Wirth Park trails

[Miriam]

In answer to some of the questions, and in the interest of getting a bit more info out there:

Currently Wirth Park on either side of the parkway between 394 and Glenwood Ave. is closed to bikes. The trails north of there are not closed to bikes.

MOCA is working on getting a demonstration project started up this summer to include officially establishing off-road biking trails in the area north of Glenwood (a good chunk of fun trails). This will include some trailwork (maintenance) and hopefully will lead to future expansion South. Originally, we tried for an entire trail loop extending from Cedar Lake all the way North to the Sweeney Lake/Twin Lakes area (the nude beach is up there). Then it started looking like we wouldn't get anything if we didn't start with the trails in the furthest north section of Wirth Park and gain credit with the park board that way. The trails that are currently closed to bikes are pretty sensitive due to the presence of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and the Quaking Bog. Hopefully, as we gain credit with the park board and show that these trails can be environmentally sustainable, we will be able to provide an off-road section through the currently closed to bikes.

Brownie Lake (not part of Wirth Park) is not currently closed to bikes. However, the West side of the lake is not in very good shape and will require some pretty serious work. On top of that, the park board staff thinks that their only remaining Hickory forest is in that area, and they're concerned about it. They are going to survey that area. No one has yet expressed concerns about the trail around the East side of Brownie. We're hoping to establish that as a multi-user section of trail.

Miriam
Minneapolis Off-road Cycling Advocates (MOCA)
www.mocatrails.org

[manitouman84]

brownie lake is certainly in need of work but the only area worth fixing is western end. However, it would be more worth while to fix up the northern theodore wirth trails, especially around the dog pound, and loop would have been really cool in the area north of hwy 55. It is too bad the trails south of 55 are closed, I would really like to see those open as well, there was some good riding in the area and it was nice to ride that on the way from the north end of the wirth trails to brownie lake.

[EmL34]

These MOCA threads sure have a lot of activity!

[grizzly adam]

I didn't look to hard to find this answer.....but what's the best way to Theo Wirth. Where should I park, etc. I'd like to try it out next week, but want to make sure that I go to the appropriate locale.

[BrightYellow]

Now, I won't claim to know much about Wirth, but I've been there about 10 times. I've always entered the trail off of Wirth Pkwy., by going under the gate that is immediately north of the railroad tracks. If you follow Wirth Pkwy. north from 55, you will cross over the tracks and the gate is right after the bridge, on the west side of the road.

You can see the tracks on the map here:

http://mappoint.msn.com/(3f45xf55yaddygvu0duvwu45)/map.aspx?L=USA&C=44.97589%2c-93.27360&A=100.33333&P=|53A0|&TI=Minneapolis%2c+Minnesota%2c+United+States

As for parking, I've parked in the golf course parking lot just north of the trail entrance, which I've learned isn't the right place to park. If you follow Wirth Pkwy. north about 2 more blocks, you will come to a bigger parking lot that I think is okay to park in. Here that is:

http://mappoint.msn.com/(3f45xf55yaddygvu0duvwu45)/map.aspx?L=USA&C=44.97589%2c-93.27360&A=100.33333&P=|53A0|&TI=Minneapolis%2c+Minnesota%2c+United+States

Somebody please correct me if this isn't the best place...

[manitouman84]

Ive never tried using the furthest parking lot, didnt know it was even there.. but parking at the Par 3 has seemed to work fine for me. Ride to the gate just south of the par 3 and head down that road, youll find trails off that road here and there. Also, just to let you know in some areas of the parkway its gonna be pretty wet, overgrown and buggy, theo wirth, if you ask me is a better place to ride in the fall. Careful not to ride too late either unless you are with someone, it isnt the greatest neighborhood.

Down the railroad tracks a ways there is a mish mash of trails which are pretty groovy. Also check out the trails immeadiately south of 55 that arent closed yet too, and dont forget to make it to the beach ;) , for those of you who know what goes on there.

[jitterjepp]

I would park at the big lot. They used to have a sign at the small lot saying it was for golfers only. I don't know if it is still there.
I'm kind of glad the place is loaded with mosquitos now. I think it keeps those guys from walking around naked on the trails.

Does anyone here remember the ski jump they used to have next to the old chalet? When I was about nine years old we were there sleding and I saw a kid go down the thing on a BMX bike. They hauled him away in an ambulance. He was knocked out and broken up. The spokes busted out when he landed and he just kind of fell over with out bouncing around skiding. Man that kid flew!!! Anybody know who he was?

[jitterjepp]

Someone has been doing some work on the section north of hwy. 55. The log pile is real nifty and thanks for cutting the tree out of the way but now there is another spur in the trail running into the middle before the log pile and another one at the top of the hill This area used to be a nice flowing trail. There is also a line running parallel to the road behind the humane society. People keep riding off the trail when the bottom fills with water and created this way around. This used to be a pretty sweet trail. Now when I go there I cant even tell where the original trail was. All the spurs have been created in the last two seasons. If the responsible parties keep messing with the trail it's going to be total junk in another year.

