Fort Snelling/Minnehaha Park

[FSSS]

From an old thread discussing this topic:

Just so you know we in fact have some good relationships with the folks at Fort Snelling.

seberly:
Are there any MORC plans (or hopes) for singletrack in Fort Snelling State Park??

How open do you think the DNR would be to a proposal for singletrack there??


Wheels/McKinney: (more questions for ya :eyeroll: )
What was the drawback of Minnehaha Park again... a particular plant species or something?

I'm not too familiar with the wooded areas of the park - is there enough "non-cliff" area to even build a trail??

The reason I'm resurrecting this topic... my wife and I just bought (and are in the process of moving into) a house about 2 miles from there in S. Mpls.

[nigel]

The Fort Snelling trails "were" awsome to ride! You can still ride them somewhat but the Dog Park theme really took it over big time, i think its the biggest one in the cities, dog park that is. Thats where i learned how to ride off-road and i too live about 2 miles away, i hit it up every now and again on the "off peak" doggie hours. There is a lot already there and a lot of potential as well. It would be nice to see a trail in there, but i think there would be a lot of roads to cross to get there. Steve E hopefully knows the status though.

D

[FSSS]

The Fort Snelling trails "were" awsome to ride! You can still ride them somewhat but the Dog Park theme really took it over big time...

You mean Minnehaha Park right?

Or does Fort Snelling State Park have a dog park too?

[nigel]

The trails right under the Mendota Bridge area. The designated State Park land cannot be ridden on, except for the paved areas, and they DO ticket.

D

[seberly]

there seem to be two questions.


Minnehaha Park is city of MPLS - I don't know the status there other than what Doug has to say - not even sure where this park ends and Fort Snelling starts - I think that only once the Wirth "study" is successfully completed would there be any official talk of MTB riding in another city park.

Fort Snelling State Park - the MN Valley trail evidently starts at the confluence (i.e. where it meets the Mississippi) of the MN river and continues to like Mankato. I am unsure of the status of the trail thru Fort Snelling, under the Mendota Bridge, then under 494. As Doug states I think that it is a ride on paved trails only deal - plus there is a gun range south of Post Road which seems to be a stay out area. Now as we are supposed to sign the trail for the DNR up through Bloomington we have an enquiry in right now with the DNR which may get us an answer to some of these question. Have you noticed that below the MN Valley Wildlife Refuge next to the Hilton there is new signage and an improved access point to the river bottoms and a 4 mile trail that goes over to the Cedar Ave. bridge?

[nigel]

Have you noticed that below the MN Valley Wildlife Refuge next to the Hilton there is new signage and an improved access point to the river bottoms and a 4 mile trail that goes over to the Cedar Ave. bridge?

The "Bass Ponds" area? Or the trail on the Mendota side that starts at the Sibley Memorial House?

D

[ppgc]

The "Bass Ponds" area? Or the trail on the Mendota side that starts at the Sibley Memorial House?

D

Last fall they put some new signs between the 494 bridge and the 77 bridge on both sides of the river. They still need to fill in fix the "bridges" on the south side when the water is high. All but 200 meters are very rideable with no mud and then MUD. I hike off the trail around in the swamp but I wish that bridge was a little more functional.

Is this the area? I think the DNR calls it the Meadow Lake Loop or something like that. You can get there right from the DNR office near the Hilton.

-pete

[seberly]

Yes, I was referrring to the area between 494 and 77, right down along the river. The Bass Ponds is also between 494 and 77 but up on the bluffs.

This discussion reminds me that there are LOTS of trails along the river.

[ppgc]

Yes, I was referrring to the area between 494 and 77, right down along the river. The Bass Ponds is also between 494 and 77 but up on the bluffs.

This discussion reminds me that there are LOTS of trails along the river.

I live about a block from the Bass Ponds, I haven't found a trail from the ponds to the Long Meadow trail without the river bridge or the road. Steve, do you know of one? I thought the ponds are just loops and then toward the bird sanctuary... Stupid Birds and their non-bike path. ;)

-pete

[seberly]

No, I don't know of a connector trail now that the old Cedar Bridge is closed.

[FSSS]

The trails right under the Mendota Bridge area. The designated State Park land cannot be ridden on, except for the paved areas, and they DO ticket.

D

I think that's too far south to be Minnehaha Park. The way I understand it Minnehaha Park doesn't go any further south than 54th (or at the most 56th).

I'm pretty sure all the land south of that is Fort Snelling State Park land.