{"id":21,"date":"2021-02-02T17:54:34","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T17:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/driftless.caves.org\/?page_id=21"},"modified":"2021-09-16T17:49:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T22:49:58","slug":"mn-discovery-areas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/driftless.caves.org\/index.php\/mn-discovery-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Discovery Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\"Mystery<\/figure><\/div>
\"Dresbach<\/figure><\/div>
\"Dresbach<\/figure><\/div>
\"Harmony<\/figure><\/div>
\"cropped-Driftless-Area-John-Latsch-State-Park.jpg\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"MS<\/figure><\/div>
\"Harmony<\/figure><\/div>
\"cropped-Niagara-Cave.jpg\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Harmony<\/figure><\/div>
\"Fountain<\/figure><\/div>
\"Fountain<\/figure><\/div>
\"Dresbach<\/figure><\/div>
\"Beaver<\/figure><\/div>
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If you would like to select a site directly and explore what else is in this state, please select a location marker above.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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If you would like to explore what is in individual counties, please select your county of interest above.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Forestville\/Mystery Cave State\nPark<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

21071\nCounty Rd 118, Preston, MN, 55965<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Follow County Rd\n118\/Kestrel Rd past the Park Office to reach the Maple Springs Campground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.62939281899028\u00b0 N, -92.23195113797253\u00b0 W\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Discovered i<\/span>n 1937, Mystery Cave is the longest cave in Minnesota – spanning\nover 13 miles underground. It is a network of passages that was dissolved by\nmoving water where visitors can see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and\nbeautiful underground pools. Mystery Cave is located in Forestville\/Mystery\nCave State Park. Visitors can explore the William H. Morrissey Visitor Center\nto learn about the Driftless Area and Mystery Cave. A variety of guided tours\nare offered daily in the summer and include modern lighting and paved walkways\nthat enhance accessibility to more rustic lantern and wild cave tours.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Yes &\u00a0State Park vehicle passes are required<\/span><\/p>\n

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes; Scenic or Photography Tours<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 hour (for most tours), Longer for Geology & Wild Tours<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1\/2 Mile (for most tours), Longer for Geology & Wild Tours<\/span><\/p>\n

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Managed\u00a0<\/span><\/b>by:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>The\u00a0<\/span>Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>\n

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More Info:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/mystery_cave\/tour_map.html<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Big Spring Trail Hike \u2013 Forestville\/Mystery Cave State Park<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

21071 County Rd 118, Preston, MN, 55965<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Follow County Rd 118\/Kestrel Rd. Follow the signs at the Park Office to reach the Big Spring Trailhead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>43.62939281899028\u00b0 N, -92.23195113797253\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Big Spring trail takes the hiker through a rugged wooded landscape, along steep limestone bluffs and cool trout streams. The trail begins with views of the South Branch Root River below. Reaching the valley bottom, Big Spring trail crosses a scenic bridge over the river. The trail eventually follows Canfield Creek before ending at Big Spring. The waters gushing from the mouth of Big Spring originate from Goliath\u2019s Cave in Cherry Grove Blind Valley Scientific and Natural Area five miles away. As water travels underground, it is cooled by the rock to about 48 degrees. The cold water emerging from this and other springs create excellent habitat for cold water loving trout who require cold temperatures to survive. The adjacent cool\u00a0algific<\/u><\/em>\u00a0slopes provide the perfect habitat for the rare Pleistocene land snail.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Yes & State Park vehicle passes are required<\/span><\/p>\n

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>2 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

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Difficulty:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Moderate<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Managed by:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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More Info:<\/span>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/files.dnr.state.mn.us\/maps\/state_parks\/spk00148.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/virtual_tour\/forestville_mystery_cave\/dialup.html<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/eco\/nongame\/projects\/research_reports\/abstracts\/snails\/ostlie1990.html<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=A_zpHUH76wg<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oHP4h1gEcg4<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Cherry Grove Blind Valley SNA<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

