Stahl's Lake Ski Trails System (MTB trail)

[dejorn]

I have discovered a nice little hidden gem of a trail system located near Hutchinson, MN. The local bike shop informed me of some trails north of the city and I had a chance to give it a look this evening. Because of the rain, I only walked the trails, but was very impressed with the overall layout. The trail is a single loop and I am not sure of the exact length, but I would guess it approximatelly 3-4 miles in legth. Once it dries out I will go out with my Polar HRM and get the length and topography. The trail reminds me of Thoe Wirth because it is fairly tight, but the flow is very good. Keep in mind that this is my first impression based on walking the trail in the rain. I can hardly wait until it dries out and I get a chance to turn a few laps.

If there is anyone who knows this trail and its history please post it in the thread.

I live in Hutchinson now and would like to get involved in the trail systems in the area.

[Metal Head]

(Bump)

I recently discovered this little gem myself. A very nice twisty-turny trail. And, as per this thread (http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14230), it is very overgrown. I tried to touch-up a sketchy log pile yesterday and moved a ginormous tree branch off the trail the day before. From my inexperienced eyes, the trail overall is in pretty good shape, but doing those two little touch-ups was trying with all the itch-weed. If anyone is in the area, I'd recommend checking it out.

Be forewarned: the bugs are extremely thirsty and will be greeting you in the parking lot. Spray on the bug-juice before you get in the vehicle to get there.

(A request for the Admins: Could the word 'Hutchinson' be added to the thread title? Thanks!) :)

[guvenah]

I would love to check this one out. I'm about 20 miles from Hutch. Post a group ride or send me a PM.

If we need trail maintenance help, count me in.

[Metal Head]

Me and a friend fixed up a couple of the sketchier log piles a few weeks back:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/3825355514_36d8a2ba8f_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3825355516_d3fb907b8c_b.jpg

I think there might be a few trouble spots in terms of erosion (bearing in mind I have no experience in trail maintenance). I haven't a clue how to better these spots.

I'll be sure to post something on here the next I head out that way with either rakes or bikes.

(for the life of me, I cannot get these images to show up in this post :banghead:)

[HutchRider]

We no longer live in Hutch but Stahl's lake was fun and great training while we lived there. Check with Chad the owner of Outdoor Motion (Hutch's Bike Shop) he and his buddies used to go out there and ride quite a bit. Spring and Fall is much better than summer, in terms of the itch weed and overgrowth. Our family used to do a lot of the trail maintenance out there, but we moved May 2008.

[29erxcal]

I have ridden it a few times and i will agree it is a nice little gem. There is some work to be done i live in litchfield so if any trail maintenance or a group ride is in store pm me.

[Metal Head]

Unfortunately, this trail still needs some time to dry out:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4509272840_40b9212169_b.jpg

I'm hoping to get some blissful riding in before the bugs and itch-weed reclaim the area. Let the warm and windy weather keep coming!

Also, If anyone's looking for group rides in the area, here's something I stumbled upon:

http://lcbclub.ning.com/

[guvenah]

thanks for checking that out Scott. I still want to ride this trail before all the vegetation fills in. Since McLeod county still has this park closed, come into Chaska tomorrow and I'll show you around Mammoth. See the thread in group rides.

[guvenah]

I went to Hutch after work today and just wanted to check out this park. Walked in the trails a little ways and they are nice and dry but covered with leaves. Saw 1 rider here. He says its an ok place to get a ride in. Didn't see much in the way of features, but has a nice picnic shelter with some grills for chillin' post ride.

I hope to confirm by next week. Hoping weather cooperates.

[guvenah]

Rode 3 laps on 4/26. Its not bad at either end. Gets a little boring in the middle...but then you can mix it up and ride the next lap the other direction. Trail seemed spongy and needed to be raked.

Seems like much more could be done here if McLeod county was open to MORC doing some trail work. They seem set on the no new trails and no moving of rocks.

The title is a little misleading as these are not on the ski trails. There really is singletrack. I'll try to get a review sent off to the webmaster to post in the trail guide area.

[Metal Head]

I went out there yesterday (before it rained) and it seemed good to go (the signs are gone now). It could use a good raking, but I'm hesitant on the erosion-prone areas on the steep inclines. All the big branches are cleared and the new log piles are holding up.

I actually saw another rider out there (a rare sight), along with two small white-and-black dogs with no owner to be found.

[duggus]

Hey Scott, do you have an address to the trailhead or directions? I'm in New Ulm so it's not too far from me. Thanks

[Metal Head]

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=stahl%27s+lake+park&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Stahls+Lake+County+Park&hnear=Stahls+Lake+County+Park&cid=0,0,16015883153848776170&ei=7R7uS8rKOMGqlAf06KW1CA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQnwIwAw

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=stahl%27s+lake+park&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Stahls+Lake+County+Park&hnear=Stahls+Lake+County+Park&cid=0,0,16015883153848776170&ei=7R7uS8rKOMGqlAf06KW1CA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQnwIwAw

There you are sir, hope this helps.

Bear in mind this trail takes about a half day longer to dry out than Murphy Hanrehan (http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21305).

[29erxcal]

Just curious if anyone has been out riding after the rain we had? If anyone would be interested in doing a group ride I would be interested being I'm from litchfield

[guvenah]

Short notice, but I could do a ride on Thursday or Friday. If no posts, I will probably head toward the south metro trails.

[29erxcal]

Short notice but anyone interested in doing a ride tommorow wed the 23rd? Weather depending. Was looking at doing any earlier morning ride like 10am finally took the single speed i built this winter out on jail trail in st. cloud today and wanna put some more trail miles on it!! If anyone is interested pm me