trek 60 utility sled

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Pelican Trek 60 utility sled with rope, LDT60PA06

Our Trek 60 is ideal to accompany you in your outdoor adventures or used in a utilitarian way. It is made of a super strong and durable material that offers excellent shock resistance. All of our sleds have been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of all our consumers. Our Trek 60 is not afraid of any inclemency!

• This 4-season sled is ideal for winter camping or a hunting or fishing excursion. It can resist the toughest conditions, so there's nothing to challenge your sled. The Trek 60 has a volume of 152L and can carry up to 260 lbs (118kg). This super durable sled is made of a heavy duty RAM-X. Its high density construction provides excellent shock resistance. This Trek 60 comes with a pull rope making it easier to transport. This convenient sled is built with pre-molded High-density polyethylene (HDPE) runners that facilitate tracking and extend the sled's life. These runners are directly built-in with the mold of the hull. It has indentations to hold bungee cords in place. The Trek 60 is 59.75 In. long (152 cm), 24 In. wide (61 cm) and a height of 12.5 In. (32cm). It weight 12.5 lb (5.7 kg).

Pelican Trek 60 Utility Sled with Runners and Tow Hitch

Don't go out trekking this winter without the TREK 60 utility sled. Strong and durable, this all-season sled can be pulled by hand when you need to get off the beaten track. Add to that RAM-X runners and a tow hitch; you're set for a great season!

Functionalities & Materials

Multi-Purpose Sled : This all-season sled is ideal for winter camping or a hunting or fishing excursion. It can resist the toughest conditions, so there's nothing to challenge your sled.

Capacity And Durability : The TREK 60 has a volume of 152 L and can carry up to 260 lb (118 kg). This super durable utility sled is made of heavy duty RAM-X. Its high-density construction, provides excellent shock resistance.

Included Accessories : Our Pelican TREK 60 utility sled comes with a pull rope making it easier to transport, RAM-X runners to extend the sled's life (60 in. / 1 m 52), and a quick release metal tow hitch (47 in. / 1 m 19).

Convenient : This convenient sled comes with high quality RAM-X runners that facilitate tracking. The TREK 60 also has indentations to hold bungee cords in place.

Dimension : The TREK 60 is 59.75 in. long (152 cm), 24 in. wide (61 cm) and has a height of 12.5 in. (32 cm). It weighs 12.5 lb (5.7 kg).

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Pelican Sport Sleds Trek 60 Utility Sled With Runners

$ 79.99 $ 56.79

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Winter camping, hunting or fishing in mind? The TREK 60 utility sled has you covered! Its high-density polyethylene construction provides excellent shock resistance. Strong and durable, this all-season sled can carry up to 260 lb and can easily be pulled by hand with its runners and pull rope. LDT60,260

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Snow Trek 60 Utility Sled

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• Description
• Specifications
• Images from customers who have tested this product
• Length: 152 cm (59.75 in.)
• Width: 61 cm (24 in.)
• Height: 32 cm (12.5 in.)
• Weight: 5.7 kg (12.5 lb.)
• Capacity: 118 kg (260 lb.)
• Material: RAM-X™ is a multi-layer material exclusive to Pelican. It is known for its high impact-resistance, its ability to regain its initial shape after violent impacts and its UV-protected exterior finish. RAM-X™ has become the benchmark of quality in the industry.

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Pelican Snow Trek 60 Gear Sled Review

The Snow Trek 60 gear sled by Pelican is a sturdy utility sled designed to carry lots of gear to your winter destination. It is only offered in black plastic and includes a light duty hand-pulling rope. This gear sled can be pulled by hand, ATV, or snowmobile. Pulling by ATV or snowmobile requires an optional hitch, offered by Pelican.

The Snow Trek 60 utility sled features molded mounting points in the front for attaching a hitch (when towing by ATV or snowmobile) or pulk poles (when pulling by hand). The built-in runners help the sled track straight in the snow. Pelican offers an optional RAM-X runners kit to help extend the life of the sled.

