Root River State Trail and Harmony-Preston State Trail (collectively called the Blufflands State Trail) are a 60-mile (97 km) 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.[3]
Root River and Harmony-Preston State Trails
Two cyclists approaching Lanesboro from the west. (August 2007)
Length
Root River Trail: 42.3 mi (68.1 km); Preston-Harmony Trail: 17.8 mi (28.6 km)
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
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 35 mi (56 km) 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 18 mi (29 km) to Hokah, Miller's Corner, and La Crescent.[4][5]
42.3 miles (68.1 km) 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.[3][6][7][8]
The trail intersects six towns along the way:
0 miles (0 km) - Fountain, Minnesota (western terminus of trail segment), elevation: 1,306 ft (398 m)
6.5 miles (10.5 km) - junction with Harmony-Preston Valley segment
42.3 miles (68.1 km) - Houston, Minnesota (eastern terminus of trail segment), elevation: 686 ft (209 m)
Harmony-Preston Valley segmentedit
17.8 miles (28.6 km) 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.[3][9]
This segment of the trail intersects two towns:
0 miles (0 km) - junction with Root River segment (northern terminus of trail segment)
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Root River State Trail and Harmony Preston State Trail collectively called the Blufflands State Trail are a 60 mile 97 km 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 3 Root River and Harmony Preston State TrailsTwo cyclists approaching Lanesboro from the west August 2007 LengthRoot River Trail 42 3 mi 68 1 km Preston Harmony Trail 17 8 mi 28 6 km LocationSoutheast Minnesota Fillmore Olmsted Winona and Houston countiesEstablished1988DesignationMinnesota state trailTrailheadsFountain West Houston East Preston Minnesota Harmony South Usehiking cycling in line skating skiingElevation gain loss 728 ft 222 m from Lanesboro to Fountain 1 DifficultyTwo Stars 2 SeasonYear roundSightsLanesboro Aroma Pie Shoppe Whalan Camp Creek Lanesboro Museum Preston Trailhead Park South Branch of Root River Root River Houston Nature Center Peterson Station MuseumSurfaceasphaltRight of wayChicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific Railroad Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 Root River segment 4 Harmony Preston Valley segment 5 ReferencesHistory editThe 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 35 mi 56 km 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 18 mi 29 km to Hokah Miller s Corner and La Crescent 4 5 See also editHistoric Bluff Country Scenic Byway List of rivers of MinnesotaRoot River and Harmony Preston State Trails Blufflands State Trails nbsp Interactive fullscreen map nearby articles Root River segment edit42 3 miles 68 1 km 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 3 6 7 8 The trail intersects six towns along the way 0 miles 0 km Fountain Minnesota western terminus of trail segment elevation 1 306 ft 398 m 6 5 miles 10 5 km junction with Harmony Preston Valley segment 11 2 miles 18 0 km Lanesboro Minnesota elevation 856 ft 261 m 15 8 miles 25 4 km Whalan Minnesota elevation 791 ft 241 m 24 7 miles 39 8 km Peterson Minnesota elevation 761 ft 232 m 29 5 miles 47 5 km Rushford Minnesota elevation 728 ft 222 m 42 3 miles 68 1 km Houston Minnesota eastern terminus of trail segment elevation 686 ft 209 m Harmony Preston Valley segment edit17 8 miles 28 6 km 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 3 9 This segment of the trail intersects two towns 0 miles 0 km junction with Root River segment northern terminus of trail segment 5 5 miles 8 9 km Preston Minnesota elevation 958 ft 292 m 17 8 miles 28 6 km Harmony Minnesota southern terminus of trail segment elevation 1 352 ft 412 m References edit Lanesboro to Fountain All Trails Retrieved July 5 2021 Cycling Root River Trail RootsRated Retrieved July 5 2021 a b c Root River and Harmony Preston State Trails Map PDF Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Retrieved July 5 2021 How has the Root River Trail System Affected Hamlets along its Path Minnesota Post August 1 2014 Retrieved July 5 2021 ROOT RIVER STATE TRAIL EXTENSION HOUSTON TO LA CRESCENT MASTER PLAN PDF Minnesota State Legislature December 1 2011 Retrieved July 5 2021 Root River State Trail MN DNR Retrieved July 5 2021 Trails from Rails area businesses catering to trail users listed by town Root River State Trail Traillink Retrieved July 5 2021 Harmony Preston Valley State Trail Traillink Retrieved July 5 2021 43 42 40 N 92 02 34 W 43 711155 N 92 042778 W 43 711155 92 042778 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Root River State Trail amp oldid 1158579786, wikipedia, wiki, book, 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