The Sunrise Prairie Trail is a 16-mile trail running from Forest Lake to North Branch. It is built on an old rail bed so it is nice and flat. It goes through farmland, prairie, and woodlands and is a very pleasant, fairly easy ride. The day Lee and I rode it was fairly windy and although the wind was from our side it seemed like a headwind both ways (as is often the case in cycling), which made the prairie areas a bit harder to ride than the woodland areas where the trees blocked at least some of the wind. It was not that difficult, however, and did not detract much from our enjoyment.
While the trail runs parallel to Hwy. 61 it is far enough away and low-traveled enough as to not cause any discomfort. There are a couple of street crossings, however, which you should take particular caution crossing. We had a very pleasant ride enjoying the smooth pavement, fresh air, and sunshine.
It is a very nice trail and within easy driving distance from the Twin Cities.
The Sunrise Prairie Trail connects to the Hardwood Creek Regional Trial in Forest Lake and continues 9.5 miles to Hugo. It is pretty much the same as the Sunrise Prairie and is yet another pleasant ride. Lee and I rode this trail the week after riding the Sunrise Prairie and had a very nice day of cycling.
We rode from Forest Lake south to Hugo and back, getting in our required 20 miles, although Lee had to ride around a bank parking lot when we got back to Forest Lake for a half mile or so to make sure she had exactly 20 miles. I’m not that fussy and while I had only 19.63 miles, I just rounded up.
