AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Monarch Trail

9.5 mi · ▲ 171 ft · 3 hr 15 min

Monarch Trail is a 9.5-mile out-and-back in Elm Creek Park Reserve near Champlin, MN. It is mostly level, with 171 ft of elevation gain, and mostly grass. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi860 – 925 ft10.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.18839, -93.45111
Nearest town Champlin, MN
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Monarch Trail

9.5 mi · ▲ 171 ft · 3 hr 15 min

Elevation 859–925 ft

Out & Back · Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trailhead: 45.18839, -93.45111

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  3. 2.8 miTurn right, heading E.
  4. 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 450 ftSharp right, heading E.
  6. 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
  9. 450 ftTurn right onto Monarch Trail, heading E.
  10. 450 ftTurn left onto Monarch Long Loop, heading E.
  11. 250 ftBear right, heading SE.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  13. 0.9 miBear right, heading S.
  14. 0.5 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  15. 0.5 miBear left, heading NE.
  16. 0.9 miTurn left, heading N.
  17. 250 ftTurn right onto Monarch Trail, heading N.
  18. 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
  19. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  20. 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
  21. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  22. 200 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  23. 450 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  24. 450 ftTurn left, heading W.
  25. 2.8 miSharp right, heading NW.
  26. 50 ftArrive 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/monarch-trail-out-back-15-km-5da6

Trail surface

67% grass12% gravel10% paved10% dirt1% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 6:59 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~8 min). Leave by 6:49 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 6 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Champlin, Minnesota