Shadow Falls

Shadow Falls Regional Park is really easy to find and a nice and popular spot.  The actual falls is more difficult to find than what you might expect from the St. Paul map. However now that I've been there the map makes a little bit more sense.  I thought the red on the map was the sidewalk and that you basically walk into the falls like you do over the river at Minnehaha.  Not so.  If you get there early enough to score a parking stall in the little lot you walk towards Summit on the sidewalk along Mississippi River Blvd (north - towards the overlook which is right off the parking lot).

A short ways you will come to a big sweeping curve and a triangle of an intersection. Just keep following the sidewalk.  Across this tangle of roads sits O'Shaughnessy Stadium on the University of St. Thomas campus.  Right about there at the curve is a white sign saying something like "Welcome Ice Climbers" and then a number of rules.  It's a rather large metal sign just in the woods off the sidewalk.  That sign sits on a trail.  Take that trail down into the ravine and follow it until you finally hear and see Shadow Falls.  Incidentally you can hear the falls from the overlook and there is a rather dangerous looking and steep small trail that leads down that way as well.

The trail is very rustic.  It is packed down mud and it crosses the creek a few times. You'll need to crawl over fallen trees and pick your way through either the water or the mud (depending of course when you go there could also be ice).  Some kind souls created little walkways for crossing the creek three or so times.

It's a short hike to the falls depending on your point of view.  It's very scenic and quiet and there were far fewer folks down here than up top.  A few spots are very narrow and right along the edge of the steep ravine.  You cross the Shadow Falls Creek quite a few times which my dog thought was the bomb!  Oh dirty muddy little dog what will I do with you?  The creek is more than a trickle but not by a whole lot so the falls aren't ginormous but they are peaceful and sweet.  You can hear joggers and bikers up top yet you are surrounded by nature and her relaxing beauty.

You finally get to a point at the top along the trail where you see the falls.  I ventured half way down before I slipped and crashed on my tail and decided it was in my best interests to not go down to the ravine floor on this day.  Ended up slamming my butt onto a tree root and took that opportunity to sit and catch the breath that had left me.  The mud was like cement; super sticky and thick and slick.  So another time I will go to the bottom and I bet it is even more serene and wonderful looking up at the waterfall.  The waterfall is not mighty but worth the short jaunt to see it.

Continuing on the trail past the falls you come to a bit of a clearing to look down the Mississippi.  There is another unofficial trail that leads up from this point back to the sidewalk so you have time to walk the mud off your shoes as well as the dogs feet and time for the dog to get slightly dry before jumping back in the car.

 

Should you have the time and energy, a stroll through St. Thomas is recommended. If you don't have time for the whole thing just jump over by the stadium and walk to the fountain.  At least in spring it is surrounded by gorgeous buildings and purple flowers. It's a lovely campus.