Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area - Lawrence Unit
March 27, 2005

 

The Lawrence Unit of the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area near Belle Plaine is just one chunk of state-owned land along the Minnesota River between LeSeuer and Fort Snelling. There is a warming house and restrooms, and campsites are available on a first-come basis. Otherwise, it is very rustic with no other amenities.

 The last of the snow was melting, so everything was quite muddy! The first part of the trail led us through a light wood alongside floodplain marshes. We paused at one of the campsites to have a drink and sit in the sunshine. We also found a virtual geocache that was nearby. Along the river we heard some bizarre honking noises which we think turned out to be herons. After passing through a grassy meadow, a spur trail led us to the Samuel B. Strait Homestead, the only remaining home in what was once part of a town site that anticipated prosperity from the railroad that was to come through -- but the railroad never came. The interpretive sign at the homestead was really interesting as there was a plat map of what the town was supposed to have looked like had it prospered. Back to the main loop, the second half of the trail meandered through more meadows and light wood. Overall, we spent 2 hours on the trail, hiking about 5 miles.

We drove a few miles north and stopped at a section of the Minnesota Valley State Trail. Because of the season, everything was thawing and it was very, very muddy. We almost got stuck at times!
 
Relevant links: Minnesota DNR
 City of Belle Plaine		 Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

 
03-27-05: Jonas checking the GPS to make sure we're heading in the right direction!

03-27-05: Jonas at the Hiking Club trailhead.

03-27-05: Jonas enjoying a beverage at the trail center.

03-27-05: Julia on the meadow path.

03-27-05: Another shot of Julia on the meadow path.

03-27-05: Julia at the Samuel B. Strait Homestead historic site.

03-27-05: Jonas at the homestead.

03-27-05: Here is an interpretive sign showing the town plan for St. Lawrence, which was never to be.

03-27-05: Honking herons in the sky.

03-27-05: Jonas decides it's time for another drink.

03-27-05: In just a few weeks this meadow will come to life, but now it's still dormant.

03-27-05: Julia standing near one lone remaining patch of snow.

03-27-05: What are you waiting for??

03-27-05: Some interesting fungi on a dead tree.

03-27-05: Jonas heading up a steep hill to an overlook of the Minnesota River.

03-27-05: Jonas at the top of the hill overlooking the Minnesota River. Although the landscape was still brown and barren from winter, it was still a great view.

03-27-05: A view of the river upstream.

03-27-05: Julia at the overlook.

03-27-05: Our footprints through the mud and down to the sandy beach next to the river.

03-27-05: Jonas playing in the river.