Trail Alignment

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Baxter/Brainerd

The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail begins at the existing Paul Bunyan State Trail trailhead in Baxter and follows the Baxter and Brainerd trail systems through the urban area. Virtually no separation is possible between the trail and traffic corridors in many reaches of this segment. Crossing of the Mississippi River requires use of existing bridges. Details of the route are subject to change, with significant street and highway improvements being planned. Numerous stores, restaurants, commercial services and user services exist along the urban route. The newly expanded YMCA lies adjacent to the planned alignment for the paved trail.

Brainerd has also planned its trail system to access most of their city parks, including Lum Park at the eastern edge of the city. Opportunities for cooperation exist in development of routes through the urban area. The Brainerd/Baxter trail coordinating committee (consisting of local citizens, business and resort owners, county officials, representatives from PCA, MnDOT, and DNR) is working cooperatively with nearby communities to connect to new city systems, to downtown areas and to the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. Great challenges also exist in this segment where the trail will pass over and near heavy-traffic areas.

The Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association and the DNR should work with the City of Brainerd to provide an all-season trail access point on the eastern side of the urban area, possibly at Lum Park or at the airport. Existing snowmobile routes are seasonally limited because they require excellent ice conditions on the Mississippi River for safety. Alignment planning should focus on the issue of winter trail use through the urban area.

Riverton

Riverton lies at the western end of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (CCSRA). It is primarily a residential community. Services, lodging and restaurants do not exist. The Sagamore Mine Lake portion of the CCSRA is not connected to the main body of the CCSRA at this time, but excellent scenery and fishing will draw visitors to this end of the CCSRA. Access to the Sagamore Mine Lake is through Riverton. The DNR has planned water access for the Sagamore Mine Lake. A primitive campground exists on the north shore. A small trailhead would be desirable at this location. The CLTA will work with the DNR to coordinate trail development within the CCSRA.

Ironton/Crosby

Ironton will be the access point to the CCSRA from the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. Recreation area management services will be located here. Both paved and unpaved access to downtown Ironton is possible, where trail users will find restaurants and services. The access is away from highway traffic, making this a safe connection for trail users.

Ironton will be the beginning of the Miner's Mile, an interpretive segment of the trail intended to focus on the mining heritage of the area. Actually more than a mile long, it will extend to Crosby, where paved and unpaved access to downtown is also possible.

In Crosby, the trail passes adjacent to the Croft Mine Historical Park, a re-created underground mining experience, museum and interpretive center. Each summer, Crosby presents Heritage Days, an event that focuses on the mining heritage of the area. Crosby offers restaurants, lodging, shopping and services. The Crosby community park on Serpent Lake offers camping, swimming, a public water access, a fishing pier and play areas and could serve as trail parking and access area. Two blocks from the Croft Mine Historical Park is the Hallett Community Center, featuring snacks, exercise facilities, two swimming pools, indoor ice skating arena and meeting rooms. In addition, Crosby also boasts an excellent hospital and clinic.

Cuyuna

Cuyuna lies at the northeast edge of the CCSRA and is at the east end of the first phase of trail development. It is primarily a residential community, with a single restaurant and limited trail services. Cuyuna was the first mining town on the Cuyuna Range, serving the first mine, which was originally an underground mine. It was converted to an open pit nearly 400 feet deep, which is now flooded as part of nearby Rabbit Lake. Rabbit Lake offers excellent boating and fishing. The public access to Rabbit Lake is north of Cuyuna on Crow Wing County Road 31. The CLTA and the DNR will work with Cuyuna to determine paved and unpaved routes in the city and the connections to local facilities.

Aitkin

Aitkin is at the eastern end of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. Aitkin lies at the junction of Ripple (Mud) River and the Mississippi River, a principal water route used by the American Indians to commute between their large encampments on Big Sandy Lake and Lake Mille Lacs. Today, it lies at the junction of TH 169 (north-south) and TH 210 (east-west). Founded in 1871, this community boomed during the logging era. It became a riverboat transportation center for boats running between Grand Rapids and Aitkin, carrying passengers and lumber. It was named for William Alexander Aitkin, a famed fur trader with the Ojibwe Indians.

Aitkin boasts public campgrounds, shopping, restaurants and services for trail users. Lodging facilities are available at local inns and nearby resorts. Several public and private campgrounds are located in the Aitkin area. The rivers are an excellent resource for canoe enthusiasts. The Great River Road and the proposed Mississippi River Trail run through Aitkin. Aitkin has excellent medical facilities, multiple parks near the trail and hosts the Aitkin County Fair each year.

Winter and summer activities and festivals are available. Some of the community festivals include: the famous Fish House Parade in November, Riverboat Heritage Days in July, and the Festival of Adventures & Aitkin Fur Post Rendezvous in September. The DNR and the CLTA will coordinate with the city of Aitkin, Aitkin County, and the Glacial Lake Aitkin Trail Committee on connections with local trails and facilities. The trailhead will be located at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds, in the city of Aitkin, and will be multi-purpose as it will serve as the trailhead for the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and the Glacial Lake Aitkin Trail system.