Lower Prior Lake–Twin Ponds, 3 lakes

5.5 mi · ▲ 219 ft · 1 hr 57 min

Lower Prior Lake–Twin Ponds, 3 lakes is a 5.5-mile out-and-back near Glendale, MN. The route passes Twin Ponds and Sand Point Beach before reaching Lower Prior Lake at the turnaround, 2.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 219 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi883 – 1,014 ft5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 44.74630, -93.36029
Nearest town Glendale, MN

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lower Prior Lake–Twin Ponds, 3 lakes

5.5 mi · ▲ 219 ft · 1 hr 57 min

Elevation 881–1,015 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 44.74630, -93.36029

Weather Sep 24: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:11 PM

Transit-accessible: Vernon Av stop 714 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.7 miPass Twin Ponds.
  3. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  5. 1.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  6. 0.3 miPass Sand Point Beach.
  7. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftReach Lower Prior Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  10. 0.4 miTurn right, heading N.
  11. 1.3 miTurn left, heading E.
  12. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  13. 1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

100% paved

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:11 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.5 mi in (~64 min). Leave by 5:47 PM for the 7:11 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Vernon Av stop 714 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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