Balto's Dog Loop

Balto's Dog Loop is a cross-country ski route in Minnesota, about 2 miles from the town of Sherwood Manor. The loop is an out-and-back with a rolling climb, and the round trip covers about 4.4 miles with a total elevation gain and loss of about 326 feet each way. The high point on the route reaches about 1,101 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.6 miles in, with a grade of about 7%. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in St. Cloud show January highs around 21°F with lows near 3°F and about 8 snow days, while March still brings highs near 38°F and about 5 snow days. Snow days drop to zero from May through September. Orchard Loop, another cross-country ski route, sits just 0.1 mile away. Quarry Park (St. Cloud) offers climbing about 6 miles off, and the Elk River, a canoeing destination, is about 8 miles away.