October 9, 2003: Lake Susan Hike (Chanhassen)

Join Bonnie for a hike along a route that she recently discovered along Lake Susan, in east Chanhassen. Lake Susan is 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 sugar maple tree. The hike will include the Lake Susan Preserve, a home to ducks, geese, pheasant, deer, mink, muskrat, raccoon and other wildlife.

If coming by car: Go west on I-494 or Highway 62/Crosstown Highway from the junction with I-35W to Highway 5 and continue west on Highway 5 to Powers Boulevard/County Road 17, about 1.25 miles west of Eden Prairie Road. Go south on Powers Boulevard/County Road 17 about one-quarter of a mile to the intersection with Lake Drive and then turn east (left) on Lake Drive. The entrance to Lake Susan Park is located off of Lake Drive (903 Lake Drive East). 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 Powers Boulevard and 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 after the hike for dessert or dinner.

Maps on Us large-scale map to the hike starting point

Map of Lake Susan area

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This page was last updated on September 26, 2003.