Updated: A new section of the Gitchi Gami State Trail set to open next week in Lutsen
Oct 11, 2024 08:30AM ● By Content Editor
The Gitchi Gami State Trail runs along the north shore of Lake Superior. When completed, it will connect Two Harbors and Grand Marais. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 10, 2024
October 11, 2024 Update: The MN DNR released an update to the opening date for the Ski Hill Road Phase, originally thought to be October 15. However, next week, paving will be taking place, followed by reseeding vegetation and demobilizing equipment. The new estimated opening date is October 21. The MN DNR requests that the trail not be used until it is officially open.
Original article below.
A new section of the Gitchi Gami State Trail (GGST) is set to open next week in Lutsen, Minnesota. Named the "Lutsen Ski Hill Road Phase," the 1.29-mile segment will run from Ski Hill Road to Arrowhead Electric. The anticipated open date is October 21.
Construction for this segment of the GGST began in the Spring of 2023 and was scheduled to be completed that fall. Bethany Chaplin from MN DNR Parks and Trails told Boreal Community Media that two of the culverts to bridges along the trail were required to be changed, and the flooding in June highlighted necessary adjustments to accommodate large rainfall events. Both instances required acquiring additional funding for engineering and construction.
Trail users can park at the gravel lot at Ski Hill Road and Highway 61. The lot is DNR-owned land and will eventually become the official Lutsen Trailhead for the GGST. Chaplin shared that "DNR engineers will be working on designing an official trailhead and paved parking lot this winter."
The next segment in Lutsen, a .25-mile section, will connect Arrowhead Electric to Steam Engine Road. According to Chaplin, funds from the 2023 capital bonding have been designated for this portion of the trail.
A portion of Tofte from Tofte Homestead Drive to Bayview Drive (.3 miles) is set to begin in 2025. According to Chaplin, the DNR is in the process of "awarding engineering design and construction oversight contracts."
The GGST is a paved, multi-use trail for non-motorized recreation that, when completed, will connect Two Harbors to Grand Marais (a total of 86 miles). Currently, 33 miles have been completed. The Trail is owned and operated by the MN DNR, which works with a Friends/Advocacy group called the Gitchi Gami Trail Association (GGTA) that "supports the DNR’s efforts to build and maintain the trail," including assistance securing funding, according to Michelle Pierson, Executive Director of the GGTA.
Pierson told Boreal Community Media that the GGTA "will be really working hard to look for funding sources and advocating for bonding appropriations for the trail in the next session."
To learn more about the Gitchi Gami State Trail, visit the MN DNR website here.
To learn more about the Gitchi Gami Trail Association, visit their website here.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 10, 2024
October 11, 2024 Update: The MN DNR released an update to the opening date for the Ski Hill Road Phase, originally thought to be October 15. However, next week, paving will be taking place, followed by reseeding vegetation and demobilizing equipment. The new estimated opening date is October 21. The MN DNR requests that the trail not be used until it is officially open.
Original article below.
A new section of the Gitchi Gami State Trail (GGST) is set to open next week in Lutsen, Minnesota. Named the "Lutsen Ski Hill Road Phase," the 1.29-mile segment will run from Ski Hill Road to Arrowhead Electric. The anticipated open date is October 21.
Construction for this segment of the GGST began in the Spring of 2023 and was scheduled to be completed that fall. Bethany Chaplin from MN DNR Parks and Trails told Boreal Community Media that two of the culverts to bridges along the trail were required to be changed, and the flooding in June highlighted necessary adjustments to accommodate large rainfall events. Both instances required acquiring additional funding for engineering and construction.
Trail users can park at the gravel lot at Ski Hill Road and Highway 61. The lot is DNR-owned land and will eventually become the official Lutsen Trailhead for the GGST. Chaplin shared that "DNR engineers will be working on designing an official trailhead and paved parking lot this winter."
A parking lot is available at Ski Hill Road and Highway 61. This winter, DNR engineers are set to begin construction on an official Lutsen Trailhead. Image MN DNR, Google Maps
The next segment in Lutsen, a .25-mile section, will connect Arrowhead Electric to Steam Engine Road. According to Chaplin, funds from the 2023 capital bonding have been designated for this portion of the trail.
A .25 trail segment connecting Arrowhead Electric to Steam Engine Road will be the next portion in Lutsen to be constructed. Image: MN DNR, Google Maps
A portion of Tofte from Tofte Homestead Drive to Bayview Drive (.3 miles) is set to begin in 2025. According to Chaplin, the DNR is in the process of "awarding engineering design and construction oversight contracts."
The GGST is a paved, multi-use trail for non-motorized recreation that, when completed, will connect Two Harbors to Grand Marais (a total of 86 miles). Currently, 33 miles have been completed. The Trail is owned and operated by the MN DNR, which works with a Friends/Advocacy group called the Gitchi Gami Trail Association (GGTA) that "supports the DNR’s efforts to build and maintain the trail," including assistance securing funding, according to Michelle Pierson, Executive Director of the GGTA.
Gitchi Gami State Trail Sign. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow
In addition to the Lutsen Ski Hill Road segment, a section connecting Two Harbors to Superior Shores (specifically, North Shore Scenic Drive to Superior Shores Drive for a total of .89 miles) will be completed this month.
Pierson told Boreal Community Media that the GGTA "will be really working hard to look for funding sources and advocating for bonding appropriations for the trail in the next session."
To learn more about the Gitchi Gami State Trail, visit the MN DNR website here.
To learn more about the Gitchi Gami Trail Association, visit their website here.
