Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Lake County Trail Comprehensive Plan
Steering Committee Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013 3-5 PM
DNR Headquarters, Two Harbors, MN
In Attendance: Rick Goutermont, Lake County Commissioner; Ryan Stovern, Lake County GIS; Joe
Russell, DNR; Clinton Little, DNR – Coastal Program; Larry Killien, DNR, Grand Rapids; Bob Risch, Gitchi
Gami Trail Association; Swede Larson, City of Silver Bay; Bill Ylatupa, Silver Trail Riders; Nate Eide, Lake
County Forestry; Ted Czaplicki, North Shore Adventure Riders; Eric Beck, Wild Country ATV Club; Judy
Ness, Superior National Forest; Gayle Coyer, Superior Hiking Trail Association; Scott Larson, Lake County
Trails Committee;; Carey Johnson, Lake County Sheriff; Sara Haavisto, Two Harbors Schools; Honor
Schauland, Clair Nelson Center - Finland, Dean Thompson, Voyageur Snowmobile Club, Duane Lula,
ARDC.
1. Welcome and Purpose of Meeting
2. Update on where we are in the process
3. Work Sessions – Split into three groups:
 Motorized (ATV, Snowmobile & Off-Highway Motorcycle)
 Hiking, Cross-County Skiing, and Two Harbors School
 Road biking, Mountain Biking, and Gitchi Gami Trail
Maps of the existing trails for each trail type were provided to the groups.
Each group to answer the following:
 What is the condition of the existing trails? Do they offer a quality experience?
 Are connectors to other trails, or to population centers needed?
 Are new trails needed? If so, where?
It should be noted that the results in these notes are by the interest groups. For example,
suggestions by the motorized group are related to motorized trails. They did not participate
nor take a position on the hiking/skiing or biking proposals. And vice-versa.
Overall Discussion of Need
Connecting Two Harbors to the County Trail System. A key item that was recognized and
discussed, regardless of the trail user group, is the need to better connect the City of Two
Harbors (the largest population in the County) with the trail system in the rest of the County.
The City is actively implementing their trail plan and continues to expand the trail system within
the City limits. But connecting the City to the many trail resources that lie beyond the City
limits is problematic because of the difficulty of crossing the private lands that surrounding the
city. Most other population centers (Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Finland, Isabella) are closely
bordered by County, DNR or USFS lands where trails already exist, or are planned.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Motorized group.
Condition of existing designated trails:
Red Dot, Moose Walk, Moose Run, and Stony Spur II – all in relatively good condition and
providing a quality experience to users. Maintenance of the trails will be needed after the
spring, but this will be done through regular GIA funding. Biffies at trailheads/shelters need to
be handicapped accessible.
All designated GIA snowmobile trails – good condition. Providing quality experience to users.
ATV Connectors to other trails and population centers
 Extend CJ Ramstad Trail ATV use to Cook County Line. Currently only scheduled to
have ATV use on CJ Ramstad Trail from Lake County Demo Forest to Moose Walk/Run
trail. Much of the section between Moose Run and would cross DNR (State Forest) and
USFS (Superior National Forest) lands.
 Connect Two Harbors and Shore to the CJ Ramstad trail and on to DNR and USFS travel
routes to the north.
 Option 1 - Establish designated trails – best solution if it can be done.
 Option 2 - Allow Class 1 ATV use on right shoulder of certain County Roads (County
Ordinance). Cook County has sent letter to Lake County requesting this.
 CR 6 would provide access from Little Marais up to Finland and
intersection with CR 7.
 CR 7 would provide ATV access to CJ Ramstad/Moose Walk/Moose Run
Trails as well as the entire northeast portion of County and to all the USFS
and DNR ATV travelroutes. It would allow riders to patronize the Trestle
Inn and businesses in Finland. In addition, it would provide ATV
connections to Cook County’s system. Cook County 3 (Perent Lake Road)
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connects unto the northerly end of Lake County Road 7
CR 8 – allowing ATV use on the approximately 3 miles of CR 8 would provide an
ATV connection to Cook County 1 (Cramer Road). This section ties into CR 7 and
provides a system of routes to businesses, designated ATV trails and ATV routes
between the two counties.
