Athletic Park – Neaton Adventures

Today’s hiking adventure began at Memorial Park.

If you’re missing any ducks, well…we found them. Hundreds of ducks were hanging out in the pond chatting it up with each other.

A light coat of frost covered the grass alongside the paved trail.

We crossed the bridge to hike the Minnesota Valley State Trail near the Minnesota River.

The Minnesota River looked like glass. The brilliant blue sky reflected off the river.

One of these days, I would like to catch a beaver gnawing on a tree as we hike by.

We continued along the trail.

The remains of an old kiln for burning limestone to make bricks resided near the trail.

We took a detour from the trail we were on to hike under the roadway. The short tunnel had a wonderfully painted mural on the walls and ceiling.

The Big Woods Regional Trail led us across the Minnesota River on a wide pedestrian bridge that was built in 1927. Markings of the old roadway were still present on the bridge.

We backtracked to resume hiking on the Minnesota Valley State Trail.

The ruins of the old Shakopee Brewery, founded in 1856, is still roughly standing.

We continued on the trail towards the city of Chaska.

We hiked the Orange Loop once we arrived in Chaska.

The Orange Loop Trail led us to Athletic Park, which we have hiked previously.

We completed the loop by hiking around Firemen’s Park.

Fireman’s Park has a wonderful boardwalk around Fireman’s Lake.

We ended our hike at the Crooked Pint Ale House and Chaska Curling Club. We were able to watch people curling on the ice while we ate. Curling is pretty interesting to watch. I might have to sign up for a lesson or two.

Today’s hiking adventure was 10 miles.

Today’s hiking adventure began at Athletic Park.

We hiked the Levee Trail alongside the Chaska Unit which is part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Our recent snowstorm this week created a beautiful blanket of white snow throughout the State of Minnesota. Snow gently topped the Sumac and icicles shimmered in the sun.

Along the trail we found a park next to the Carver Water Tower with old metal playground equipment. It had an old school merry-go-round! We had to take it for a spin. After a few long laughs, we continued on our hike.

The Minnesota River was partially frozen.

Carver Creek Loop was the next trail we hiked.

The crisp white snow created a stark contrast along the shoreline of Carver Creek.

Clouds covered the sky for most of our hike however, the sun tried to make an appearance.

Rapids Lake Unit at Bluff Park was our next destination. We continued along the Carver Creek Loop trail. The trail went from a few footprints and fat tire tracks on the trail to having only one set of footprints in the snow and then no footprints. We followed some animal tracks on what appeared to be a trail. A few miles in, we saw a sign stating we were on the Rapids Lake Trail.

We decided to turn around and hike back to the Carver Creek Loop. I’m not sure why the trail is labeled as a loop since there is no loop. Our off the beaten path adventure allowed us to see three deer prancing, a flock of swans fly overhead, and best of all…hear the silence of the winter forest.

Today’s hiking adventure was 9 miles.

Tag: Athletic Park

Memorial Park-Shakopee-Minnesota

Athletic Park-Chaska-Minnesota