This Thursday, 6 PM, we are hosting a beginner snowshoe at Redhead Mountain Bike Park. Hello, Range! in partnership with Minnesota Discovery Center and Kari Kilen of Redhead Redfeet, invites new folks, people who have moved back, and long-time friendly locals to join us for an easy exploration of our region’s incredible destination park via snowshoe!
While developed for single-track mountain biking, Redhead Mountain Bike is multi-season and multi-use. The City of Chisholm owns park, and admission is free. Thanks to the Iron Range Off-Road Cyclists volunteers, the trails are groomed and open for fat-biking and snowshoeing. And thanks to Minnesota Discovery Center, folks can borrow snowshoes free of charge for this event!
Snowshoeing can be daunting for folks. Unused to stomping through the woods by themselves, folks new (or returned) to the north woods can naturally be spooked by going themselves. Are there bear? (Not during winter–they are hibernating. But even in summer–they are gentle giants, disinclined towards human interaction.) What if I get lost? (Redhead’s trails are groomed and signed. Plus they are on the Trailforks app!)
Snowshoeing can be a workout! While newer snowshoes only weigh a few pounds, they make movement a little more challenging than hiking. And by virtue of being on trails, snowshoeing typically involves more ascents and descents.
But snowshoeing is amazing its ability to facilitate access to areas not otherwise difficult to reach. On snowshoes, it is easy to dress in layers, carry a backpack of snacks (if wanted), and pause to take pictures. And it is a great sport for all ages, requiring little technique or know-how to easily get around.
One big reason we live on the Mesabi Iron Range is quality of life, which for many of us comes from the outdoors. It is easier to get outdoors when the weather is warm, beaches are open… not as easy when activity requires some preparation. To live happily in heartily on the Mesabi Iron Range, finding wintertime fun is a boon. Snowshoeing is one of those activities.
Please join us! There is no experience necessary–only a desire to get outside and meet a few other folks in the process. You may find a new passion, and maybe a new friend.