MINNESOTA

Minnesota gets its name from "minisota", meaning "sky-tinted waters". Centuries ago, that is what the Dakota Indians named the river now called the Minnesota River. About 10,000 years ago, most of this area was covered by glaciers more than a mile thick. As the glaciers melted, many lakes and rivers were created. Minnesota today has more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined. Known from liscense plates as the "Land of 10,000 lakes", there are actually more than 12,000. The world's third largest river, the Mississippi, begins its 2,552-mile journey at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. The years following the Civil War saw a large influx of immigrants of Scandanavians and Germans, seeking new opportunities in a familiar climate, and much of the state's distinct culture evident today stems from this heritage. Geographically, Minnesota's eastern and central regions are fairly hilly; the western and southern parts of the state are mostly flat plains. A significant part of the latter is under cultivation, but it's the extensive forest and lake region to the north that draws the eye of the hiker, for it's here that the North Country Trail enters its second of four phases, the great northern boreal forest that is the soul of the trail -- the "north country", stretching eastward across most of three states.

Minnesota is among the most trail-wise of the states of the North Country National Scenic Trail, with an extensive network of trails of various types, especially in the northeastern half of the state. Most of the trail mileage is on snowmobile trails, but there is a significant network of state-funded bicycle trails, as well. Trails developed strictly for hiking are somewhat more limited, by comparison, but even here, good volunteer support and, in some cases, state funding, have resulted in the development of excellent trails. The largest relocation of a national scenic trail is currently under way in order to take advantage of the unique hiking opportunities available on some of these recently-developed hiking trails. The "Arrowhead" project, still in development and not yet fully approved by the National Park Service, will take the NCNST off of a probably unworkable route through the eastern third of the state, and will replace it with a much longer diversion to the north and east through the most scenic part of the state. However, given the high-profile that trails have taken in the state, the North Country Trail has only enjoyed relatively limited support by comparison, and much remains to be done, especially in the western half of the state, where much of the NCNST will probably be a roadwalk for many years to come.

Much of the North Country Trail route in Minnesota is located in forest country -- virtually all, in fact, except for a few miles in the west, located in the open farmland of the Red River Valley, and in the urban Duluth area, the second-largest urban area the trail passes through. But, the remaining forest country ranges up to the most remote to be found on the trail, where it penetrates the lake-studded Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area. The trail penetrates two national forests -- the Chippewa and the Superior. Traces of logging from the "great clearcut" of a century and more ago are still evident, and it will take hundreds of years for the forests to recover, though much of the countryside is wooded and tantalizing traces of the virgin forest remain. In the forest areas, wildlife is abundant -- deer, of course, but the only significant populations of wolves and moose to be found on the trail, in the northeasternmost reaches. Bear are not uncommon anywhere along the eastern two-thirds of the route. In general, small towns with maildrop and resupply potential are adequately placed, and in some areas a good supply of hiker-specific items is available. Potentials for dayhikes abound.

KENT - ELBOW LAKE

Wilkin, Ottertail and Becker Counties, MN

99.5 mi total 0.0 certified 0.0 connecting 4.3 marked 95.2 bare

The North Country Trail in Minnesota starts in what almost seems an extension of the North Dakota prairie, across the Red River bottomland familiar to the long-distance hiker from the last section. However, 25 miles into the state, the prairie turns to forest with startling suddenness, and the trail enters its second phase. As discussed in the previous section, there's no obvious trail route through here, and the ultimate route of the trail could easily find a totally different track, and could join the route given here almost anywhere through this section. However, the route given here will get the hiker through this section, and the intent here is to do it as directly as possible, while staying off the busiest roads. Given the amount of roadwalking, hikers in this section should constantly keep road safety in mind. Water is limited until reaching Rothsay, but should not be a problem thereafter.

0.0 [0.0] NORTH DAKOTA STATE LINE

The route picks up at the North Dakota state line, at the bridge over the Red River to Ft. Abercrombie, ND, where limited supplies are available. At the bridge, the road becomes Wilkin County CR22, which is followed eastward 0.6 mile until reaching CR1. The village of Kent, MN, is located about a mile to the east.

KENT, MN 56553. Limited supplies.

0.6 (0.6) TURN NORTH ON CR1

The suggested route is followed north on paved CR1 for about a mile, until joining US75. The highway is followed north for about 0.2 miles, until reaching CR 25, leading to the east.

1.8 (1.2) TURN EAST ON CR 25.

CR25 is followed east for 1.4 miles, until reaching CR152, which crosses.

3.2 (1.4) TURN NORTH ON CR152

CR152 is followed north for 1.0 miles, until reaching paved CR26, which crosses.

4.2 (1.0) TURN EAST ON CR 26

The suggested route follows paved CR 26. After about 7 miles, Manston State Wildlife Management Area lies to the north, the only public lands located between the state line and Rothsay. It is not known whether camping in any form is permitted, and water is also uncertain. About a mile and a half farther, cross SR9.

