Willard Munger Trail Log South  E-mail
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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 •M6 Skunk Lake historical site. In 1894 the railroad grade was an escape route for the victims of the Hinckley fire in 1894 that destroyed six towns and killed over 400 persons.

Skunk Lake today looks like little more than a swamp, but during the fire storm many persons left the train and escaped the flames in the swamp. Markers and a display tell the story.

•M13 Finlayson depot offers a rest stop that includes an old depot and an outside toilet. Refreshments and food are available at several locations in the town that borders the western side of the trail.

•M15 The trail leaves its straight, hill-less route and dips up and down hills to the east for nearly 1.5 miles. It’s a welcome relief if you sometimes get bored with straight, flat rides. Enjoy the high speeds and tight turns, but watch for other bikers and be alert for abrupt turns.

•M17 River crossings begin and offer new views and the sound of running water. The Kettle River eventually leads into Banning State Park that stretches north and south for several miles.

•M18 Rutledge, just to the east, is the half-way point between Finlayson and Willow River.

•M23 Willow River has a grand entrance: the old railroad signal structures on both sides of the trail. A small park area is nicely-kept and offers a covered picnic area, inside toilets, playground and plenty of grass for napping or picnicking. The town is split by the trail so plenty of food and refreshments are close by.

•M24-26 Several river crossings that should whet your appetite for a canoe or kayak trip.

From here to Moose Lake, enjoy miles of sun-tanning open country with some road noise from Hwy. 61 on the right that some will love and others will want to use as a time trial. Enjoy the sun, bear down in the wind and push for speed.

•M32 Moose Lake is the largest town along the trail between Hinckley and Duluth. A trail through Moose Lake will take you to the next segment of the Munger Trail .

•M 35.3 If you’d like a rest, stop at the bench that overlooks a pond.

•M 36.2 The first of two route into Barnum. Hwy. 6 goes into Barnum where there’s food, water and friendly shop owners.

•M 38.4 Cty. 140 on your left is another route into Barnum.

•M 39.6 The trail dips into a tunnel, perfect for sitting out a rain or just hearing your voice echo.

from Hinckley to Carlton (6-02 added Carlton M51 to trailhead; revised intro)

Willard Munger 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

•M6 Skunk Lake historical site. In 1894 the railroad grade was an escape route for the victims of the Hinckley fire in 1894 that destroyed six towns and killed over 400 persons.

Skunk Lake today looks like little more than a swamp, but during the fire storm many persons left the train and escaped the flames in the swamp. Markers and a display tell the story.

•M13 Finlayson depot offers a rest stop that includes an old depot and an outside toilet. Refreshments and food are available at several locations in the town that borders the western side of the trail.

•M15 The trail leaves its straight, hill-less route and dips up and down hills to the east for nearly 1.5 miles. It’s a welcome relief if you sometimes get bored with straight, flat rides. Enjoy the high speeds and tight turns, but watch for other bikers and be alert for abrupt turns.

•M17 River crossings begin and offer new views and the sound of running water. The Kettle River eventually leads into Banning State Park that stretches north and south for several miles.

•M18 Rutledge, just to the east, is the half-way point between Finlayson and Willow River.

•M23 Willow River has a grand entrance: the old railroad signal structures on both sides of the trail. A small park area is nicely-kept and offers a covered picnic area, inside toilets, playground and plenty of grass for napping or picnicking. The town is split by the trail so plenty of food and refreshments are close by.

•M24-26 Several river crossings that should whet your appetite for a canoe or kayak trip.

From here to Moose Lake, enjoy miles of sun-tanning open country with some road noise from Hwy. 61 on the right that some will love and others will want to use as a time trial. Enjoy the sun, bear down in the wind and push for speed.

•M32 Moose Lake is the largest town along the trail between Hinckley and Duluth. A trail through Moose Lake will take you to the next segment of the Munger Trail .

•M 35.3 If you’d like a rest, stop at the bench that overlooks a pond.

•M 36.2 The first of two route into Barnum. Hwy. 6 goes into Barnum where there’s food, water and friendly shop owners.

•M 38.4 Cty. 140 on your left is another route into Barnum.

•M 39.6 The trail dips into a tunnel, perfect for sitting out a rain or just hearing your voice echo.

•M42.5 The little town of Mahtowa pops up, but be careful. See that biker that crashed into the wall of the building on your right?

•M46 If you don’t like to stop and smell the roses, this is a perfect spot to sniff the wonderful barnyard smells of this farm, complete with cattle.

•M48.6 The trail dips under the freeway and is a perfect hide-out if it rains.

•M49.5 Although Hwy. 61 is a companion on the left, there are all kinds of natural wonders along the trail. A creek, some pines and those signature rocks at this milepoint are part of this scene.

•M51.3 The trail that has been going into the woods goes over a small bridge that’s a little bumpy.

•M52.3 The trail cuts through rock that will be more evident in sections of the Carlton-Duluth segment of the trail.

•M52.7 The trail comes out of the woods as it approaches the industrialized area of Carlton.

•M53 A long fence keeps cyclists away from the piles of logs and the railroad tracks that are still used.

•M54.5 The Hinckley-Carlton segment of the trail ends at the highway. If you look across the highway you’ll see the beginning of the eight-mile long Alex Laveau trail (see description elsewhere). Turn left and go .2 miles on the highway shoulder to the trailhead where there’s a toilet (but no water). Some riders can meet a shuttle here and call it a day, or you can continue on the trail all the way to Duluth, about 15 miles, mostly downhill (see description elsewhere).
 
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