LoamTrail outlook
7 days back · 4 aheadDid this match your ride?
Thanks for checking Loam
Your report helps improve the estimate for Spirit Mountain.
Want the next PRIME alert? Get Loam free on the App Store or Google Play.
Get notified when Spirit Mountain is ready
Watch up to 3 networks. No account needed.
Why Spirit Mountain dries this way
Terrain & soilSpirit Mountain sits in the Duluth, MN area, on gravelly sandy soil that drains fast over terrain that sheds water and dries quickly. Heavy tree cover holds the damp in, so it stays wet longer than the sky overhead would suggest. Whether it’s worth riding comes down to how that ground sheds and holds water after rain. That’s exactly what Loam tracks, hour by hour. The terrain here is rolling (a 7.4° average grade at 755 ft) and drains steadily rather than pooling, while the ESE-facing aspect catches morning sun, so the surface firms up earlier in the day. Trails on the map here include Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail, Beam Me Up Scotty and All-Weather Trail.
Network profile
- Soil
- Gravelly sandydrains fast
- Drainage
- Sheds waterdries quickly
- Tree cover
- 70%Dense
- Elevation
- 755 ft
- Average grade
- 7.4°
- Predominant aspect
- ESE-facing
How these factors affect drying
SoilGravelly sandy
About 24% of this ground is rock fragments, so water runs through it faster than the soil type alone suggests. It dries quicker than plain sandy.
CanopyDense 70%
Heavy tree cover shades the soil and blocks wind, so these trails dry slowly and can hold morning damp even after dry days.
TerrainSheds water
Water runs off this terrain rather than pooling, which helps the surface dry out after rain.
Around Spirit Mountain
Named trails
- Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail
- Beam Me Up Scotty
- All-Weather Trail
- Old Skyline
- Smorgasbord
Some of the named trails our map data covers here, not a complete list; one verdict covers the whole network. Trail names from public agency data and © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Trail stewards
Trail work here is done by Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores. Support your local builders.
FAQ
Common questionsCan you ride Spirit Mountain right now?
As of the latest update, Spirit Mountain is Rideable now (PRIME). Rain returns in ~4 days. 0.1″ of rain, 11h ago.
What is the soil and trail surface like at Spirit Mountain?
Spirit Mountain sits on gravelly sandy soil that drains fast. About 24% of this ground is rock fragments, so water runs through it faster than the soil type alone suggests. It dries quicker than plain sandy.
How long does Spirit Mountain take to dry after rain?
Spirit Mountain usually needs only a few hours to recover after light rain. Its terrain sheds water, which speeds drying. Heavy tree cover slows drying further.
Does Spirit Mountain get snow in winter?
Yes. At 755 ft, Spirit Mountain typically sees winter snow and freeze-thaw that can pause riding. Loam flags a FROZEN state when the ground is snow-covered or frozen, then clears it as things thaw and dry.
What trails are at Spirit Mountain?
Named trails at Spirit Mountain include Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail, Beam Me Up Scotty, All-Weather Trail, Old Skyline and Smorgasbord. That is a sample of what our map data covers rather than a full inventory, and local trail counts change as networks are built out. Loam models conditions for Spirit Mountain as a whole, so the verdict on this page covers the network rather than scoring each trail separately.
What's the terrain and elevation like at Spirit Mountain?
Spirit Mountain sits at roughly 755 feet, faces mostly ESE, and averages a 7.4° grade with about 70% tree cover. That makes it a morning-sun network that firms up early in the day, and the rolling grade means it drains at a steady clip. Loam models this exact ground against live weather rather than using one regional forecast.
When is the best time of year to ride Spirit Mountain?
The reliable season at Spirit Mountain runs late spring through fall: at around 755 feet it holds real winter snowpack, and freeze-thaw makes the shoulder seasons hit or miss. Loam flags FROZEN days and posts a live verdict, so the calendar never has to be the tiebreaker.