Afton State Park, Minnesota

M

MidwestDave

Joined
Oct 3, 2006
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Anybody hike this trail in Minnesota?
I'm planning on doing it probably on Monday morning and was wondering if anyone had experience on it.
Actually, any tips on any Twin City area trails would be nice. I just moved here and don't know anyone local yet.


Thanks,
Dave
 
They are all over! Locally I hang in Maple Grove and wander around some of the lakes. Also, Minneapolis has some good walking paths around the downtown lakes (great people watching!), but seriously, trails are all over. The Luce Line is one--it is about 60 miles long. (my goal someday is to do that one and the Superior Hiking trail). It just depends if you want some brief exercise or camping/hiking.
 
I'm probably looking for a nice dayhike that is quiet. Not a lot of people, bikes, horses, ATVs, etc. Also somewhere nicely wooded so I can veer off the trail and practice a few skills and search for fatwood or just relax and smoke a cigar without causing a commotion.


Dave
 
Been there a few times.

There's a fair amount of steps going down to the MN river that give you some great views. Where the trail heads back up it can get kind of steep and is well worn so if it's been raining watch your step.

Afton SP had 18 miles of trails last time I was there, maybe more now. It's easy to spend a day there. Water is available via well pumps so you won't need tons with you. The traffic on a Monday should be light but don't figure on being the only one around, it's a popular place they also have horse back trails and 24 backpack sites and everything is well kept, as it should be.

Oh, the beach is pretty nice so you might want to take a swim if it's hot.

A good book for you would be, "Campers Guide to MN" by Mickey Little.
Has all the State Parks and Forest in it and tells you about the BWCA.

Another great hike is Frontenac SP by Red Wing, lots of steps at that one, but again the views are worth it. Maybe wait till the leaves are in full color for this one, the place can be breath taking.

Good luck and feel free to contact me.
 
Here's a tip-get out of the city. Money isn't happiness, and you will be constantly held in a cage away from easy recreation. My sister moved to DinkyTown two weeks ago for school and she feels trapped. Bemidji is where its at, there will always be a small piece of my heart there, with all the native american culture, the loons on the lake, bald eagles looking for walleye, ridiculous fishing on the Mississippi and trails all over the place. Not to mention the wild blueberries in Paul Bunyon State Forrest and MASSIVE whitetail everywhere and pheasants that walk into your shotgun. I moved from Houston to Boise, from rich to poor, but from depression to joy. Instead of spending your life trying to make enough money and free time to get away, life is alot better when you spend your life getting away and scraping by.
 
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M D,
There are books, fairly cheap at the Minnesota Book Store just off University Avenue in St. Paul (run by the state) or go to REI on the sw corner of Lyndale Avenue and US 494 in Bloomington. We have literally hundreds of trails and other places (pm me) to go have fun.
Dan
 
Another good book on the area.

60 Hikes within 60 Miles of the twin cities, by Tom Watson.
 
Cant say I have been there. Went to Jay Cooke and Interstate Park this year though, defineftly worth seeing
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I'll take a stroll there on Monday and look around.
I'll also take a look at some of the books.


Thanks again,
Dave
 
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