Specifications:

Size: 59 in. (150 cm) x 24 in. (61 cm) x 11.75 in. (30 cm) Material: Polyethylene Weight: 15 lbs (6.8 kg)

In The Field:

The Pelican Snow Trek 60 is approximately the same length as the Paris Expedition Sled . The main difference is the Snow Trek 60 is about 4 inches wider and 6 inches deeper than the Paris Expedition. These increases in width and depth make it more stable and less prone to tip-overs. The extra 10 pound weight of the Snow Trek 60 is due to the larger dimensions and thicker plastic construction. This also increases stiffness and durability. The Snow Trek 60 feels extremely sturdy. The stiff sides make lashing gear effortless. Bungee cords can be used without any modifications to the sled. I recently added footman loops to the sides to make lashing my gear with webbing extremely easy and secure.

I have only used the Snow Trek 60 as a pulk sled pulled by my own power. There are pre-molded pole or hitch attachment points on the front of the sled. With the use of a 1/4 inch x 2 inch hitch pin, it is effortless to attach and disconnect poles. I use 5-foot long, 1/2 inch PVC pipe with 3/8 inch diameter rope inside to connect the sled to my hip belt. Click here for instructions on building pulk poles. With the poles crossed, this setup works very well for maintaining control of the sled while pulling up or down hills. It tracks right behind me and doesn't run me over during descents. This gear sled could very easily be pulled behind a snowmobile. Pelican even sells an optional accessory hitch for this purpose. I have not tested this capability as my adventures have always been man-powered.

This Pelican gear sled can easily fit two 18-gallon tote bins. This is how I usually carry the bulk of my gear in order to keep it dry. They are more cost-effective than a large waterproof duffel bag. They can even double as forms for snow blocks when the contents are emptied. When placed on the sled, there is still space beside each bin to place other gear, like an axe or camp stool. In addition, there is room in front or between the bins (depending on how you place them) for even more gear.

While the Pelican Snow Trek 60 is not designed for or recommended for human passengers, it works quite well for recreational sledding. After a handful of steep sledding runs, the gear sled shows no sign of stress or wear even with numerous leaps into the air. This sled could easily carry a child and gear, but be careful when hauling any human passenger.

See "Snow Camping At Twin Lakes" and "Snow Camping in Upper Clackamas" adventures where this pulk sled was used.

Final Thoughts:

I am very happy with my Pelican Snow Trek 60 sled. It was worked very well on my snowshoeing trips and makes getting gear to my snow camps relatively painless. I would recommend it over the Paris Expedition sled due to its wider dimensions and more versatile mounting options. I would imagine using pre-fabricated pulk poles from Ed's Wilderness Systems (skipulk.com) would also work nicely with this pulk sled. Available from amazon.com .

Update (01/15/12):

I have recently tested the Pelican Snow Trek 60 gear sled by towing behind my snowmobile. I added Pelican's metal hitch and the connection between gear sled and snowmobile is solid. Just like when pulling with man power, the sled tracks great when pulled by snowmobile at 15-30 mph. It is less prone to tipping because of the snowmobile track which is about the same width of the gear sled. The Snow Trek 60 is a durable all around gear sled with lots of space for any snowbound adventure.

Teflon runners

I recently bought one of these Pelican sleds at Canadian Tire. Can you tell me where I can buy the teflon undersled runners?

Runners for Pelican Sled

I am not sure where to get the runners Danny. I suggest doing an internet search if you can't find them locally.

See Runner Kit here: http://www.shopping.com/performance-designed-products-pelican-snow-trek-...

Pelican Snow Trek 60

I am trying to locate a store in the USA that has the Pelican Snow Trek 60 in stock. Any suggestions. I think I have tried all logical sources in Portland, Oregon.

RE: Pelican Snow Trek 60

You might try Ace Hardware in Sandy, OR. That is where I purchased mine, but it has been a couple years. Amazon.com sometimes has them in stock. It is usually easier to find online earlier in the season before they sell out.

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Trek 60 Utility Sled with runners

Description.

