Blue Ox Trail between International Falls and Littlefork

Today, and one week ago today, I had opportunities to bicycle parts of the Blue Ox Trail between International Falls and Littlefork, Minnesota. The Blue Ox Trail is used primarily by snowmobiles in the winter and ATVs in the summer. Here are accounts of how my rides went on each of these days.

May 2, 2017

Today I got my bicycle ready after a long rest period over the winter. Surprisingly, there wasn't much to do as the tires held their air stowed away in the garage. I pulled out of the garage and rode the alley and roads to Kerry Park and the start of the Blue Ox Trail behind the Holiday gas station.

Signs of spring abound along the trail. There are lots of catkins on trees and shrubs

and frogs call from every puddle and wetland along the trail (of which there are many). Even the tamaracks are starting to leaf out.

The ride was pretty uneventful. I found a few railroad spikes on the trail,

reminders of the trails previous use as a rail line. There were lots of views across wetlands off to the side of the trail,

and even a few beaver ponds here and there.

I rode to the point where a branch trail splits off and heads to Loman, Minnesota.

I took a rest in the warm sun at the junction, then turned around and headed back to International Falls. Along the way I passed the skeletons of 3 deer together along the side of the trail,

along with some deer legs that had been deliberately arranged on the trail. It was decidedly strange.

May 9, 2017

For the second part of my ride on the Blue Ox Trail, I drove to Littlefork to start. I had a difficult time actually finding the trail in Littlefork. Eventually I followed County Road 22 and found the trail, a two track headed northeast.

Soon enough the trail traversed some wetlands. There was a striking view of a slow flowing stream from a bridge.

Almost immediately after crossing the bridge the trail was covered with small rocks, the type of which you typically see holding railroad ties in place. The stones made for slow and bumpy riding.

However, the stones were nothing compared to the water.

In fact, the trail soon became a long shallow pond that was unrideable,

and I was forced to turn around. I took a short break on the bridge

and shortly thereafter I was back at the car. I'm not sure how long the wet section extends, but just from the look of it, it appears to go on for at least a half-mile. I'm not sure I will give the ride another try.