The northern segment traverses a state forest as it runs along a creek before connecting to the 19-mile Cannon Valley Regional Trail via a short city trail connection in Red Wing. The unconnected southern segment is anchored in the city of Zumbrota at the Covered Bridge Park.
When complete, these two segments will be joined together and the trail will extend for 47 miles with Red Wing in the north and Pine Island in the south. It will pass through several small cities in between. It will also serve as a link in the chain to connect the Cannon Valley Trail and Douglas State Trail.
Project 1) Securing Easement Around Farm
This project involved securing an easement (legal permission to use land for a trail) through farmland from where the trail terminated at 180th Ave, through to other easements owned by the DNR for the trail. As of February 2025, this segment has not yet been developed.
Project 2) Extending along the bluff
For years, the northern segment of this trail came to an abrupt end at a dirt road in Hay Creek Township. Across the road lay an overgrown field marked with a private property sign. Knowing that just beyond this field, the State owned more than four miles of abandoned railroad corridor, we worked for over a decade to acquire the land and remove that gap, which held up development.
In March 2021, after negotiating an agreement, we bought the property. In June 2023, we transferred ownership to the MnDNR. This property offers scenic views with exposed rock outcrops and portions of Hay Creek, a waterway known as one of the best trout streams near the Twin Cities Metro.
To provide the essential physical, developmental and promotional efforts to ensure the on-going maintenance and vitality of the trail for the benefit of its users and communities, now and into the future.
Friends Since: 1994