12.9 (8.7) CROSS SR9

The suggested route continues eastward on Wilkin County CR26, through flat, open prairie for another 10.3 miles. A mile or so west of the village of Rothsay, the flatlands begin to take on a slightly rolling character -- a harbinger of the prairie's coming end. In the village of Rothsay, CR21 crosses at right angles, and CR52 diagonally; I-94 is located north and east. CR21 is also the Ottertail County line.

ROTHSAY, MN 56579. A small grocery and general store is located a short distance up CR52 to the northwest. A restaurant is located at the I-94 interchange to the north of town on CR21, about 0.6 miles north of the route.

23.2 (10.3) CONTINUE EAST ON CR24

Rothsay marks the beginning of the transition from prairie to forest; though the transition continues for the next fifty miles or so, the biggest part of it comes in the next five miles east. At Rothsay, the hiker is still clearly in prairie; by reaching Erhard, the next town east, boreal forest prevails, and nearby glacial lakes will be frequent. This is about the westernmost limit of the boreal forest south of Canada. At the county line, the road east becomes CR24. About 0.8 miles east, cross I-94 for the second time (the first was at Valley City, ND; the third and last time is far to the east at Battle Creek, MI.) About 2.2 miles east of I-94, paved CR24 bends to the north for a mile, then continues east for another 5.5 miles, until reaching the village of Erhard at the crossing of US59.

ERHARD, MN 56534. Small convenience store located at US59 crossing.

31.7 (8.5) CONTINUE EAST ON CR24

The suggested route contines east through rolling countryside of mixed farm and forest. After 3.6 miles, CH27 intersects from the south; two miles further, cross CR3. Maplewood State Park lies to the north following the CR3 crossing. About 1.2 miles east of the CR3 crossing, where the road has bent to the north to go around Railroad Lake and starts to bend to the south, look for a gravel access road leading to the north into the park.

MAPLEWOOD STATE PARK is the first of several of the excellent Minnesota State Parks the trail passes through or near. Located in a maple forest that's stunning during fall color, on a series of high, tree-covered hills, the park has eight major lakes and many ponds, and features 25 miles of hiking trails. The park has 60 drive-in campsites and 3 backpack campsites (one located on, and the other near the route given here), showers, flush toilets, and a guest house. Lake Lida has a sandy beach and a large picnic area for visitors. For more information, Maplewood State Park, Rt. 3, Box 422, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 (218) 863-8383. (1-800-652-9747 within Minnesota.)

38.5 (6.8) TURN NORTH ON GRAVEL ACCESS ROAD

The route given here is probably not the ultimate route of the North Country Trail through Maplewood, as park officials are working with a group from Pelican Rapids, 7 miles west, to construct a paved bike trail connecting the two. Although the route of this trail -- which probably won't be constructed until after the turn of the century -- is uncertain, it will probably enter the park south of Lake Lida, and would give a different shape to the trail within the park. The gravel access road extends through the park, but is gated on all but Sunday mornings to give access to a small country church that predates the park. The access road is followed north for about 0.4 miles, to where a park horse-hiking trail crosses to the east.

38.9 (0.4) TURN EAST ON PARK TRAIL

The trail turns east for a distance, then back to the northeast, crossing the gravel access road after about another 0.3 miles. The trail continues north for about another 0.4 miles, turns to the west, and after another 0.1 mile, reaches an intersection with a trail leading northward. After about 0.4 miles, the trail again crosses the gravel access road, north north of the gate, and parallels it north for about 0.6 miles, unti reaching another trail junction east of Little Grass Lake. The suggested route turns back to the south for about 0.1 miles, reaching a pack-in campsite (another is located about 0.3 mi. SE at Cow Lake). From this campsite, the route follows a hiking-only trail north along the west side of Bass Lake, passes through a drive-in campground south of Grass Lake, then follows an interpretive trail around the west side of the lake, then follows a hiking trail north to and around the east side of Cateract Lake to a parking area on the north side of the lake, about 2.5 miles north of the backpack campsite. From the parking area, the access road is followed north about 0.2 miles to the park headquarters and information station, then on out the park access road for 1.0 mile to SR108.

44.2 (5.3) TURN EAST ON SR108

All roads are paved from here to Tamarac National Wildlife Refure. The suggested route follows SR108 eastward for half a mile to East Lake Lida Road.

44.7 (0.5) TURN NORTH ON E. LAKE LIDA RD.

East Lake Lida Road goes north for half a mile, bends to the east for about 0.7 mile, then turns back to the north for about another 1.4 miles, then turns east once again for about another 0.7 mile before turning forth for another 1.6 miles, before reaching CR4, passing through mixed farm and forest countryside along the way.

