The Luce Line State Trail follows the corridor of a former railroad line and has been maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( DNR ) since 1976 .

Although the Luce Line is now a recreational trail , it was originally created for the railroad industry .

In the 1900s , W . L . Luce and his son , E . D . Luce , had plans to build a railroad from Minneapolis to Brookings , SD . A short track was installed within Minneapolis , and westward construction began in 1913 . The tracks reached Cosmos in 1922 .

In 1924 , the Luce Line was sold and reorganized as the Minnesota Western Railroad Company , with the Luce family still in control . At this time , the railroad ’ s primary function was to haul lumber , grain , and other commodities .

After changing possession a few times , the Luce Line ’ s fi nal owner was the Chicago & North Western Railway Company , which purchased the line in 1960 . Competition from other modes of transportation made the railroad unprofi table , however , and the company offi cially abandoned it in 1970 .

Legislation was passed designating the Luce Line as a state trail in 1973 , and the DNR acquired a major portion of the right-of-way in 1975 .

The Luce Line State Trail is a 63 mile long former railroad grade which is developed for biking , hiking , horseback riding , mountainbiking , snowmobiling , and cross-country skiing . The limestone surfaced trail runs from Plymouth 30 miles west to Winsted , with a parallel treadway for horsebackriding . Snowmobiles are allowedon the trail west of Stubb ’ s Bay Road . ( Snowmobiles are prohibited between Vicksburg Lane and Stubbs Bay Road . Be aware of local speed limit restrictions .)

The trail from Winsted to Hutchinson was developed as a paved trail with a parallel , natural surface treadway for horseback riding . The aggregate base is of a larger size than the crushed granite , but is bikeable . The trail from Hutchinson to Cedar Mills was developed with a base of crushed granite , which is of a larger size than the crushed limestone , but is bikeable . Stretching across the varied lan scapes of metropolitan and rural Minnesota , the Luce Line is a preserved strip of countryside alive with many varieties of plants and animals . In the east the infl uence is woodland , a carry-over from the Big Woods that once occupied the area .

Rolling stands of sugar maple and basswood , along with many colorful forest fl oor groundcover plants can be found here . From Hutchinson westward , the Big Woods gives way to remnants of the tall-grass prairie , with many prairie plants still visible .

Wildlife inhabitants range from deer , fox and mink to owls and pheasant . Many adjacent lakes also support ducks and geese . The Luce Line is truly like a jaunt down a quiet country road .

The Friends of the Luce Line West continue efforts to improve the trail in Mcleod County . Those interested in joining or seeking information can contact the organization ’ s President , Steve Cook , via email at scook @ hutchtel . net

Hutchinson

Silver Lake

Winsted is near the middle of the Luce Line State Trail , which runs from Plymouth in the east , to Cosmos in the west . 36