After riding the very nice Stillwater Loop route (covered in this section) Lee and I rode the Brown’s Creek Trail, a six-mile trail from Stillwater to the Gateway Trail (also covered in this section). I had been told it’s best to start the trail in Stillwater as it is a constant incline to the Gateway. It turned out to be good advice as it is indeed a constant slight incline the entire six miles to the Gateway. The incline is only slight but there is no break from it and it can be a bit tiring.
Don’t let that stop you, though, it isn’t that bad and the ride back is worth it.
The trail runs along Brown’s Creek (thus the name) almost entirely through the woods and gives you glimpses of the creek, which is quite a bit lower than the trail. There is one rest stop about two-thirds the way up the trail from Stillwater (not counting benches in various spots) that is next to a golf course and has a small shelter.
If you want more mileage you can do the Stillwater loop and Brown’s Creek, or Brown’s Creek and part or all of the Gateway (but you know that).
Brown’s Creek is another nice rural trail in the middle of a populous area that is easy to reach from the Twin Cities for a day or even a half-day ride. And again, if you decide to do the trail, leave time to explore the historic river town of Stillwater.
