Monticello -- Camp Manitou

[sensorysonic]

Monticello -- Camp Manitou is in great shape! I checked all the intersections, and reposted intersections where signs had fallen down this winter. The trail is well marked right now! Follow the white signs with black arrows. DO NOT follow the orange arrow signs, they are for a different user group. Camp Manitou will be closed on April 30 and May 1 for an event. Otherwise, get out and ride this trail, its perfect right now!

[Panman]

Paul, does the trail need to be cleared at all? I know myself and another guy were going to take bladed weed whips out sometime soon and clear the last part of the trail.

[sensorysonic]

Hey Ryan, The trail seems pretty good. Its the same as when you rode it last season. Gregg did a ton of clearing and tree removel late last summer. Cheers to Gregg! The trail usually needs work when the plants start growing. It seems pretty good right now. There's some face slappers. Its in great shape, and I signed the intersections, where signs fell down. Gregg put a bunch of signs up last year also. But, it will need some grooming when the grass and plants start to grow.

[sensorysonic]

I forgot to mention, the trail ends at the Amphitheatre which is just below the parking lot, where the trail begins. When you get to the Amphitheatre, which is under construction, you have to walk up the steps and the hill, and then ride down the road 1 block to the parking lot, where the trail begins. I think the staff would rather have us walk up the amphitheatre steps, then try to ride along the side of the amphitheatre, to get to the parking lot. I think it would show a lot of respect for the camp and amphitheatre, if we walked up the steps and carried our bikes.

[sensorysonic]

Monticello is cleared and resigned after the event last weekend. Some short sections of trails have been fixed and need riders to pack them. The beginning of the trail on the north side is softer dirt right now, but be patient, as most of the trail was not effected by the race event last weekend. The few short sections that were, have been repaired, and once packed by riders, will be fine. The trail is well signed, as I signed all intersections that needed signing, as well as cleared some areas, so the trail should be very easy to follow. Just follow the white signs with black arrows.

[Panman]

Paul, if you ever need help with Monti give me a call. I'd be glad to swing up there. Matt and I were going to do some repairs but it sounds like everything is good. My new cell is 763-498-1132.

[jmorrow]

:confused:

Where is the trail in Monticello

[sensorysonic]

Here's a link for directions for Manitou Trail in Monticello.
http://www.midmncycling.org/Pages/monticello_map.html

[Greg LaVallee]

:) The Monticello Times just published an article on the possibility of the city and county buying the land and creating a regional park. Here is a link to the article: http://www.monticellotimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=76&ArticleID=13225. Notice that the article never mentions bikes or a bike trail! I think it is time for MORC to get the word out to these administrators and get this aspect in there minds as they begin planning the park concepts.

[TrailPatrol]

The key to keeping some or all of the MTB trails at Manitou is to get involved now, in the initial planning phase. It will take active mountain bikers who are Wright County/Monticello residents, who can work with city and county officials, without any attitude. The 1st priority here is not mountain biking; It is keeping Camp Manitou from becoming yet another sub-division. There is going to be stong pressure from developers who are going to promise the county millions in ongoing tax income. A park is a "quality of life" thing, not a cash cow. After that issue is resolved, then the issue of past and future uses can be addressed. I work in Wright County, but I don't live there. Somebody needs to step up to the plate now, and help by helping with this process.

Save the trails, save the Camp.

Hans

[Sevadari]

Being new in the area (I live in somewhat nearby Corcoran), where can I get more info on Manitou Park? There's no info on the MORC trail guide site, I 'spose this is cuz it's not a MORC trail...but is it a free or pay park? Hours, description, where's the trailhead, etc.

Anyone know a good source of info for this trail? It sounds pretty fun and looks like a great way to mix it up instead of always driving all the way to Leb Hills.

Thanks in advance for any info you send my way!

[Matthew]

The blast web site has all of the trail info on it. I think the website is www.bikeblast.com (http://www.bikeblast.com). It gives fairly good directions and course description. See if you can hook up with someone that has ridden there before because sometimes the signs get knocked down or covered up. You can't really get lost, but you can miss parts of the trail.

[Sevadari]

Thanks for the info and suggestions!

Looks like a fun place, I'll have to post up to see if there are any takers when I can snatch some time to head over there. Only bummer is having to pay to ride...being a student on a tight budget, those $4 smackers each time to ride there and Hillside can add up when you add them to the gas money to and fro.

But, I do recognize that it's probably the only way the trails would stay open in the first place. Perhaps, they could have a student category for their annual membership pass.

[ryno lite]

Camp Manitou in Monticello is actually free right now. It used to be a pay to ride trail, but they haven't collected $$$ for a few years. Ride Monti sooner than later. The weeds, brush, and bugs get really bad come summer. It is better to ride it with someone who is familiar with it. I may be riding there next Sunday with my brother who knows the trail in and out. If the weather holds and we decide to ride, I will post times later this week.

[bobbkr]

So that's why I have had to use a screwdriver to shove my $4 in the box for the last few years. They never empty the box!
I would like to join you on Sunday, but I'm busy. How about Memorial day weekend?

[ryno lite]

I might have time Memorial Weekend. My schedule is not in stone yet. I have a friend in from California and I'll be hanging out with him on the days he's not with his family, so the schedule is up to him. I'd guess Sunday or Monday of that weekend may be a possibility.

[NewTicker]

[QUOTE=Sevadari]Thanks for the info and suggestions!

Only bummer is having to pay to ride...being a student on a tight budget, those $4 smackers each time to ride there and Hillside can add up when you add them to the gas money to and fro.

I bought a year pass for Hillside for $25, well worth it. I have some friends who bought their pass online ( and printed it out) at the City of Elk River's website.

[Sevadari]

Thanks for the information everybody! If anyone that's familiar with Camp Manitou is going to be riding out there in the upcoming month or two-particularly on a Saturday or late weekday afternoon or evening, post up and hopefully we can go out riding together.

BTW, I'm an intermediate all mountain/XC rider. Not much that I can't handle since I cut my teeth on many Utah trails, but don't usually do crazy stuff either (married with kids :D:D:D!!!).