Big Willow Park – Neaton Adventures

Big Willow Park-Minnetonka-Minnesota

May 31, 2025Posted in Adventure, Christi Neaton, hiking, Hiking Minnesota, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Big Willow Park, Charles H. Burwell House, Christi Neaton, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, Minnehaha Creek, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors7 Comments

Today’s hiking adventure began at Big Willow Park. We previously hiked this park during the winter of 2024.

We hiked past the athletic complexes towards Minnehaha Creek.

The trail winds around the creek offering a beautiful and ever changing landscape.

The wildflowers are always a colorful find along the trail.

We left Big Willow Park and hiked down Minnetonka Blvd towards the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail alongside the Minnehaha Creek. We passed by the Charles H. Burwell House and decided to hike around the gorgeous property.

The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail was busy with runners, hikers, and bikers. It was an amazing day to be outside.

We followed along the trail through the city of Deephaven making our way to the city of Excelsior. Our goal was to make it to Lake Minnetonka. And that, we did!

Our hike ended at Maynard’s Restaurant on Lake Minnetonka.

Today’s hiking adventure was 11.3 miles.

The first map is of our hike at Big Willow Park and the second map is of our total hike.

Big Willow Park-Minnetonka-Minnesota

February 17, 2024Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Big Willow Park, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Minnehaha Creek, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Winter4 Comments

Today’s hiking adventure was at Big Willow Park.

I was excited for today’s hike. The sun was shining and it finally snowed! It was a bit cold, 9 degrees with a real feel of -3, but who cares??!! We have snow!!!

The trail led us to Minnehaha Creek. We climbed up the side of the hill to cross over the bridge next to the railroad track. Once on the other side of the creek we followed the trail alongside the creek.

We could hear the water flowing under the partially frozen Minnehaha Creek.

We looped back under the bridge we previously hiked over and followed the trail alongside the railroad tracks.

I love catching the rising sun through the trees.

The trail led us across the creek.

An old fireplace.

We continued along the trail by the creek.

We looped back under the railroad bridge and followed the creek for a bit. An ice covered sign was posted that showed we were at the site of the old St. Albans Mill, a flour mill that operated in the 1880’s.