Another in our #HIKEINPLACE series of local hikes to get you out of the house during the #StayatHomeMN order. Try a handful of these hikes that are close to home for all you twin cities folk out there.
Do this hike early or late in the day or it might get a bit too busy to practice appropriate #socialdistancing. You can incorporate The connect this to the Ford Bridge to Marshall/Lake Street Bridge loop to add another 5.6 miles if done as a figure 8, or about 5 miles if done as a loop. 3.9 miles
This is a loop hike. You can start wherever you like and walk clockwise or counterclockwise in a loop. You can stay up on the paved walking and biking paths on either side of the river if you like but I think it's way more fun to slip down into the thin sliver of woods along the river itself and hike the Winchell Trail which can take you south to the Ford Bridge or north about half of the way to Franklin. You will feel mostly removed from the hustle and bustle of paved paths though you will always be in shouting distance if you like to shout.
The trails are not paved, can sometimes be wet, muddy or underwater depending on how high the river is. On the east side you will find some tricky footing on the wooded path before having to pop back up to the paved path which takes you to the Marshall/Lake Street bridge.
Photos coming soon.