Great Lakes - S. Minneapolis -> Duluth, best route?

Hey all, I am riding from my home is south minneapolis to bayfield, wi, via the munger trail. I am wondering if anyone has found the best route to get from Mpls to Hinkley. Is it worth it to go over to Hugo and catch the trail to N. Branch? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks so much

Hey all, I am riding from my home is south minneapolis to bayfield, wi, via the munger trail. I am wondering if anyone has found the best route to get from Mpls to Hinkley. Is it worth it to go over to Hugo and catch the trail to N. Branch? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks so much

I would come up through Blaine and catch 22 into Forest lake, then catch the Sunrise there. I live in North Branch and ride the reverse route a couple of times a year

The MS150 route backwards will likely meet your needs
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/28th-annual-Larkin-Hoffman-MS-150-Bike-Tour

Mpls to Blaine, I use this route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/PW-s-Route-to-the-Velo

Have fun
Scot

Last June I rode from S. Minneapolis to Mille Lacs lake. I took Theodore Wirth Pkwy to Victory Memorial Pkwy to Webber Pkwy. Then followed the west bank of the Mississippi and W. River Rd to the Coon Rapids Dam (a FANTASTIC river crossing!). Once on the East bank, follow the Mississippi and side streets through Coon Rapids to Anoka. There is a bike trail along the East bank of the Rum River, then East on Bunker Lake Blvd, North on 7th Ave NW (which turns into Rum River Blvd). Follow this to St. Francis. From St. Francis, take Highway 47 North. If you want to get to Hinckley, maybe you could take 47 to Ogilvie, then county rd 23 up towards Hinckley. I'm not sure how 23 is for biking though - is there even a shoulder? What is traffic like?

The route I described is almost 100% paved, dedicated bike path from S. Minneapolis to Anoka (with some residential side streets in Coon Rapids). From Anoka to Ogilvie you're on county highways, but there is a nice wide shoulder and not too many cars.

My girlfriend from HS (Highland Park Senior High, Class of '77, if you must know) went to Carleton; her little brother came to visit her one weekend and rode his bike from St. Paul to Northfield.