Tag: north metro hikes
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Sand Dunes State Forest
First of all, if you are looking for information about Sand Dunes National Park, this is not it. Sand Dunes State Forest is in Minnesota. You will not find huge flowing waves of sand here, but you will find miles of good hiking that is not too crowded. If you have horses, this is also great for trail rides.
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Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
Many miles of trails through woods and prairie are what you will find here. Bring your dog, but not your bike. These trails are shared between hikers and horseback riders. I’m no expert on horse or bikes, but I imagine it would be best to keep those two types of trail users separate.
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Elm Creek Park Reserve
Anoka county is the home of this expanse of forest and grassland just a bit north and west of Minneapolis. There are multiple ways to get here. If you drive, the best place to park depends on the activities you have planned for yourself. I followed the signs that directed me to the south parking lot. Clearly it was the location for sledders and skiers but I did see people walking too. I checked the map and it looked like the hiking trails were connected but only about one mile of Elm Creek walking path is accessible from the south lot. Connecting to the Rush Creek Trail was not in my plan on that day. The Rush Creek Trail is a 10 mile trail to the Mississippi River at the Coon Rapids Dam. Actually, I knew all along this was the wrong place to park but I wanted to see what was possible from here. I decided to hike at Elm Creek because of this article. She said to start from the Nature Center on the north side of the park. I should have listened. Yes, it was mildly interesting to explore an area that was new to me, but getting back in my car to drive to the north end of the park was disheartening and stole precious daylight.
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Springbrook Nature Center
This park has been the place I go to recharge when I have time between appointments in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. Walking all the trails adds up to about 3 miles (5 km).
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Spirit River Nature Area
Cambridge, Minnesota. Spirit River is not far off Highway 65 and only 45 miles (72 km) north of my studio in Minneapolis. In fact, Central Avenue and Highway 65 are the same road so it is almost a straight line from my studio to this gem of a nature area.
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Hike in Place: part 2
It is almost June. In Minnesota that means we are in our shortest season: spring. It seems that overnight we went from slush and ice to green plants and baby animals. I especially enjoy wind on my face with the scent of lakewater. The water is not ice and the wind is not cold. It is a welcome contrast.
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Hike in Place
My gratitude for the people in charge of the trails near me is immense. Now that Covid19 is in Minnesota we must keep to ourselves and not travel so my gratitude for nearby trails is even greater. I hope there are places you can walk or hike close to your home. Wear a face covering if you are near others and stay 6 feet apart when passing on the trail. If you live near Minneapolis or St. Paul, here are six choices.
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Wargo Nature Center
It was back in early December when I was looking for a trail in the north metro area that I had not yet hiked. Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes, Minnesota is where I began my journey.
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Silverwood Park
The loop trail at this regional park is just over 1 mile (1.6 km). Many outdoor sculptures add to the visual variety you will experience on this walk. Most of the trail is through woods with some areas of grassland. There is a small lake with a spur trail that allows you to explore the island on the other side of a footbridge. This is a popular spot for weddings, classes, dogwalking, and many types of gatherings. If you are looking for solitude, this is probably not the right choice. If you want to be surrounded by nature and art in a place close to the city, this is what you are looking for.
Paint and Hike 