193rd\u00a0St., Spring Valley, MN, 55975<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This location pulls off from\u00a0<\/span>193rd St and leads into a small parking lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.582067006389494\u00b0 N, -92.2642834927758\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the parking lot follow the mowed path and interpretive signs within the SNA. Here you will find the land pitted by sinkholes and crossed by stream channels that abruptly end, known as “blind valleys.” A small stream called Jessie’s Kill flows into the site, gradually loses water, and then disappears. Except on rare occasions, surface water that enters this site doesn’t exit\u2014at least, not above ground. Waters from this blind valley flow underground and emerge at Big Spring in Forestville\/Mystery Cave State Park. All are clues to a\u00a0Karst landscape<\/u><\/em>\u00a0and this site’s most outstanding feature, Goliath Cave (originally named Coon Cave). The cave’s natural entry is gated at the base of a sinkhole depression, walled by bands of limestone and shale. From this point, the multi-level, multi-branched cave system extends eastward far beyond the SNA boundaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>45 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>3\/4 Mile (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Easy<\/span><\/p>\n

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info:<\/span>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/snas\/detail.html?id=sna02022<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

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Fountain Big Spring<\/span><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

27513 Keeper Rd., Fountain, MN, 55935<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Heading Northwest on Keeper Road, the entrance is a sharp turn to the right just as you approach 27513 Keeper Road, Fountain, MN, 55935.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.753783\u00b0 N, -92.146162\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About a mile northwest of Fountain near 27513 Keeper Rd., Fountain, MN 55935 is Fountain Big Spring, the largest of a complex of four springs. Many of the sinkholes in and around the town of Fountain drain to this spring complex within a time-scale of hours. This spring drains the sinkhole at Fountain Sinkhole kiosk and used to act as the city\u2019s water supply. All four springs emerge near the base of the\u00a0Cummingsville Formation<\/u><\/em>\u00a0in the\u00a0Galena Group<\/u><\/em>\u00a0just above the\u00a0Decorah Shale<\/u><\/em>. These are typical conduit springs. Their flow often increases by an order of magnitude within a couple of hours after a rainfall and the springs become very sediment laden. Springs can become plugged by colluvium or debris or the spring can develop a new lower elevation outlet, either naturally or through human intervention. Fountain Big Spring has moved in the not too distant past. The previous outlet is a few feet down the valley and is now acting as a high flow overflow spring. That this was the main spring outlet for a long period and is evident from the size of the notch or \u201csteep head\u201d that was eroded into the valley wall by the old, higher spring outlet. Construction of the road down the ravine may have caused the new opening of the spring to form.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0No, it\u2019s free! (Self-guided)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>15 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>0 Miles (View from the side of the road)<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Fountain Sinkhole Kiosk<\/span><\/b><\/p>

27513 Keeper Rd., Fountain, MN, 55935<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Heading Northwest on Keeper Road, the entrance is a sharp turn to the right just as you approach 27513 Keeper Road, Fountain, MN, 55935<\/span><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.753783\u00b0 N, -92.146162\u00b0 W<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>

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Walk on the paved Root River State Trail (which is built on an abandoned railroad right-of-way) 0.4 miles to a sinkhole where the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources\u2013Parks and Trails Division installed a karst educational display. A wood walkway leads to a platform in the sinkhole where you can see the swallow hole; where water is diverted underground. The first bedrock here is\u00a0Prosser Formation<\/u><\/em>\u00a0limestone of the middle\u00a0Ordovician Galena Group<\/u><\/em>. This area is representative of the high-density sinkhole plains that occur on broad ridge tops underlain by the Prosser limestone or Stewartville limestone of the Galena in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. This is the northern end of a broad arc of Galena that runs from southeast Minnesota through Iowa into Wisconsin and Illinois.<\/span><\/p>

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As part of the display design, a dye trace was conducted from this sinkhole.\u00a0Liquid fluorescein\u00a0<\/u><\/em>(206 gm.) was poured into the sinkhole\u2019s swallow hole and was flushed with 4500 liters of water from a fire truck. The dye was detected at the Fountain Big Spring which lies to the northwest. Breakthrough flow velocity was 1-2 miles per day. The area around Fountain is in the groundwater springshed which feeds the Fountain Big Spring and three other smaller springs that are associated with it.<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?: <\/span><\/b>No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>0.8 Mile (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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More Info:<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>

