Root River State Trail Explained

Root River and Harmony-Preston State Trails
Established:1988
Length:Root River Trail: ; Preston-Harmony Trail:
Location:Southeast Minnesota, Fillmore, Olmsted, and Houston counties
Designation:Minnesota state trail
Trailheads:Fountain (West), Houston (East); Preston, Minnesota, Harmony (South)
Use:hiking, cycling, in-line skating, skiing
Elev Gain And Loss:+ from Lanesboro to Fountain[1]
Difficulty:Two Stars[2]
Season:Year round
Sights:Lanesboro, Aroma Pie Shoppe (Whalan), Camp Creek, Lanesboro Museum, Preston Trailhead Park, South Branch of Root River, Root River, Houston Nature Center, Peterson Station Museum
Surface:asphalt
Row:Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad

Root River State Trail and Harmony-Preston State Trail (collectively called the Blufflands State Trail) are a 60miles paved multi-use rail trail system in the driftless area of southeast Minnesota. The trail system consists of two main segments, the Root River segment, and Harmony-Preston Valley segment. The trails are used mainly for bicycling, hiking, and inline skating in the summer, and for cross country skiing in the winter. Much of the trail, especially the Root River segment, is built along a former Milwaukee Road (Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad) railbed following the contours of the Root River valley. The trail was originally paved in the 1980s, and repaved by June 2008.

History

The Root River State Trail was initially authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1971. The state of Minnesota bought 49 miles of abandoned rail bed in 1981 for $975,000. The Root River State Trail was built on of this acquisition. Development of the trail started in 1985 and was completed in 1988 with the $2M in state bonds. The trail was extended from Rushford to Houston in 1998. In 2011, a plan was developed in the legislature to extend the trail to Hokah, Miller's Corner, and La Crescent.[3] [4]

See also

Root River segment

42.3miles in length, the trail runs predominantly east/west, following the meanders of the Root River for much of the distance. Because most of this trail segment was constructed on an abandoned rail grade, most of the inclines and curves are quite gradual. The trail end points are at the intersection of County Highway 8 and Maple Street in Fountain and West Plum Street in Houston.[5] [6] [7] [8]

The trail intersects six towns along the way:

Harmony-Preston Valley segment

17.8miles in length, the trail runs predominantly north–south. The trail follows the Root River only from the junction to Preston. South of Preston, the trail is no longer built on a former rail grade, causing the inclines to be steeper in areas. Nearing Harmony, the trail begins to form sharp right angles as it cuts between existing farm fields and properties. The trail endpoints are the Root River State Trail junction northeast of Preston and the Harmony Visitor Center in Harmony.[9]

This segment of the trail intersects two towns:

References

43.7112°N -92.0428°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lanesboro to Fountain. All Trails. July 5, 2021.
  2. Web site: Cycling Root River Trail. RootsRated. July 5, 2021.
  3. Web site: How has the Root River Trail System Affected Hamlets along its Path. Minnesota Post. August 1, 2014. July 5, 2021.
  4. Web site: ROOT RIVER STATE TRAIL EXTENSION HOUSTON TO LA CRESCENT MASTER PLAN. Minnesota State Legislature. July 5, 2021. December 1, 2011.
  5. Web site: Root River and Harmony-Preston State Trails Map. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. July 5, 2021.
  6. Web site: Root River State Trail. MN DNR. July 5, 2021.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20090126230325/http://trailsfromrails.com/root_river_trail.htm Trails from Rails: area businesses catering to trail users, listed by town
  8. Web site: Root River State Trail. Traillink. July 5, 2021.
  9. Web site: Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail. Traillink. July 5, 2021.