Glad this trail system is getting more coverage. Backing up the planning accordingly and limiting yourself if solo, almost washed out on castle cream and broke a derailleur (had a spare) on diggendirt. Being prepared for backcountry riding is a must if you don't want to walk for a couple hours back out! Amazing work OTM.
Excellent overview of this gem of a trail system, midwestern riders are fortunate to have this nearby and OTM has been expanding the system even more with several new trails built this year. Had the exact same experience on the Castle Cream step-up jump, felt like it was there but didn’t want to push limits riding solo in the back country. Great job clearing Diggen’ Dirt, did not have the same experience on that one and I had a pretty traumatic OTB!🩸
@@KrisYahner It sure is, passed by it several times on solo rides before finally attempting it with Dialed in. Rode into it confidently but something about the turn or front brake usage sent me over the bars, 27.5 rear wheel would have helped too. Bruised my hip and sprained my shoulder pretty good, but was back riding XC trails the next day with Jeremy.
Alright, I definitely need to go ride here. The raw tech shoots look so good! Great job on the video buddy, super well done. 👍🏻 Big thanks to Tracy and OTM foundation! Making the world a better place to ride in 🤙🏻
Yeah you do! I think if you go into it with idea that it is a tough XC trails with a bunch of fun and technical b-lines and offshoots then you have the right mindset to have fun out there.
Awesome all on levels, you captured the essence of Split Rock Wilds! There have been some exceptionally creative minds at work out there. Thanks for the shout out --Adam, Dirt Candy
It was great to put faces to the names and hear some of the history. Splitrock is the real deal, true test of bike skill and endurance! The views and vibe are all time out here.
@@KrisYahner I’d love to get out here with you; I’ve got a pretty dialed rout I like to take. And FYI I have 100% confidence that you have that Step-up. But you said it right, these solo missions in remote zones need to be taken with caution! I’ll pass up anything I’m not fully feeling on solo endeavors. Also nice moves on Diggin’ dirt! That thing scares me more than anything I’ve done out there I think.😂
Nice job on the video Kris!!! Very well done. I rode part of it last year with my Leb volunteer group. We started in Beaver Bay and didn't do all of it. It's very technical and challenging as you describe. From what we did, a lot of it is way beyond my skill level, but was worth trying it and the views are Awesome!!
Thanks! It's tough to ride everything out there in one go, especially if you stop the session all the optional lines. But you are right, the views are beautiful.
That looks awesome! First off, GREAT work on the video! Super cool you included the trail stewards as well. Great job on the whole video, awesome mix of story telling with the voiceover and POV! Second, how do these trails handle the rain? And what are the best times to head out there to ride? Might need to plan a trip myself!!!! Thanks for making this vid!
Thank you very much! I appreciate the comment. Most of our trails in Minnesota cannot be ridden in the rain. This trail is one of the exceptions. There are a couple of clay sections that got pretty rutted during a couple of weeks of wet weather last season but Dave told me that the goal was to get all of those sections capped so that this trail could be ridden even if it was raining. That trail will be snowed in for most of the winter so it will probably be May before it is ready to ride again. June through early Oct are good times to be out there. It can get hot in the August and Sept in MN but being pretty far north and being close to the lake keeps that area cooler than the rest of the state. If you ever find yourself out this way and need a guide or any info, let me know!
Thanks for the reply!@@KrisYahner I may just end up visiting one day, I've ridden BMX in Minneapolis a couple times as a teenager mid-August and yea, it got HOT! Would sure be neat to see that, as well as the UP trails. Hard to validate flying from the to Mn just for the MTB riding tho!
@@JeffKendallWeedit should not be that hard to justify coming here just for riding! Between the trails in this video, Duluth, and the iron range there is tons of great riding all within a couple hours of one another. Hope to see a vid of yours from here sonetime!
One of the best systems in the Midwest. Such a challenge, but rewarding and fun, and what a beautiful place to find yourself in. Happy Tracy and Dave don’t care about the Super Bowl! 😂 OTM is really helping out the Minnesota MTB scene!
great video! i'm stoked to make it out to the trail again this year, my first trip was cut short by a pinch flat on the fat bike which I couldn't get a patch to seal nicely on trail (mtb was out of commission with a broken rim). Tubeless is key out there!
Missed that on the last trip. Need to hit that at some point. Such great terrain up there. Dave has a good eye for fun trail too. 🤙 Boot at Spirit is a fun one as well.
Thanks for sharing this, Sent it to a bunch of friends that missed out this year. I need to get back up there to ride the sections closest to the state park. I had to skip it on the day I went because I got up there later than planned. When did you do your filming? Looks a lot more overgrown than when I was up in early August.
