Afton State Park

 

 

Afton State Park

Afton, MN

9-8-12

8.9 miles, 3 hours

 

120 days to Africa

 

 

It was a beautiful Saturday for a training hike upon the familiar trails of Afton State Park.  The park lies along the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River which establishes a significant portion of the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota.  At a point southeast of St. Paul, the St. Croix merges with the waters of the Mississippi and flows ever southward until it reaches our southern states and flows into the ocean.  The water appeared relatively clean and had a tint of red or brown to it which might suggest the presence of iron in the water or perhaps coloring from some other source.

 

  

 

The parking lot was moderately busy and on our hike to the trailhead we passed a group of about thirty people with picnic baskets.  We had squirreled away some sandwiches in our pack along with a few other treats but we were ready to get down to the business of hiking the trail.

 

 

The first 1.1 miles of trail follows the river.  It is a relatively flat but pleasant trip and breaks in the trees and shrubbery offer favorable views of the river as it's waters flow on by.  A .6 mile trek up the bluff offered one of a few slight changes in elevation and also a clue as to what animals we might find along our journey. 

 

 

The trail up the bluff brought us to a clearing that was home to several bird houses amidst tall grasses. 

 

 

The next 2.3 miles of trail took us through prairie restoration land and brought us into close contact with the very beasts who could have left us our clue earlier on the bluff trail. 

 

 

 

While the ladies were likely not the culprits, I am fairly certain that there trusty steeds might have had something to do with the clue's presence as well as several other similar deposits throughout the park.  There was signage throughout the park indicated where the horses were and were not welcome, but we saw plenty of evidence that seemed to suggest that there is no strict adherence to that signage.  There was also some additional signage that seemed a bit out of place given the current season.  That being said, it was quite reassuring to have sufficient warning as to where we should be careful so as not to run into the many skiers who might grace these same trails once the snow flies.

 

 

 

A 1.5 mile loop trail took us over a trout brook stream twice and then gave us the opportunity for our second elevation change of the hike.  Brief as it was, the hike up the hill gave our quad muscles cause for action and engaged our lungs to a degree that some of the other less challenging sections of trail had not.

 

 

 

Once we had made it back up to the prairie land we had a gentle 2.9 miles of trail to bring us back to the information center for the park and back to our waiting vehicle.  As a nice treat after the hike we hopped into the car and drove a few miles down the road from the park in to apple country and pick up some Minnesota grown pears and combination peck of tasty apples.

 

All told it was a great way to spend three hours on our feet soaking in a great late summer day, and reminding our bodies that the muscles we have been working to build and strengthen would be wise to prepare themselves for the months and the hikes yet to come.

 

See you soon Kilimanjaro.