May 18, 2006: Plymouth/Hennepin County Regional Trail Hike (Plymouth)

Join the hiking group for a hike from the East Medicine Lake Park along a Hennepin County Trail west towards Parker's Lake Park. Antoine LeCounte, a guide and explorer, was the first settler in the area, arriving in 1848, but did not settling until 1852. He carried mail from the Red River country to points south, trading goods to Native Americans for horses on the way. LeCounte built the first cabin at East Medicine Lake Blvd. and 29th Avenue North. Plymouth began as a town in 1855 on the northwest shores of Parkers Lake. A gristmill and other structures eventually were built in the area, but in the spring of 1857, when Parkers Lake flooded, the mill was moved to Wayzata (then Freeport), Minnesota. By 1880, Plymouth had a population of 1,074 and Medicine Lake had become a major tourist attraction and resorts were built around its shores. Plymouth incorporated as a village in 1955. Medicine Lake is a 936 acre heavily urbanized lake which has a maximum depth of 49 feet and a mean depth of 16 feet. Lake water quality is poor due to high nutrient levels. The city of Medicine Lake had a 2000 population of 368, with 159 households, and 94 families residing in the city in 170 housing units. The median income for a household in the city was $70,750, and the median income for a family was $100,382.

If coming by car: Take I-394 west of Minneapolis and exit on Hwy 169. Go north on Hwy 169 and exit at Plymouth Avenue/13th Avenue North. At the end of the long exit ramp, go west (left) on 13th Avenue North, back under Hwy. 169, and turn north (right) at the first intersection, the Frontage Road(County Hwy. 18/Kilmer Lane North.) Continue north on the Frontage Road (County Hwy. 18/Kilmer Lane North) approximately 1/3 mile, to 17th Avenue North, and turn west (left) onto 17th Avenue North. The park is one block west and the street ends in the parking lot for the park. Meet in the parking lot for the park (1740 East Medicine Lake Boulevard).

The group will reassemble at a nearby restaurant after the hike for dessert or dinner.

Map to hike start point: 1740 E Medicine Lake Blvd,Plymouth, MN

City of Plymouth Hiking routes

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This page was last updated on April 25, 2006.