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The sights and sounds of the Sunrise Prairie TrailBy Danielle Strenke There is a place where you can go to escape from the hurried activity of every day life, and it is literally right in our own backyards. In 1992, the 15-mile biking and hiking trail known as Sunrise Prairie Trail opened. The path runs from downtown Wyoming to North Branch, and is extended to the south by connecting to the Hardwood Creek Trail which runs nine miles through Washington County to Hugo. Each day, hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts from walkers to runners to bicyclists and in-line skaters enjoy the simplicity of the trail and its surroundings. In the winter, the smooth ground next to the asphalt trail makes for an inviting ride for snowmobilers as well. Starting in Wyoming, trail users can park in a trail parking lot to get on the trail. Also at the site are picnic tables, bike racks and a restroom. For those using the trail to ride their horses, they can find a hitching post in Wyoming and another in North Branch. If Wyoming is a stop for those traveling from the south, they can find food and refreshments at the Cornerstone Pub & Grill or needed supplies at the Wyoming Drug in the downtown area. Just one-half block west of the trail are Dairy Queen and Subway for another dining option. The trail north toward Stacy is relatively flat, as is much of the 15-mile stretch. For almost two miles, it stays close to CR 30. The terrain surrounding the trail here is mostly open prairie, with some trees scattered here and there. The trail crosses the south branch of the Sunrise River and also passes through the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area. A couple of businesses and homes are along this route, before the trail turns west and moves closer to I-35. It stays along the interstate until it nears the Stacy city limits, and then meanders east and crosses the west branch of the Sunrise River where it comes into Stacy through the city park. Here, trail users can find another parking lot for getting on and off the trail, restroom facilities, a large park with a playground, ball field and picnic tables and shelter. Tim's Country Cupboard convenience store is located just north of downtown Stacy on CR30 for stops for refreshments or needed supplies, and the Rustic Inn restaurant is also in downtown Stacy. The trail continues north through town and stays virtually out of sight of CR30, sandwiched between it and the interstate toward North Branch. The scenery alternates between heavily wooded areas to prairies and open grasslands and farm fields. As the trail moves back near CR30 a couple of miles south of North Branch, it is amazingly quiet. Despite being so close to the road, trail users will rarely notice the traffic as they enjoy the sounds of birds, crickets and frogs. Several different varieties of brightly colored wildflowers can be seen, as well as butterflies, dragonflies and a numerous array of all things that creep and crawl. The trail ends at its northern-most point in North Branch, near the intersection of Hwy. 95 and CR30. Here, there is a parking lot, picnic tables and a hitching post. All along the trail as well, trail users will find signs to tell them distances from here to there. Across from the start of the trail in North Branch, is the North Branch Golf Course. A variety of fast food restaurants are located west toward the freeway and along Hwy. 95, and the downtown area includes Skelton Drug, the Olde Brick Inn, Jimmy's Pizza and Pizza Pub for pitstops for food and supplies. With much of the trail surrounded by natural grasslands, wetlands and forests, wildlife are plentiful. Trail users have seen deer, grouse, wild turkey, pheasant and other waterfowl along its expanses. The trail is maintained by the Chisago County Parks Department, and is situated on land formerly used by Burlington Northern. Trail users hope to see the trail expanded in the future to include Harris and Rush City to the north.
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