The Luce Line Trail was established in 1976 as a recreational trail from Plymouth to Cosmos. Over the years, thousands of recreational enthusiasts have used the trail for walking, biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
Original work on the trail was funded through the State of Minnesota. Limited funds for improvements to the trail are currently available through the State Legislature. These funds will be used to repair some bridges, improve drainage and restore portions of the grass trail. Although these funds are essential, they will not cover the entire cost of repairs, upgrades, and bridge replacements that are much needed.
Born of a railroad past, the Luce Line, then as now, has provided a means of both recreation and transportation. Completed as far west as Stubb's Bay Road on June 2, 1914, President W.L. Luce initially operated the Electric Short Line Railway to transport vacationers between Minneapolis and the popular resorts of Medicine Lake, Lake Minnetonka, Parker's Lake, Lake Independence, and Half Moon Lakes.
This passenger service used clean, quiet self propelled gasoline-electric cars. But the planned electrification with overhead trolley wires never occurred. By 1927 the route extended to Gluek and the line began to specialize more in commodities such as grain and lumber. However, because of competition from other modes of transport, the railroad was formally abandoned in 1970 by the Chicago Northwestern Railway.
Remnants of the railroading past still exist in the form of telegraph poles, car sidings, whistle signs and the foundations of coal distribution buildings. Today vacationers and weekend recreationists can continue to travel the Luce Line to points west and, along the way, get a feel of the railroad past.
Stretching across urban and rural landscapes, the Luce Line Trail is a preserved strip of countryside alive with many varieties of plants and animals. In the east the influence is definitely woodland, a carry-over from the past when a large forest known as the "Big Woods" occupied the area.
Rolling stands of sugar maple and basswood, along with many colorful forest floor ground-cover plants can be found there. Just east of Hutchinson the Big Woods gives way to remnants of the tall-grass prairie, with some prairie plants still visible. Wildlife inhabitants range from deer, fox and mink to owls, eagles and pheasant. Many adjacent lakes also support ducks and geese. The Luce Line is truly like a jaunt down a quiet country road.
On the Luce Line summertime activities abound. Bicycling, one of the most popular activities, begins in Plymouth and continues on a limestone surface to Winsted. Mountain bikers can challenge the trail on a grass surface west of Winsted.
Bicyclists can also take advantage of the Luce Line's connections to adjoining roads and trails for access to many other opportunities: camping in Baker Park, swimming in Parker's Lake, pier fishing on Swan Lake or touring around Medicine Lake, just to name a few.
Horseback riders can enjoy a specially provided treadway from Plymouth to Winsted which parallels the limestone surface. From Winsted westward they can travel on the multi-use path, which has a grass surface.
Hikers can explore the length of the trail and use it to get to the heart of central Minnesota. For joggers and walkers, the trail offers a convenient route on which to exercise and relax. The first seven trail miles are marked to assist the walker or jogger in establishing target distances. At points along the trail all users have access to rest areas, picnic grounds, water, toilets and other services.Return to: Luce Line Trail Association home page.