Winter camping, hunting or fishing in mind? The Trek 60 utility sled has you covered! Its high-density polyethylene construction provides excellent shock resistance. Strong and durable, this all-season sled can carry up to 260lb and can easily be pulled by hand with its runners and pull rope. • Multi-Purpose Sled: This all-season sled is ideal for winter camping or a hunting or fishing excursion. It can resist the toughest conditions, so there's nothing to challenge your sled • Capacity And Durability: The Trek 60 has a volume of 152L and can carry up to 260lb(118kg). This super durable utility sled is made of heavy duty Ram-X. Its high-density construction, provides excellent shock resistance • Included Accessories: The Pelican Trek 60 utility sled comes with a pull rope, making it easier to transport, and Ram-X runners to extend the sled's life(60in/1m 52) • Convenient: This convenient sled comes with high quality Ram-X runners that facilitate tracking. The Trek 60 also has indentations to hold bungee cords in place • Dimension: The Trek 60 is 59.75in. long(152cm), 24in. wide(61cm)and has a height of 12.5in.(32cm). It weighs 12.5lb(5.7kg) Materials • Polyethylene Details • Max weight: 260lb-117.93kg • Length: 59.75in-151.77cm • Height: 12.5in-31.75cm • Width: 24in-60.96cm • Weight: 14.8lb-6.71kg

This product is only available in the following provinces and territories: QC, ON

Reviews 5.0 star rating 0 reviews.

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HDPE SLED HYFAX Runner KIT - 3 runners - Trek 60 – Made in Canada - Build for Heavy Duty User - Easy Installation

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Our HDPE sled HYFAX Runner kit is built for the heavy-duty user – It makes their work easier
• The mounting hardware is included with this TREK 60 Sled – It is easy to assemble as well
• Add these sturdy HDPE sled runners to reduce wear on the bottom of your utility sled. Fits every 60 inches long Pelican multi purpose Sled
• Made in Canada - Resist to harshest conditions
• Our RAM-X runners have a red layer underneath the white one. The red layer serves as a reminder to replace the runners when they change color. This is a great feature to prevent damages to the sled itself.
• Note that TREK 60 sled is sold separately
• The runners are 47 inch long

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Product Description

This HDPE sled Hyrax Runner Kit is made to reduce wear on the bottom of your utility sled. It fits every 60 inches Pelican multi-purpose sled. It is design for heavy duty user. It makes their work easier. Add these HDPE sled runners to work more optimally. The mounting hardware is included, and it is easy to assemble. Note that TREK 60 sled is sold separately.

Product information

Technical details, additional information, product guides and documents, videos for this product.

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How to install Pelican Snow Trek Ram-X Runners

Pelican International

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Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the ease of installation of the sled track. They say the clear instructions make installation easy. They also say the quality of the product is great and works well even on rough ground. Customers say the runner makes pulling the Sled easier on hardpack. They appreciate the resiliency of the wood and the fact that it should last a long time. However, some customers have reported issues with the screws.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the installation of the sled track in snow relatively easy. They say the instructions are clear and the installation took a casual hour.

"... Easy install and clean looking." Read more

"... Installation was easy and took a casual hour...." Read more

"It’s so smooth and easy to install ." Read more

" Mounting per instruction was ok , trying to curve the runner n drill at the same time is alittle of a task. May need a second person to aid you...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the sled runners. They mention that the runners work well even on rough ground and make the rsled work better.

"I used these on my eskimo eskape 2400 and they worked perfectly . Just need a heat gun to help with the bends...." Read more

"...And makes your sled work better if it’s not a smitty sled!" Read more

"I stopped mid installation to write this review. The sled runners themselves work fine with a little shaping of a heat gun...." Read more

"...Since then I have moved 2 cords of wood in the sled and it performs great ." Read more

Customers find the sled runners easy to pull and faster after installation. They say it reduces the pulling requirement by 75% on hardpack.

"These runners easily reduced the pulling requirement by 75% on hardpack, and made no difference in deep powder...." Read more

"...May need a second person to aid you. But the sled pulls much easier after install " Read more

"...The price is great. Makes pulling the sled easier on hard pack . I am giving it a four because the screws. Can't complain to much." Read more

"It made the sled easier to pull and faster " Read more

Customers are satisfied with the sturdiness of the product. They mention that it looks durable and conforms to the picture advertised. They also say that it should last a long time and save the bottom of their sled.

