Mt Kato - Mankato

[jaybird]

Just wanted to make sure there was a spot for my favorite riding spot on the board. I spoke with the pro-shop and the season at Mt. Kato is a full go - contrary to rumors around the state.

Spring is just around the corner!!! :banana:

[legoshoe]

Does Kato have more than the two races that I know of? It would be nice to have more there since I'm on the southern edge of the state and Mankato is a convienient one day trip for me.

[gopherhockey]

Is Mt Kato an actual riding area? Perhaps I should create an official thread under Southern MN trails like I did for the Redwing trail?

[jaybird]

I'm replying back to both comments on Mt. Kato, so see John & Travis's comments for better understanding. I think it would be great to have a separate forum for Mt. Kato.

1. Mt. Kato is an open riding area Afton and Lebannon. There is a trail fee and can either be purchased as a single day pass or season pass. The last couple of years Afton and Mt. Kato have shared their season passes, so if you bought a season pass for Mt. Kato it was good at Afton as well. I don't know if this will continue or not this year, but there hasn't been any word to suggest otherwise.

The trail opens end of April to early May, depending on the weather. The trails close Oct 31. This is not dependent on weather because the snow making machines need to be pulled into position for the earliest possible chance to make snow.

The trail has a weekly group ride on Tuesday's at 5:00PM. The group can put the hammer down, but has multiple break points that let the newer (in my case fatter :p ) riders catch up.

Attached is a map of Mt. Kato's trail system.

2. The two main races that I know, and have attended, are Mud Madness and the Bluff Riders Charge. There was a smaller event held last year for the local scene - not really a race but a chance for the group that normally does the weekly ride to change it up and put a fun spin on the close of the season.

The best bet is to contact Mt. Kato's pro-shop or A-1 Bike Shop for any other events. These two groups ALWAYS have a handle on what's happening at Mt. Kato.


Hope this helps.

[gopherhockey]

This sounds interesting - I will create a forum and move this thread there. Thanks for the continued posts about the area...