History of the Ford Bridge
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This page was last updated on September 25, 2006.
October 3, 2006: Mississippi River Gorge (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
Join the group for a hike around the scenic gorge of the Mississippi River on a circle hike from the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge to the 46th Street/Ford Parkway bridge and back. The Lake Street Bridge across the Mississippi River is the east gateway to Minneapolis. The river lies in a relatively narrow, deep gorge at this point, a unique geological condition found nowhere else along the entire length of the river. The Mississippi Gorge was formed as the Mississippi River cuts away the soft sandstone that supported an upper layer of harder limestone and shale. Over thousands of years, the sandstone wore away and the limestone fell to the bottom of the river creating the gorge we see today. The construction of nearby Lock and Dam No. 1 was completed in 1917. The 30-foot high dam provided 9 1/2-foot channel from St. Paul to Minneapolis. Reconstruction of the dam took place in 1929 and then again from 1978 to 1983. The 46th Street/Ford Bridge has recently been revamped and its decking reconstructed. The hike covers a bit longer distance than the normal Thursday Night hike, so be prepared to “hoof it” a little bit.
If driving: From I-94, on the western edge of St. Paul, take the Cretin/Vandalia exit and go south about 1.5 miles on Cretin Avenue to Summit Avenue. Turn west (right) on Summit Avenue and continue to where Summit Avenue “tees” into Mississippi Avenue River Boulevard. On the southwest corner of the “tee” is a monument and a parking lot. Park in the lot or on the street near the St. Paul Seminary and meet at the monument.
If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 21; 49; 52F; 63; 134. The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Summit and Cretin . Applicable Metro Transit Map" / Bus Schedule information
Restaurant (Bakers Square, 2239 Ford Parkway, St. Paul) afterwards.
Map to hike start point, near
2279 Summit Ave
St Paul, MN 55105-1002
Ecology and Geology of the Mississippi River Gorge
History of the Ford Bridge
Back to the Thursday Night Hikes Homepage
This page was last updated on September 25, 2006.