North Shore / Arrowhead state trails

[gpzrider]

I was looking around the dnr website a while back and saw that these two trails were listed as allowing mtn bikes. I noticed that it also said some portions of the trails may be under water during the summer.

Has anyone ridden these? What were the conditions like? Any other suggestions that would make for a good ride (singletrack not required)?

Not this year, but maybe next (when I have more vacation) I would love to do a multiday (2-4 days) trip up there since I just can't get enough of this part of the state and exploring by mountain bike seems like it would be a blast.

Thanks for any info.

[TrailPatrol]

The Arrowhead, Taconite and North Shore State Trails are snowmobile trails and are all open to mountain biking. They are not, however, singletrack. Since you said that is not crucial, I can offer the following pointers:

I have ridden portions of the North Shore Trail (NST) and the Tomahawk Trail but not the Taconite or Arrowhead trails. Parts of the NST are really nice, and others are really, well, ick. It has been very dry this year, so some of the boggy sections (mostly west of MN Hwy 1) may be very passable. The trail from Finland/Hwy 1 going east is on dryer ground and is very ridable, but may be somewhat overgrown. Take a topo map as well as the state trail map, a compass and, if you have one, a GPS. Check out our recreation and backcountry travel website, MN Backcountry Trails (http://www.wintersnowtrails.org) for a list of suggested bikepacking equipment.

Remeber this is a backcountry (near wilderness) route and you will, at times be far away from roads, trailheads, cell phones, etc. Always carry the "Mountain Biker's 10 Essentials" and leave your route and itinerary with somebody who can let rangers know if you are overdue.

I would really like to see more mountain bikers using this long ride, but the idea hasn't caught on around here, yet. John Evingson of Evingson Cycles (http://www.evingsoncycle.com/) and his brother rode the entire trail from Two Harbors to Grand Marais on WinterBikes (like Surly Pugslys) in the winter, but that's a whole different story.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[TrailPatrol]

It's been suggested that rather than the NW Passage ride mentioned elsewhere in this forum, that a Fall Colors Tour on the North Shore State Trail might be more adventurous, more scenic and overall more enjoyable.
Planned dates would be the first week of October, right after the Marathon.

From the DNR website:
"For most of its length, the North Shore Trail provides a backcountry experience and, in some areas, wilderness conditions. The great majority of the trail is in a remote, natural and undeveloped setting, although some logging and farms are included. Trail visitors may encounter moose, deer, bear, fox, hawks, waterfowl and possibly timber wolves."

When I have ridden there I have always seen moose tracks.

I will put more together on this opportunity and post it on the MN Backcountry Trails (http://www.wintersnowtrails.org/) website, and will have everything ready for the Adventure Cycling presentation at REI on August 23rd.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

"Explore on two wheels"- Adventure Cycling Association

[tuni]

I live in the Grand Rapids area and have explored a little of the Taconite, its definitely not single track and in my experience you run into unpassable swamp too soon to have any real fun exploring.

Somebody else in the area know of any dry nice sections?

Happy trails!

Jeff