being early.

That's my trivia contribution for the day.

Don Youngdahl

[sensorysonic]

Hi Don,
Thanks for explaining dirk bike competition! Interesting, I didn't know any of these facts. I actually don't now anything about dirt bike competition, in terms of the various styles. And no, that's not nitpicking at all! Man, that's great trivia!!

[sensorysonic]

Originally posted by ryno lite
It's always great to be corrected by your older brother. I needed it though, seeing as I don't know a damn thing about what is open in the winter.

Hey bro, you might not know what's open for winter riding, but you know a thing or two about riding in winter, that's for sure! Riding all those years at the U of M, with no auto, that's carsRcoffins approved lifestyle you were living! and pub crawls on the old rigid ride! No parking for pints!

[ryno lite]

Yep, there were some wild rides in those days, all year long! Don't miss the winter riding though. It was ok but damn cold!

[The Bull]

Has anyone ridden here lately? What are the conditions?

[sensorysonic]

I rode Camp Manitou a week ago. The North Side has been cleared partially. The section where you cross the field on the North side, and go into the pine tree section. That whole section had trees down all over, and that has all been cleared. The wider trail sections have been mowed in some areas. The Blast clusters, the real tight singletrack is a complete jungle. Supposedly Blast is planning to clear Manitou, but it has something to do with whether they can reach an agreement with the Manitou land manager. They may have done more work since I have been there. I don't know the current status. :cheesy:

[sensorysonic]

This is the latest information about the Boo Blast, which in the past, has been held at Monticello Camp Manitou:
"The details for the Boo Blast are being worked on. We are pushing the date into October to a location other than Monticello. When we have a confirmed date and location the web site will be updated."--Blast
I would assume, if Blast is not holding the Boo Blast at Monticello, then the incentive to clear the trail may be put on hold, maybe indefinitely. Some of the trail has been cleared, but the Blast technical cluster sections are basically a jungle, and are in jeopardy of being lost if some attention to the trail doesn't occur this fall or early next year. Clearing this trail is going to take a big crew and clearing equipment.

[Panman]

I have insider information that the Monti trails are at the same point as they were in the beginning of the year, the camp people aren't cooperating. There for the Boo Blast will not be held there this year for sure. I know when and where the Boo Blast will be taking place but am waiting for permission from Kevin to let everyone know. Once I get the OK I'll post the race date and place.

[sensorysonic]

I rode the entire Camp Manitou trail tonight! Trail is dry and all the trees have been removed! Somebody or group has done a lot of work clearing the trail of trees, as many were down from an early summer storm. A lot of the trail has been mowed, especially the more open parts of the trail. Trail is very rideable right now. Bravo to whomever did all the tree clearing! Very nice to have Camp Manitou rideable again! :p

[Panman]

You wana ride there again sometime? I've actualy never ridden there but would like too.

[sensorysonic]

Yeah Ryan, that sounds good. Maybe I'll see you at the MORC party at Buck Hill tomorrow. Take Care, Paul

[Greg LaVallee]

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Monticello trails are almost completely cleared. There are still a few face slappers left in the tight technical sections, but all the fallen trees have been removed and the trail is very ridable! As for the camp management, they love to have people come and ride. No need to dish them.

I am working on a getting directions to the trail and a detailed trail map put together. When this is complete I will try to get it added to the trails section of this site.

[sensorysonic]

Greg, great job on the trail! You've done a ton of work!! I rode with some Blast and Pork Chop dudes on Tuesday. They were very impressed with all the work you have done! They wanted me to pass on their many thanks! Here's a map link from the Blast site for directions to the Monti trail: http://www.bikeblast.com/BlastMonticelloMap.htm

[Panman]

Paul, let me know when you go next time. I'd like to tag along if that's alright. Tuesday must have been a nice, warm (kinda) ride. As for now, burr.. Anyway, let me know. Thanks

P.S. - Why arn't you at the trail school with your bro and all us MORC ppl??

PPS - LMAO, your up just as late as I am, and I have to get up at 6am. :crazy2:

[sensorysonic]

Yes, sounds good! My brother Ryan wants to come out one of these next weekends. Maybe we can set up a group ride!

[ryno lite]

Yeah, we have to set a time sometime and see if we can get a group to take a tour of Monti!

[Panman]

This Sunday would work the best for me. I'll be up north hunting Thursday and Friday and Saturday is the Boo Blast. Not sure how next weekend looks, might be hunting again.

[bobbkr]

Sounds like you guys are planning a ride at Monti. on Sunday. How about 10:00. I have some other friends that might want to come.
Bob

[Panman]

Sounds like you guys are planning a ride at Monti. on Sunday. How about 10:00. I have some other friends that might want to come.
Bob
Sounds good to me, if Paul and Ryan can't go we could still make it a group ride. Let me know and I'll start another thread to let people know.