MESABI MOUNTAIN TRAIL - Spring Run
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Michigan
First we need to clarify a few things. There are two areas that are near Duluth that can be wheeled. The first is the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert MN http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail_detail.html?id=13. This is a park that is run by the State of Minnesota. This park is undergoing an expansion that will add close to 2000 acres. This expansion should be at least partially open next summer. The current park is an old iron mine dump, it is 99% rock. It was part of Peterson's Ultimate Adventure in 2004 so you can see some video of that if you search.
The second area that is being referred to as the Rubicon 2 is really called the Mesabi Mountain Trail (or MMT for short). This trail is still currently under construction and should be open next next spring. The trail is located in Eveleth Minnesota (about 60 miles north of Duluth and about 5 miles from the park in Gilbert). They are currently finishing up with trail signage, the parking lot and completing the entrance to the trail. (If you leave the entrance until the end it makes it harder for people to find the tail until it is completed) The trail is about 4.5 miles to the end, but then you have to turn around and come back out. I don't know the rules about posting links to other message boards but there is an entire thread on w w w dot mn-jeep dot com called "Mesabi Mountain Off-Road Vehicle Trail" it has hundreds of pictures and tells the whole story of the trail. This trail could and has been done on 33" tires and no lockers, but that is taking all the by-passes and lots of winching. I personally would recommend 35" tires and at least one locker, and LOTS of skid plate/body protection. I would also recommend spare parts for everything you think you might break otherwise your rig will spend the night in the woods.
I have been on this trail once and it was only to about the half way in point (just over 2 miles in). There is plenty of stuff on the trail to challenge everyone. One of the guys that helped with trail construction competed in last years King of the Hammers, and he cut trails that are a challenge even to his buggy on 44"+ tires (he has run everything from 44's to 54's). There are ledges to climb, rocks the size of houses, and much more. This trail will take a day to run.
The second area that is being referred to as the Rubicon 2 is really called the Mesabi Mountain Trail (or MMT for short). This trail is still currently under construction and should be open next next spring. The trail is located in Eveleth Minnesota (about 60 miles north of Duluth and about 5 miles from the park in Gilbert). They are currently finishing up with trail signage, the parking lot and completing the entrance to the trail. (If you leave the entrance until the end it makes it harder for people to find the tail until it is completed) The trail is about 4.5 miles to the end, but then you have to turn around and come back out. I don't know the rules about posting links to other message boards but there is an entire thread on w w w dot mn-jeep dot com called "Mesabi Mountain Off-Road Vehicle Trail" it has hundreds of pictures and tells the whole story of the trail. This trail could and has been done on 33" tires and no lockers, but that is taking all the by-passes and lots of winching. I personally would recommend 35" tires and at least one locker, and LOTS of skid plate/body protection. I would also recommend spare parts for everything you think you might break otherwise your rig will spend the night in the woods.
I have been on this trail once and it was only to about the half way in point (just over 2 miles in). There is plenty of stuff on the trail to challenge everyone. One of the guys that helped with trail construction competed in last years King of the Hammers, and he cut trails that are a challenge even to his buggy on 44"+ tires (he has run everything from 44's to 54's). There are ledges to climb, rocks the size of houses, and much more. This trail will take a day to run.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 1
From: Schererville,IN
First we need to clarify a few things. There are two areas that are near Duluth that can be wheeled. The first is the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert MN http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail_detail.html?id=13. This is a park that is run by the State of Minnesota. This park is undergoing an expansion that will add close to 2000 acres. This expansion should be at least partially open next summer. The current park is an old iron mine dump, it is 99% rock. It was part of Peterson's Ultimate Adventure in 2004 so you can see some video of that if you search.
The second area that is being referred to as the Rubicon 2 is really called the Mesabi Mountain Trail (or MMT for short). This trail is still currently under construction and should be open next next spring. The trail is located in Eveleth Minnesota (about 60 miles north of Duluth and about 5 miles from the park in Gilbert). They are currently finishing up with trail signage, the parking lot and completing the entrance to the trail. (If you leave the entrance until the end it makes it harder for people to find the tail until it is completed) The trail is about 4.5 miles to the end, but then you have to turn around and come back out. I don't know the rules about posting links to other message boards but there is an entire thread on w w w dot mn-jeep dot com called "Mesabi Mountain Off-Road Vehicle Trail" it has hundreds of pictures and tells the whole story of the trail. This trail could and has been done on 33" tires and no lockers, but that is taking all the by-passes and lots of winching. I personally would recommend 35" tires and at least one locker, and LOTS of skid plate/body protection. I would also recommend spare parts for everything you think you might break otherwise your rig will spend the night in the woods.
I have been on this trail once and it was only to about the half way in point (just over 2 miles in). There is plenty of stuff on the trail to challenge everyone. One of the guys that helped with trail construction competed in last years King of the Hammers, and he cut trails that are a challenge even to his buggy on 44"+ tires (he has run everything from 44's to 54's). There are ledges to climb, rocks the size of houses, and much more. This trail will take a day to run.