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Lanesboro DNR Fish Hatchery<\/span><\/b><\/p>

23789 Grosbeak Road. Lanesboro, MN, 55949<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.69974075554175\u00b0 N, -91.99398877233862\u00b0 W<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>

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The Lanesboro DNR Fish Hatchery works to manage trout populations in regional trout streams, as well as improving trout habitat quality, stream access, and monitoring. The site of the hatchery also includes an interpretive trail where visitors can learn about trout populations and habitat.\u00a0 Two artesian springs provide an average of 5,000 gallons of water per minute to the hatchery. The temperature of water emerging from the springs is a nearly constant 48F year round, and only minimally fluctuates following large rainfall or snowmelt events. The springs are a result of the karst topography in the area. The karst topography is a part of the Driftless Area of southeast Minnesota.\u00a0 The karst hydrology of the springs was evident when they would turn muddy after rain or snowmelt events. A stream sink was identified in an intermittent branch of Duschee Creek about 2 1\/3 miles from the hatchery. Dye tracing proved its connection to the hatchery springs. The stream sink was sealed and the intermittent branch channel was diverted. The result was clean spring water for the hatchery\u2019s fish. Please call the office or check the website for visitor hours.<\/span><\/p>

Any fees?:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes (in certain areas)<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/areas\/fisheries\/lanesboro-hatchery\/index.html<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Niagara Cave<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

29842 County Hwy. 30, Harmony, MN, 55939<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/span>\u00a043.51416681607232\u00b0 N, -92.0551173431298\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Located near Harmony, MN, Niagara Cave was discovered in 1924 and first opened for tours in 1934. Niagara Cave is privately owned and one of only two publicly accessible caves in Minnesota. Niagara Cave is an unusual upper Mississippi Valley cave. Most of the large caves in the southeast Minnesota\/northeast Iowa karst are maze caves developed near the\u00a0Galena\/Dubuque<\/u><\/em>\u00a0contact (Mystery Cave, for example). Niagara\u2019s entrance is a sinkhole through the Dubuque Formation. The cave cuts down through the\u00a0Stewartville Formation<\/u><\/em>\u00a0in several dome pits and vadose canyons to a stream passage in the\u00a0Prosser Formation<\/u><\/em>. Niagara Cave contains the best, most accessible example of a cave stream, active vadose canyon, and waterfall of any cave in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes (on the grounds), No (in the cave)<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 Hour<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 Mile and 275 Steps<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Moderate\/Strenuous<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintained by:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Private owner<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.niagaracave.com\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Harmony Visitor Center\/Sinkhole Kiosk<\/span><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

15 22nd\u00a0St NW, Harmony, MN, 55939<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b>\u00a043.55590305364476\u00b0 N, -92.01045064203859\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Harmony Visitor Center is open to the public from April through October. Inside the visitor center explore exhibits about karst and see fossils from the\u00a0Ordovician Period<\/u><\/em>. A short hike on the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail, which starts right behind the visitor center, leads to the Harmony Karst Interpretive Site. The sinkhole, highlighted at the site, is a good example of the unique geological make-up of southeastern Minnesota. Three drainage holes are featured as a point of interest with a viewing deck located above them. There are also several educational signs located throughout the sinkhole, explaining the geology of the sinkhole, how it was formed and why it is important to protect sinkholes and keep them clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes (on the trail), No (in the Visitor Center)<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1.2 Miles (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.exploreharmony.com\/plan\/<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

http:\/\/harmonymnhistory.org\/Karst_Interpretive_Site.htm<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dresbach Welcome Center<\/span><\/b><\/p>