49.6 (4.9) TURN EAST ON CR4

CR4 wanders east, then northeast, continuing through the transition between farm and forest countryside. About 2.2 miles northeast of the intersection with E. Lake Lida Road, pass a private campground on the west shore of East Spirit Lake. About 1.5 miles farther, CR41 intersects from the south. About 1.8 miles further, CR130 intersects from the west; a convenience store is located at this corner. About 1.4 miles further, reach the center of the village of Vergas.

VERGAS, MN 56587. Medium sized grocery store, convenience stores, laundromat, hardware.

52.8 (3.2) CONTINUE NORTHEAST ON CR4

About a block past the intersection with CR17 in the village of Vergas, CR4 jogs to the northwest for a block and turns back to the northeast, joining SR228. After about a mile, SR228 leaves to the east. About 2 miles farther on, a private campground is located on the east, at the northwest corner of Rose Lake. After about another 2 miles, enter Becker County. Shortly afterward, CR4 bends to the east, then southeast, and intersects with SR87 after about a mile in the county.

60.3 (7.5) TURN NORTHEAST ON SR87

The suggested route turns to the northeast on SR87, crossing an overpass over four-lane US10, and continues on for 1.6 miles into the village of Frazee, the largest city reached on the trail since Lisbon, ND.

FRAZEE, MN 56544 (Pop. 1284). Motel, restaurant, grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware, sporting goods, laundromat.

61.9 (1.6) TURN NORTHWEST ON MAIN STREET

Main Street in Frazee is followed northwest for four blocks, until reaching CR 29 at 5th St. NW.

62.3 (0.4) TURN NORTHEAST ON 5TH ST. NW (CR29)

After 0.2 miles, CR29 bends to the northwest, then back to the north once outside of town. The road jogs to the northeast after about a mile, then, about 2.5 miles north of where it returns to a northernly heading, it turns to the northeast, while a paved secondary road continues to the north; the suggested route given here continues on CR29. About 3.1 miles north of this turn, reach SR34, which crosses.

70.1 (7.8) CONTINUE NORTH ON CR29

The suggested route continues north on CR 29 for another 2.1 miles, until reaching the intersection with CR32. A convenience store is located 1.1 miles to the west on CR32, then about 0.4 miles south. CR29 turns to gravel at this point, and enters Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

TAMARAC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is the first significant piece of public lands reached since Maplewood State Park. Its 43,000 acres was first established from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps, in 1938; it's heavily forested, with some grasslands and many marshes. However, due to refuge policies, and the existence of endangered species, the refuge may not ultimately provide an off-road trail route for the North Country Trail. Camping is not allowed, and NCNST hikers should stay on roads, especially north of CR26, about a third of the way through the refuge. Public use hours throughout the refuge are limited to 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM For further information, contact Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, HC10, Box 145, Rochert MN 56578 (218) 947-2641.

The winding road, now gravel, travels north, trending to the northeast somewhat. Two large lakes -- Cotton and Tamarac -- are passed to the west of the trail. After about 3.0 miles, CR126 intersects from the east. After about another mile, after passing Pine Lake on the east, reach the Blackbird Auto Tour Road, which intersects from the east.

76.2 (4.0) TURN EAST ON BLACKBIRD AUTO TOUR RD.

The Blackbird Auto Tour Road, a scenic interpretive drive, is maintained by Tamarac NWR, and gives visitors a look at different habitat types. An interpretive brochure is available. Keep an eye open for eagles; several pair inhabit Tamarac. Ducks and beavers are also to be seen, as are stands of wild rice along the shore. After 1.8 miles, the auto tour road intersects with a minor road, and turns north; in this vicinity, leave the drainage of the Red River toward Hudson's Bay, and enter the drainage of the Mississippi River. The Auto Tour route continues north past Blackbird Lake and an arm of Chippewa Lake before emerging on CR26.

81.2 (5.0) TURN WEST ON CR26

CR26 is followed westward for 0.5 miles, before the suggested route turns north on Refuge Service Road. The Refuge headquarters are located about 1.5 miles further west, and up a side road to the north. Interpretive displays, rest rooms.

81.7 (0.5) TURN NORTH ON REFUGE SERVICE ROAD

Refuge Service Road is followed north for 5.6 miles, until reaching paved CR143.

87.3 (5.6) TURN EAST ON CR143

CR143 is followed eastward for 2.7 miles, until reaching the intersection of CR35. The intersection is located outside the Tamarac boundaries. A boat launch with water and restrooms is located on Round Lake, about 0.2 mile east.

90.0 (2.7) TURN NORTH ON CR35

The suggested route turns north on CR35 and back into Tamarac NWR. The road is paved for the first part of the trip, but turns to gravel, and then is again paved toward the northern end. The suggested route goes around the west shore of Round Lake, and touches little Mallard Lake. At the south end of Bemiji Lake, leave Tamarac NWR. Toward the end of the section, the road follows the west shore of Elbow Lake before reaching SR113.

99.5 (9.5) REACH SR113

Discription of this segment ends at this point.

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