CR 3 – would provide access to the CJ Ramstad Trail – but not as high a priority
as CRs 7&8.
ATV Connector along White Road (through private land near Phantom Lake) Distance of just
over 1 mile. White Road connects with Stony River Road and provides good ATV access, but
this missing section would tie in additional miles of use to the west of Phantom Lake.
ATV Connector to Shore near Castle Danger – Connect Nestor Grade (existing ATV use) with
West Castle Danger Road/Rustic Inn by using existing Snowmobile trail behind Rustic Inn.
ATV and Snowmobile Connector between CJ Ramstad Trail and Two Harbors – Access CJ
Ramstad trail from Two Harbors by constructing a trail through County lands between Dufresne
Road and Reeves Road. Then use Gas line through County land south of Reeves Road to Waldo
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Road, and then follow the West Corridor Snowmobile Trail down the Minnesota Power line to
Hwy 61 west of Two Harbors.
Additional Trailheads
 ATV Trailhead Needed in the Isabella Area.
With the extensive ATV travelroutes in the area, a trailhead is needed that is large
enough for parking with ATV trailers, but close to gas and food (the Knotty Pine in
Isabella)
Potential Options
1. Trailhead east of Knotted Pine. The land immediately west of Knotted Pine is
privately owned. Land to the east of Knotted Pine is Forest Service. Class 1 & 2 ATVs
are allowed to run on the Little Isabella Road just north of Little Isabella River. The
Yukon Snowmobile Trail crosses the Little Isabella River and intersects the Little Isabella
Road. It also intersects with MN Hwy 1 just east of the Knotted Pine. If the river
crossing can be strengthened or made suitable for ATV crossing and the approx. ½ mile
of Yukon Trail can be made suitable for ATV use, a trailhead could be established
adjacent to Highway 1, the Knotted Pine, and along a route that would provide access to
the larger ATV travelroute system in this part of the county.
A trailhead in this location could tie in well with a proposal for the nearby Little Isabella
River Campground. The USFS maintains a campground approximately 1 mile from the
Knotted Pine, and is considering adding an ATV trail to the campground, and allowing
ATV use within the campground.
2. Trailhead at Intersection of Hwy 1 & Stony River Grade. A second alternative for a
Trailhead is at the intersection of the Stony River Grade (DM&IR grade) and Highway 1.
An area either on the north or south side of Highway 1 could be used as a Trailhead.
The Stony River Grade provides access for Class 1 & 2 ATVs throughout the area. The
trailhead would be located approximately 2 miles from the Knotted Pine, and about an
equal distance from downtown Isabella.
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Potential Multi-use Trailhead at Fairgrounds
The idea of a trailhead at the Fairgrounds was raised. It could provide parking for
Snowmobiles (trails go nearby), the Two Harbors Agate paved trail, the Errki Harju Ski
Trail, and the Two Harbors High School Hiking and ski trail.
Off Highway and Dual Use Motorcycles
For county pits that are coming close to retirement, consider using these as areas for Dirt bike
use, or also mountain bike use. The pits would need to be located away from residential areas.
Need to get information from County Engineer on locations of potential pits for this use.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Investigate whether ATV trails near County Demo Forest can be used for Off-Highway
motorcycles, as they are currently marked as “ATVs Only”. This may be a restriction with the
Grant-in-Aid permit.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Biking Group
Road Biking Opportunities
Existing Sections of Gitchi Gami State Trail – Trail is in good condition and provides a quality
riding experience. However, at this time it is not a huge draw for the County because it is
incomplete. The section from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Beaver Bay is a quality section that
will be improved when the connector between Beaver Bay and Silver Bay is completed
(scheduled for 2014). Completion of the rest of the trail in Lake County is probably many years
away and will be very expensive. A group made up of Cook Co, Lake Co., DNR, DOT, and trail
groups will be meeting over the next several months to update plans and priorities for Gitchi
Gami Trail.