I was out there in June. The group they had out from the Conservation Corps had some trouble with their camp (It got ransacked by a bear ) so some of the trail hadn't been cleaned up for the season yet when I was there. Definitely check out that little hub by the state park. Those were some of my favorite sections.
I am going to be in Silver Bay in one week and was wondering a few things... Can I ride the green and blue trails on a fat bike? I am not a fan of tech, and my full squish bike needs to be greased up.. it currently sounds more like full squeak... I was looking at the lay of the land, and it looks like from North to south, the trail is mostly downhill, so I would start north, ride south (of course) and pedal back on the Gitchi Gami state trail back to the parking lot where I started... Will I need a state park pass? Does this plan sound like a good idea? Thanks!!! and as always.. amazing video!!
I would saying riding from North to South is the better direction to go it's still a challenge. It may look mostly downhill on the elevation maps but it reality it is a lot of punchy ups and downs so it doesn't really feel like you are losing elevation. You could easily ride all the trails on a fat bike.
I was out there for 3 days when I filmed this. I stayed at the Shipwreck campground in the state park which was right next the trailhead. In fact there is a spur that dumps out right in the campground. Very convenient.
Glad this trail system is getting more coverage. Backing up the planning accordingly and limiting yourself if solo, almost washed out on castle cream and broke a derailleur (had a spare) on diggendirt. Being prepared for backcountry riding is a must if you don't want to walk for a couple hours back out! Amazing work OTM.
For sure! We don't have that many remote MTB trail systems in Minnesota so it's tough to get into that mindset sometimes.
Excellent overview of this gem of a trail system, midwestern riders are fortunate to have this nearby and OTM has been expanding the system even more with several new trails built this year. Had the exact same experience on the Castle Cream step-up jump, felt like it was there but didn’t want to push limits riding solo in the back country. Great job clearing Diggen’ Dirt, did not have the same experience on that one and I had a pretty traumatic OTB!🩸
Wow! Diggendirt is a scary place for an OTB. No permanent damage I hope.
@@KrisYahner It sure is, passed by it several times on solo rides before finally attempting it with Dialed in. Rode into it confidently but something about the turn or front brake usage sent me over the bars, 27.5 rear wheel would have helped too. Bruised my hip and sprained my shoulder pretty good, but was back riding XC trails the next day with Jeremy.
Alright, I definitely need to go ride here. The raw tech shoots look so good!
Great job on the video buddy, super well done. 👍🏻
Big thanks to Tracy and OTM foundation! Making the world a better place to ride in 🤙🏻
Yeah you do! I think if you go into it with idea that it is a tough XC trails with a bunch of fun and technical b-lines and offshoots then you have the right mindset to have fun out there.
Awesome all on levels, you captured the essence of Split Rock Wilds! There have been some exceptionally creative minds at work out there. Thanks for the shout out --Adam, Dirt Candy
Thanks Adam! And thanks for all the work you did out there. Excited to see what you guys are working on in Cumberland next season.
It was great to put faces to the names and hear some of the history. Splitrock is the real deal, true test of bike skill and endurance! The views and vibe are all time out here.
You're right about that. Gotta get out there with you so you can tow me into that step-up.
@@KrisYahner I’d love to get out here with you; I’ve got a pretty dialed rout I like to take. And FYI I have 100% confidence that you have that Step-up. But you said it right, these solo missions in remote zones need to be taken with caution! I’ll pass up anything I’m not fully feeling on solo endeavors. Also nice moves on Diggin’ dirt! That thing scares me more than anything I’ve done out there I think.😂
So much information. We live in Britt Minnesota and would of never known. Awesome thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
Very cool to hear from the people that made this trial happen!
I thought so too! Glad you enjoyed it.
I think this is your best video yet! Well done.
Thanks you very much! I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.
Nice job on the video Kris!!! Very well done. I rode part of it last year with my Leb volunteer group. We started in Beaver Bay and didn't do all of it. It's very technical and challenging as you describe. From what we did, a lot of it is way beyond my skill level, but was worth trying it and the views are Awesome!!
Thanks! It's tough to ride everything out there in one go, especially if you stop the session all the optional lines. But you are right, the views are beautiful.
@@KrisYahner You're welcome! Yeah I bet it's hard to do it all in one go with all the optional lines.
Another Great Vid Kris! Such a rad location. Lucky to have OTM putting in the work! Looking forward to see whats next!
Thanks! Absolutely lucky that we've got OTM doing projects here.
That looks awesome! First off, GREAT work on the video! Super cool you included the trail stewards as well. Great job on the whole video, awesome mix of story telling with the voiceover and POV! Second, how do these trails handle the rain? And what are the best times to head out there to ride? Might need to plan a trip myself!!!! Thanks for making this vid!
