"Secret" Trails by Theo???

[chewie_52]

This so called "secret" trail that I speak of is by Cedar Lake Parkway. I ride in from the west on the paved trail that runs along the train tracks and as I go over the Cedar Lake Parkway bridge I have seen and heard bikers down below in the woods and I have also seen bikers ride down towards that area before. I was told by some that there are some trails back there and it leads all the way to the kiosk at Theo...is this true? And if it is how do I find it?

[Tex]

Where is the Cedar Lake Parkway bridge?

[pefozzy]

I would bet he is talking about those trails that go NW from where Theo Wirth parkway crosses over the cedar lake bike trail.... (east side of Brownie Lake)

[Tex]

I would bet he is talking about those trails that go NW from where Theo Wirth parkway crosses over the cedar lake bike trail.... (east side of Brownie Lake)

That's what I was thinking too. If that is the case, you're probably talking about the trail that goes around Brownie Lake (which is just North of the paved trail and West of Theo Parkway), the trail really isn't "secret" so much as a walkers path, so it's pretty much off limits to bikes. There used to a trail on the far West side of Brownie Lake, that used to be pretty cool, but due to erosion I heard it's been closed.

[Kosk]

Whatever you do, just make sure you stay ON the bike path along the parkway between 394 and Glenwood Ave.

[chewie_52]

I would bet he is talking about those trails that go NW from where Theo Wirth parkway crosses over the cedar lake bike trail.... (east side of Brownie Lake)

YES!! Those are the ones I'm talking about...they are on the east side of the lake and they go right up to the railroad tracks and come out of the woods just south of 394. It sounds like those are off limits to bikes as well as the trails between 394 and Glenwood Ave? Thanks for the input!...I was thinking I was going to ride on those next time I rode out there:)

[Rocky Mountain]

YES!! Those are the ones I'm talking about...they are on the east side of the lake and they go right up to the railroad tracks and come out of the woods just south of 394. It sounds like those are off limits to bikes as well as the trails between 394 and Glenwood Ave? Thanks for the input!...I was thinking I was going to ride on those next time I rode out there:)

Trails between 394 and Glenwood are OFF-LIMITS but the trails on the East side of Brownie are not off-limits. The west-side, though are off limits but not sure if this is marked. The west side is eroded and not worth it.

As a side-note there are trails north of Glenwood and on the east of the parkway after that. These are not off limits since there are no signs.

[scaley187]

Well I am bringing this topic up from a while back but, I know of a fair number of "secret" or "less obvious" tracks both within Theo and around Theo - so in the absence of signs how does one even know what is on or off limits?

[jitterjepp]

Secret trails in Minneapolis. Thats funny!:scream:

[Wheels]

There are three kinds of trails in Minneapolis.

Official Bike trails (like the MOCA trails north of 55).

Trails that are marked "NO BIKES" (like those between Glenwood and 394).

And Unofficial trails (not signed either way for any use).

The MPRB is currently working on a 10 year plan that will redefine how and where trails are built for all park users - and off-road cycling is in the plan.

I believe that eventually we'll have a trail loop that stretches from our current trials all the way to cedar lake. Staying off the trails marked no biking, and sharing the unofficial trails with other unofficial trail users (like hikers, dog walkers) will go a long way towards those other users supporting us when we request their support in the future.

[scaley187]

Secret trails in Minneapolis. Thats funny!:scream:

Yeah, well hence the quotations in my original post. :) But in regard to Shawn's previous post, I guess the more pertinent question is: In a place like the main area of Theo for example where there are side trails that aren't marked - is it frowned upon to perpetuate their existance by riding on them? Or is Theo managed enough by Morc and its users that they would be closed off if they were trying to actively keep people off of them?

This I guess is what I was more interested in knowing as I haven't been riding in the TC region all that long and don't know what is customary.

[stoneage]

Yeah, well hence the quotations in my original post. :) But in regard to Shawn's previous post, I guess the more pertinent question is: In a place like the main area of Theo for example where there are side trails that aren't marked - is it frowned upon to perpetuate their existance by riding on them? Or is Theo managed enough by Morc and its users that they would be closed off if they were trying to actively keep people off of them?
This I guess is what I was more interested in knowing as I haven't been riding in the TC region all that long and don't know what is customary.
Yeah, stay off the side trails, except for the NE corner. That is supposed to be part of the plan eventually, and is ridden all the time anyway. It's the striped area on this map:
More trails someday (http://71.193.93.160/~williamoreilly/x.pdf)

[scaley187]

Perfect! This is the area I was most concerned with so I'm glad to hear that I'm not breaking any social MTB rules! :D That area is a pretty fun addition! Is there a time table for its completion? A more general question: is there a place where the future trail plans are? MORC meetings?

[Wheels]

Seth,

We just had a meeting tonight, we meet once a month. We also work on the trails most wednesday nights. Soon we'll be doing weekends.

