Training Log Archive: cfosp1In the 1 days ending Nov 13, 2020:
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Friday Nov 13, 2020 #
8 AM
Hiking 1:24:56 5.11 km (16:38 / km) +80m 15:25 / km
ahr:104 max:143 shoes: Timberland Earthkeepers Mt. Ma
Quarry Island Hike
-10.0° Clear 6
Feels like -10.0°
6 kph SW wind
87% humidity
Source: 72658
Last week, Karl and I were wondering about the island in Gun Club Lake and that seems to be tethered near the eastern end of the 494 bridge across the Minnesota River Valley. I did some research and found out that it has a name, Quarry Island. With me being convalescing from injury to my rear end, we decided to explore today, bringing Roux and Karl's daughter's dog Nova along. The morning was cold and bright, we parked at the MN River Valley Overlook off Sibley Memorial Hwy and hiked down the hill to I-494.
There is no entrance via the gate under the 494 bridge on Big Rivers trail but when going to the end of the fence following the bike trail along 494, it is easy to backtrack along the fence and get down to what I assume is the old quarry access road. The road is firm gravel but I think it will be covered with water when there is even average precip. Right now, it is rather dry. The island has sandstone outcroppings which were obviously quarried at one time.We and the dogs enjoyed hiking from end of the island to the other, seeing tracks of deer, mice, otters, coyote and others along the way. Also a bald eagle and what I assume was a juvenile of the same species. The latter's chest was very lightly colored in beige brown, but the size was right. Checking my Sibley, it points to a Juvenile in his first year. Roux had fun telling the geese who he thinks is on top of the food chain, he even jumped in. On the way back to the car, we took a game trail along Big Rivers, which was a nice alternative to the proximity of the Highway. Great walk and successful exploration.
-10.0° Clear 6
Feels like -10.0°
6 kph SW wind
87% humidity
Source: 72658
Last week, Karl and I were wondering about the island in Gun Club Lake and that seems to be tethered near the eastern end of the 494 bridge across the Minnesota River Valley. I did some research and found out that it has a name, Quarry Island. With me being convalescing from injury to my rear end, we decided to explore today, bringing Roux and Karl's daughter's dog Nova along. The morning was cold and bright, we parked at the MN River Valley Overlook off Sibley Memorial Hwy and hiked down the hill to I-494.
There is no entrance via the gate under the 494 bridge on Big Rivers trail but when going to the end of the fence following the bike trail along 494, it is easy to backtrack along the fence and get down to what I assume is the old quarry access road. The road is firm gravel but I think it will be covered with water when there is even average precip. Right now, it is rather dry. The island has sandstone outcroppings which were obviously quarried at one time.We and the dogs enjoyed hiking from end of the island to the other, seeing tracks of deer, mice, otters, coyote and others along the way. Also a bald eagle and what I assume was a juvenile of the same species. The latter's chest was very lightly colored in beige brown, but the size was right. Checking my Sibley, it points to a Juvenile in his first year. Roux had fun telling the geese who he thinks is on top of the food chain, he even jumped in. On the way back to the car, we took a game trail along Big Rivers, which was a nice alternative to the proximity of the Highway. Great walk and successful exploration.