A two-decade tradition offers outdoors enthusiasts a chance to see all the glorious sites northern Minnesota has to offer by way of bicycle.
The Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour is back for its 20th year in 2024. It will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, and will feature five different routes to choose from — 12, 26, 46, 58, or 70 miles – all traveling out and back on Mesabi Trail from one start/finish location in Buhl.
According to organizers, “while you pedal (fully supported) along one of Minnesota’s premiere paved bicycle trails you will encounter historic & scenic points of interest, enjoy food, music, activities at rest stops, and a finish line celebration complete with lunch and more music.”
Camping will be available at Buhl Park with a $10 charge for tent/camper parked. The money collected will go towards the Buhl Youth Recreation Program.
Cost is $55 per person for folks 17 and older – kids 16 and under ride $10 for first kid and the rest are free.
According to Paula Kangas, Executive Director Club Mesabi/GRE Mesabi Trail Tour Director, the event has only been canceled twice over the years: Once for wildfire smoke and once for covid, but participation numbers have continual been up since 2020.
“It has been growing and building back up to what it was before COVID. Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg was the previous Executive Director for 19 years. She made Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Bike Tour and developed many great relationships along the way. She was devoted to the trail,” Kangas said.
“The tour changes to different sections of the trail. Last year, it was Ely to Soudan and back, roughly 50 miles for the tour. This year will be Buhl to Calumet and back, 70 miles this year,” Kangas said. “The communities and riders enjoy exploring each section and what the towns have to offer. The music, activities, and food bring it all together.”
This year’s tour options include:
Route #1: Bruce Mine Headframe Park (12 miles round trip from Buhl).
The rest stop is 6 miles from Buhl for total 12 miles round trip.
The Bruce Mine Headframe is the headframe of a former underground mine in Chisholm, Minnesota, United States. It was built 1925–26 and operated until the mine closed in the early 1940s.
The Bruce Mine Headframe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 for its state-level significance in the theme of engineering. It was nominated for being the last standing example of the headframes that once proliferated on the Mesabi Range.
Route #2: Greyhound Bus Museum (26 miles round trip from Buhl).
The Turn-Around for Route #2 is at the Mesabi Trail kiosk nest to Greyhound Bus Museum. Your wristband will be your admission to this iconic museum to tour.
Eighteen historical buses and a 1914 Hupmobile; AV exhibits; hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia; VCR presentation;18 vintage buses, diorama of a 1916 bus being built; outside exhibits of 1940 Art Deco Terminal & 1921 Flag Stop Station; 2 buses before & after restoration; Bus frame and completed bus: 2 converted buses plus a newly added exhibit building with 100's of new exhibits
Route #3: O'Brien Reservoir (46 miles round trip from Buhl).
The Turn-Around for Route #3 is at O'Brien Reservoir - also a rest stop & storm shelter - 34613 Hwy 169 in Nashwauk.
O'Brien Reservoir is enjoyed by many because of its diverse accommodations and beautiful location. There is also a beautiful swimming area with a fun playground for children, sandy beach, and a fishing pier. Cool down for a quick swim also!
Route #4: Nashwauk (58 miles round trip from Buhl).
This stop will just have tent with water/snacks on the trail.
Route #5: Calumet (70 miles Round Trip from Buhl).
This rest stop will be at Take 5 Park at 916 Gary Street, Calumet, MN. This rest stop will provide many local activities and library that the City of Calumet and youth enjoy.
This will be a must stop and close to the Hill Annex MIne (fossil mine). This will be a great place to take break before heading back to Buhl.
Kangas said the tour brings people from all over different states and countries.
“This tour has great organization and activities to look forward to at each rest stop and our communities come out to support them and Mesabi Trail. Tourism is brought to the Iron Range from Grand Rapids to Ely,” Kangas said. “If you haven’t done the tour with your family, you must try. We have lots of generations that ride together. This is a family vacation weekend for them.”
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According to information provided by Kangas, The Mesabi Trail is the “result of the vision and dedication of regional residents, led by the St Louis & Lake County Regional Railroad Authority. As a division of the state of Minnesota, the Regional Railroad Authority undertook the proposition of converting abandoned railroads into trails, a process that began in 1986.”
Following the mission of the Railroad Authority to preserve former railroads for future transportation use, a successful rails-to-trails program was implemented. The ongoing efforts to plot a visually exciting and technically “rideable” route while securing the use of abandoned railways and other property have included the valuable assistance of individuals, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and trail enthusiasts alike.
“Together, we’ve worked to bring the Mesabi Trail dream to reality. Today’s Mesabi Trail offers visitors unique diversity in scenery and trail terrain and provides excellent opportunities to learn about the region’s history and culture. There’s no other bike trail like it in the country, and we hope visitors will appreciate the meticulous maintenance and improvement efforts that keep the Mesabi Trail in excellent riding shape,” she wrote.
The Mesabi Trail derives its name from the area once held in the icy grip of the great North American glacier, “The Great Mesabi.” Within this “Land of Mesabi,” the trail traverses forest, meadows, rivers, streams and lakes in a region bounded on the east end by the great Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Area and on the west by the Mississippi River. In between, the Mesabi Trail takes visitors past the edges of the open pit mines of the Iron Range, and areas abundant with wildlife, nature and the rich heritage of hearty pioneers.
According to information at www.mesabitrail.com, “Stretching from the Mississippi to the Boundary Waters, with over 150 miles of paved trail, the Mesabi Trail is like no other in the country. Cutting through the forests of northeast Minnesota, your adventure will take you past lakes, creeks and ponds, by vast red pits of old iron ore mines now filled with emerald green water. You are sure to be greeted by native wildlife during your travels. Pass through 28 communities, stop in at a local attraction to experience the history of the area, learn about our mining and logging legacies, enjoy the local cuisine…try a sarma, a pasty or some potica.
“When completed (in 1-2 years), this well-mapped and well-maintained trail will traverse almost 165 miles, making it one of the longest paved trails in the United States. There are only two sections remaining.
“Great summer activities include biking, hiking, walking and inline skating. Winter activities may include fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking – but the trail is not groomed for these activities. Some portions of the trail offer snowmobile access.
The trail is easily accessible from numerous locations. Amenities and services are available all along the trail, including lodging and campgrounds.
A Wheel Pass is required by anyone 18 and older using wheels on the trail.
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