October 20 hike: Nine Mile Creek and the MInnesota River Valley

What: A bus ride from MOA to 102st. W. & Penn Ave. S. (approximately 20 Minutes); a 5-6 mile hike through wooded park land along Nine Mile Creek to the Minnesota River, then east along Minnesota River trails to the Pond Dakota Mission and up (north) about 1 mile through playing fields and residential streets to a bus stop at 98th st. E. (Old shakopee Rd) and 4th ave. S. The ride back to the mall takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Bring water, snacks and lunch; we’ll stop to eat somewhere along the way.

Where: Meet at the MOA transit center at 10:20 am for the 10:31 bus. The transit center is located at the end of the light rail line. Bus #539 leaves from gate C which is next to the waiting room.

Difficulty: Because of its length and some climbing, this is a moderate hike for seasoned walkers. The route involves walking on both paved surfaces and wide dirt trails (Nine Mile Creek), and on narrow, irregular trails in the Minnesota Valley. There is also some climbing in bluff areas along the Minnesota River, although the Nine Mile Creek portion is a gradual descent. All but one section is wooded and shady, but heat may not be a problem on October 20. Part of the trail may be under water, so we recommend bringing flip flops for wading – the scouting party walked it in bare feet, and the gravel was pretty painful.