AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Monarch Trail

9 mi · ▲ 168 ft · 3 hr 5 min

Monarch Trail is a 9-mile out-and-back in Elm Creek Park Reserve near Champlin, MN. It is mostly level, with 168 ft of elevation gain. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi860 – 925 ft9.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.18839, -93.45111
Nearest town Champlin, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Monarch Trail

9 mi · ▲ 168 ft · 3 hr 5 min

Elevation 858–925 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. 2.3 miBear right, heading S.
  4. 0.5 miTurn left, heading S.
  5. 450 ftSharp right, heading E.
  6. 200 ftTurn left, heading E.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  8. 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
  9. 500 ftTurn right onto Monarch Trail, heading E.
  10. 450 ftTurn left onto Monarch Long Loop, heading E.
  11. 250 ftBear right, heading S.
  12. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  13. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  14. 0.7 miBear right, heading S.
  15. 0.3 miSharp left, heading S.
  16. 0.2 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  17. 0.2 miSharp right, heading SE.
  18. 0.3 miBear left, heading NW.
  19. 0.7 miBear left, heading N.
  20. 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
  21. 250 ftTurn right onto Monarch Trail, heading N.
  22. 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
  23. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  24. 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
  25. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  26. 200 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  27. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  28. 0.5 miBear left, heading N.
  29. 2.3 miSharp right, heading W.
  30. 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-b9ad

Trail surface

55% grass26% paved12% gravel5% dirt2% 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