Routes on Existing Roads – The group identified several routes along existing roads that could
be mapped and promoted as various lengths of loop routes for road biking. Some were along
roads with existing wide paved shoulders. Others along roads where wider paved shoulders
would be beneficial when the County re-surfaces the roads.
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Silver Bay (CR 5) – Lax Lake Road – State Highway 1 – this is the route of an existing
annual ride event. Each of these roads would benefit riders by having wider shoulders.
Beaver Bay (CR 4) – CR 5 – Gitchi Gami Trail Loop – this would be a short loop from
Beaver Bay up CR 4 (to get wider shoulders with 2014 paving) then to CR 5 (needs wider
shoulders) and then on to the Gitchi Gami Trail to return to CR 4. The Gitchi Gami
connector between Beaver Bay and Silver Bay is scheduled to be built in 2014. Also, the
trailhead at the Beaver River and Hwy 61 is planned to be constructed in 2014 and could
serve as the starting point for this and other bike routes.
Beaver Bay (CR 4) – FH 11 – CR 2 – Gun Club Rd – Hwy 61 – Gitchi Gami Trail Loop –
this would be a long riding loop that would include a large section of FH 11 (the Superior
National Forest Scenic Byway), as well as using nearly all the completed portion of the
Gitchi Gami Trail. CR 4 is expected to get wide shoulders when resurfaced in 2014. FH
11 has wide shoulders, as does CR 2 from Sullivan Lake south. Parts of Gun Club Road
and West Castle Danger Road are gravel. The relatively short (approx. 1 mile section of
Hwy 61 has a 10 foot shoulder to ride on. From there, the remainder of the trail is on
the paved Gitchi Gami Trail. This route takes riders through 2 state parks and along the
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway. Trailheads can be at any of several locations –
The state park lots, waysides along Hwy 61, the parking lot along CR 2, and the future
trailhead at Beaver River (2014)
Northern County Loop – Hwy 1 (Ilgen City) – Finland- Isabella – Hwy 2 (near Camper
Lake) –Hwy 11 –CR 4- Hwy 1 This routes takes riders through the more northern part
of the County and can return them to their start, or finish in Two Harbors, depending
upon the route they take. New State Wayside at Tettagouche State Park can be one of
the trailheads for this route. The Clair Nelson Center in Finland is another trailhead.
County Wayside at intersection of State Hwy 1 and CR 2 is another trailhead, as is the
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
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Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
parking area on CR 2 east of the Dufresne Road. The shoulders on SH 1, and CR 2 (north
of FH 11) would benefit from widening of the shoulders.
Timber Frear-Cross River-Ringer Loop – This is a 21.6 loop that was identified many
years ago as a bike route. It is on gravel roads that surround the Timber-Frear area on
the border of Lake and Cook County. Being on gravel, it is somewhat a hybrid between
road biking and mountain biking route. Forest Service commented that they have not
publicized the route for many years, and that it is probably not a very desirable bike
route.
Mountain Biking Opportunities
While there are several trails current identified as mountain biking routes, all of these trails
have another primary trail designation and were not built with mountain biking in mind. They
provide a fair mountain bike experience, but not the challenge or experience sought by more
avid or experienced mountain bikers.
Existing Trails Co-Designated as Mountain Bike Trails
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Gooseberry Falls State Park (DNR) – Most of the hiking trails in the park are codesignated as mountain bike trails.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (DNR) – 6 miles of hiking trails co-designated as
mountain bike trails.
Red Dot ATV Trail (GIA) – Much of this ATV trails is co-designated as a mountain bike
trail (primarily the two eastern loops)
Flathorn Gegoka Ski Trail (USFS) - All 16.7 miles of this Cross Country Ski Trail is codesignated as mountain bike trail.
Other trails/roads identified as mountain bike routes – Several roads and trails are
identified in the databases of their managers as mountain bike routes. However, they
are either on paved or gravel roads, or paved trails and would not provide a quality
mountain bike experience.
 Cross River Road (USFS)– short section of gravel road by Timber-Frear area.