33020 Highway 61, La Crescent, MN, 55947<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The entrance is a left off of River Access Road and the Welcome Center will be the first building to the right.<\/span><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 43.8596061054827\u00b0 N, -91.30443533148704\u00b0 W<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Overlooking lock and dam #7, Dresbach sits perched on the Mississippi River. The views seen here demonstrates the presence of a karst terrain adding to the geological interest of the area. The deep river valleys such as the Mississippi, sinkholes, caves and limestone bluffs are products of geological processes unique in the Midwest. The resulting topography provides a basis for all other resources and is the reason for the scenic and recreational opportunities of the region. This area is known as the\u00a0Driftless Area<\/u><\/em>, referring to the absence of glacial drift, or debris, from the\u00a0Wisconsinian glacier<\/u><\/em>\u00a0which covered most of Minnesota and Wisconsin but did not extend to this area. Bluff Country rivers and streams represent older and more developed drainage systems than areas with more recent glaciations. This older topography has preserved Pre-Wisconsinian area not otherwise found in the region.<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes (leashed outside), No (in the Visitor Center)<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

More Info:<\/span><\/p><\/div>

https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/profile\/dresbach-welcome-center\/2073<\/a><\/u><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Big Spring \u2013 Beaver Creek Valley State Park<\/span><\/b><\/p>

15954 County Rd. 1, Caledonia, MN, 55921<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The entrance is a parking lot on the right if heading West on County Road 1.<\/span><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 43.64441777663155\u00b0 N, -91.5808460145664\u00b0 W<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Big Spring, the source of Beaver Creek, became part of Beaver Creek Valley State Park in 1937. As slightly acidic water seeps into and follows fractures in the bedrock, it slowly dissolves the carbonate limestone rock and gradually enlarges the cracks. Continued erosion along these passageways develops a system of underground drainage that bypasses the surface drainage pattern. As a result, groundwater can move quickly to replenish an underground reservoir, and then, as is the case at Big Spring, escape through porous rock layers to finally emerge as a bubbling spring.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Any fees?:<\/span><\/b> No, but a State Park vehicle permit is required.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>

Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>

Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>30 minutes<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1\/2 Mile (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>

Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Maintained by:<\/span><\/b> The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00112#homepage<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chimney Rock \u2013 Whitewater State Park<\/span><\/b><\/p>

19041 Highway 74, Altura, MN 55910<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 44.06147387564574\u00b0 N, -92.04708252353316\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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Chimney Rock provides a panoramic view of the valley while offering an ideal location for park naturalists to share about the unique geologic history of the park. The prominent cliffs are made mostly from the resistant Oneota Dolostone that underlies much of this area.\u00a0 The movement of mildly acidic groundwater has dissolved the bedrock and created a number of karst features that can be seen in the cliff faces. The Chimney Rock trail has the most accessible exposures of the 500-million-year-old bedrock in the park. The small hole at the base of the pinnacle is an example of the cavities through which ground water travels where the Oneota lies beneath the land surface. Across the valley toward the west side of the river you may see some caverns at the base of the bluffs. Some north facing caves in the blufflands contain ice year round because their openings receive no direct sunlight for most of the day, and they are insulated by surrounding rock from the warm outside air in the summer.<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b> No, but a State Park vehicle permit is required<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>45 minutes<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>0.7 Mile (roundtrip), 220ft elevation gain<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Difficult<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b> The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

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More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00280#homepage<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>

http:\/\/files.dnr.state.mn.us\/destinations\/state_parks\/virtual_tours\/whitewater\/vt_whitewater.html<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/conservancy.umn.edu\/bitstream\/handle\/11299\/57274\/MGS_ES_9.pdf<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stream Sink \u2013 Whitewater Wildlife Management Area<\/span><\/b><\/p>

Winona County Road 37, Altura, MN, 55910<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Heading Southwest along County Road 37, the Stream Sink can be seen close to the road on the right after passing the MN Department of Natural Resources Crystal Springs Trout Hatchery.<\/span><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 44.071052\u00b0 N, -91.990742\u00b0 W<\/span><\/p>

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Located in the Wildlife Management Area along Winona County Road 37, about a 1\/8 mile southwest of the Crystal Springs Trout Hatchery, a spring-fed stream disappears underground through a series of sinking points in the rock layers below (Prairie du Chien through the St. Lawrence). Surface water in this region can sink quickly into the aquifer underground carrying pollutants to our drinking water and to springs such as the one that feeds the nearby trout hatchery.\u00a0 Hydrologists use dye-tracing to study the underground movement of water from sinking streams and sinkholes. The discovery of St. Lawrence stream sinks such as the one at this site that connect to conduits conveying water to springs, is a major achievement made by hydrologists in the last decade or so. Research is ongoing in an effort to better predict, detect and contain groundwater contamination caused by human activity.<\/span><\/p>

