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Steep on bedrock at the top, flowing and mellow at the bottom. Gateway to Tilt-a-Whirl.


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Map Key

1.0

Miles

1.6

KM

Singletrack

1,146' 349 m

High

965' 294 m

Low

27' 8 m

Up

208' 63 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

This two-way trail can be picked up at the east side of the Pincushion parking lot and links with Talus Trail and Fluvial Trail at the creek crossing. Midway it offers access to Tilt-a-Whirl.

Rift starts out rocky and steep in places with lots of exposed bedrock and challenging turns, ducking frequently into thick patches of balsam fir. After crossing the old horse trail it mellows a bit and stays in the woods more, with more dirt on the trail, but still the occasional "bedrock garden." Gradually, the trail becomes more smooth, flowy, and level, with berms and a few bridges before joining Talus Trail and dumping into the creek.

Taken the opposite direction Rift affords one of the longest most challenging climbs here. Some of the lower flow sections are also more fun in this direction.

Contacts

Shared By:

Just!n P$zw@r0

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 6 votes

#4

in Grand Marais

#11402

Overall
  4.0 from 6 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
17%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Grand Marais

#205

in Minnesota

#11,402

Overall
1 Views Last Month
453 Since Oct 30, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Completing Tilt--a-Whirl loop.
Jul 28, 2019 near Grand M…, MN
The excellent views of Lake Superior from the ridge top meadow.
Oct 30, 2014 near Grand M…, MN
Upper Rift, steep on bedrock.
Oct 30, 2014 near Grand M…, MN
Typical Rock and a Hard Place, traversing west.
Oct 30, 2014 near Grand M…, MN
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 21, 2022
Aaron Hangge
Jun 20, 2022
Eric Richardsson
A lot of rock. >10% unridable.
May 23, 2020
JR Zedan
Aug 31, 2018
Dave A
Aug 6, 2018
Jeremy Mitchell
Advise start this one from parking area, otherwise it’s hard rocky climb to finish your ride.
Aug 5, 2018
Jeremy Mitchell
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