60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul: Including Hikes In and Around the Twin Cities

by Tom Watson

Overview

It’s Time to Take a Hike in Minnesota’s Twin Cities!

The best way to experience Minneapolis and St. Paul is by hiking them. Get outdoors with Minnesota author and naturalist Tom Watson, with the full-color edition of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul. A perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems, the selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring waterways of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Experience the breathtaking views at Afton State Park and Barn Bluff. Go birdwatching on the slopes and hills at Frontenac and Lake Maria State Parks. Immerse yourself in history along the old railroad routes of the Douglas State Trail and Cannon Valley Trail. With an award-winning outdoors writer as your guide, you’ll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of the Twin Cities’ best hikes!

Each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance, difficulty, scenery, traffic, hiking time, and more, so you can quickly and easily learn about each trail. Detailed directions, GPS-based trail maps, and elevation profiles help to ensure that you know where you are and where you’re going. Tips on nearby activities further enhance your enjoyment of every outing. Whether you’re a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634041225
Publisher:	Menasha Ridge Press
Publication date:	05/15/2018
Series:	60 Hikes Within 60 Miles
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	328
Sales rank:	491,076
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tom Watson was born in California and moved to the Twin Cities from Missouri at age 7. He remained in Minnesota until he graduated from the University of Minnesota’s College of Forestry with a B.S. in forest resource management and recreation. Then, in the mid-1980s, he moved to Kodiak, Alaska, where he spent 15 years operating a sea-kayak touring business and began working as a freelance writer and photographer. Published in several national magazines and an award-winning, active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, Tom is also the author of Best Minnesota Camper Cabins (Adventure Publications) and Best Tent Camping: Minnesota (Menasha Ridge Press). In addition to hiking, he enjoys photography, music, gardening, bird-watching, paddling, and camping.

Read an Excerpt

CARLOS AVERY TRAIL

DISTANCE & CONFIGURATION: 8.7-mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy
SCENERY: Classic marshlands with a scattering of trees along perimeter and on “islands” throughout the marsh
EXPOSURE: Little shade once out on the marsh
TRAIL TRAFFIC: Multiuse trail serves motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Note: There is no access to the wildlife-sanctuary area at any time.
TRAIL SURFACE: Packed gravel with some sandy sections
HIKING TIME: 3.5–4.5 hours
DRIVING DISTANCE: 30 miles from the state capitol
ACCESS: Daily, sunrise–sunset; no fees or permits
MAPS: An excellent map that I recommend highly is available at both the trailhead at the WMA headquarters and at the entrance to the Old Game Farm complex, 2 miles from the trailhead on County Road 19
FACILITIES: There are no amenities or shelters, so dress and prepare appropriately; be sure to take plenty of water and snacks
DOGS: On leash April 16–July 15 to protect nesting birds; allowed off-leash at other times
CONTACT: 651-539-3300, dnr.state.mn.us/areas/wildlife/carlos_avery_wma.html
LOCATION: Zodiac Street NE at Headquarters Road, Forest Lake, MN 55025
COMMENTS: This is one of the best places close to the Twin Cities to see flora and fauna in an expansive marshland—great for watchers of wildlife and birds!

IN BRIEF

With more than 50 miles of roads and half as many miles of trails, this hike is the only one that will take you around the edge of the restricted sanctuary portion of the wildlife management area. You’ll find fantastic opportunities to view birds and other creatures throughout 6,000 acres of wetlands, contained by more than 26 miles of dikes.

DESCRIPTION

The 23,000 acres of the Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area offer some of the best wetlands viewing of birds and other wildlife close to the Twin Cities. More than 275 species of migratory and resident birds inhabit or visit the area. The land area is made up of about two-thirds marsh and wetland and one-third hardwood trees, oak savannas, and grasslands. This hike is in the southern unit of the Wildlife Management Area and uses the roadway around the protected, restricted area of the wildlife sanctuary. The northern unit, Sunrise, has a few trail spurs off the roadways that run through that unit.

More than 26 miles of dikes contain and direct water throughout Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area—connecting pools and water canals that are adjusted to provide life-giving water to the area’s flora and fauna. Funding for some of these dikes was provided by Ducks Unlimited and the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.