 Gitchi Gami Trail (DNR)– 1 mile section at Silver Cliff tunnel.
 Gitchi Gami Trail (DNR)– from Split Rock State Park to Beaver River.
 Tettagouche Camp Road (DNR)– from CR 4 to Tettagouche lake.
Opportunities for new Mountain Bike Trails
Lake County and the North Shore of Lake Superior are ideally suited for mountain biking, and
according to several bikers, including members of IMBA, the area has the potential to be a
national destination for mountain biking. There is a huge population of bike riders in the Twin
Cities metro area. Minneapolis was recently named the #1 bike city in the country. There is an
active Mountain Biking Community in the northland, with mountain bike trails existing and
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
expanding in Duluth and also in Cook County. Recent club-built and maintained trails in Cook
County include Sugarbush and Pincusion trails, built specifically as single-track trails for
mountain bikes.
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Buck Mountain Area – a lot of good topography, a large area of County Lands adjacent
to State Park (DNR) land, good views, Access primarily from the south via Split Rock
State Park and their mountain bike trails.
Alger Grade – near London Crossing – good topography, huge area of County land,
access to area along CR 3, the Alger Grade, and also via the CJ Ramstad trail.
Alger Grade – near Hwy 2 - good topography, sufficient County land (but not as
extensive as the other two locations), easy access via Hwy 2, CJ Ramstad trail and can
use existing large trailhead lot for CJ Ramstad trail. Both Alger Grade locations have the
benefit of being close to Two Harbors for use by locals as well as hotels, restaurants, etc
for visitors.
Lake County Demo Forest trails – The trails at the Lake County Demonstration Forest
could be co-designated as mountain bike trails. As with the other co-designated trails,
these would be pseudo-mountain bike trails that would provide only fair mountain
biking opportunities.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Group
Hiking Trails
The group felt that Lake County has a nice mix of paved and single-track hiking trails, as well as
a good mix of both loop and long-distance trails.
Condition of Existing Hiking Trails
 Superior Hiking Trail – Perhaps the area’s premier attraction. Ranked by Reader’s
Digest, National Geographic, and Backpacker Magazine as among the best in the nation.
Well maintained and can serve as a model of how to develop, organize and maintain a
long hiking trail.
 State Park Trails – Many heavily used (Especially Gooseberry and Split Rock), generally
well maintained. Promoted through DNR state park website and park maps.
 Gitchi Gami Trail – paved trail, co-designated as bike trail. Connects Gooseberry, Split
Rock and Beaver Bay. Good condition.
 CJ Ramstad/North Shore Trail – multi-use trail co-designated as hiking trail. Not
significant use as hiking trail, as SHT traverses County in parallel direction and offers
better hiking and more scenic views. Some areas wet.
 Two Harbors City Trails – Well maintained walking trail system within the City, with
additional trails being added. Sonju Trail, along the lakeshore is the best-kept secret
and should be promoted to residents and vistors alike.
 Silver Bay Overlook Trail – generally good condition. Great views. Should be promoted.
 Lake County Demonstration Forest Trails – generally good condition. Need signage to
direct trailer parking (ATV and Snowmobile) to parking on Briton Pit road, and
hiker/biker parking to other area near kiosk and toilets.
 Sullivan Lake Trail – 2 mile trail around lake by Sullivan State Forest Campground.
Need to locate on the map. Condition unknown.
 White Pine Interpretive Trail – at White Pine Picnic Area along CR 2. Short interp trail
through area of large, old growth white pine. A unique experience. Good trail
condition.
 Forest Service Short Trails – various short (generally < 2 miles) trails located adjacent to
USFS campgrounds or other features. Could market these to visitors who like to do a
lot of driving roads through the forest, and then get out and do short hikes. Trails are in
good condition.
 Forest Service Wilderness Trails
Kekekabic Trail – long distance linear trail. Need to be experienced to hike. No
signage, trail sometimes difficult to follow.
Pow Wow Trail – Long distance loop trail. Challenging. Difficult to follow due to
recent fire.
Snowbank Lake Trail – approx.. 2/3 within wilderness, 1/3 outside wilderness.
