Mississippi River loop
A road and trail ride.
Approximate distance: 30 mi
The first half of this ride is the same as the Coon Rapids Dam route. Instead of an out-and-back ride, this is a loop ride that crosses the Mississippi River on the Coon Rapids Dam and then goes south on W. River Rd to the I-694 bridge, crossing the Mississippi River and then returning east to Shoreview. The route includes sections passing through two regional parks: Long Lake Regional Park and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. It also follows a portion of the Mississippi Regional Trail. The road sections of the route are along roads with wide shoulders in residential areas. The trail sections are mostly in the regional parks and offer scenic views. The route is mostly flat with a few small hilly locations on the trails.
Directions:
Go west from Shoreview CC along Hwy 96 to Old Hwy 8
Take trail on west side of Old Hwy 8 to entrance to Long Lake Park
Follow park trails northwest and exit park onto Mississippi St.
Take the Rice Creek Trail northeast to Cty Rd H in Mounds View
Take Cty Rd H west to W Central Ave
Turn north and go to Osborne Rd.
Turn west and follow Osborne to E.River Rd.
Cross E.River Rd and follow the Mississippi Regional Trail on Alden Way
Turn left at 79th Way which becomes Riverview Terrace and continue to follow the trail
Turn right on Kimball St and then left on Broad Ave.
Follow the trail straight at end of Broad Ave. to Mississippi Blvd.
Turn left onto to Mississippi Blvd and continue to 86th Ave NW.
Go straight on Mississippi Regional Trail (which is now a trail).
Follow the trail down to near the Mississippi River and turn left on trail going under Hwy 610.
Follow trails through the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
Arrive at the park Visitor’s Center near the Coon Rapids dam
Cross the Mississippi River on the Coon Rapids Dam.
Follow a trail south along W. River Rd. to 66th Ave N.
Turn east and then south on Willow Ln.
At the end of Willow Ln near the intersection of I-694 and Hwy 252, access a trail that curves up to the I-694 bridge pedestrian path.
Cross the I-694 bridge and take a trail to the north leading to E. River Rd.
Follow E. River Rd north to Mississippi St.
Go east on Mississippi St to Long Lake Rd.
Turn north on Long Lake Rd and then east on the Rice Creek Trail.
Follow the trail into Long Lake Park.
Follow park trails through the park to the exit onto Old Hwy 8.
Go left on Old Hwy 8 to Hwy 96.
Go east on Hwy 96 back to the Shoreview CC.
Route section approximate distances (see map):
Shoreview CC to Old Hwy 8 - 3 mi
Old Hwy 8 to Cty Rd H Mounds View - 3 mi
Mounds View to E.River Rd - 3 mi
E.River Rd to Coon Rapids Dam trail - 3 mi
Coon Rapids Dam trail to the dam - 2 mi
Coon Rapids Dat to E. River Rd - 7 mi
E. River Rd to Old Hwy 8 - 6 mi
Old Hwy 8 to Shoreview CC - 3 mi