Trail Report for Hillside...

[Rocky Mountain]

I rode the 7 miles of aweseome singletrack at Hillside in Elk River last evening. It was suprisingly dry and seemingly fast due to all the traffic this trail gets. If you have not ridden this trail yet and are continually riding the same trail over and over then take the 45 min drive to Elk River and you will be drooling to come back and ride it again. Currently there is no fees for riding the trail which will probably change in a matter of time.

[CRA_Fizzer]

They are actually going to be charging to ride there. They just don't have the pay box up yet. If I remember right it is $25 for a season pass or $4 a day. No fee if you live in Elk River.

[Don Youngdahl]

Rode Hillside Park today, and the $4 fee (donation?) was worth every penny. The trail was in good condition, and the tree, shrub, and weed trimming was excellent. Hats off to to the Blast crew on the trimming work.

The pay box was in place, but no fee amount was posted, and there were no envelopes to put money in.

Don Youngdahl

[finnlander]

I rode this trail for the first time yesterday (9/7) and it was a great time. It was 90+ degrees out but the heat wasn't too bad because the trail is mostly shaded. I'm amazed they fit 7 miles of trail into such a small area. It doubles back continuously and you have to be alert or you'll be off. I would say its technically more difficult than average. The climbs aren't that long or steep but they are tricky because you have to negotiate some pretty steep switchbacks at times.

There is now a pay box at the trailhead and a sign directing you what to pay (4$ per rider or $25 anually) as well as some riding directions a few feet up the trail. You can also cut off or start the trail about 1/2 way through by riding a dirt road up to the middle. The trail was in great shape. Give it a shot - I'm glad I did!

[noise_is_life]

I got up there today for the first time since last year, pretty fun, but boy is it dry. Fine dust on hardpack really makes you think twice about taking corners with too much speed.

It was fun nonetheless.

[Hardrocker]

How do I get to Hillside Park? Is there a fee?

[gopherhockey]

There is a fee. (4$ per rider or $25 anually)

We have information on the trail (with pictures and directions etc.) in the trails section of our web site. Just click the "trails" button up above and surf on over to Hillside Park.

Just one of the many great trail reviews we have online...

[gopherhockey]

We rode Hillside today. Leafs aren't too bad there (yet). Trail has taken some damage since I rode it last year - many more braking bumps and eroded spots. They are trying to tell people not to use their brakes so hard...

This is a fun trail to ride. Not as much flow as I'd like - I like the first 1/3 of the trail the best. Then its a lot of climb climb climb, faaaalllll... climb climb climb... faaallll... A good challenge though - a really great place to ride, I can't believe I have only ridden there once this year. I'm concerned they will have some serious maintenance on their hands due to how some of it was built, but thats for another day and another time...

Their signs are well done. There is still a fee, but its well worth it. This time of year its a beautiful place to ride.

Got more pics to enhance the trail review with sometime this fall.

[Mateo]

yeah, I think that's what I like best about Hillside, is that since there isn't a set flow to it, the trail keeps you on your toes throughout the ride... Definitely in my top picks...

[Mateo]

Is Milaca similar to Hillside? Tight, rootsy single track with short, climbs? I'm thinking of heading up there this afternoon...

[noise_is_life]

The first 3/4 of Milaca is pretty flat, but some of it is a bit more technical than Hillside with some roots, rocks, board walks, log runs, etc. The last 1/4 or so has a number of somewhat steep climbs(steeper that Hillside) and steep technical descents. In general it is bit more technical than Hillside, but nothing too serious.

It might be a bit muddy up there after yesterdays rain, I didn't hear whether the MORC group got to ride up there yesterday or not.

[Mateo]

I was out of town yesterday and didn't realize that it rained much... Think it will be ok to ride this afternoon?

Are there any other cool trails up that direction? I've been thinking about cruising up to Hillside and then Milaca next Saturday, grabbing a room and then hitting another trail up around that area on Sunday. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[noise_is_life]

It rained a fair amount here yesterday, according to Intellicast Milaca got about .5 inches. It's been so dry that it may just dry up by this afternoon, but the bog monster was a little wet when I was there last (even after all the dry weather), so I imagine it could be a little muddy.

The only other trail that I know of up there is at Camp Manitou in Monticello, i've never ridden it, but I did hear that it was a little beaten up right now by a recent Motocross race. It is also a BLAST trail.

MTBR Review (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Minnesota/,Camp,Manitou/PRD_168661_4557crx.aspx)

Directions from BLAST (http://www.bikeblast.com/images/MONTICELLOMAP.gif)

[mtbwanabe]

With the rain yesterday, would this train be rideable tonight?

[Kevin Leis]

With the rain yesterday, would this train be rideable tonight?sorry this is late. It didn't rain up here. and I rode it yesterdayat 11:30 am and it was bone dry. Wish I had seen your post earlier.:embarass:

[The Bull]

Any one ridden here lately and know the conditions?

[slm4]

I was hoping to ride there tomorrow morning but the forecast looks pretty bad...

http://www.weather.com/weather/detail/USMN0228?dayNum=1

[Panman]

I would not ride the trial for a while. We've had a LOT of rain in the past few days, weeks even. Right now the trial needs one full dry day just to become damp. Then the next day it would be rideable. If it doesn't rain today, tomorrow evening MAY be ok but still damp. I can try to check it out this evening if I'm around that area.

[fatbaldpop1]

We were there last night just b4 rain. Trail was very good, 8-10 very short mud spots that you can avoid or ride through the middle. Guilt free, though. A lot of blow down and leaning spears...need to be careful. It is very fun and acts a lot like a northern enduro trail right now.

[Fiveohhh]

We were there last night just b4 rain. Trail was very good, 8-10 very short mud spots that you can avoid or ride through the middle. Guilt free, though. A lot of blow down and leaning spears...need to be careful. It is very fun and acts a lot like a northern enduro trail right now.
Thanks for the update heading there tomorrow...probably

[fatbaldpop1]

I rode Hillside yesterday. As usual it drained well. A lot of blow down though. I cut out as much of it as I could with the little fold up saw in my camel back. there are several areas though where those who ride from memory may enjoy a sudden stop (read:crash). so be careful some of the quick turns downhills will provide large surprises.

[Panman]

Oh wounderfull..
I rode before I left last week and there were still a few trees down. I think Kevin was going to clear them out. I was going to do some trailwork to clear the overgrowth. But now it sounds like there are more downed trees than what I saw, darn storms. Maybe I'll find a chainsaw instead of clippers. :D