Trail Conditions In Detail - Milaca

[john ostmoe]

most of our 14 mile loop is in good shape. just about all trails are dry.
the new bridge into the school trails is in and hope to have the high
bridge repaired this week
come up for some good single track riding

[Panman]

Thanks John for getting those things fixed (bridges). We sure to appreciate it, I know we haven't done much up there this year.

[mara]

Has BLAST seen this in the city's park system plan document? Disturbing.

Milaca Park Reserve: Improve and sustain the natural qualities of the Milaca Park Reserve. The relocation of the municipal sewage treatment plant will open a major opportunity to improve water quality, eliminate motorized traffic, reduce erosion, remove invasive species and generally restore the natural ecology of the site. The use of the area for mountain-biking will continue to have deleterious effects but these can be minimized and mitigated through vigilant maintenance and policing.

[Panman]

Has BLAST seen this in the city's park system plan document? Disturbing.

Milaca Park Reserve:
Improve and sustain the natural qualities of the Milaca Park Reserve. The relocation of the municipal sewage treatment plant will open a major opportunity to improve water quality, eliminate motorized traffic, reduce erosion, remove invasive species and generally restore the natural ecology of the site. The use of the area for mountain-biking will continue to have deleterious effects but these can be minimized and mitigated through vigilant maintenance and policing.


We are looking into it. Thanks Mara!

[john ostmoe]

the anti-mtn bike paragraph was suppose to be removed from the park plan
but was'nt. the city manager assured us that it will be pronto!

[Hollok]

I know there was a big group ride at Milaca a few weeks ago. Wondering if anyone know when it officially closes for the winter. I am planning to go up this week.

Thanks

[john ostmoe]

Keith,
Trails are in great shape.Milaca stays open except for part of the system that is groomed for sking(about 5 miles) come up and enjoy!

[Hollok]

1st time up to Milaca this weekend and had a blast. The trails were in great shape and I really enjoyed the variety. I live in Brooklyn Park and usually go to Hillside. Milaca is definitley worth the additional 30 minute drive!
Kudos to BLAST for managing a great trial!

[Matthew]

What is the weather like in milaca. Is it to wet to ride this saturday?

[Jac]

I am a new bee. I biked 3 times last year, all on the Milaca Trail, and that is the exstent of my exsperience. I got my own bike this year, Trek 6500, and i am stoked for the new season. My question is how difficult is the Milaca Trail system. I have only heard great things about the trail and I have nothing to compare it to. I just wanted to know how it stacks up amoungst the most difficult in Minnesota, what are the more difficult trails, and are there any trails of relitive calibure you would suggest.
Thanks for the help.

[fatbaldpop1]

any one have any recent updates? I was thinking of riding Milaca tomorrow (thursday).

[Disaster on Wheels]

I rode Milaca on Saturday and it was pretty overgrown and there were several trees down on the trail. It was nice and dry, but you couldn't see the trail very well. In fact, I had some wonderful falls because I missed some of the boadwalks leading up to the bridges because they were covered by the weeds. At least I had a nice soft landing!

It was a lot of fun for my first time out there, but the trail would benefit from some maintence. Can't wait to try it again though...

[Bryan]

8/12/07 - The bog monster is in phenomenal condition. Nice to meet you John and thank you and your crew for all the work. The north part of bog monster was weed whipped and cleaned up. I got the branches all cleaned up on the south side back to the bridge. I can't wait to get out and ride it. It is in great shape. So if you're used to the mud and alway skip that part, don't do it. It's one of the best rides out there. John, keep us posted when you plan to do some more work.

[GoatGirl]

8/12/07 - The bog monster is in phenomenal condition. Nice to meet you John and thank you and your crew for all the work. The north part of bog monster was weed whipped and cleaned up. I got the branches all cleaned up on the south side back to the bridge. I can't wait to get out and ride it. It is in great shape. So if you're used to the mud and alway skip that part, don't do it. It's one of the best rides out there. John, keep us posted when you plan to do some more work.


Did they get rid of the bee nest in the bog montser at the far end of the loop?

[Bryan]

I'm not sure about the nest. I didn't see anything. Is it past the connection back to the entrance trail? I didn't clean out that last part because it's kind of a dead end now since the second bridge is out. If you look at the trail map that connection is about where the blue arrow is on the bog monster label where they get close together.

[john ostmoe]

As Byron said, the bog is in great shape.No mud but still rocks and roots.
Thanks go to Craig Billings, Byron Pearson and my bride, Sandy for all the
trail work.
John

[fatbaldpop1]

The entire trail is great...simply fun the whole time...and diversity of riding...how can this be legal it is so much fun?

Thank you to everyone who has had anything do with Milaca..

[Bryan]

8/27/07 - The trail is still in great shape after the rain. It's a little wet crossing into the bog but other than that its nice. A couple trees fell down Sunday in the bog. There is also a couple down in the aspen maze but they can be cleared (OK i'm 1 for 2 actually, ate a little dirt on the second one).

[natehakensak]

What a great resource this trail system is. Aside from the lazy hunters leaving their spent shells, the experience is always awesome. Bog monster is nothing short of epic. Sky hill will challenge anybody. Everything was in stellar shape as of September 16th.
All I want for xmas is the re-introduction of the enduros they used to have there. 4 big laps? Yes please.

