Arrowhead State Trail

Length| 135 mi (217 km)
Location| Arrowhead Region, Minnesota, USA
Designation| Minnesota state trail
Trailheads| Tower
International Falls
Use| Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling
Season| Primarily winter
Sights| Sturgeon River State Forest, Kabetogama State Forest, Ash River
Hazards| Logging traffic, severe weather, standing water in summer
Surface| Dirt
Website| Arrowhead State Trail

The Arrowhead State Trail is a recreational trail in the Arrowhead Region of northern Minnesota, USA, geared primarily for winter snowmobile use. It runs 135 miles (217 km) from an intersection with the Taconite State Trail 10 miles (16 km) west of Tower to an intersection with the Blue Ox Trail 3 miles (4.8 km) south of International Falls.[1] In summer about 69 miles (111 km) are suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, while the northern section is blocked by areas of wetness and standing water.[2]

The Arrowhead State Trail was authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 1974–75.[1] It is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

## Description

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The northern section of the trail from International Falls to the Ash River is fairly flat, passing through forests of aspen on higher ground and spruce and ash on lower ground.[1] The southern section is more rugged, featuring rolling hills with large, exposed boulders interspersed with many lakes and streams.[3] This thickly wooded area is part of the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. There are intersections with numerous local snowmobile trails. The route of the Arrowhead State Trail passes within one mile (1.6 km) of Voyageurs National Park and within 10 miles (16 km) of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.[4] The trail, which very roughly follows U.S. Route 53, offers nine shelters with firepits and restrooms.[3]

## Events

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Since 2005 the trail has hosted the Arrowhead 135, a 135-mile (217 km) extreme endurance race in which contestants are challenged to carry all of their own gear under their own power via foot, ski, or bicycle, in mid-winter.[5]

## References

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1. ^ a b c Arrowhead & Taconite State Trails (PDF) (Map). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
2. ^ "Arrowhead State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
3. ^ a b "Course Description and Trail Maps". Arrowhead Ultra Sports Foundation, Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
4. ^ "Arrowhead State Trail". BoundaryWatersCanoeArea.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
5. ^ Regenold, Stephen (January 30, 2008). "ULTRAFIT - Icy beards, numb digits and derring-do - From one who's been there, a frostbitten glimpse of what's in store for the determined souls entered in next week's 135-mile endurance race through northern Minnesota forests". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minn.

## External links

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* Arrowhead State Trail
* Snowshoe racing on Arrowhead Trail

48°6′6″N 92°40′35″W﻿ / ﻿48.10167°N 92.67639°W﻿ / 48.10167; -92.67639

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Hiking trails in Minnesota

Central/Metro|

* Bruce Vento
* Coldwater Spring
* Cannon Valley
* Crosby Farm
* Dakota Rail
* Gateway
* Glacial Lakes
* Hidden Falls
* Luce Line
* Minnehaha Falls Lower Glen Trail
* Minnehaha Trail
* Minnesota Valley
* Rush Creek
* Winchell Trail

Northeast|

* Arrowhead
* Border Route
* Cut Foot Sioux
* Cuyuna Lakes
* Eagle Mountain
* Gitchi-Gami
* Kekekabic
* North Country
* North Shore
* Sioux–Hustler
* Snowbank
* Superior
* Taconite

Northwest|

* Agassiz
* Central Lakes
* Heartland
* Greater Grand Forks
* Paul Bunyan

Southeast|

* Big Rivers
* Douglas
* Goodhue Pioneer
* Great River Ridge
* Mill Towns
* Root River
* Shooting Star

Southwest|

* Casey Jones
* Sakatah Singing Hills

Authority control databases |

* VIAF

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