Jay Richards

This past week, Jonell and I took 24 hours off for a getaway. We were going to go to Brainerd lakes area and I was going to check out Cuyuna again but saving a second trip there with Steve Wenzel. Instead, we went west to the peaceful, low key town of Fort Ransom, ND. FR is located just a hour southwest of Fargo and just over 2 hours from here. I have been to FR one other time for a mountain bike race there maybe 15-16 years ago and haven't been there since. I always tell people the race at Fort Ransom was the coolest race I have ever done in ND. The race was tight, technical and a good mix of everything great of riding in North Dakota. Unfortunately, they only did it that one year but I talked to Tom with the FM trailbuilders crew and is looking at hosting a race next summer as part of a series in these parts. Anyways, last year the Feds pumped almost $100k in to the park and upgraded the trail system including the addition of 17 miles of multi-use trails. (hikers, bikers and horses) They also purchased some land to the south to expand the acreage for the park. Maplelag team riders, Matt Engen and Steve have been over there riding and I have talked to a few other riders who have recommended checking it out. It was a fun, relaxing trip and Jonell and I had a great time checking out the area outside the trails. There wasn't anyone there and one of the most peaceful, relaxing places we have ever been to. If you haven't figured it out yet, I am big on pictures....

Rolling along the west end of the park on the Nelson 80 trail. A mix of open prairie riding, coulee riding and deep woods feel with active creeks running by. Very fast riding with the openness but you have to be ready at the turns and what not otherwise you will be sage pizza.
The trail wasn't technical to speak, and reminded me of the Cuyuna trails without the big berms and rocks. There was a little bit of pump action on the downhills. You would be surprised the elevation change (which I don't have anything to record).
This is the possibly some old mtb singletrack I remember from the race but not part of the current system now. I rode on this in the open areas connecting with some deer trails and other nature trails. The colors were hitting their peak on most trees. Beautiful fall day.



Little video of trail sampling.

Very nice, simple interpretive center that was open and had some good displays of the history of the area.
Click on image for larger viewing.


The first loop I did only took 40 minutes so I came back to touch base with Jonell who was working on bills. Jonell always brings bills along when we sneak out for the overnight dates as she rather spend an hour with no distractions doing this painful task instead of dragging it out over a couple hours or more at home/office.
When I came back from the ride, Jonell had fallen asleep in the lawn to the gurgling of the shay ani or whatever Jake called that river. When the wind doesn't blow off the prairie through the valley, there is a surreal quiet.

When we were about to leave, Ranger Blaire came by making the rounds and picked everything I could out of his brain. He has been back and forth to Alaska 34 times he says and said there is no park he has ever seen like Fort Ransom.

Went up to the "scenic point" to take the scene in for a while. This area was all water during the glacial melt as Lake Souris ran south and carved out the beautiful Cheyenne valley.



The myth about the hill just east of the settlement is that is was formed by man but the experts say it is because of the glacial melt. Either way, Thor stands on top checking out the scene.


Thor also is a regular at the Old Mill Grill.

Fort Ransom is also home to the Bears Den downhill ski area, an active hill.
The ski area is not part of the park and is privately owned by a family. Great to see this area still making it. Fun stuff.



Pisten Bully ready for white and power tilling action.
This is a great sign because it is true.


Across the valley, you can see the ski runs and see how the hill extends above from the sightline in previous picture. For eastern ND, not to shabby. If you thought Super D was running through my mind, you are correct. Simple ski area, mostly visited by folks in the area and Valley City and not much Fargo traffic, according to the local I talked to near by. There are no mtb etc. trails here I could tell.


View from the scenic point that shows the top half of the hill. The trail running down is signed as a xc ski trail for the winter. It made for a fun descent on the mtb and similar trail on the other side of the bush for a good climb back up.



Nice roads in the area would be good rollerskiing with little traffic this time of year.

Disappointing not to see snow being live and all.
Football and baseball field in Enderlin blended together nicely with railroad tracks nearby.
The blonde corn mazes are the big thing this year so I stopped at one for Jonell. This one was too easy so we found another one that was a bit more challenging.
Fun adventure and like I said, don't think we have ever been to such a peaceful place before. It does sound like it gets busy on the weekends with the horse traffic. Next time we go back, we will camp out. Not sure if this tops the other adventure in ND Jake, Jack and I had at White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota. But if you think ND is flat and boring, you need to get off the interstate and explore. Geologically, there really isn't any other place like it in the world from east side to west.