[Bryan]

4 laps? Wow, you have more energy then I do. The trail is still in great condition. Saturday there was some trees down all over after the storms. I went out there on Sunday to do a little cleaning and take notice of where the big one's were so i could cut them later and they were all gone. Thanks to who cut them up. There are just a couple left in the aspen woods and the backdoor maze. You will get muddy crossing into the bog but the rest is pretty dry.

Anybody do any night riding at Milaca?

[fatbaldpop1]

Night riding at Milaca...now that would be cool. I also rode yesterday and it was in great shape...some slop in and out of BM, but what a great place to ride...

[john ostmoe]

Rode Milaca again tonight and even after the rains the trails still in great shape, couple of damp spots getting into the bog monster but the rest of the loop is pretty dry.

[ryno lite]

Anyone ride Milaca lately? How's it looking?

[fatbaldpop1]

rode monday pm. trail is very good...some wet spots, but mostly limited to going to and from BM. little parking area by trail head showed signs of two cars having been broken in to.

[E Rocca]

rode Milaca last night. Trails were dry except for the bog and in great condition. It was a great ride!

[fatbaldpop1]

Rode Milaca today....great shape....simply great...

[sam]

This coming Saturday we are having a trail work day at Milaca, Hope to put in the remainder of the boardwalk back by the bogmonster,about 80 ft,and another 30 footer if we get time.
Start around 9 at the school property on co rd 112,bring battery operated drills if you got them. Questions email or call John Ostmoe,612 390-0529
jsostmoe@ecenet.com

[Bryan]

Nice work on the new bridge. Unfortunately I couldn't get out Sat. to help. Thanks to everybody that worked out there. I rode the trail today in a few snow flurries. What a blast. The trails are in great shape.

[fatbaldpop1]

Rode yesterday....trail is getting faster with the hardening ground as the freeze settles in...some of the bridges were interesting with the light dusting of snow...the new bridges are great, though my dentist will be sorry to hear the long bridge was built in the area just before entering the BM...!

Thanks to work...

[Jac]

Just wondering if anyone has been out to Milaca this year. i am probably going to try getting yp there next weekend and was just curious as to the conditions.

[ryno lite]

It's been a longer, colder, and wetter winter this year. Things are pretty soft right now, plus it's supposed to be cool and rainy this coming week. I haven't been up there this spring, but I'd have to say there is virtually no chance Milaca would be ready to ride next weekend. If I was to venture a guess this year, I'll bet trails will be ready to ride by the end of April or early May. We have been spoiled by mid April openings the past couple of years, but winter was tougher this year. Be prepared to wait another 3-4 weeks to ride the trails this year.

[john ostmoe]

yep, Ryan, you are correct, Milaca trails are wet and it will be a few weeks
drying out I'm sure

[Bryan]

I took a run at the sky hill portion last weekend thinking that part might dry out a little sooner. No chance. It's still really sloppy and soft. It's going to be a while especially if we get the snow they are talking about tomorrow and Friday.

[fatbaldpop1]

I assume still too wet...?

[john ostmoe]

yep, still to wet

[Bryan]

5-4-08 Still too wet. I attempted on Sunday and got soaked. It's going to be a while yet. I'll keep updating but probably not for a couple weeks at least.

[rath]

is any of the trail ridable yet, or is the whole trail pritty much out of order.

[Bryan]

You could ride dead mans run through the meadow, stay to the left in the pines straight to the rum river trail, skip the northwood and the bog for sure, aspen maze was ok, back door maze was sloppy, and i skipped the hills. I would guess sky hill would be getting close but i had no energy left.

[Stonehenge]

Rumor has it that BOB (Bobs Long Azz Single Track) again may get involved with promoting a long race if there is enough intrest to make Milaca a good riding trail worthy of a 4 lap race. Most likely not this season but next year.

Who knows what up there???

[Bryan]

That would be great to get BLAST back. Wow, 4 laps huh? I would try to talk with John Ostmoe here on the forum or I suppose you could call the city. I know a guy on the parks planning commision (Cory) and he would be really excited to get something going on an annual basis out there. Let's keep working on it.

[msv0404]

does anyone know how the trail would be by sunday afternoon. I have to be in Milaca that day and figured I would just make it worth while and ride while I was there, Unless of course it is still to wet to ride.

[Bryan]

We got quite a bit of rain last Sat. and also yesterday. I plant to give it a shot on Saturday. If I make it i'll give an update.

[Bryan]

5-17-08: Well it's 100% better but it still has a long way to go. The north woods is still pretty wet. There is a pothole right before the bog monster trail that probably has a couple feet of water in it. I got around that and hit the bog. The first part of the bog monster is actually in pretty good shape but once you come back out to the "road" there is a huge pond right in the trail so I followed the road the other direction back and out of the bog. It's probably not worth driving a long ways to get here quite yet but if your in the area it's probably worth checking it out.

[sworks2004]

I want to ride Milaca on memorial day, May 26. Will it be dry by then? Thanks.

[Bryan]

I want to ride Milaca on memorial day, May 26. Will it be dry by then? Thanks.

No, you will get muddy guaranteed!

[neb32]

How's the trail conditions? Thinking about checking it out this weekend... Hopefully.

[Bryan]

We had a bunch of rain earlier in the month so I haven't been out there. It's been pretty dry now for the last week so i'm going to try to get out this weekend too.