Introduction
The Root River State Trail, in Southeastern Minnesota, is one of the top bicycle touring trails in the nation. Originally it was part of the Milwaukee Road line that ran from La Crosse, WI and eventually reached Wessington Springs, in eastern South Dakota. The decline of the railroads, which hit the Milwaukee Road hard, led to the abandonment of much of the line- a stretch from Austin, MN to Jackson, MN that had recently been rehabilitated is the only section still in service today. It’s now a minor branch line for CP Rail, into which the Milwaukee Road had been absorbed.
People immediately saw the potential for the abandoned stretch from La Crosse to Austin, but there was fierce opposition from local residents who felt the land should be returned to them. The concept of rail trails was still in it’s infacy- the nations first (and still the best) the Elroy-Sparta state trail in Wisconsin was only a decade or so old. As a compromise only the center stretch in the narrow and scenic Root River Valley, from Fountain to Money Creek, was saved as a rail trail. The stretch to the west, through typical flat agricultural land, and to the east, where the valley widens considerably and is more agricultural was lost.
Ultimately the error of this was realized, but now creating sections of trail is hard. The goal is now a whole system of trails in the southeast called the Blufflands Trail system, but the only extensions so far have been a branch to Preston, then to Harmony and a X mile western extension to Houston. An effort to build a stretch from Preston to Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park fell victim to an unfavorable court ruling that eminent domain could not be used. A stretch that is mostly just a path along gravel country roads is being built to Iowa. This phototour will focus on the original core section, from Fountain to Money Creek, then the extension to Houston.
Mile 0: Fountain
The trailhead is the town of Fountain, where you put on your riding helmet. Originally the trail ran through the center of town. Now it gets diverted along the county road at the southern end of town, and ends in the trailhead at the city park. Slightly farther along the county road is what used to be a highway wayside of US 52, that now houses a gazebo, an veterans memorial. Here’s a map of the area, with the trail in orange and the old railbed in yellow
Here’s the Welcome Sign at the Roadside Park
Farther down the road, there is the Fillmore County Historical Society Library and Museum
Closeup of the Windmill
Interesting house in Fountain
As you ride down the county road, off to the left you can see Fountain’s Main Street
Closer view of the building at the right
Now finally is the actual start of the trail
Initially the trail weaves through fields and by a cemetery before joining the old railbed.
Fountain Cemetery
The Fountain region is notable for the “Karst topography” where the dissolving bedrock has created sinkholes. You can see one in the above picture, where there’s a random clump of trees just to the right of center. On the trail is an interpretive sign and a boardwalk that leads into an overlook into one.
One the trail enters the old railroad grade, the long, steep slope down into the Valley begins. Where it crosses Jade Road there is a scenic vista and a 2nd generation dairy operation.
Mile 6: Isinours
Once down the hill, you cross over a bridge and then pass a minor trailhead at the Isinours State Forest campground. Shortly beyond Isinours is where the Harmony-Preston Valley trail meets. Thoughtfully there is a right turn lane for eastbound to southbound traffic
At trail junctions there is a wayside with a selfie station.
After crossing a county road, there is a rock cut
After the rock cut is a series of two bridges. The first is nothing really notable, but the second is the first of two through truss bridges. Before the bridge is an old wood pole, the remains of a “telltale”, dangling ropes were suspended above the track to warn anyone riding on top of the train to get down before they would be hit by the overhead bridge structure. Here’s a modern mock-up on the old posts.
Backlit Against the Sky
The bridge is near a campground, and it’s common to see swimmers in the water
The trail passes by a few more farms
Don’t Touch! Stinging nettles are found in many areas by the trail. If you’re wearing shorts or a short dress it’s advisable to be careful in areas without shoulders, as they tend to overhang onto the trail too.
Approaching Laneboro, there’s waterfall for an old mill pond
Here we are at the Poetry Lot, on the western edge of town, so named because of the bits of poetry mounted to the lamp posts
Atter crossing the bridge, we now explore the downtown area
Behind the Depot is the Little River General Store, a popular outitters for bicycle, tube, and canoe rental
Near the store is a reconstructed depot.
In the next part we’ll go left 31 miles to Houston