North Shore or Arrowhead Trails

[Fast1]

I was reviewing the state trail system map and noticed that two trails are open to mountain bikes each being some distance and having shelters for camping.

North Shore Trail runs 75 miles from Duluth to Grand Marias

Arrowhead run 69 miles from Tower to International Falls

It would seem that both these routes would offer multiple day rides with overnights at shelter campsites along the route.

Here is the State Trail Map and details

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_trails/trail_brochure06.pdf

North Shore Trail

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_trails/tra00701.pdf


Arrowhead Trail

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_trails/tra00700.pdf


Does anyone have any experience with these trails and have you ridden them from end to end?

It would seem these two routes would offer allot of adventure, scenery, challenge and camping enroute.

[TrailPatrol]

The NST is primarily a snowmobile trail, and is for the most part (the exception being just west of Finland) closed to ATV use. Just as well, because west of Finland is the boggy part of the trail during summer. The state suggests east of Finland/MN Hwy. 1 for mountain biking. I have ridden that stretch, and the part of the NST south of Devil Track Lake. In the height of summer, the height of grass can really slow you down, but it is ridable. the lean-tos are often not in the best shape, but they are there. I would suggest carrying an ultra-light tent or bivvy sack, in case the one you stop at is in bad shape. The trail is shared with horses and, conceptually, hikers, but with the Superior Hiking Trail just down the road, I have never seen a hiker on the NST.

The trails are snowmobile trails...wide and fairly straight. It is not singletrack. I haven't ridden there for a few years, but I have thought of doing a couple nights on the trail. Good idea, I think.

The Arrowhead Trail is home of the MN Arrowhead Ultra 135 Winter Human-Powered Race at the end of January each year; big Pugsley event!

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[mtnbykr]

alot of trails will/could be a swamp. the best time to ride them, we've found, is in the winter.

nst can be 50' wide in places, goes straight up and down the hills.

imo, not the best for a ride but...

[moses sarah smith]

Rick and I rode Pincushion single track outside of Grand Marais this weekend. It hooks up with the superior hiking trail... pretty new single track, they were still doing construction on a lot of it... had tools and supplies laying by the side of the trail in several areas. Beautiful area, a little too muddy and we rode it backwards, which made it extra interesting. We also took our dogs on the trail (btw, I don't want to hear and BS about taking dogs on that trail or I will hunt you down and freak out on you personally) Highly recommend the trip, bring tick repellent as we both had some unwanted creepy crawlers once we got back.

[ricogigante]

We also took our dogs on the trail (btw, I don't want to hear and BS about taking dogs on that trail or I will hunt you down and freak out on you personally)

In response to overprotective doggie mom.:kiss:

I talked to the owner of the bike shop in Grand Marais, before our ride, and he assured me that the Pincushion trails do allow dogs. He also told me about the singletrack that they are building up there and that there had been some MORC folks up there helping too. Like Moe said, it is still very much under construction but they do have some nice boardwalks and some ramps onto rock features that made it a really nice change from the x-ski double track that most of the Pincushion system is. Being able to have the dogs out there made the fast double track alot of fun. On the single track, I can see how non-dog lovers would be annoyed by them. Overall, a very good day of riding and we will be back up there to explore more of the trails.

I know there has to be a few people with dogs out there. Is there a thread on here that lists dog friendly trails? If not, can we start one?