Featured image, above: Central Park, Bloomington, MN, courtesy H. Jiahong Pan

H. Jiahong Pan — former freelance journalist turned social work grad student — offers updates on last year’s recommended Winter transit treks from Minneapolis and offers two new itineraries for 2026.

Check out recommendations for other parts of the country at this link.

Before you head out, it’s always highly recommended that you pack the 10 Essentials and know how to use them, and realistically assess your abilities and experience — there’s no point of turning a fun outing into a close call or worse. Winter conditions can make investing a little time in these preparations all the more worthwhile.

• I highly recommend adding an 11th item — a whistle, attached to your clothing. If you do end up lost or injured, it takes a lot less energy to make noise loud enough for searchers to hear you, especially if you’re near running water like a creek, river, or waves crashing on shoreline.
• Make sure trusted folks know where you are going, your approximate schedule, and when you expect to return. My friend Anna and her partner have a smart system: “Back by X, worry by Y,” where X is your expected return time and Y is the time your friends or family should start contacting authorities to report you overdue.

Jiahong’s recommendations and tips:

Mississippi Gorge Regional Park
Hike rolling hills along the Mississippi River and perhaps happen upon a beach full of white sand. Heads up: Some stairways may be cordoned off and icy. Proceed with caution.

White Sands Beach
Take Route 9A, 9C, or 9N to 36th Avenue and 26th Street. Walk east 0.26 mi to W River Pkwy. Then, walk southeast, under the railroad crossing, until you see a set of stairs. Take the stairs down, which will lead you to the beach. Route 9 runs every 30 minutes on most of the weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the day.

Or take METRO B Line to Lake & 44th Avenue station. Walk two blocks north to Dorman Ave. Follow Dorman Ave. to the northwest until you reach 27th Street. Make a right at 27th Street. You will see a road and a bike trail to your left. Cross the street to the bike trail across the street. There is a stairway just before the railroad bridge. Total walk is ~0.58 miles. Metro B Line runs every 10 minutes during the daytime.

36th Street Trailhead
Take Route 9A, 9C, or 9N to 42nd Avenue and 36th Street. Walk east five blocks, about 0.3 mile. Route 9 runs every 30 minutes on most of the weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the day.

38th Street Trailhead
Take Route 38C or 38H to 38th Street and 46th Avenue. Walk east three blocks. Service runs every 30 minutes 7 days a week. Or, take Route 9A, 9C, or 9N to 42nd Avenue and 38th Street, stop for the Riverview Theater and Mother Earth Gardens. Walk east seven blocks, about 0.5 mile. Route 9 runs every 30 minutes on most of the weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the day.


Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bass Ponds Trail
Hike down to the Minnesota River and enjoy the lakes.

86th Street Trailhead
Take METRO Blue, Red or D Lines, Routes 54, 442, 444, 495, 515, 540, 542, or 686 to Mall of America Transit Station. Walk 0.6 mi south on 24th Avenue, which becomes Old Shakopee Road, to 86th Street. Walk east until you see the trailhead.
Or, take Route 538 or 539 to 86th St and Old Shakopee Road. Head east on 86th Street, in the direction of the fire station. Pass the fire station until you see the trailhead.

Moir and Central Park
Hike down to a creek on a trail that ends with a sweeping, swampy view of the Minnesota River.

106th Street Trailhead
Take METRO Orange Line or Routes 465, 534, 539, or 546 to 98th Street Station (Route 465 buses refer to the station as South Bloomington Transit Center Gate B). At 98th Street station, transfer to Route 18E going south. Get off at 106th and Humboldt. From there, take the south sidewalk and walk west ~700 feet until just before the bridge. There is a trail leading down to the park below, and ultimately, the hiking trail. The Minnesota River is to the south. The Orange Line runs every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. Route 18E runs every 30 minutes most of the day, all week. Other buses run around once an hour. 

You may also hail a Metro Micro bus from 98th Street Station. Download the Metro Micro app and set up an account. Then, have the driver pick you up at Gate B – 98th St Station and drop you off 1826 W 106th St, AKA Nine Mile Creek Access Point. If the driver is not familiar with that area or where to drop you off, direct the driver to drop you off in a parking lot (just off 106th between Morgan Ave S and James Rd.) just across the bridge.  You may also book the ride by calling (651) 602-1170.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Chaska Unit
Experience the low-lying forested areas of the Minnesota River.

