July 3, 2008: Russell A. Sorenson Landing/Minnesota River Trail Hike (Bloomington)

Join the group for a hike along this unique portion of the Minnesota River Valley. The Lyndale Boat Launch was designated the Russell A. Sorenson Landing, in honor of the late Mr. Sorenson's contributions as former manager and chair of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District. The hike will be along the unsurfaced joint use mountain biking/birding/hiking trail west of the boat landing, along the Minnesota River. As part of the hike, the group will ferry over Nine Mile Creek near its confluence with the Minnesota River on a 12’ by 8’ raft that was built by and is maintained by local mountain bikers. The Minnesota River was initially known as the St. Peters River. The creek got its name from early settlers in Minnesota, because when they traveled west from Fort Snelling, along Old Shakopee Road, the creek crossing was nine miles from the fort. Nine Mile Creek enters the Minnesota River at Mile 12.5. Mdewakanton Chief Pennesha had his village near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek between 1805 and 1852. The Dakota made up of seven tribes, the Mdewakanton, the Wahpeton, the Wahpekute, the Sisseton, the Yanktan, the Yanktyonia, and the Teton, and before various treaty cessions, occupied much of Southern Minnesota from Fort Snelling to Brown’s Valley.

The trail head is at the end of Lyndale Ave. on the north side of the Minnesota River. From I-35W, exit onto 106th Street, and drive east. Turn right at Lyndale Ave. The parking lot is at the end of the road, near area the boat ramp.

Interested hikers will reassemble at Gloria’s house after the hike for pot luck snacks. Gloria will provide a map at the hike. Bring something to share.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 18. The closest bus service point is the corner of 106th and Lyndale. From that corner, walk south on Lyndale 0.5 mile to the boat launch area. Applicable Metro Transit Map

Metro Transit Schedule for Route 18

Map to hike start point: W 106th St At Lyndale Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420

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This webpage was last updated on June 24, 2008.