September 10, 2009: Rice Marsh Lake Hike (Eden Prairie/Chanhassen)

Join the hiking group for a hike along along Rice Marsh Lake to Lake Susan, in west Eden Prairie and east Chanhassen. Rice Marsh Lake and Lake Susan are in the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. Riley Creek has a 10 square mile watershed, with mild topography in the upper and middle portions of the watershed. Riley Creek originates from lakes Lucy and Ann, and flows through Lake Susan, Rice Marsh Lake, and Lake Riley before it begins its descent to the Minnesota River. The Riley Creek watershed was primarily agricultural until the 1980's, when urbanization rapidly developed. A few portions of the creek were straightened in meadow areas to provide better field drainage for farming. Recently, the floodplain revegetated with grass, willows, dogwood, and other shrub vegetation. In 1852, Joseph Vogel had the first claim settled in Chanhassen Township, on land west of Rice Lake. In the early 1850's, Clarissa Cleaveland reportedly selected the name "Chanhassen," the Dakota name meaning "the tree with sweet sap," or the sugar maple tree.

If coming by car: Go west on I-494 to Highway 5 and continue west on Highway 5 to Dell Road, about 8/10ths of a mile west of Eden Prairie Road. Go south on Dell Road about 6/10ths of a mile to Erin Bay/Cascade Drive, turn right on Erin Bay and then immediately turn left into Rice Marsh Lake Park. We will meet in the parking lot of the park.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 636; 637; or 687. The closest bus route drop off point seems to be the corner of Dell Road and East Lake Drive, about 1/3 of a mile north of the park. Applicable Metro Transit Map/General Transit Information

The group will reassemble at a nearby restaurant (Bakers Square Restaurant & Pie, 928 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie) after the hike for dessert or dinner.

Yahoo map to the hike starting point

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View Larger Map"> Map to Bakers Square

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This page was last updated on August 25, 2009.