Bluffside Park (MN) - Quarry/Cistern Trails

On Cistern trail

I recently had the pleasure of hiking some of the higher bluffside and rim trails at the top of Bluffside Park in Winona. These trails are sometimes referred to as the Holzinger Lodge trails since a number of the trails start low on the bluff by the old lodge. These fifteen miles of trails (or more with recently opened trails) are shared bike/hike trails in this city park overlooking Winona and the Mississippi River. They vary between older, narrow trails, logging and access roads and newer trails that are slightly wider.

Heading up Quarry trail

The crisp snowless December weather made for excellent footing on the higher, rocky trails we were hiking on. And because we were hiking in December, the vistas were spectacular and clear. 

We started from the Wincrest Dr. East trailhead. To get to the Quarry Trail, stay to the right on the trail past  the map kiosk. It's a bit confusing at the beginning of the hike since multiple trails are designated with the name Wildwood. By staying to the right as you head into the trail system here, you easily hit the Upper Connector trail and continuing on the right leads you to the Quarry Trail.

Looking at the map, we dropped down from red Wildwood and followed the hilly orange Upper Connector trail to maintain more of our elevation. We again stayed on the right to catch the purple Quarry trail. 

Click here to see the full map with trail names and mileage for each.

Quarry image - Diane Palm

Once on the Quarry trail, you gradually ascend on the bluffsides and narrow, rocky ridge trails to the old quarry. There is plenty of room to explore the rocks, some of which sport the usual grafftti  - and some rather more artful images. You'll see great rocks and views as well.

The cistern

Past the quarry, you head quickly downward until you are quite near the Woodlawn Cemetery, where you will see additional lower trails. Stay on the Quarry trail until you spot the old cistern to your left. Take a steep left onto this gorgeous bluffside trail that ascends gradually as it takes you back to the trail junctions of Quarry and the Upper and Lower Connectors and head back to the trailhead. 

THE HIKE

This 3.3 mile loop hike features rolling ups and downs through mature hardwood forests along the bluffsides and rim trails of the southeastern portion of the Bluffside Park trail system. The elevation gain is 470 feet so it is a great aerobic climb. While you see neighboring houses above you and the cemetery below you on some portions, you also see lovely vistas, rock formations and forested bluffsides. Many of the higher trails are quite rocky so hiking sticks can definitely help. 

Location

From Hwy 14/61, turn south on Huff Rd (toward the bluff). Take an immediate left onto W. Lake Blvd, then an immediate right onto Garvin Heights Rd. Follow that road to the top of the bluff; turn right on Conrad Dr. Stay on Conrad (it goes left at the T) to Wincrest Dr- take a right and park at cul de sac by trailhead.

Additional posts describing Bluffside Park trails:

• Wildwood Trail Loop Amble

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters