Hill City to Washburn Lake

Trail Overview

Hill City to Washburn Lake on the Rabey Line converted rail is a section that is 7.1 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 12.6 MPH. This is an easy section of trail that was mapped from Sunny's gas station in Hill City. A short section of trail uses the State Highway 200 bridge to cross the narrow area of Hill Lake. The first part of the trail out of Hill City is on Annie Daigle Minimum Maintenance State Forest Road #0161. You will pass by the Hill City Trail intersection about 2 miles out of town. (It takes you to the Soo Line North Trail 14 miles to the south.) The Rabey Line Trail is easy to follow, with changes in scenery from lightly wooded to open areas and wetlands. As you near the Washburn Lake area, the old rail grade is no longer used for the intersection of UPM/Blandin Trail and Washburn Lake Forest Road (about 0.4 miles off the old rail grade). At this intersection area, you can follow the rail grade again on the Rabey Line to Jacobson about 11 miles of the trail, or north to the UPM/Blandin Trail System.

Photos of Hill City to Washburn Lake

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Difficulty

This section is easy and flat converted rail grade. There's no need for 4x4 or even to lock the rear differential. The surface is packed gravel without large rocks. Some of the areas have larger stones in the gravel but they're not an issue. Bridge crossings are well marked and are about the only areas you need to use extra care and slow down.

Technical Rating