All you have to do is stay off the thing when it is wet and keep yourself from putting obsticles on the trail and it will be ok. This trail has been here a long time and not everyone wants to go over big log piles. If you put them up on this trail people will go around them and create another spur. Whoever is doing this needs to realize they are not the only ones riding the wirth trails. I think that anyone that into bike trails knows about this site or someone who knows this person may have passed by this site and I know for sure that people who ride these trails visit this site. Pass it on.

[manitouman84]

yeah the trail sure has taken a bunch of new directions with all the new spurs, its too bad this has happend. I dont know why people would even want to ride back in there when its wet, it just sucks when its wet. It was nice and dry tonite though :banana:. For the most part the trails were looking pretty good. On the west end of trails, near the old rusty barrel, I think some wildlife took refuge under all the log pile ups in certain spots, that or someone died back there because it sure stinks. Man that place can give the creeps sometime.

To Miriam, keep working on getting more trails authorized by the board, id love to see more open single track back there and less no biking signs. Let us know what MORC members can do.

[jitterjepp]

yes it does smell like an out house back there! I shined my bike light down one of those sinkholes one day and man, I hope I never fall in one. I think a few of them go down twenty to thirty feet!! But man it reeks in that area!! I've been skipping it until, well, until later in the fall.

[manitouman84]

Been out there this week shawn?
Someone, MOCA maybe? has done some trail maitnence, mainly triming of brush in the area, but wirth was in great shape when I went riding on it today, get out there while you can, and while its still nice and dry!

[jitterjepp]

Yes, I was out there today. I'm in epic ride mode right now. I started at my house and passed by there on my way to chanhassen. I see someone also closed off some of the spurs and a "friend" of mine closed off some of the ones in an undisclosed area south of there. Does anyone know where some big arse freaking hills are in Minneapolis (city limits or very close to). I mean big and steep.

[Rocky Mountain]

There are a few good hills just east of Cedar Lake in the Kenwood Neighborhood. I train there in the Spring with my road bike and so do alot of riders. The scenery of expensive homes and trendy souls going into the Walker art center in the evening adds to the fun.

If you are really interested in biking hills then head over to St. Paul. The high bridge is probably the longest one I know of and the Ramsey Hill is probaly the steepest and most exhausting climb.

Did you make it to the trash clean up day coordinated by MOCA at the Brownie Lake trail last Mon. July 21?

[jitterjepp]

Hey thanks.! I've been riding the kenwood hills and the grand hill area. I think I might have to check out some other areas out of town.

hmmmmm.......hmmmmmm.... Trash clean up at brownie lake. What a great idea I wish I had thought that one up. OH! wait a minute I did. I didn't see a lot of support from MOCA. They seemed to trash the idea and say go do it your self.
Well half of them anyway. Look at the old forums.

MOCA, Hey it's your baby. I guess they don't want any help. You just take care of them so I can ride them. If I have any new ideas I'll let you know.

[jitterjepp]

Is MOCA a little click or elite mountain biking club? I don't know. I sent emails to the email address listed on this site and I didn't get any response. What I got was half hey good idea and half who are you leave us alone we have it under control go do your own thing here on the forums. (Go ahead look back check it out) Is it me? Do I not ride the right kind of bike or what?
Is any of my entry fee at Afton going to them? Are they honest up front people. Are they a cohesive group of people. Are they different voices with a different mission statement?

MOCA you have my address send me an email. Ya I'm pissed! I get shot down and told to go do it myself and then you go do it. What is that? You all say we need help with the trails. You do. You don't. What is it?

[KleinCrazy]

Shawn,

I will address the issues that I can and dirct you to the people who you need to talk to for others.

Trash Cleanup.

Yes, you did bring it up first and the current core of our group ( there has been a shakup) thought it was a good idea but couldn't be done spur of the moment. Bill O'Riley had to do alot of legwork with the city to get the cleanup appoved. Please Direct any other questions abot this to him.

Question, Have you seen the announcements about the Board Meetings? They are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month and are open to everyone. We would love for more people to get involved as we have been doing alot with few people.

There is a big update on Theo coming out in next months MORC newsletter with more information.

Could you let me know what email you sending to? Have you been getting our mass emailings?

I apologize here for any communication problems that you are having and we will try and address them. Also know that In person help and meeting is always better then digital.

Thanks
James

[stoneage]

Thanks for the response, James. Not a lot can get done electronically when it comes to gaining access and building trails. People who think that we are a clique or have hidden agendas should come to the meetings and get involved. There has been a lot of sweating and toiling over this issue since February of 2002 by a pretty dedicated group of advocates, and a lot has been accomplished. A total of 3 new members have come forward to assist the original group. If half of the people who post complaints would show up, we could probably fill some sub- committees. It isn't as much fun as riding your bike, but in my opinion well worth the effort. Baba