AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Heron Trail

6.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Heron Trail is a 6.1-mile out-and-back in Elm Creek Park Reserve near Fletcher, MN. It is mostly level, with 80 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 3/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi866 – 942 ft6.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.15877, -93.46999
Nearest town Fletcher, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Heron Trail

6.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Elevation 865–941 ft

Out & Back · Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trailhead: 45.15877, -93.46999

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:59 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  3. 0.3 miTurn left, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  5. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Sumac Trail, heading E.
  6. 0.2 miTurn left onto Heron Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right onto Monarch Trail, heading NE.
  8. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Monarch Long Loop, heading E.
  9. 200 ftBear right, heading E.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  11. 1 miBear right, heading S.
  12. 0.5 miSharp right onto Medicine Lake Regional Trail, heading SE.
  13. 1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  14. 100 ftBear left, heading NW.
  15. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  16. 0.3 miBear left, heading N.
  17. 0.4 miSharp left, heading N.
  18. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  19. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  20. 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
  21. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/heron-trail-out-back-10-km-9bfe

Trail surface

61% paved19% dirt10% gravel9% grass1% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 6:59 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~37 min). Leave by 6:21 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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