AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Monarch Trail

9.4 mi · ▲ 250 ft · 3 hr 16 min

Monarch Trail is a 9.4-mile out-and-back in Elm Creek Park Reserve near Champlin, MN. It climbs 250 ft. It scores 11/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi856 – 929 ft10.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.20243, -93.42471
Nearest town Champlin, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Monarch Trail

9.4 mi · ▲ 250 ft · 3 hr 16 min

Elevation 856–930 ft

Out & Back · Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trailhead: 45.20243, -93.42471

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:00 AM · sunset 7:15 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  3. 0.8 miTurn left, heading S.
  4. 0.9 miBear right, heading S.
  5. 0.5 miBear left, heading W.
  6. 1.8 miTurn right, heading NE.
  7. 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
  8. 450 ftSharp right, heading S.
  9. 200 ftTurn left, heading E.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  11. 450 ftBear right, heading S.
  12. 0.2 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  13. 0.2 miBear left, heading E.
  14. 500 ftTurn left, heading W.
  15. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 200 ftSharp left, heading W.
  17. 450 ftTurn right, heading E.
  18. 450 ftTurn left, heading E.
  19. 1.8 miBear right, heading N.
  20. 0.5 miBear left, heading NE.
  21. 0.9 miTurn right, heading N.
  22. 0.8 miTurn left, heading E.
  23. 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-8c7c

Trail surface

56% paved39% grass5% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 7:00 AMSunset 7:15 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~36 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 7:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

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Hikes near Champlin, Minnesota