The hike through Carlos Avery’s southern unit begins 0.5 mile to the right of the driveway into the headquarters area, down the gravel road to the first parking turnout; there are more turnouts along the roadway where you can pull off and park. Hikers will share the road with those touring by car, so give them plenty of room to pass.

The first mile passes through a mixed forest of spruces, maples, oaks, and other deciduous trees. The trees on the left side of the roadway were initially part of an organized plantation planting of pines and cedars. Grassy clearings between rows are used to grow prairie grasses for seed, which is harvested and planted throughout the management area.

For the next mile, the road goes through both thick forests and wetlands. In early summer, ferns abound in the shade of the moist understory, and songbirds fill the air with their calls. Expect the ground here to be especially soft and muddy during and after extensive rains. Mature red and white oaks are scattered throughout, primarily on the left side of the trail.

At about 2.5 miles, the road swings north, presenting travelers with vistas of the vast wetlands spreading across the southern unit. A drainage ditch just before Pool 10 is a structure used to control the levels of water in surrounding pools and canals. As water levels decrease in some areas, management is encouraging wild rice to grow as a food source for a variety of birds. A bit farther, Pool 9 Road to the right that can be taken to access more pools farther to the northeast. Several trail spurs lead out from various points along those roadways, making for additional hiking opportunities.

For this hike, continue along the main road, past Pool 10 on your left. Be on the lookout in early summer for families of geese with growing goslings trailing behind. Also watch for beavers, muskrats, and other small wetlands fur bearers often spotted in this area.

The road passes between Pools 9 and 10 as it continues its northerly course. You may notice charring on some of the larger tree trunks, marks of a controlled-burn area. These deliberately set and directionally controlled fires help clear away dead understory and ground litter, helping keep the uplands healthy and lush—a boost to the ecosystem. This area is a key viewing spot for sandhill cranes, egrets, white pelicans, northern harriers, and pond critters as well. Check out the trees above Pool 9 for raptors keeping a keen eye out for a fresh fish dinner.

At about mile 3.5, you’ll approach Pool 4. Check the shoreline for a variety of wading birds, some very well hidden by the tall, vertical rushes and reeds along the shore. A trail to the left, just as you approach the south end of Pool 4, heads west around the southern end of Pool 4 and leads to Pool 3. Taking either a left or the second right leads you back to the hiking route on the main road. Pool 5 is just across the road and a bit beyond Pool 4. It’s much smaller but still provides great habitat for a variety of puddle ducks, including mallards, ringbills, teals, and perhaps even a loon. Trumpeter swans are known to stop at Pool 4 during their seasonal migrations in April and November.

You’ll start to leave this marsh/wetlands area around mile 4.1, just after crossing over one of several water causeways you’ve encountered on this hike. Another prominent burn area can be seen at mile 4.3, just before a T-intersection. Stay to the left and continue west now, along the perimeter loop, labeled Wyoming Road in this section.

A few hundred yards after this intersection, you’ll see a sedge meadow—a wet area “distinguished by many humps,” to quote the interpretive map. This area is well suited for frogs and other amphibians and, as such, is a select feeding ground for sandhill cranes.

For the next mile, continue to enjoy your surroundings as you come to a fork in the road at about mile 6. Stay to the left (Larsen Road) and continue through more wetlands until, at mile 6.5, you start to rise in elevation and see a field of grass off to the right. These and other grasses are cultivated crops used to produce seed for plantings throughout the area.

About 0.5 mile past the fork in the road, cross over a small flowage, which is the south branch of the Sunrise River. Its source is Little Coon Lake, a couple of hundred yards off the road on the left.

Within the next mile, you’ll approach another intersection on the right. If you continue down this road, you can experience a wonderful interpretive hike featuring some history of the Carlos Avery area. This out-and-back side hike will add 2.5 miles to your outing. Otherwise, the hike turns left here (east) and heads back to the start of the loop, about 1 mile away.