Gets more use by public and in better condition than Kek or Pow Wow. No
signage due to being in Wilderness.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
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Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Hunter Walking Trails – these are not hiking trails per se, but rather trails to walk for
hunting, usually grouse. There are three trails managed by the DNR (Glipi and
Greenstone along the Fernberg and Split Rock – two parallel trails off of the CJ Ramstad
trail). One trail is managed by the USFS – Kane Lake off the Kane Lake Road. All are in
OK, but not good shape.
Wolf Ridge Trails – what to say here – check with Gail.
Connectors and Additional Hiking Trails
The group generally felt that there were adequate hiking trails in the County, and many (except
the short, area-specific trails) were well connected. The Superior Hiking Trail, CJ
Ramstad/North Shore Trail, and the completed portions of the Gitchi Gami Trail do a good job
of providing connections between attractions (such as State Parks), communities, and
trailheads. The one exception to this is a connection to Two Harbors, the largest population
center in the county, and on the north shore. While the City of Two Harbors has a good trail
system, and is continuing to expand that system, connections beyond the city limits to existing
trail resources are limited. This is in part due to the lack of public lands surrounding the city for
several miles.
Superior Hiking Trail connector to Two Harbors
At present, the Superior Hiking Trail intersects CR 2 approximately 5 miles north of Two
Harbors. The location of the new High School, and the recent construction of the paved Agate
trail from Two Harbors to the school may provide an opportunity for tying the Superior Hiking
trail in with any new School trails built in the area.
Currently there is a linear gap of approximately 2 miles between the School’s existing trail and
the closest location of the Superior Hiking Trail. Using County land, that gap could be shortened
to approximately 1 linear mile. However, the remaining 1 mile gap is private lands, where
acquiring ROW may be difficult. Opportunities for making this connection should continue to
be explored, especially if tied into any future school trails that are established in the area.
Two Harbors High School – There is interest in additional trails in the vicinity of the High School
and the nearby County Fairgrounds. Much of this interest is in additional ski trails, but some
could possibly be co-designated as hiking trails for summer use.
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Lake Co. Trails Comp. Plan
Meeting Notes
April 24, 2013
Cross Country Ski Trails
The group thought that Lake County had a pretty good set of Cross Country ski trails located
throughout the County. They also believed that people looking for a much more extensive
cross-country ski experience would head up the shore to Cook County which claims to have the
largest cross country ski trail system in North America.
Condition of Existing Cross Country Ski Trails
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State Park Ski Trails – Ski Trail systems at Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse,
Tettagouce provide a good experience and are attractive to visitors (skiing in a state
park).
Errki Harju Trail – Good condition and easily accessible to residents of Two Harbors as
well as visitors.
Two Harbors High School Trail – short, ½ mile trail in decent shape. Potential for
expansion.
Northwoods Ski Trail – Silver Bay. Good experience, but better parking/parking lot,
better signage and some trail widening needed.
Gitchi Gami Trail – co-designated as cross-country ski trails. Probably serve more as a
ski connector between parks.
CJ Ramstad/North Shore Trail – co-designated as a cross-country ski trail, but also
serves as a snowmobile trail, so probably not very good quality skiing.
Lake County Demo Forest – hiking trails are co-designated as cross country ski trails.
Limited distance and not currently groomed. Fair experience.
Flathorn-Gekoga Trail – Good quality trail, located off Highway 1 in Isabella area.
Trails in or near Fernberg Corridor
 Flash Lake
 Jasper Hills
 Triangle Lake – not groomed
 Hidden Valley, Deer Trail – small portion in Lake County, mostly in St. Louis
County.
 South Farm Lake – mostly inside the Wilderness.
Potential for New or Expanded Cross Country Ski Trails
 Lake County Demo Forest – grooming of existing trails (would need GIA funded), and
possible expansion of trails systems.
 Two Harbors High School - Additional Trails near the school and the nearby County
Fairgrounds.
 Northwoods Ski Trail – Silver Bay – need better parking, better signage along trail, and
some widening of trail in specific areas.
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