WELCOME TO THE MUNGER-TRAIL

The Willard Munger State Trail


2008 deadliest year for bicyclists since 2000

Bicyclists, motorists urged to share the road safely this season
May 4, 2009 ST. PAUL, Minn. - Following the deadliest year for bicyclists in eight years, state traffic safety and transportation officials are urging motorists to drive alert as warm weather arrives and bicyclists return to the road. Last year 13 bicyclists were killed, the most since 2000 (14) and a significant increase from the four bicyclist deaths in 2007.

More bicycle commuters last year was a factor in the increase in deaths. A similar number of bicyclists is expected this year and safety officials urge caution for those who may be new to bicycle commuting.

“The spring and summer months bring new challenges for motorists as bicyclists join traffic, so it’s critical that everyone share the road,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. “During May, National Bike Month, we want motorists to recognize bicyclists as people, not obstructions, and bicyclists to recognize and obey stop signs and traffic signals, not ignore them.”

Each year, an average of eight bicyclists are killed and more than 950 are injured in crashes with motor vehicles, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. More than 60 percent of bicycle crashes occur from June through September. Most bicycle crashes occur during afternoon rush hours.

The major contributing factor in bicyclist-motorist crashes is failure to yield the right of way. Both bicyclists and drivers are at fault for this. For bicyclists, another crash factor is disregard for traffic control devices. A crash factor for motorists is failing to see bicyclists and driving inattentively. People under age 25 are at greatest risk; they represent more than half of all bicyclists injured annually.



Bird Watching Near The Munger Trail


Pileated Woodpecker   Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker sighted near our studios in Denham Minnesota 4-10-2009


Swans on the moose horn river   Swans fishing near Sturgeon Lake
These Swans sighted 3-10-2009 fishing the Moose Horn River  near Sturgeon Lake Minnesota.
click on desired image to see full size "painted" images.


The Willard Munger State Trail is a collection of multiple use trails between Hinckley and Duluth. It consists of interconnecting trails offering hiking, bicycling, in-line skating and snowmobiling. It highlights the picturesque scenery and rich history of East Central Minnesota. The trail follows the route of the railroad that saved many lives in the historic Hinckley and Cloquet fires in the nineteenth century.

There are three different trail segments in the Willard Munger State Trail: Hinckley - Duluth segment, Alex Laveau Memorial Trail and Boundary segment.

The 63 mile Hinckley - Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail is now completely paved, making this the longest paved trail in the world. The trail extends between Hinckley, Willow River, Moose Lake, Barnum, Carlton, and Duluth. The trail passes near Banning State Park, through Finlayson, Willow River and General C.C. Andrews State Forest, and through the spectacular scenery of Jay Cooke State Park. The northeast portion of the trail provides scenic views of the St. Louis River and the twin ports of Duluth and Superior.

munger thumb 5 here  Munger thumb 6  Jay Cook Park Thumb 8

Willard Munger Trail Log South

One of the longest trail rides in the state awaits riders of the Willard Munger Trail named after the state representative that served West Duluth for 43 years supporting many environmental and recreational projects throughout Minnesota.

The southern segment of nearly 55 miles, from Hinckley north to Carlton, and the northern segment of about 15 miles from Carlton north to Duluth provides bikers a wide variety of experiences from gambling to rock outcroppings, state parks and lakes.

The southern segment, known as the Hinckley Fire Trail, goes though Finlayson, Willow River, Sturgeon Lake and Moose Lake.

Side trips can be made to Sandstone connected to the Munger with its own part-trail, part-road route and three state parks: Banning, St. Croix and Moose Lake.

Nearly all of the trail is flat and straight on the bed of abandoned railroad right-of-way, although there is one spot (M15) the trail takes a dip and curves. The trail crosses several bridges, skirts ponds, crosses rivers and goes through the woods; there are also a couple stretches that parallel a busy highway.

The last 3.5 miles into Carleton were recently paved and takes riders through a mix of wetlands, woods and even rock before skirting logging operations.

Highlights along the trail, beginning at Hinckley

Jay Cook Park Thumb 10  Jay cook thumb 9  

Willard Munger Trail Log North
The northern segment of the Willard Munger Trail takes a 15-mile decent from Carlton to West Duluth downhill through trees, rocks with a powerful scenic views all the way.

Bikers can stop on a high railroad trestle to enjoy a breathtaking look over the St. Louis River estuary, cut through a mountain of rock, relax through fields of wildflowers and northern pines, view the wonders of a hydroelectric power plant, peddle through the largest stand of hemlocks and relax on a hillside rest stop overlooking western Duluth and acres of water.

Highlights along the trail into Duluth:

Munger trail thumb 14  Jay Cook Park thumb 11


www.munger-trail.com


Moose Horn River Trip 2007


moosehorn river trip 2007

The Moose Horn River runs next to the Munger Trail for most of it's length, this trip taken in the spring of 2007 is brought to you by Wilderness Campgrounds where canoe rental and trip planning for families or groups can be found. Take a ride down the Moose Horn River with us and visit  the Wilderness Campgrounds website for more information

WMV FILE @ 6.2 MB's about 8 minutes.


Enjoy!



Wobegon park

Lake Wobegon® Trail


The Lake Wobegon Trail is a 46 mile long, 10 foot wide, bituminous surfaced hike-and-bike  pathway. The trail, which opened on September 30, 1998, extends from the city of St. Joseph to the city of Osakis. The trail also has an extension on the west side of Albany heading northeast to Holdingford and beyond. The trail runs on the MN/DOT rail corridor formerly owned by Burlington Northern Railroad Company. The trail is also available for snowmobiling.



 
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All new and completely updated, the fourth edition of Bicycle Vacation Guide is the “everything” guide to your next bicycle vacation.

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Last Page Up Date 07-24-2009 
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 Westwind Multimedia