One could spend days walking these trails and roads, either in serious observation or casually strolling. The bird-watching is tops, and the expanses of marshland are beautiful and peaceful. Take your time and enjoy this hike.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

You’re within a half hour’s drive of the St. Croix River and several state parks with wonderful hiking trails, including William O’Brien State Park (Hike 59, page 293) and Interstate State Park (both Hike 54 in Minnesota, page 273, and Hike 55 in Wisconsin, page 277). Back toward Anoka County at Bunker Hills Regional Park (see previous hike) are a variety of recreational amenities, such as hiking, camping, and Minnesota’s only wave pool.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES N45° 18.042' W93° 06.075'

DIRECTIONS From downtown Minneapolis, drive north on I-35W for 14.7 miles; then take Exit 33 left (north) onto MN 17/Lexington Avenue. In 9.4 miles, turn right (east) onto MN 18/West Broadway Avenue. In 2 miles, turn left (north) onto Zodiac Street NE, and drive 1 more mile to the entrance of the Carlos Avery State WMA headquarters. Either park outside the entrance or take the road to the right and park at the first pull-off on the right.

Table of Contents

Overview Map

Map Legend viii

Acknowledgments ix

Foreword x

Preface xi

60 Hikes by Category xiv-xv

Introduction 1

Urban & Suburban Saint Paul 19

1 Battle Creek 20

2 Big Rivers Regional Trail 24

3 Bruce Vento Regional Trail 29

4 Crosby Farm Regional Park 34

5 Lake Elmo Park Reserve: Eagle Point Lake 38

6 South Saint Paul Riverfront Trail 42

7 Thompson County Park: Thompson Trail 47

Urban & Suburban Minneapolis 53

8 Bass Ponds to Old Cedar Bridge 54

9 Bryant Lake 59

10 Bunker Hills Regional Park 63

11 Carlos Avery Trail 68

12 City Lakes Chain: Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake of the Isles 73

13 Coon Rapids Dam 78

14 Fort Snelling State Park: Snelling Lake and Pike Island Trails 83

15 Hyland Lake Park Reserve: Richardson Interpretive Trail 87

16 Minnehaha Falls and Creek 92

17 Mississippi Gorge Trail 97

18 Rice Creek North Regional Trail 102

19 Wood Lake Nature Center 106

Southwest 113

20 Baylor Regional Park 114

21 Carver Park Reserve, Lowry Nature Center: Tamarack Trail 118

22 Cleary Lake Regional Park 124

23 Lake Minnewashta Regional Park: Marsh Trail Loop 128

24 Louisville Swamp: Mazomani Trail 132

25 Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area: Lawrence Trail 137

26 Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve 142

27 Sakatuh Lake State Park 146

Southeast 151

28 Afton State Park 152

29 Barn Bluff 156

30 Cannon Valley Trail 160

31 Cannon River Wilderness Area Trail 165

32 Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park 170

33 Douglas State Trail 174

34 Frontenac State Park: Bluffside Trail 179

35 Goodhue Pioneer State Trail 184

36 Kinnickinnic State Park, Wisconsin 188

37 Lebanon Hills Regional Park: Holland and Jensen Lakes Loop 192

38 Miesville Ravine Park Reserve 197

39 Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park: Big Woods Trail 201

40 Red Cedar State Trail, Wisconsin 206

41 Spring Lake Park Reserve: Schaar's Bluff Trail 211

Northwest 217

42 Baker Park Reserve 218

43 Crow-Hassan Park Reserve 222

44 Elm Creek Park Reserve 226

45 Elm Creek Park Reserve: Eastman Nature Trail 231

46 Lake Maria State Park 236

47 Lake Rebecca Park Reserve 240

48 Rum River North County Park 245

49 Sand Dunes State Forest: Ann Lake 249

50 Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge: Prairie's Edge Trail 253

51 Snail Lake 258

Northeast 263

52 Brown's Creek State Trail 264

53 Gateway State Trail 268

54 Interstate State Park, Minnesota 273

55 Interstate State Park, Wisconsin 277

56 Pine Point Regional Park Trail 281

57 Tamarack Nature Center 285

58 Wild River State Park 289

59 William O'Brien State Park: Upper Park Trail 293

60 Willow River State Park, Wisconsin 298

Appendix: Information Sources 302

Index 303

About the Author 310