Hogback Ridge Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Parking at the Old Cedar Ave Trailhead is free and there are vault toilets there. There are also toilets at the accessible Bass Ponds Trail.

The Hogback Ridge Trail goes north from the Old Cedar Ave Trailhead, past the Nature Play Area, and passes under the MN Highway 77 Bridge. There are viewing platforms between the trailhead and the bridge which look out over a small lake that attracts various waterfowl.

At 0.2 mi past the bridge, adjacent to Pond "C", the trail splits. Going right (northeast) here takes you to an old gravel road that runs along the southeast side of the Youth Fishing Pond and Hogback Pond. Going left (north) will put you on a short stretch of old road that connects with a singletrack trail that drops down the ridge between Pond "C" and the Youth Fishing Pond. This singletrack becomes an old road just past the Youth Pond fishing pier and continues as an old road until it connects with the old road that came along the southeast side of the ponds. You can do this loop in either direction and add on the Bass Ponds Trail for more birding opportunities.

This is a National Wildlife Refuge which plays host to numerous migratory waterfowl in season and to resident birds throughout the year.