Thank you very much! I appreciate the comment. Most of our trails in Minnesota cannot be ridden in the rain. This trail is one of the exceptions. There are a couple of clay sections that got pretty rutted during a couple of weeks of wet weather last season but Dave told me that the goal was to get all of those sections capped so that this trail could be ridden even if it was raining. That trail will be snowed in for most of the winter so it will probably be May before it is ready to ride again. June through early Oct are good times to be out there. It can get hot in the August and Sept in MN but being pretty far north and being close to the lake keeps that area cooler than the rest of the state. If you ever find yourself out this way and need a guide or any info, let me know!
Thanks for the reply!@@KrisYahner I may just end up visiting one day, I've ridden BMX in Minneapolis a couple times as a teenager mid-August and yea, it got HOT! Would sure be neat to see that, as well as the UP trails. Hard to validate flying from the to Mn just for the MTB riding tho!
@@JeffKendallWeedit should not be that hard to justify coming here just for riding! Between the trails in this video, Duluth, and the iron range there is tons of great riding all within a couple hours of one another. Hope to see a vid of yours from here sonetime!
@@carlholman2993 hahaha I don't doubt there is plenty of trail! Most of the 2024 plans are already made tho...
One of the best systems in the Midwest. Such a challenge, but rewarding and fun, and what a beautiful place to find yourself in. Happy Tracy and Dave don’t care about the Super Bowl! 😂 OTM is really helping out the Minnesota MTB scene!
No doubt! We're lucky to have OTM investing in trails here.
Excellent video… thank you!
Nice work brotha!! Place looks like a good/rowdy trail to check out!!!🦅
Thanks D!
great video! i'm stoked to make it out to the trail again this year, my first trip was cut short by a pinch flat on the fat bike which I couldn't get a patch to seal nicely on trail (mtb was out of commission with a broken rim). Tubeless is key out there!
Thanks! So many opportunities to pinch flat on that trail. Hope your next outing is more successful.
Nice job on the video! Visuals, sound, angles were all top notch. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Nice one Kris!
Thank you!
Great looking trails! Nice coverage and interviews!
Thanks Nik!
Missed that on the last trip. Need to hit that at some point. Such great terrain up there. Dave has a good eye for fun trail too. 🤙 Boot at Spirit is a fun one as well.
Dave is great! Big fan of Boot as well.
Nice work. You may have a future in journalism 🙂.
Solid video! I will definitely put this in the list for next summer!
Thanks! It worth a ride for sure!
Thanks for sharing this, Sent it to a bunch of friends that missed out this year. I need to get back up there to ride the sections closest to the state park. I had to skip it on the day I went because I got up there later than planned.
When did you do your filming? Looks a lot more overgrown than when I was up in early August.
I was out there in June. The group they had out from the Conservation Corps had some trouble with their camp (It got ransacked by a bear ) so some of the trail hadn't been cleaned up for the season yet when I was there. Definitely check out that little hub by the state park. Those were some of my favorite sections.
That's awesome. Wow. I'm not a fan of.rock but that looks great.
Thanks Harry! It's a super fun trail but like Tracy said, "There's a lot of rock!" haha
At 50, I'm too old for trails like this.
50 isn't that old!
Definitely heard some type of cat growl at me while riding here by myself. Cougar!?
Scary!
I am going to be in Silver Bay in one week and was wondering a few things... Can I ride the green and blue trails on a fat bike? I am not a fan of tech, and my full squish bike needs to be greased up.. it currently sounds more like full squeak... I was looking at the lay of the land, and it looks like from North to south, the trail is mostly downhill, so I would start north, ride south (of course) and pedal back on the Gitchi Gami state trail back to the parking lot where I started... Will I need a state park pass? Does this plan sound like a good idea? Thanks!!! and as always.. amazing video!!
I would saying riding from North to South is the better direction to go it's still a challenge. It may look mostly downhill on the elevation maps but it reality it is a lot of punchy ups and downs so it doesn't really feel like you are losing elevation. You could easily ride all the trails on a fat bike.
Looks like a pretty sweet trail. Were there any jumps or was it mostly techy?
There are jumps here and there but I’d say the tech is the focus.
Hey. Quick question. Did you do that as a day trip? Or more?
I was out there for 3 days when I filmed this. I stayed at the Shipwreck campground in the state park which was right next the trailhead. In fact there is a spur that dumps out right in the campground. Very convenient.
Thanks I'll make note of that. 🤔 Future ideas
Jackpot trail isn't too far away either. Good options for a weekend of riding.
@@KrisYahner cool. Making notes