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

by Tom Watson

Overview

This decisive guide to day hikes in the Twin Cities' area just got better. Within the seven county "metro" area that encompasses the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul lies a network of hundreds of miles of trails. 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul by Tom Watson showcases the region's main attractions and personality. Some of these trails are broad, paved corridors through multi-use parks generously developed to provide a myriad of recreational opportunities for the young and old, the robust trekker, and the casual stroller. Trails are based in a wide range of areas such as walkways of grass winding through majestic stands of Minnesota hardwoods. Other hikes are spider-web networks that remind one of well-used deer trails. Some are isolated within a pocket of greenery surrounded by vast ribbons of freeway concrete and broad subdivisions. Others are woven within the fabric of parklands so expansive that you could literally spend weeks hiking all the networks lying within their folds. Twin Cities' hiking is huge so get the guide that gets you there and back. Updated maps, new hikes, new photos, and brand-new trailhead coordinates make this authoritative guide even more useful than before.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634041232
Publisher:	Menasha Ridge Press
Publication date:	05/15/2018
Series:	60 Hikes Within 60 Miles
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	769,470
File size:	33 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

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

Length: 8.7 miles Configuration: 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 Traffic: Multiuse trail: motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians Trail Surface: Packed gravel with some sandy sections Hiking Time: 3.5-4.5 hours Season: Year-round Access : No fees for trail use or parking Maps: At trailhead at WMA headquarters and at entrance to Old Game Farm complex 2 miles from trailhead on CR 19 (this is a very good map, so be sure to take one along on the hike!) Facilities: There are no amenities or shelters along this road, so dress and prepare adequately; be sure to take plenty of water and snacks. Special Comments: This is one of the best places close to the Twin Cities to see flora and fauna in an expansive marshland-and great for watchers of wildlife and birds! Contact: [phone]

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 viewing of wildlife and birds throughout 6,000 acres of wetlands that are 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. There are two major units in the Wildlife Management Area; this hike is in the southern unit and uses the roadway around the protected and restricted area of the actual wildlife sanctuary. The northern unit, Sunrise, has a few trails as well, most of which are spurs off the roadways that run through that unit.
The critical features of this Wildlife Management Area are the regulated pools and water canals that are adjusted as needed to provide life-giving water to flora and fauna alike. More than 23 miles of dikes contain and direct water throughout Carlos Avery. 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 either at the entrance to the headquarters or 0.5 mile down the gravel road to the first parking turnout. There are a few turnouts along the roadway to pull off and park. Hikers will share the road with those touring by car, so give them plenty of room to pass. Hiking this route is the best way to see as much of the area's wildlife as possible.
The first mile or so passes through a mixed forest of spruces, maples, oaks, lindens, aspens, and ashes. Initially the trees on the left side of the roadway were part of an organized plantation planting of pines and cedars. The grassy clearings between these rows are now used to grow prairie grasses for seed, which is harvested and planted throughout the management area.
For the next mile, the road goes through a thickly forested area on the left and a wetland area on the right. 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.
The road veers slightly to the north at about mile 2.25. According to an interpretive map of the area, an enormous eagle's nest is occasionally visible at the edge of the tree line. Look for a mass of branches high atop one of the tallest trees.
At about 2.5 miles, the road swings around to the north, presenting travelers with vistas of the vast wetlands that spread out 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, so it can become a food source for a variety of birds. A bit farther, there is a road to the right that can be driven or walked to access even more of the pools located farther to the northeast (several trail spurs lead out from various points along those roadways-meaning lots of 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 their growing goslings trailing behind, in addition to the beavers, muskrats, and other small wetlands furbearers often spotted in this area. The geese sometimes take a commanding stand on the roadway, but a patient, deliberate, and nonthreatening approach usually sends them quickly down the bank and into the protection of the rushes and open water.
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, as this is a controlled burn area. These deliberately set and directionally controlled fires help clear away dead understory and ground litter and actually help keep the uplands healthy and lush-a boost to the ecosystem. This area is reported to be a key viewing place for sandhill cranes, egrets, white pelicans, northern harriers (formerly called marsh hawks), and turtles. Check out the trees above Pool 9 for raptors keeping a keen eye out for a fresh fish dinner.
At about mile 3.5 this hike approaches Pool 4. As with other waterholes, check the shoreline for a variety of wading birds, some very well hidden by the tall, vertical rushes and reeds along the shore. 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. Consult the interpretive map's notes along this route, too. 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.
A few hundred yards after this intersection, you will 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 the surroundings, including the former wildlife management area site (check out the remains of the driveways and some planted lilacs), until you come to a fork in the road at about mile 6. Stay to the left 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. If you continue down this road, you can experience a wonderful interpretive hike featuring some history of the Carlos Avery area. This side hike will add 2.5 miles to your outing.
If you take the interpretive hike, return to the intersection. 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 quite beautiful-and peaceful. Take your time and enjoy this hike.

