NCT: Springvale to Krause

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

A great rustic section of the North Country Trail. This trail has been a hiking trail for many years. Mountain biking is allowed on this trail and the local IMBA Chapter, TOMMBA, helps maintain various sections in this region.

Due to the Emerald Ash Borer, many trees fall on this trail. The summer of 2015, the trail would have been cleared of all downed trees and three more would have fallen on the trail in the following week. Volunteer maintenance teams tackle these as they can but it has been a real problem. Although there are few blind turns, keep an eye out.

This trail is mostly singletrack. However, there are short sections of two-track. To ensure you stay on the trail, make sure to always look for the blue rectangles painted on the trees. Be especially watchful when on two-track as there is sometimes an unexpected turn off the two-track back onto the singletrack. Turns are indicated by two blue rectangles, one on top of another. The top rectangle is placed to one side or the other, indicating the direction the trail turns.

This trail is best ridden as an out-and-back or you can find road sections to make your way back. This can be ridden for many miles from Thumb Lake Road and Slashing Road north all the way to Krause Road. Turn around and descend from Krause Road for what seems like miles. It is a fun reward for climbing to Krause, an area we call "the Towers." It is a high elevation area where many radio and TV broadcasting towers are located.

This has varied terrain with many sections that are beginner-friendly with short challenging sections. This is a great trail in the middle of some beautiful woods that is highly recommended for all levels of mountain bikers.

This is part of a multi-state trail system call the North Country Trail. Bikes are not allowed on all sections, but they are allowed on this section. In fact, local mountain bikers assist with much of the maintenance.