"...I was surprised how thick they were. They should last a long time and save the bottom of my sled." Read more

"The runners were easy to install, excellent product to extend the life of my sled so the bottom does not wear out...." Read more

"...It looked durable and conformed to the picture advertised." Read more

" Sturdy !!..." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the outdoor recreation product. They say it's a good product for the money.

"...The price is great . Makes pulling the sled easier on hard pack. I am giving it a four because the screws. Can't complain to much." Read more

" Worth the investment to have this sled track in snow, relatively easy to install....if you r handy. Otherwise seek help." Read more

" fine product ..." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the screws provided with the outdoor recreation product. They mention that the screws are too short and difficult to attach. Some customers also report that the mounting screws were missing from the box.

"...A little fiddly to attach, and the supplied screws could be longer to improve strength , but that would reduce the life of the runners...." Read more

"Haven't installed because my kit arrived without instructions and without the screws :..." Read more

"...where any side load or torque will be placed on the runners the screws will not hold ...." Read more

"Runners are a fine product, but screws are to short as others have said in their review. I bought longer ones as these were not holding for long." Read more

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Pelican Trek Utility Sled - Heavy Duty RAM-X Construction - Winter, Hunting, Sledding - Multiple Sizes up to 500lbs Capacity

2019 version

TREK 60 - 2019 Version

Sled + Runner KIT, White

About this item

• Our Multi-Purpose Sled TREK 60 is made with high density polyethylene – Max capacity 260lb / 118kg – 152l of volume
• Use it for your adventure such as camping hunting and fishing – Made of sturdy material – There’s nothing that will ever challenge your sled – RAM-X polyethylene construction
• There is built-in indentations to hold bungee cords in place – Work optimally – Can be pulled by hand when you get off the beaten track
• What’s included with this sled? A pre-installed High-density polyethylene (HDPE) runners that facilitate tracking and extend the sled life – Pull Rope
• Our RAM-X runners have a red layer underneath the white one The red layer serves as a reminder to replace the runners when they change color This is a great feature to prevent damage to the sled itself
• Made in Canada – Resist to harshest conditions – Excellent shock resistance

Product information

Technical details, additional information, more items that you may like in sports.

Product description

Our multi-purpose sled is for your adventures such as camping hunting and fishing! It is made with super strong and durable material This sled has nothing to be scared about challenges It should be at the top of your list when it’s time to buy a sled It has 152l of volume and a capacity of 260lb With this multi-purpose sled you will get a pre-installed High-density polyethylene (HDPE) runners that facilitate tracking and extend the sled life It also provides an excellent shock resistance It can be pulled by hand when you need to get off the beaten track WARNING Utility sleds should never be towed by a motorized vehicle to transport people or animals as this may result in serious injury or death

From the manufacturer

Proudly Made in Canada

Our multi-purpose sled is for your adventures such as camping, hunting and fishing! It is made with super strong and durable material. This sled has nothing to be Scared about challenges. It should be at the top of your list when it’s time to buy a sled.the Trek family of utility sleds offer volumes from 71 liters up to 275 liters and can carry 130 to 500 lbs depending on the model. With this multi-purpose sled, pre-installed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) runners are available that facilitate tracking and extend the sled life. It also provides an excellent shock resistance. It can be pulled by hand when you need to get off the beaten track. Warning: utility sleds should never be towed by a motorized vehicle to transport people or animals as this may result in serious injury or death.

Designed for Every Day Life

At Pelican, we are within the water and nautical sports industry. Renown for its exceptional quality, innovation, and expertise, Pelican has the conception and manufacturing of kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, stand up paddle boards, fishing boats, and watersport accessories .we offer both paddle sports and everyday outdoor enthusiasts a diverse array of products. The first pedal boats, canoes and motor boats were designed by the company's pioneering designers. Continue to work hard to bring you innovative products with ever changing technology. We hope to convey our passion for nature, exploration, adventure, and the great outdoors by offering a broad range of products to enjoy watersports. Safe boating remains our priority, this is why all our boats are in such a way that you can enjoy the waters with peace of mind.

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Passage to Siberia: Exploring historic Tyumen

Tyumen. View up the Tura River. From left: Church of the Elevation of the Cross, School of Commerce, Trinity Monastery with Church of Sts. Peter and Paul and Trinity Cathedral. September 4, 1999

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russian chemist and photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for vivid color photography. His vision of photography as a form of education and enlightenment was demonstrated with special clarity through his images of architectural monuments in the historic sites throughout the Russian heartland.

