Winter Fat Tire Bike Trail Conditions in Cook County

There are some preliminary trail systems that will be offering limited trail use.

Norpine Trail System: This trail segment under evaluation features both a tracked ski-only lane and a packed lane for shared use by skate-skiers and bikers. ONLY this trail is open to fat-tire bikers and skiers. Any bikers that ride on non-approved ski trails will jeopardize this limited partnership with the Norpine Trail Association. Bikers must not go through the “Scientific Natural Area” (SNA) which is well-designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is.
Pincushion Trail System in Grand Marais: This trail first opened in 2016/17 for limited use, thanks to careful maintenance and respectful bikers.
Gunflint Lodge: trail routes TBD
Bearskin Lodge: trail routes TBD

Please be aware of the trail conditions to preserve the safety and conditions of the trails. All trails will be open to fatbikes only when the trail base conditions are mature enough to support the weight of the bikes without damage to the trail. This includes both cold days with fresh powder snow as well as warm days with soft melting snow. If biking conditions are poor at the trailhead, assume the trail is closed to bikes.

Learn more about all of the biking opportunities and help support trail maintenance by becoming a member of the local trail associations or Superior Cycling Association.

NOTE: Anytime the temperature is above 30F degrees consider the trail closed.

Norpine Dual Use Trail Conditions

Norpine Trail System

Norpine System Groomer's Notes: From the Norpine Trail Association:

* Please Note: Bikers must not go through the Scientific Natural Area (SNA) which is well-designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is.

Norpine Trail	KM	Open to Fat Tire Biking?	Dogs OK?	Condition
Caribou Trail to Cascade Road	10	Yes	Yes
Hall Loop	5.4	Yes	No
Massie Loop	6.2	Yes	No
Massie to Caribou	1.8	Yes	No
Lower Ski Hill Rd.	1.2	Yes	No
Lutsen Mountain to Ski Hill Road Loop	4	Yes	No
Cascade Connector to Hall/Massie	6	Yes	Yes

Trail Usage Details:
The 2017-2018 winter season was the first year designated as a trial period for testing a dual-use winter trail to be shared by both skiers and fat-tire bikers. Thanks to careful maintenance and respectful bikers, this partnership continues.

Please Note: Bikers must not go through the Scientific Natural Area (SNA) which is well-designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is.

The trail segment under evaluation features both a tracked ski-only lane and a packed lane for shared use by skate-skiers and bikers.

Bikers must stay on the dual-use trail and yield to skiers. Be aware that there are ski-only intersections with the dual-use trail. Bikers should be on the watch for merging skiers.
The dual-use trail will be open to fat bikes only when the trail base conditions are mature enough to support the weight of the bikes without damage to the trail. This includes both cold days with fresh powder snow as well as warm days with soft melting snow. If biking conditions are poor at the trailhead, assume the trail is closed to bikes. The trail is always open to skiers unless otherwise posted.

Donations are encouraged to support trail maintenance www.norpinetrails.org

Pincushion Fat Tire Bike Conditions

Pincushion Trail System

Download a georeferenced biking trail map here: Pincushion Mountain Area Winter Fat Tire Bike Trails

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Report Date: 12/17/2024
Trails are OPEN
Trail Conditions Update: From the Superior Cycling Association: 12/17/2024: Groomer was out a few nights ago touching up the trails. Expect fast and firm conditions. With new snow expected soon, should be great weekend of riding ahead. SPECIAL NOTE: The ski club has started grooming the ski trails. It is imperative that bikes stay off the ski trails, thanks.
Trail access from parking lot is next to large Forest Service sign on East side of lot. Fatbiking is not allowed on the ski trails (except where the bike trail crosses at an intersection)

Anytime the Temperature is above 30 degrees consider the trail closed.

In 2010, the Superior Cycling Association was founded to grow mountain and road biking opportunities in Cook County, Minnesota. We are a Chapter of IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association). Board Members include: Tim Kennedy (P), Paul Nordlund (VP), Jay Aerosmith-Decoux and Phil Larson(S's), Jeff Stoddard (T), Jeff Lynch, and Molly O'Neil. More information about summer and winter biking in Cook County from Superior Cycling Association.