more stats
1,024 ft
Distance
30 ft
Climb
-2 ft
Descent
00:02:42
Avg time
28 ft
Altitude change
1,223 ft
Altitude min
1,255 ft
Altitude max
1,227 ft
Altitude start
1,257 ft
Altitude end
2.7%
Grade
-4.3%
Grade max
10.3%
Grade min
699 ft
Distance climb
69 ft
Distance down
253 ft
Distance flat
00:02:42
Avg time

Sledgehammer Return Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
  • Riding Area
    Cuyuna Lakes - Mahnomen Unit (North)
    Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota
  • Difficulty Rating
    Double Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    35 in Mountain Biking
  • Global Ranking
    #46906 in Mountain Biking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Easy
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    Spring to Fall
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Drop
  • Year Opened
    2021
  • Land Owner
    Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)

Trail Type: Singletrack – XC/Flow trail (XC/AM)

Trail Experience: A few drops and rocks populate the trail, but it is primarily a gentle return back to Backcountry to session other trails without having to do the full Backcountry loop.

Strava Segments: TBD

Access Info

From Sledgehammer

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 9 rides
  • 21 miles avg distance
All
  • 79 rides
  • Last: Sep 19, 2026
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Sledgehammer Return Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Apr 22, 2026 @ 9:14am (America/Chicago)
Apr 22, 2026
 reporter Open for summer! there may be debris that needs to be cleaned off the trails
Apr 14, 2026 @ 4:42pm (America/Chicago)
Apr 14, 2026
 reporter
Apr 30, 2025 @ 6:25am
Apr 30, 2025
 Open
Apr 18, 2025 @ 9:17pm
Apr 18, 2025
 reporter Welcome to Trail Opening Weekend
Mar 4, 2025 @ 6:56am
Mar 4, 2025
 reporter Closed due to freeze/thaw cycle
more »
Status:
on Apr 22, 2026
Variable
Avg: 3.84 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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      Directions to sledgehammer-return trailhead (46.497360, -94.018220)
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      Nearby Trails

      Cuyuna Lakes - Mahnomen Unit (North)

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Sledgehammer Return located?
      Sledgehammer Return is located in Cuyuna Lakes - Mahnomen Unit (North), Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Cuyuna Lakes - Mahnomen Unit (North) trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 46.49736, -94.01822.
      ▼ How hard is Sledgehammer Return?
      Sledgehammer Return is rated as Double Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Easy. The average grade is 2.7%. The climb difficulty is rated Green.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Sledgehammer Return?
      Sledgehammer Return has 30 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 2 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,223 ft to 1,255 ft.
      ▼ How long is Sledgehammer Return?
      Sledgehammer Return is 1,024 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Sledgehammer Return?
      There is no information about dogs being allowed on Sledgehammer Return. Check with local trail managers or the trail page for the latest access rules.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Sledgehammer Return?
      Sledgehammer Return is best visited during: Spring to Fall.
      ▼ How do I access Sledgehammer Return? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Sledgehammer Return are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Sledgehammer Return?
      The estimated time to ride Sledgehammer Return is approximately 3 minutes. The trail is 1,024 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace.
      ▼ How busy is Sledgehammer Return?
      Sledgehammer Return is a less popular trail with lighter traffic. There have been 339 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 369 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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