Tyumen. View up the Tura River. From left: Annunciation Cathedral (demolished); Church of Elevation of the Cross; Church of the Ascension & St. George; Trinity Monastery. Summer 1912

In June 1912, Prokudin-Gorsky ventured into western Siberia as part of a commission to document the Kama-Tobolsk Waterway, a link between the European and Asian sides of the Ural Mountains. The town of Tyumen served as his launching point for the journey north to Tobolsk, on the Irtysh River.

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, south view. August 29, 1999

During his journey, Prokudin-Gorsky took several extraordinarily valuable photographs of both Tyumen and Tobolsk . My photographs of Tyumen and Tobolsk were taken in the late Summer of 1999.

Humble beginnings

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, southwest view. August 29, 1999

Considered the earliest permanent Russian settlement in Siberia, Tyumen was founded in 1586 on the site of a Tatar encampment at the confluence of the Tura and Tiumenka Rivers. The initiative for its creation came from Boris Godunov, the power behind the throne of Tsar Fedor (son of Ivan the Terrible) and, eventually, to become tsar himself in 1598. 

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, south facade. August 29, 1999

Godunov was closely allied with the Stroganovs, who from their commercial center at the northern town of Solvychegodsk had sent a detachment of Cossacks commanded by a certain Yermak deep into Siberia to challenge the power of the ruler of Siberian Tatars, Khan Kuchum. Although the precise dates are open to question, it appears that, in the Fall of 1581, Yermak captured Chingi-Tura (later Tyumen), but abandoned his conquest, in order to proceed straight to Kashlyk, capital of Khan Kuchum, whom Yermak defeated in 1582 during a battle near the Irtysh River. 

Church of the Miraculous Image of the Savior, southwest view. Originally built in 1794-1819, this is an excellent example of "Siberian Baroque" architecture. August 29, 1999

Following Yermak’s death in a surprise Tatar raid in 1584, his conquests remained temporarily unconsolidated after his death. Nonetheless, Boris Godunov was aware of the enormous significance of Siberia and launched a campaign to found settlements, as he did in other border areas of the medieval Muscovite state.

Church of the Ascension & St. George, south view. Originally built in 1770-89, defaced during the 1930s & restored after 2003 with rebuilding of bell tower. September 4, 1999

Like other early Russian Siberian towns, Tyumen originally served as a garrison fortress for Cossacks and other troops, who protected newly developing trade routes in all directions. The eastern connections with China gained particular importance during the 17th century. 

Location, Location, Location

Church of the Elevation of the Cross, southeast view. Built in 1774-91. August 29, 1999

Tyumen’s location on the Tura River also provided a direct link westward with the gateway town of Verkhoturye founded by Boris Godunov on the Asian side of the Ural Mountains in 1598. And to the east and north of Tyumen, the Tura River merges with the Tobol, which in turn joins the great Irtysh near Tobolsk. By virtue of its location, Tyumen was destined from the beginning to play a significant role in the Russian development of Siberia.

City Council Building. Originally built in 1828-33 in a simplified neoclassical style. Chiming clock was added in 1857. August 29, 1999

The opening of Siberia for Russian colonization during the late 16th and 17th centuries was an epic confrontation between the vast distances of this severe land and the enterprise of Russian merchants, whose commercial interests coincided with the tsars’ appetite for eastern expansion. Although its rivers were only tributaries of the Irtysh (itself a tributary of the great Ob River), Tyumen was well situated to utilize Siberia’s vast water network.      

Kolokolnikov house, corner of Republic Street 18 & Turgenev Street. Originally built in 1804 by the merchant Ivan Ikonnikov, this superb example of classical wooden architecture was acquired in 1888 by the merchant Ivan Kolokolnikov, who modified the original design. August 29, 1999

Like most early Russian towns in Siberia, Tyumen originally served as a fortified settlement for Cossacks and other troops, who in the 17th century protected newly developing trade routes, particularly with China. 