The second area that is being referred to as the Rubicon 2 is really called the Mesabi Mountain Trail (or MMT for short). This trail is still currently under construction and should be open next next spring. The trail is located in Eveleth Minnesota (about 60 miles north of Duluth and about 5 miles from the park in Gilbert). They are currently finishing up with trail signage, the parking lot and completing the entrance to the trail. (If you leave the entrance until the end it makes it harder for people to find the tail until it is completed) The trail is about 4.5 miles to the end, but then you have to turn around and come back out. I don't know the rules about posting links to other message boards but there is an entire thread on w w w dot mn-jeep dot com called "Mesabi Mountain Off-Road Vehicle Trail" it has hundreds of pictures and tells the whole story of the trail. This trail could and has been done on 33" tires and no lockers, but that is taking all the by-passes and lots of winching. I personally would recommend 35" tires and at least one locker, and LOTS of skid plate/body protection. I would also recommend spare parts for everything you think you might break otherwise your rig will spend the night in the woods.
I have been on this trail once and it was only to about the half way in point (just over 2 miles in). There is plenty of stuff on the trail to challenge everyone. One of the guys that helped with trail construction competed in last years King of the Hammers, and he cut trails that are a challenge even to his buggy on 44"+ tires (he has run everything from 44's to 54's). There are ledges to climb, rocks the size of houses, and much more. This trail will take a day to run.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Michigan
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, MN
I have contacted the president of the Club that is building the trail to see when the trail will officially open to the public. I just want to make sure that it is open before we go through all of the planning for a trip up there.
I am willing to help plan this. It will be a full weekend of wheeling.
I am willing to help plan this. It will be a full weekend of wheeling.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Michigan
I have contacted the president of the Club that is building the trail to see when the trail will officially open to the public. I just want to make sure that it is open before we go through all of the planning for a trip up there.
I am willing to help plan this. It will be a full weekend of wheeling.
I am willing to help plan this. It will be a full weekend of wheeling.
I figure we will have to play it by ear and kind of take it as it goes...I will probably be leading a convoy of some sort up that way. I have no idea what kind of crowd we will get but I have spoken to a few people and they seemed pretty stoked about it
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, MN
Here is a little information for people that are thinking about attending.
This is the campground that I would suggest being a main area for the gathering/event/whatever we call it:
Sherwood Forest It has a trail that connects to the Off-Road park in Gilbert so you don't have to drive on public streets to get there. They have a TON of room, a covered picnic shelter, nice campgrounds and they are used to working with the off-road community to hold larger gatherings there.
If you aren't into camping my hotel recommendation would be the Super 8 in Eveleth Minnesota. It is about 5 miles from the Off-Road park and about a half mile from the Mesabi Mountain Trail. I recommend this hotel for 2 reasons. First it is a fairly nice hotel. But the main reason is that the owners have been HUGE supporters of the off-roading community in northern Minnesota. They donated the land for the parking lot for the MMT and worked hard to get other businesses and citizens see the benefits of this trail to the area.
There are countless restaurants, bars, and gas stations in the area, and there is more to do then just wheeling if people want. The Gilbert/Eveleth area is about an hour (60 miles) north of Duluth. There is a lot of shopping and sightseeing available in Duluth and surrounding area. If people have questions I am more than willing to do my best to answer them.
This is the campground that I would suggest being a main area for the gathering/event/whatever we call it:
Sherwood Forest It has a trail that connects to the Off-Road park in Gilbert so you don't have to drive on public streets to get there. They have a TON of room, a covered picnic shelter, nice campgrounds and they are used to working with the off-road community to hold larger gatherings there.
If you aren't into camping my hotel recommendation would be the Super 8 in Eveleth Minnesota. It is about 5 miles from the Off-Road park and about a half mile from the Mesabi Mountain Trail. I recommend this hotel for 2 reasons. First it is a fairly nice hotel. But the main reason is that the owners have been HUGE supporters of the off-roading community in northern Minnesota. They donated the land for the parking lot for the MMT and worked hard to get other businesses and citizens see the benefits of this trail to the area.
There are countless restaurants, bars, and gas stations in the area, and there is more to do then just wheeling if people want. The Gilbert/Eveleth area is about an hour (60 miles) north of Duluth. There is a lot of shopping and sightseeing available in Duluth and surrounding area. If people have questions I am more than willing to do my best to answer them.
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, MN
I just heard back, and our best bet is going to be to plan for a June trip. I know that is a little later then some where hoping but I would hate to have people drive this far and not get to wheel on the trail. On the bright side camping in June is a lot warmer.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Michigan
Sherwood Forest Definitely sounds like that is where our group will be staying, those that wish for resort style stay can opt out. I don't know how many of the other guys will be planning on visiting the restaurants or whatever but I plan on cooking over a hot fire and burgers/hotdogs and stuff. I am thinking we are going to plan on a 4 day weekend as that will give us time to get there and back and wheel. I will most likely be leading a convoy up and through the UP. Warpedguy will probably lead another group up from chicago area (I still need to reach out to him)...I figure I will wait to see how this fills out because I wouldn't mind heading out thursday night and at least getting part of the way there but like I said I will need to find a consensus. And yeah we were hoping for a May trip if possible, as some of the guys myself included are planning a trip to COL for august. So Duluthjk please keep me in the loop on what the interest is looking like on your side.