Lake Wobegon Trail Review

Located in the central part of the state, just west of St. Cloud, is the Lake Wobegon Trail. Unlike Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon, the Lake Wobegon Paved Trail actually exists. I’m told the paved trail runs from Avon (about 20 miles west of St. Cloud) to Sauk Centre, a distance of about 25 miles.

On July 25 I skated from Avon to west of Albany and then back to Avon (17 miles). The trail is built on an abandoned railroad line and at Avon the trailhead is located near the old grain elevator. Parking is available at the trailhead and it looks like restrooms and a rest stop are under construction. Unfortunately, there is no water available at the trailhead, yet.

The trail opened in October of ’98. The trail is made of smooth asphalt and is free of cracks. The posted signs allow snowmobiles on the trail but prohibit the use of carbide studs. Unfortunately, the trail is already worn in places due to snowmobiles braking or accelerating excessively with carbide studs.

From Avon to Albany (about 6 miles) the trail is relatively flat and passes through picturesque and quiet wetlands and croplands. There are very few shade trees along the way and for the most part you are exposed to the wind. There is one rest stop in between. The several trail bridges are excellent in that they are asphalt paved and wider than the regular trail width.

Going through Albany the trail parallels main street, which is one block away. If trail users need water, refreshments, or a restroom I suspect they could venture to main street and find something. The biggest disappointment on this trip was an intersection in Albany where the trail crosses a busy county road. From both approaches the trail descends down to the road. To the south the view is obstructed and to the north you have traffic turning off main street. The end result is that skaters will need to descend slowly and carefully and actually obey the stop sign at the crossing. For what it is worth now, the trail planners should have included a trail bridge over the county road at this intersection.

When you leave Albany and continue west the trail runs parallel to I-94 and about 75 yards away. Unfortunately, from the trail you can hear and see the freeway traffic. I had to turn around about 2.5 miles west of Albany so I can’t report on the trail after that.

There was bright sun and it was blistering hot the day I skated this trail. There is no water available on the trail and very little shade so for this tundra dweller the skate was not very enjoyable. I would skate the trail again but only between Avon and Albany because I didn’t like the dangerous intersection in Albany and I didn’t like being close to the freeway west of Albany. Also, because this trail is very open to the sun and wind I suggest skating it when it is cool and still.