Nikolai Masharov mansion, Lenin Street 24. Built in the late 19th century by the founder of the Tyumen Ironworks. August 29, 1999

When the southern boundary of Moscow’s Asian territory became more settled during the 18th century, Tyumen’s importance increased for the development of transportation as well as small commercial and industrial enterprises. Its status as a transportation nexus also involved the exile system, which sent convicts and political exiles throughout Siberia.

Orthodox Church HQ

Commercial building (corner of Republic & Kirov Streets) built by the merchant Nikolai Yadryshnikov in 1897. Example of highly decorated "brick style" favored for commercial buildings in late 19th century. August 29, 1999

As a regional administrative point for western Siberia, Tyumen rapidly became a center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Its Trinity Monastery was founded in 1616 on the high right bank of the Tura River. Originally dedicated to the Transfiguration, the monastery was a modest collection of log buildings until its transformation in the early part of the 18th century by an energetic Ukrainian prelate, Bishop Fyodor Leshchinsky.          

School of Commerce (now Engineering Institute). Completed in 1914 during a Siberian building boom stimulated by development of commerce along the TransSiberian Railway. August 29, 1999

As an ally of Peter the Great, Bishop Fyodor saw architecture as a reflection of a broad cultural transformation and the Church of the Trinity that he built at the monastery in 1709-1715 is Tyumen’s earliest surviving building. Gutted during the Soviet era, the Trinity Church has been renovated (with modifications) together with its neighbor, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1741-1755. Fortunately, Prokudin-Gorsky photographed both shrines in 1912. 

Tekutyev Crafts School, Dzerzhinsky Street 2. Completed in 1914, the building is a fine example of provincial "style moderne". August 29, 1999

These early examples of a provincial baroque style served as a model for other 18th-century churches in Tyumen, culminating with the lavish Cathedral of the Icon of the Virgin of the Sign (Znamensky), which has recently been splendidly refurbished. Built in several phases between 1768 and 1891, the cathedral displays the florid decoration typical of much of Siberian church architecture.            

Submitting Siberia

Shaichik mansion, Lenin Street 47. Built in 1914 by Yankel Shaichik, major store owner & trader in dry goods. August 29, 1999

The daunting vastness of Siberia’s reaches gradually submitted in the 19th century to new forms of transportation. The first steamboat to ply a Siberian river was constructed here in 1838. 

Burkov house, Dzerzhinsky Street 30. Built at turn of 20th century by Vasily Burkov, trader in Siberian grain on an international level (China, Japan). August 29, 1999

The greatest impulse for economic growth came with the completion of a railroad from Yekaterinburg, on the east slope of the Ural Mountains in 1885. This line ultimately became an important segment of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, transporting the wealth of Siberia’s forests, mines and new agricultural regions, as well as leather and other products of local factories. 

Kozlov house, Turgenev Street 9. Built at end of 19th century by Ivan & Maria Kozlov, local merchants. August 29, 1999

At the turn of the 20th century, over half a million settlers passed through the town toward Siberia’s open, fertile lands. Fortunately, remnants of this period have survived in the central part of the city. 

Nikolaevskoe (Nicholas) Primary School, Lenin Street 5. Wooden building constructed in 1897 as part of a public schools network. August 29, 1999

This memory of the past is especially evident in the city’s remarkable wooden houses, with elaborate framed and carved window surrounds in a style specific to Tyumen. These massive window constructions often include carved panels below the sill as an additional decorative and protective device.

Wooden houses. L:eft: Volodarsky Street. Built at end of 19th century, the house has exuberant carved decorative window frames. Right: Komsomol Street. Built around 1900 as a wing of the A. G. Andreev estate, this small structure displays remarkable examples of decorative fretwork. August, 1999

Their solid construction allowed rows of large windows in wooden houses even in this harsh climate, thus bringing maximum available light to interiors during the long Siberian winters.

The present & future  

Log apartment house, no. 57 (street unknown; house may have been demolished). Fine example of carved window frames on typical log structure. August 29, 1999

Tyumen today is the capital of an enormous province - stretching from Kazakhstan in Central Asia north to the Arctic Ocean - that is one of the world’s richest energy producing regions. Tyumen has benefited from this bounty of natural resources and is at present one of the few Siberian cities to show major population growth: from slightly over half a million in the 2002 census to some 850,000 in the latest estimate. As usual in Siberian cities, most residents live beyond the historic center in Soviet-era housing developments.           