Nearby Activities
You are 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 (see page 249) and Interstate State Park (in both Minnesota, on page 222, and Wisconsin, on page 226). Back toward Anoka County at Bunker Hills Regional Park (see page 49) are a variety of recreational amenities, such as hikes, camping, and the state's only wave pool.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Overview Map
Acknowledgments
Foreword
About the Author
Preface
Recommended Hikes
Introduction

Urban-Suburban St. Paul
1 Battle Creek
2 Big Rivers Regional Trail
3 Crosby Farm Park
4 Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Eagle Point Lake
5 South St . Paul Riverfront Trail
6 Thompson County Park, Thompson Trail

Urban-Suburban Minneapolis
7 Bass Ponds Tr ail, Long Meadow Lake
8 Bryant Lake
9 Bunker Hills Regional Park
10 Carlos Avery Trail
11 City Lakes Chain, Lakes Harriet, Calhoun, and Isles
12 Clifton E . French Regional Park
13 Coon Rapids Dam
14 Fort Snelling State Park, Snelling Lake and Pike Island Trails
15 Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Richardson Interpretive Trail
16 L ake Nokomis
17 Minnehaha Falls and Creek
18 Mississippi Gorge Trail
19 Rice Creek North Regional Trail
20 Wood Lake Nature Center

Southwest
21 Cleary Lake Regional Park
22 Douglas State Trail
23 Lake Byllesby Regional Park
24 Louisville Swamp, Mazomani Trail
25 Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Trail
26 Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
27 Sakatah Lake State Park

Southeast
28 Afton State Park
29 Barn Bluff
30 Cannon Valley Trail
31 Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
32 Frontenac State Park, Bluffside Trail
33 Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Holland/Jensen Lakes Loop
34 Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
35 Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Big Woods Trail
36 Spring Lake Park Reserve, Schaar's Bluff Trail

Northwest
37 Baker Park Reserve
38 Baylor Regional Park
39 Carver Park Reserve/Lowry Nature Center, Tamarack Trail
40 Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
41 Elm Creek Park Reserve
42 Elm Creek Park Reserve, Eastman Nature Trail
43 Lake Maria State Park
44 Lake Minnewashta Regional Park, Marsh Trail Loop
45 Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
46 Rum River Central Regional Park
47 Rum River North County Park
48 Sand Dunes State Forest, Ann Lake
49 Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie's Edge Trail
50 Snail Lake

Northeast
51 Gateway State Trail
52 Interstate State Park, Minnesota
53 Interstate State Park, Wisconsin
54 Kinnickinnic State Park, Wisconsin
55 Pine Point Regional Park Trail
56 Red Cedar State Tr a i l , Wisconsin
57 Tamarack Nature Center
58 Wild River State Park
59 William O'Brien State Park, Upper Park Trail
60 Willow River State Park
Appendix: Information Sources
Index
Map Legend