We usually post our meeting here, as well as the trail work times. We had elections tonight, so it was basically a board only meeting. Which begs the question, how do you get on the board. Just show up for the meetings, and pretty soon we'll be asking you to join the board (which is immediately followed by some task to do!) - Steef, you got off easy tonight!

Speaking of which, we have new Trail Steward - Adam Nordell! Nice...

As far as trails go, the map that Bill linked is available at the kiosk and par 3 in the printed format. The trails you referenced will likely begin construction yet this year, but the existing trail is not off limits - it's a fun one, and a great remnant of the old system so enjoy it while it's still there.

We talk about the local trails by their location - the current official system is Sweeny Lake, "North of 55", or "near the par 3".

Then there's "55 to Glenwood" - where there are unofficial trails on both sides of the Theo Parkway.

South of Glenwood, we call it Eloise Butler, The Bog, or Glenwood to 394. It is currently illegal to ride bike off-road anywhere in that area. It is marked at the main access points with NO BIKES signs (although there are some alternate entrances) - please stay out of that area.

Then there is Brownie, we say "behind Target" or Brownie Lake. Crazy technical stuff on the west side, east side is a rolling path that is frequented by other users. They are both unofficial trails.

Then there is Cedar Lake. There are a variety of unofficial trials there - but riding is tolerated provided you stay off the wood chip trails, which are signed as NO BIKES as well.

We are currently working with the MPRB and local community groups to develop or Officially recognize trails in all the above mentioned areas.

[scaley187]

Hey Shawn, thanks again for a detailed post - I'm dialed in now. I am interested in getting more involved so I'll keep my eye on that forum. Its off topic but is there a meeting/trail work email list to know when things are happening so one can show up?

Back on topic - I know where Brownie Lake is but never have seen any trail entrances. Is the "crazy technical stuff" on the west side hard to find? Suggestions?

[Wheels]

You can get on our mail list for starters (see the MOCA link below).

As for Brownie, just check the SW corner of the woods - look to your right as you're looking at the big grass field near the RR. That's the entrance.

[scaley187]

Excellent! I'll get on the list and I'm going to have to go check it out tomorrow. Thanks for the info and Cheers!

[steef]

From 394, look for a trail going down the hill towards the lake.

[scaley187]

Well, I just wanted to drop back in and say thanks to everyone that responded to this thread - I finally went and rode Brownie today for the first time - two thumbs up. I assume there are people that have successfully ridden what I would call the "paralysis pole" or the "log of imminent demise"? :) It probably has a real name but all I can say is holy crap!

[stoneage]

Lots of fun features at Brownie!!. Lots missing too, since that mess that target made.

[scaley187]

I assume you mean the clearing with the replanted grass? Or did the trails extend a ways into their fields and get cleared? By the way, are there more of these little treasures out there (other than something like Mammoth) that we haven't discussed in this thread?

[RedSquirrel]

Lone Lake Park near Shady Oak Lake, Smetana Rd and Shady Oak Rd. Hopkins. I think it's off limits now. It was by far the toughest to clean, not because of obstacles but the steep root filled balance turns we're killer hard. Harder than brownie. I think it's posted no biking now.

You may be able to start at the tennis courts and go up to water tower heading West, the hardest sections are below the water tower. Or start at Rowland Rd and go N.W up and into the woods from the dirt lot. Definetley stay off the paved and limestone ped trails in Lone Lake Park.

[stoneage]

Lone Lake Park
Yeah, it's off limits. I always thought that it would be a great area to develop. They had ss events there 7-8 years ago. It was the dog people who got it signed off limits, similar to Theo.

[At the Gates 2121]

Yeah, it's off limits. I always thought that it would be a great area to develop. They had ss events there 7-8 years ago. It was the dog people who got it signed off limits, similar to Theo.

it was one of my favorite places to ride for quite a while until leb was built

[scaley187]

So when something like that gets closed is it usually the parks service that does it? I assume it is very tough to get biking alloweb back again then huh?

[stoneage]

So when something like that gets closed is it usually the parks service that does it? I assume it is very tough to get biking alloweb back again then huh?
Usually it is the local park & rec department responding to a very loud citizen. That was the biggest factor in my pushing to open up Theo to offroad cycling. Off leash dogs (illegal) getting a user group (legal) banned for their benefit. All the rumors I have heard about Lone Lake are similar in nature. The user group has to be responsible, but obviously it is possible to change these decisions. It has been almost 5 year since the first meeting to authorize trail use at Theo and it was three years before that when the Wirth signs went up.

[ebrandel]

According to the minutes of a Minnetonka City Council meeting, Lone Lake was closed because trail maintenance was becoming too expensive (not sure where the city ever did trail maintenance there... but whatever) and too many people from outside of Minnetonka were using the trails.

... compared the decision to the mountain biking decision made regarding Lone Lake Park a few years ago. In that case, the park board felt that the vast majority of use came from non-residents and the cost to maintain trails was not seen as beneficial to the community.
Yes, those were the reasons. Those dang interlopers! I'm quite curious as to how they measured the citizen versus non-citizen ratio.