Minshutin house, Vodoprovodnaia Street 43. Built in 1891, the house was restored in 1998 by architect A. Klimchenko with decorative window frames carved by Vadim Sheetov. September 4, 1999

A walk through the historic center of town shows vivid contrasts of modest pre-revolutionary brick and wooden buildings, rarely more than two stories in height, with ponderous Soviet buildings and sleek new commercial centers. Some of the new structures are private apartment houses, others are banks and office buildings and still others form a part of the expanding Tyumen State University. 

Minshutin house, detail of decorative carving by Vadim Sheetov. September 4, 1999

In the early 20th century, Russian photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916, he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918, he left Russia and ultimately resettled in France where he was reunited with a large part of his collection of glass negatives, as well as 13 albums of contact prints. After his death in Paris in 1944, his heirs sold the collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century, the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A few Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986, architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles juxtaposes Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later.

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• COUNTRY Russia
• POPULATION 600,000
• LANGUAGES Russian
• TIMEZONE UTC +5
• NOTABLE LANDMARKS Trinity Monastery; Voznesensko Georgievskiy Church
• Getting Around
• Sightseeing

Tyumen, the first Russian settlement in Siberia, lies 2,500km (1,600 mi) east of Moscow and behind the Ural Mountains. The Tyumen Oblast (region) has seen significant economic growth over the past twenty years, fuelled by the discovery and exploitation of significant oil fields.

Tyumen is also an educational centre, with more than forty thousand students.

Originally Tyumen was called Chimgi-Tura and its origins probably lay with the merchants from the ancient trade centres of Samarkand and Bukhara, who needed Siberian rivers to transport their goods to northern markets. For a long time Chimgi-Tura was the capital of Tyumen Khanate, which was a part of the Mongol Golden Horde Empire. With time Chimgi-Tura was renamed Tyumen, a Mongol word meaning “Ten thousand people.”

Russian Tyumen was established in 1586, when the first military mission sponsored by the Tsar and led by Ermak, mainly to respond frequent attacks of Khan Kuchum, seized the town. It then remained a quiet provincial Siberian city up until the 1960s. Most of its inhabitants lived in wooden houses along the Tura and Tyumenka rivers, for which it became known as the “capital of villages.”

Being a major transportation point to Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, Tyumen has experienced all major historical events in Russia. It has seen the Decembrists on their way to exile in Irkutsk, Tsar Nicholas II and his family to their final destination of Ekaterinburg, Revolution turmoil, Civil War, bloody uprisings against the new Bolshevik food policy ( prodrazverstka ), Gulag prisoners, and more. Many famous people were born or studied in Tyumen. Among them is the famous writer M. M. Prishvin. His essays about nature are filled with harmony and the art of words.

One resident was the most controversial figure in Russian history – Grigory Rasputin. His house can be visited in the village of Pokrovskoe, near Tyumen. It is believed that “the devil monk” was born sometime between 1864 and 1872.

Rasputin was an impoverished, drunken, dirty and foul-mouthed man. Even so, people claim that he had great powers. Many said that he was a healer and also a prophet. During his twenties, Rasputin supposedly became a holy man after a long religious conversation with one of his superiors. He lived off the charity of people who admired his asceticism. It is said that one time Rasputin accurately predicted a three month drought. This Siberian mystic arrived in St Petersburg in 1911 and within a few years had become one of the most influential men in government circles.

Tyumen is a city for walking, a city of contrasts. There are two main streets in the centre: Republics and Lenin. Amongst wooden houses and old churches you will see the modern glass buildings of the World Trade Centre and the Law Department of Tyumen State University as well as Soviet style neighbourhoods with multi-storey apartment buildings.

Optional Sightseeing

The historic city of Tobolsk, Siberia’s former capital, displays considerable charm to reward a short detour from Tyumen. The sights include the white-walled 18th-century Kremlin, incorporating the 17th century St Sofia Cathedral, and a weatherbeaten old town described by some as ‘wonderfully dilapidated’.

