Minnehaha Falls Lower Glen Trail

Minnehaha Falls Lower Glen Trail is a popular hiking route in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The 2.1-mile (3.4 km) trail loop begins and ends at the base of the iconic Minnehaha Falls. Hikers follow natural trails and elevated boardwalks through a sedimentary rock glen carved by Minnehaha Creek to its confluence with the Mississippi River where there is a sandy beach. Portions of the trail loop are rated moderate to challenging in difficulty.

Minnehaha Falls Lower Glen Trail
In summer, the confluence of Minnehaha Creek and the Mississippi River at a sandy beach.
Length2.1 mi (3.4 km)
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Trailheads
  • Base of the falls
  • Glens area
  • South plateau area
UseHiking only
Hiking details
Trail difficultyEasy
SeasonYear round
Sights
  • Minnehaha Creek
  • Minnehaha Falls
  • Mississippi River gorge
  • Forests, swamps & wildflowers
Hazards
  • Muddy after rains
  • Fast moving creek
  • Icy in winter

Route description

Minnehaha lower glen is the canyon area downstream from Minnehaha Falls to where Minnehaha Creek flows to its end at the Mississippi River. Main access to the hiking trail loop is via several staircases near Minnehaha Falls that descend to the lower glen floor. After descending staircases into the glen, hikers traverse dirt trails that eventually follow both sides of the creek, with gradual elevation change to the Mississippi River. At 686 feet (209 m) above sea level, the confluence area is the lowest point of elevation in Minneapolis. For safety reasons, the park closes staircases in winter. Alternative and year-round access to the hiking trail loop is possible via the Glens Area by Godfrey Parkway or the South Plateau Area by a dog park.[1]

The trail on the north side of the creek is mostly rated moderate in difficulty, while the south side trail is considered more challenging. Some sections of the trail have boardwalks over ponds and muddy terrain. There are five numbered pedestrian bridges in the park, with numbers 2-5 in the lower glen, that allow hikers to traverse the creek.[2][3][4][5][6]

Key features and sites on the hike:

  • Abandoned falls grassy glen area
  • Black ash swamp
  • Godfrey Mill ruins
  • Historic stone bridge and wall structures
  • Natural wading pool area
  • Platteville Limestone bluffs
  • Sandy beachhead
  • Wildlife

History of the trail
Main article: Minnehaha Park (Minneapolis)

The hiking loop trail is entirely within Minnehaha Regional Park that is managed by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The 54-acre lower glen area that hikers traverse was once considered neglected. By 2010, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District spent $7 million toward restoration efforts such as trail improvements, shoreline stabilization, invasive plant removal, boardwalk replacement, and reconstruction of stone wall and bridge structures. In 2014, a heavy rain event threatened improvements to the glen, which were not designed to handle record levels of precipitation.[7]

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See also

References
  1. Minneapolis Parks (2016). "Minnehaha Regional Map" (PDF).
  2. Weeks, John (2016). "Lower Glen Bridge #2, Minneapolis, MN". www.johnweeks.com.
  3. "Minnehaha Falls Regional Park Hiking Trail, West Saint Paul, Minnesota". Hiking Project. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  4. Mosher, Mary Jo, author. (May 2019). Hiking Minnesota : a guide to the state's greatest hiking adventures. ISBN 978-1-4930-3572-4. OCLC 1091029100.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Watson, Tom, 1947- (2007). 60 hikes within 60 miles, Minneapolis and St. Paul : includes hikes in and around the Twin Cities. Watson, Tom, 1947- (2nd ed.). Birmingham, Ala.: Menasha Ridge Press. ISBN 978-0-89732-806-7. OCLC 773692016.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Williams, Dave (2014-08-08). "Reasons You Should Run the Minnehaha Falls Park Trail". Minneapolis Running. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  7. "Minnehaha Falls and Glen Restoration". MCWD: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2020-01-10.

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