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Call Bruce Gravelle, 651-457-5882 for event information.Call 507-352-5111 for park information.
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r e - r e g i s t r a t i o n D e a d l i n
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Wednesday, July 1. We recommend that you pre-register, especially if you wish to participate for an award. Click here to download a pre-registration form.
Start/finish: Picnic shelter.Start times: You may start anytime after 9 a.m. and finish by 5 p.m.
Refreshments: Water and restrooms are available at the shelter. NSTT will offer a participant "picnic" for a donation to cover cost.
The event is sanctioned for 12km (7.5 miles) made up of two shorter loops, a 5km and a 7km. Trails are wide and mostly hard packed crushed rock. Trails will be shared with horseback riders, but are wide enough for comfortable safe passage. There's a mixture of hardwood forest and small prairies with some steep hills on each of the trails. Rated: 3.Horsey Park Alert! Forestville is heavily used by horseback riders, so don't be alarmed when you need to share the trail with some horses. But watch your step! They don't have to pick up after them like we dog owners do!
Barred Owl leather pin, $8;
IVV event book credit, $3;
walk only, $2.
Pre-registration for award is recommended: deadline is July 1. Awards will be reordered with an additional $1 to cover mailing cost.
Lanesboro's Buffalo Days are August 1 & 2, and lodging will be filled early. If you plan to stay in Lanesboro, make your reservations VERY early! Other summer fesitvals are taking place in the area as well.Spring Valley Inn & Suites: 507-346-7788
Trailhead Inn, Preston: 507-765-2460
Country Trails Inn & Suites, Preston: 1-888-378-2896
Find other lodging options by going to www.exploreminnesota.com.
The Forestville State Park Group Campground is reserved for NSTT for Friday and Saturday nights, July 31 and August 1. It's a nice big campground with water and vault toilets &endash; no electricity. Cost is $75/night for the camp. Deposit is $7.50/person per night. Depending on attendance this cost could go up. Be sure to pre-register if you plan to stay at the group camp ... it will help us in our event planning! Pop-up trailers are allowed.
Or if you prefer to use the regular campground, be sure to reserve early at www.stayatmnparks.com or call 1-866-857-2757. Loops B and C are recommended if you like shade and privacy. See you there!
The park is approximately 6 miles south of Wykoff. Entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Highway 16 on Fillmore County Highway 5, then 2 miles east on Fillmore County. 118.
In the center of the park, along the South Branch of the Root River, is the townsite of Forestville. Founded in 1853, the village emerged as a rural trade center, typical of hundreds that emerged across southern Minnesota during the 1850s. Area farmers came to Forestville to trade their farm produce for goods and services. By 1858, Forestville had 100 inhabitants and 20 buildings including two general stores, a grist mill, a brickyard, two hotels, a school, and mechanics of several trades.Forestville prospered until the first area railroad bypassed the community in 1868. Village residents watched their town struggle to survive, while towns served by the railroad boomed with prosperity. By 1890, Thomas J. Meighen, son of one of the town's founders, owned the entire village. The 50 residents made their living on his farm. In return for their work, employees received housing, board, and credit in his store. Meighen also maintained a post office, the school, a feed and a saw mill.
Geology
Forestville/ Mystery Cave State Park is located within the karst region of Minnesota. Karst occurs in areas of soluble rocks, usually limestone or dolomite. As rainwater percolates through the soil, it is rendered slightly acidic as it picks up carbon dioxide from microbial decay of organic soil material. This fortified water has the capacity to dissolve the rock. Over the course of many thousands of years, dramatic changes occur; the typical features of karst develop &endash; caves and sinkholes form; underground drainage occurs. Mystery Cave is a maze of linear corridors. Over 12 miles of passage exist in two rock layers with strikingly different compositions. During dry years, the entire South Branch Root River sinks into the cave through gravel filled crevices in the river bottom.
N
e a r b y F o l k s p o r t s
Twin Cities Volkssports offers a seasonal walk in Austin. For information contact Gene Schutte, 651-429-6938.
N
e a r b y S t a t e P a r k s
Beaver Creek Valley State ParkWhitewater State Park
Lake Louise State Park
DNR: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
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