Winter in Tyumen

The winters are cold in Tyumen and outlying regions. However, they have one attraction that helps to cope with the winter, being open air hot springs. Thousands of people gather there, both locals and visitors from as far as Yekaterinburg and Moscow. this is truly a way to experience the contrast of the cold Siberian winter (-20℃ plus or minus) with the hot spring water (55℃).

It can be fun to change to your swimwear in the car and then dash to the water (100 m) from the parking area. Just taking a few steps out of the water means the water residue on your body turns into solid ice instantly. Good therapeutic skin pore treatment, we are told.

RELATED PLACES

Yekaterinburg

Tyumen, Russia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Tyumen

Tyumen travel guide.

• 2. Attractions
• 3. Souvenirs

History of Tyumen

Prior to Russian rule, the Tatar city of Chimgi-Tura marked the site of modern Tyumen, Russia and served as the capital of the Siberian Khanate. In 1586, Tyumen was the very first city to be founded by the Russians in Siberia. Part of the Ural Region until 1944, today it is the administrative center of Tyumen Region and one of Russia’s key industrial and cultural centers.

The name of the city is still a mystery to researchers. Some suggest that it came from the Tatar word "tumen", meaning "army of ten thousand", while others speculate that the name is a combination of the words "tyu" and "myana", which together mean "my property". Today in the Tatar language, the word "tyumen" literally translates as "lowland", which is an appropriate term for a city which straddles the Tura River.

Whichever theory is accurate, one thing is for sure: today there is something in Tyumen to surprise and delight any traveler desiring to experience firsthand the mysterious romance of Siberia .

Tyumen Attractions

Most Tyumen city tours begin at Tura River Embankment, one of the area’s most scenic spots from which sweeping views of Holy Trinity Monastery and Church of the Holy Cross Exaltation open up from Lovers’ Bridge.

Historical Square marks the site of Tyumen’s earliest settlements. Not far from Historical Square is Holy Trinity Monastery, which opened in 1616 and is the oldest surviving hermitage in the city today. One of Tyumen’s most significant religious sites, it attracts many Orthodox pilgrims from Western Siberia and the Urals. The monastery is accompanied by a gorgeous green square which is particularly beautiful in spring when the apple trees are in bloom.

An equally important religious monument is Znamensky Cathedral (Cathedral of the Sign), located in Tyumen’s historical center. The original 17th- century church was wooden, but after repeatedly burning down it was replaced the following century with a stone cathedral built in the Siberian Baroque style. Major reconstruction work was completed in 1904, and the end result far exceeded expectations. Today Znamensky Cathedral continues to evoke awe with its striking iconostasis and cheerful exterior.

A walk down central Republic Street, where many 19th-century buildings can still be seen, will conjure up images of life in a bygone era. Kolokolnikovs’ Estate Museum Complex, which survived many fires, deserves special attention, as does House Averkiev with its extraordinary balconies and the former City Duma, which today houses the Regional Museum of Local Lore.

Twenty-first century Tyumen can be seen in all its glory as you wander Tsvetnoy Boulevard and Siberian Cats Park, whose name is derived from the square’s many cast-iron feline figures. Tyumen Regional Museum of Fine Arts serves as the city’s central showroom and is particularly known for its unique works of Russian cult artists such as Ivan Aivazovsky, Ilya Repin and Boris Kustodiev.

Tyumen has a good selection of restaurants offering cuisines for every taste and budget. For tourists, however, Chum Restaurant-Museum is a must. The restaurant serves unique Siberian dishes and is decked out in regional memorabilia. Guests even have the option to dine inside a semi-private cabinet designed to resemble a traditional chum (tent) .

Tyumen Souvenirs

In keeping with its Siberian roots, memorabilia with images of reindeer, red fish and bears are all popular. Fur coats and clothing items made from reindeer skins reflect the beauty of local traditional dress and are sure to keep you warm even in the dead of winter. Original figurines carved from bone make an unusual gift, while anyone with a sweet tooth will want to pay a visit to Kvartet Candy Factory, whose chocolates and other sweets decorated with Tyumen landscapes are equally decorative and delicious.

Grab your coat and come for a visit to Tyumen, Russia, the magnificent pearl of Western Siberia!