Soo Line South Trail - Onamia, MN
Adjacent Paved/Gravel Trails

Designing the Camp Ripley/Veterans State Trail such that it is open to as many users as possible, which includes ATV and horseback, is a stated goal of the CRV Trail group. Being aware of existing trail designs, how they work, don't work, and impact the various user types and residents is going to be an important part of the ongoing discussion during the CRVST's development process.

Brian Peterson of the Brainerd Dispatch has written a nice article evaluating a nearby section of the Soo Line South Trail that has both motorized (ATV) and non-motorized uses. As a trail that has adjacent paved and unpaved treadways, it will be an important design to consider for the CRVST.

So how is it that, in the middle of the countryside, you would find bicyclists together with ATV enthusiasts?

The Soo Line Trail zig-zags across central and northern Minnesota. But here, for an 11-mile stretch from Onamia to Isle, it offers separate access for ATVers and bicyclists, joggers, walkers and rollerbladers and the like. A paved, five-foot-wide trail for the latter group of trail users runs parallel to a gravel ATV trail - slightly wider as it has spread out with use - with a small "median" of weeds, gravel and dirt between the two.

This type of shared use trail design where a gravel ATV trail and paved non-motorized trail are immediately adjacent to each other is rare in Minnesota.

This stretch of the trail feels more suited for ATVs than bikes. And the paved trail reflects that. While it's a fairly smooth ride, the path itself is mostly unkempt, with rocks and gravel patches here and there, no doubt from the ATV trail. But a nice ride.

Soo Line South Trail - Moose Lake, MN

A similar section of the Soo Line South Trail around Moose Lake, MN also has a dual gravel/paved treadway.

Scattered rocks on a paved trail are serious hazards to cyclists. They can easily cause a crash or puncture a narrow, high pressure bicycle tire. However, that doesn't mean this type of trail design isn't suitable for consideration.

There are existing sections of the Soo Line South Trail which do not have a scattered rock problem. Perhaps they can provide design examples of what might work to resolve this problem.

• Strewn rocks primarily at intersections or curves in the trail
• >1-foot wide tall grass/shrub median seems to reduce problem
• Elevate the paved surface above the gravel surface
• Do not use aggregate/gravel rock as the surface of the trail
• Use a smaller grain rock more similar to sand, which packs harder.

Soo Line South Trail - Images July 2010

Rocks at the Curve - Soo Line Trail - Onamia, MN

No Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Onamia, MN

No Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Onamia, MN

Rocks at Intersection - Soo Line Trail - Onamia, MN

No Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Onamia, MN

No Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Moose Lake, MN

Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Moose Lake, MN

Rocks - Soo Line Trail - Moose Lake, MN

Reference

•  Brainerd Dispatch Article - 2010.08.28 - PDF Version (62 Kb)
  SOO LINE TRAIL | ONAMIA TO ISLE: Segment appeals to all trail users, from bicyclists to ATV enthusiasts
•  Soo Line South Trail Map
  Source: MN DNR ATV Trails Page

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