This is an exploratory outing for the adventurous at heart!
Our destination is Lake Maria State Park, an area containing lakes and remnant maple-basswood forest, northwest of the Twin Cities. We’ll use Northstar Commuter Rail from Target Field to the end of the line in Big Lake, then bike some 20 miles to the park. To limit baggage, our night time shelter will be a camper cabin – houses 6, so space is very limited! Experienced bike campers might consider a campsite (10 left at this writing) and still join the group for the ride and meals.
The cost: so far the only fixed costs are the train fare, $5.25 each way ($1.75 for youth under 12 and seniors), and the cost of the camper cabin, $53, which we’ll split among participants (maximum 6). We will need to add in our food costs, probably somewhere around $8-$10/person, which puts the total cost at between $20-$25/person, give or take. The return fare can be avoided if participants choose to ride the 55+- miles back to Minneapolis. Co-leader Brian Major is willing to lead people back, in fact will probably bike back himself regardless of other takers.
The camper cabins and campsites at the park are all rustic and walk-in (no electricity, no flush toilets), but are generally located in picturesque settings on hills above lakes. You can take a virtual tour of the park at
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/virtual_tours/lakemaria/vt_lakemaria.html.
For more information or to sign up, contact Deb Alper at debalper@yahoo.com, or 651-699-9667.
Camper cabin at Lake Maria State Park