Trails near Gull Lake

[bobrim]

Hi.

My wife and I are going to be visiting her family and staying at a cabin on Gull Lake. We are from Kansas City. We are definatly going to bring our road bikes, but I'm wondering if there is any good off-road stuff nearby. I'd like to bring my 29er and have some fun.

Are there any singletrack trails you'd recommend? I'd like to find something that isn't the paved paul bunyon type.

Thanks,
Robert

[whitt_travis]

I just rode simpson creek the other day... That was a pretty fun trail and honestly, probably some of the best singletrack in this area. Check www.trailpatrol.org for more info about the trail and it's location... I'm pretty sure Hans has it up on that site.

Speaking of which? Where were you HANS! I came up there biking this last tuesday and I looked all over for you! (Well, not all over, but at both deer river DNR stations.) We rode simpson, good job out there! keep it up!

[TML]

Robert,

You could head over towards Crosby ~18 miles east of Brainerd, and hit the Cuyuna Rec Area just to the north of Crosby and Ironton. There's no official Mtb trail there yet but there's plenty of fun stuff to explore. The area is an old iron mine site that now has a lot of lakes (filled mine pits) and plenty of hills (tailing piles). If you're into scuba, bring your gear its a pretty popular area because the water is so clear and deep in the pits.

Also, if it's still open, there's a pretty dang good smokehouse and BBQ joint along the main drag in Ironton. Now, you being from KC, will have to judge that for yourself. ;)

Have fun on your visit!

[Beau]

There are also some trails up near Pine River, just a short drive North. You'd have to do a search, I can't remember the name of the area. Check with Back Street Bikes for more info also.

[Bikerkid]

I live in Pequot Lakes, and I know the state forests let people ride the ones I have ridden are kind of chewed up from people riding 4 wheelers, but they are still ride able. I know the guys at Trailblazer know of more, and they should have maps, at least in the Nisswa store they do.

[whitt_travis]

Backstreet bikes closed two years ago, sorry to break the news.

Not much for bike stuff in the walker area now.

[Matthew]

I have a cabin Near Brainerd and I spend a lot of time riding in the Pillsbury state forest. Its a lot of double track and there is some single track as well. There are lots of hills so bring your legs. Park at the walter E. Stark gathering area and the trail takes off from there. There are also a couple of other places that have great single track right near downtown Brainerd. Stop in at Trailblazer bikes in Brainderd and they have maps and directions to a couple of places.