any chance of Milaca opening soon?

[Mario]

planning a weekend trip to Brainerd on Sat, any chance Milaca will be open on Sunday?

[Rocky Mountain]

The bigger question is "Are the bridges installed, yet"? Panman or Kevin L. know what's up.

If there is a race there then you know they will be.

[Panman]

I'm not sure on the status of bridges but the trail is open. However, it'll proly still be wet from the past rains. That trail takes a while to dry out.

[Mario]

PanMan, we'll obviously use some common sense on riding the trail but is it marked at the trail head if it is closed or not? I've never been there and anxious to check it out on Sunday.

[Panman]

No, it's not really marked open/closed. It's open right now but just might be wet in spots, north woods in particular. Feel free to head up there and ride, it should be ok. If you've never been there before print off a map (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/northwest/milaca.shtml) (bottom) and maybe directions (http://www.bikeblast.com/BlastMilacaMap.htm). It can be tricky finding the North Woods trail. Also note that the Bog Monster is closed. It needs some cleanup.

[Mario]

thanks for the tips, will avoid wet and closed areas. Hopefully dry and windy the next few days should help out.

[NewTicker]

thanks for the tips, will avoid wet and closed areas. Hopefully dry and windy the next few days should help out.

Could you please post what the conditions are like after ridin'?

No rain and windy makes Milaca...less wet.

[Mario]

I will post up next Monday NewTicker.

[nathanpfromz]

I rode it earlier this week. It was mostly good and dry, but I ended up having to get off and walk around many wet spots on the northern section of the 10K. I would not recommend taking that trail. I would guess the sky hill portion would be good and dry now though. The beavers have a birch tree down in the trail unless someone moved it. It was too heavy for me to move on my own.

[Mario]

I didn't end up riding Milaca last weekend, I stayed in Pillsbury State Forest Saturday night and the trails there kept me busy all day Sunday as well. Mostly grassy doubletrack, plenty of miles and no ATV's! rock lake campground is really nice, right on the lake sites.

[NewTicker]

Milaca is one the greatest around since it has a little of everything but it seems like it usually isn't ready to go (dry) until July/August, at least if you plan on riding the whole thing.
We finally rode the way, way back section over the winter and it was a lot of fun. Any ideas on when/if the bridges are going in this year?

[Panman]

Ya, we'd like to open that section back up but it just needs to be cleaned up.

[msquire311]

Anyone been to Milaca lately? Going up to the cabin for the 4th and would like to ride it on Sunday. Haven't heard the condition of the trail. If it is no good I will probibly go to Hillside insted. Any info would be great.

[nathanpfromz]

I stayed in the sky hill area and it was good for riding. A lot of low hanging branches though, so keep your eyes open and wear some glasses. One of the trails that goes down from the top has a big tree down across it. It comes directly after a right turn on a downhill so watch out. I think it was the second open trail to the left of the steep straight downhill. I'm going out tomorrow morning. Will update if anything changes.

[Cousin J]

Anyone know what's up at Milaca? I'd love to go out there but I have no idea what the trail conditions are like?

[JeffroB]

We rode it on tuesday night and most of it is wonderful. The school forest section had some trees down that block the trail and parts are a little over grown but everthing else is great. John, Craig and some other locals have been working on it and it is getting better al the time. There is a new bridge to get across the creek between Bog Monster and the school section. the trail is dry and fast.

[Panman]

... There is a new bridge to get across the creek between Bog Monster and the school section. the trail is dry and fast.
Not to pick on you Jeff, just technical note. The new bridge is between North Woods and the Bog Monster (aka school land). Again, just clearing that up, that's all. :D

[redwood]

My first time at milaca this morning. I keep calling it macaca with what's been in the news. Anyway, this morning (before the rain) trail was in good shape, with only a few mud spots on bog monster. They were's bad at all. Many trees down in the 14 mile course, but not that bothersome. It's a nice trail that's worth the drive to check it out. I think it's the most rustic of the area trails...It feels rough even compared to mammoth.