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This stream sink changes location depending on precipitation. You may have to walk upstream to observe the sink location during dry spells. Likewise, you may have to walk downstream to observe the sink location during wet spells. After snow melt or heavy rain events, the stream may not totally disappear at all.<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b> No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>30 minutes<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>500-2,500 ft<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy (climbing up and out of stream bed will occur)<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b> The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

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More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/waters\/groundwater_section\/mapping\/springs.html<\/a>
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https:\/\/conservancy.umn.edu\/handle\/11299\/188688<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>

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Enterprise Rest Area<\/span><\/b><\/p>

I-90, Lewiston, MN, 55952<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 43.9315895703227\u00b0 N, -91.85273048722219\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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This rest area is located between the Dresbach Welcome Center and Whitewater State Park and provides beautiful views of the Driftless Area. An interpretive sign describes the geology of Southern Minnesota. From the overlook, visitors can view a valley carved into the karsted Prairie du Chien Group carbonate bedrock. Driving down into the valley over Rush Creek look for solution voids in the bedrock. Dissolution of the carbonate bedrock is one of the two main forces for the creation of the landscape here. Erosion by the surface streams is visible along this valley. \u00a0This stream, Rush Creek, moves across its valley in response to flood events. If you come back in a year or two the stream may have moved!<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?:<\/span><\/b> No, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>15 minutes<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1\/4 Mile<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Very Easy<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Frontenac State Park \u2013 In Yan Teopa Rock<\/span><\/b><\/p>

29223 County 28 Blvd., Frontenac, MN 55026<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/b> 44.523734\u00b0 N, -92.342140\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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Park at the picnic area for this hike. The Upper Bluffside Trail takes hikers across a steep 430-foot-high limestone bluff that overlooks Lake Pepin, a natural widening of the Mississippi, to In-Yan-Teopa rock to see this natural limestone arch on the blufftop.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>2 hours<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>2 Miles (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Moderate\/Strenuous<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/b> The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

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More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00160#homepage<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/MapTour\/index.html?appid=cb108141401d4e2bbb5b8b1356673ad5<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/conservancy.umn.edu\/bitstream\/handle\/11299\/57294\/MGS_ES_10.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/gisdata.mn.gov\/dataset\/geos-karst-feature-inventory-pts<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Route: Hwy. 16 between La Crescent and Dexter, small loop on US-52 and MN-80 also connects Wykoff and Fountain; a scenic alternative to I-90.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Explore the Karst topography of the Driftless Area by vehicle or bicycle. This 88 mile national scenic byway follows the Root River through deeply carved valleys dominated by towering limestone cliffs. Travel the byway to the Lanesboro Fish Hatchery and other locations within the Discovery Areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any fees?:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>No, it’s free!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span> Yes (by car)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span> 4-8 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

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Distance:<\/span><\/span> 88 Miles<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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More Info:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00160#homepage<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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John A. Latsch State Park<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Highway 61, Minnesota City, MN 55959<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/span>\u00a044.172549\u00b0 N, -91.838344\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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John A. Latsch State Park is directly off of Hwy. 61, the Great River Road, a few miles north of Winona. Begin your hike at the parking lot, following the signs for the Riverview Trail. This strenuous half-mile hike up to the top of Mount Charity includes 592 stairs, but your reward at the end is worth it. From this vantage point visitors are greeted with a grand long view of the Mississippi River Valley and Driftless Area landscape. Mount Charity is one of three bluffs, Faith and Hope being the other two, which are an extension of a Cambrian and Ordovician aged limestone cap that once extended across the river into Wisconsin. Tremendous volumes of water flowing from regional glacial lakes dissected the valley by way of stream erosion from glacial Mississippi River.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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Any fees?:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>No (State Park Vehicle permit required)<\/span><\/p>

