Black Butte Adventures
I received an email the other day from Tony, in the Air Force in Minot, ND, on a new area to ride called Black Butte Adventures.
It’s located on a ranch near Sawyer, ND. From what he told me the trail sounds like it would be something worth checking out if you’re in the area or if you feel like a road trip.
I’ve riden Black Butte three times over the past two years I’ve lived near Minot, ND. While the trails have some moderate climbs here and there, most of the time is spent dodging cow droppings as it navigates through open-range pastures. One of the three trips out the grass was extremely long in the fields which led to lots of ticks, cuts all over our legs from the grass/thorny bushes, and the one sleeping cow that wasn’t too excited to see us and we almost ran it over.
All in all, it is a decent ride compared to anything else available in the Minot area. Two other areas you might want to check out in the Minot area are: 1) Quad trails just off the north side of the road along Highway 52 between Surrey and Sawyer (can’t miss them, they go on for about 15 miles. Can be very challenging climbs/decents though short lived, wouldn’t bring a new rider unless they are confident in their braking abilities) and the other is: 2) US-52 and 54th Ave SE (River Bend Rd). Take 54th Ave SE to the east from US-52 (just south of the KOA campgrounds). Follow the road until you pass the first set of railroad tracks and immediately on the left you should see a steel-tube gate with a very small parking area (5-6 cars max along the side of the road). Trails are maintained by the local community riders and Vail’s Cyclery shop downtown Minot. There is a path around the gate (do not open it, even if the locks are off — keeps vehicles out). Once inside there is a main loop around the park to the right and left. You can continue on the road for various other cut outs. It’s hard to get lost here as it’s only a few square miles in size but very eas to get turned around over and over. Check Google Maps — there are a few main trail ways/roads inside, just hit up one of those when you want to head out, until you get to know the place better.