June 25, 2009: Battle Creek Regional Park, South End, Hike (St. Paul)

Join the hiking group for a hike among the Sandstone cliffs and steep slopes of St. Paul's jewel, Battle Creek Park. Battle Creek, named for the battle of Kaposia in 1842, between the Ojibwe and Dakota, flows into Pig's Eye Lake from the high land east of the river valley. Another great ravine there, having numerous tall white pines, is named Pine Cooley, from the French word "coulTe," meaning "a ravine or run." Kaposia, the Dakota village of the succession of hereditary chiefs named Little Crow, early was located on the east bank of the Mississippi near the Grand Marais, where Pike saw it in 1805 and Major Stephen H. Long saw it in 1817. Subsequently, it was moved to the vicinity of the mouth of Phalen Creek or near the site of the Union Depot in St. Paul, according to the narratives of General Lewis Cass and Henry R. Schoolcraft in 1820, Major Long and William H. Keating in 1823, and Charles J. Latrobe in 1833. Again in 1835, it was near the Grand Marais according to explorer George W. Featherstonhaugh. After the 1837 treaty, by which the Dakota ceded their lands east of the Mississippi, the Kaposia band had their village at its west side, occupying a part of South Park, a suburb of South St. Paul in Dakota County. It was also its site at the time of the battle. The approach of the Ojibwe during for the attack, and their retreat, were by way of the ravines of Battle Creek and Pine Cooley.

If driving:From I-94 east of downtown St. Paul, take the Highway 61/Highway 10 exit south and proceed south to Lower Afton Road/County Highway 39. From Lower Afton Road, turn northwest (left) onto Point Douglas Road, which is a dead end street and which will lead to the parking lot for the lower portion of the park.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s) 361, 362, or 364. The closest bus service point appears to be the intersection of Highway 61/10 and Lower Afton Road. From the bus stop, the park is about 1/4 mile northwest up Point Douglas Road. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information Interested hikers will reassemble after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Perkins, I-94 at Ruth Street, St. Paul) for dessert or dinner.

Map of Lower Afton Rd and Hwy 61
St Paul, MN 55119, the hike starting point

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This webpage was last updated on May 28, 2009.