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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes (leashed)<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>0.5 Miles (592 Stairs)<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Strenuous<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00160#homepage<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.<\/a>conservancy.umn.edu\/bitstream\/handle\/11299\/93782\/17-JohnLatch.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y<\/u><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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White Pine Forest Relic<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Whitewater State Park, 19041 Highway 74, Altura, MN, 55910<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Coordinates:<\/span><\/span>\u00a044.11045621681722\u00b0 N, -92.17029922416152\u00b0 W<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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Although recent glaciers retreated before reaching this\u00a0region, their meltwaters scoured the many river valleys of the area, leaving\u00a0behind a landscape entrenched with deep valleys and steep hillsides. Upon close\u00a0observation of these valleys one will note the different aspect, or exposure,\u00a0of each bluff face. Upon the south-facing hillsides we find steep, dry\u00a0prairies, known as goat prairies. These south-facing hillsides are warmer and\u00a0tend to green up faster in the spring and maintain green vegetation later in\u00a0the fall. On the north-facing hillsides we observe steep, cool forests which\u00a0support many relic plant and animal communities able to survive in the cool,\u00a0shaded forests. On a spring day, you might notice snow blanketing the northern\u00a0side of a bluff while the southern side is barren of snow and sprinkled with\u00a0early wildflowers.<\/span><\/p>

One relic plant community of the cooler, north-facing bluffs\u00a0is the eastern white pine forest. For thousands of years, these pines have\u00a0survived in small clusters on the cool, rocky north-facing slopes throughout\u00a0the region. They are drought tolerant and provide important cover for birds and\u00a0wildlife. These pine forests are characterized by northern species otherwise\u00a0absent in southeastern Minnesota including balsam fir, yellow birch, Canada\u00a0yew, nodding wild onion and slender cliff brake.<\/span><\/p>

The land for Carley State Park was donated to the State of\u00a0Minnesota in 1948 by State Senator James A. Carley and the Ernestina Bolt\u00a0family in hopes of preserving the outstanding grove of native white pines. In\u00a01957, a severe hailstorm ravaged the trees. Today, white pines tower the steep,\u00a0rugged valley of the Whitewater River. Park at the Picnic Area lot and walk a\u00a0couple hundred feet along the river to see pines from below.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Or park in the upper lot near the flag pole\u00a0and hike the trail .15 miles to the observation platform where you can view a\u00a0stand of pines from across the river.<\/span><\/p>

Any fees?:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>No (State Park Vehicle permit required)<\/span>
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Accessible?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span><\/p>

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Dog Friendly?:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/span><\/p>

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Time to Complete:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1\/2 hour<\/span><\/p>

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Distance:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>1\/3 Mile (roundtrip)<\/span><\/p>

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Difficulty:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easy<\/span><\/p>

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Maintained by:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/p>

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More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.htmlid=spk00130#homepage<\/span><\/u><\/p>

http:\/\/files.dnr.state.mn.us\/destinations\/state_parks\/virtual_tours\/carley\/vt_carley.html<\/span><\/u><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Great River Road<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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This section of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi River for 39 miles and takes you to John A Latsch State Park and to the Dresbach Welcome Center. The Mississippi River has spent the last 12,000 years carving cliffs into the ancient rocks. These cliffs of soft, white sandstone (called the St. Peter Sandstone) are the lithified remains of the expansive beaches of an Ordovician sea that covered the mid-west 450 million years ago. A look at these sand grains through a magnifying glass reveals sand that has been washed clean and made perfectly round from millions of years of tidal action. Small holes in these cliffs are produced naturally by wind and rain and provide homes for birds. Larger ones were created by people mining the sand for glass bottle production.<\/span><\/p>

The Mississippi River – Lake Pepin watershed consists of forests, bluff lands, and cultivated lands. The top of the watershed is rolling cropland interspersed by many small tributaries that drop steeply through forested valleys with scattered goat prairies atop cliffs. The tributaries join to form the named streams, which drain directly into the Mississippi River. The watershed is only about 50 miles southeast of downtown St. Paul. As a result, the watershed is subject to development pressures.<\/span><\/p>

More Info:<\/span><\/p>

https:\/\/www.pca.state.mn.us\/water\/watersheds\/mississippi-river-lake-pepin<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>

https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/miss\/learn\/nature\/twingeol.htm<\/span><\/u><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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