Athletic Park Trailhead

• Download the SW Prime App and create an account
• Board either the METRO E Line or Route 515 to Southdale Transit Center.
• Right when you get on the bus, open the SW Prime app and request a ride from Southdale Transit Center to 725 W 1st St in Chaska. Note the wait time.
• Check the app again when you are about “wait time” away from Southdale Transit Center. For example, if the app says a bus will arrive in 20 minutes, check the app again when you are 20 minutes out. Book the ride when you are 20 minutes out.
• Get off at Southdale Transit Center and wait for your Prime bus.
• Board the Prime bus. Fare is $5, which can be paid by Go-To card, cash or credit card.
• Take the bus to your destination.
• When returning, request your ride before 6:30pm on weekdays and before 4:30pm on Saturdays.
• If you have trouble booking your ride, call (952) SW-PRIME

Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area

Majestic views of the Minnesota River valley awaits with a steep hike on a reconstructed granite trail.

1. Download the SW Prime App and create an account
2. Board either the METRO E Line or Route 515 to Southdale Transit Center. 
3. Right when you get on the bus, open the SW Prime app and request a ride from Southdale Transit Center to Richard T Anderson Conservation Area, 18700 Flying Cloud Dr in Eden Prairie. Note the wait time. Do not book the ride just yet.
4. Check the app again when you are about “wait time” away from Southdale Transit Center. For example, if the app says a bus will arrive in 20 minutes, check the app again when you are 20 minutes out. Book the ride when you are 20 minutes out. 
5. Get off at Southdale Transit Center and wait for your Prime bus.
6. Board the Prime bus. Fare is $5, which can be paid by Go-To card, cash or credit card.
7. Take the bus to your destination.
8. When returning, request your ride before 6:30pm on weekdays and before 4:30pm on Saturdays. 
9. If you have trouble booking your ride, call (952) SW-PRIME

Lake Maria State Park

This will require a bit more pre-planning. But it’s worth it, since it will probably be the last time you can do it. The reward? Solace and solitude as your foot steps on the snow. 

This trip involves the use of the Northstar Line (which will be discontinued come January), as well as a dial-a-ride bus. The total trip time is about 12 hours, and requires waking up early in the morning. 

Before the trip, do the following:

1. Find a weekday to not work
2. Call Trailblazer Transit at 1 (888) 743-3828 one week ahead of when you won’t work
3. Tell the reservationist your name and a street address. They need this to communicate with you.
4. Tell them you want to go from Big Lake Northstar Station to 11411 Clementa Ave NW in Silver Creek Township at 7:45 am
5. Tell them you need to return to the station by around 4:15 pm. The Northstar train back to Minneapolis leaves at 4:40pm. You’ll want adequate time to transfer.
6. The reservationist will then place you on hold to find your rides
7. If the reservationist finds you a ride, they will tell you how much you need to pay. Rides can be billed.

If you have those rides scheduled, you’ll then do the following:

1. Arrive at Target Field Station and board the 6:40am train. This is the only northbound morning train.
2. The train arrives at Big Lake station at around 7:30am. Here, you’ll wait for Trailblazer Transit. Hungry or need to use the restroom? There is a Casey’s about a 10-minute walk north of the station.
3. Board Trailblazer Transit, and the driver will take you to Lake Maria State Park
4. Have the driver drop you off at the trailhead center. The trailhead center, which is open year round, is beyond the main gate, the first left off of the main road. 
5. Once you get dropped off, enjoy the outdoors, but also step inside the center to recharge your phone, warm up, relieve yourself, and drink some water.
6. You will be picked up at the same place where you are dropped off.
7. The only southbound afternoon Northstar train leaves at around 4:40pm and returns to Target Field Station at around 5:30pm. 

Northstar Fare is typically $6.25 one-way on weekdays. For Trailblazer Transit, your first two rides are free. Then, rides are $4 if traveling up to 25 miles, $8 if traveling more than 25 miles. 

(Apologies for the inconsistent formatting. I have lost my patience with WordPress…)

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