Gateway Trail

The Gateway trail is about 1 mile North from my house; as I enter the trail I always ride past the Ramsey County Cemetery. I've lived here nearly all my life and did not know this was a cemetery until they posted signs a few years back. The cemetery was established in 1893 on the grounds of the county almshouse and poor farm, the Ramsey County Cemetery was a "Potter's Field" for indigent persons, the homeless, and patients at Ancker Hospital who died without relatives or friends able to pay funeral costs. No provision was made to provide headstones and with few exceptions graves were unmarked. When the cemetery was closed in 1923 there had been 2991 recorded burials. Afterwards, the burial grounds reverted to agricultural use as part of the poor farm. In 2001, the 2.45 acre site was designated a heritage park by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.

I begin the Gateway Trail at the 5 mile marker at White Bear Ave and travel East to the end at Pine Point. From my house to Pine Point and back is a nice 26 mile ride.

Not sure if you can see them but there are a couple Egrets in the water.

Horses are a frequent sight on the trail and if you are riding your mountain bike off road you need to announce yourself and yield to the horses. I've never had any problems with the horses and the riders have all been friendly.

I have a dream... the plan is to extend the Gateway State Trail from Pine Point Park through the Wilder Forest, to William O'Brien State Park, up to Taylor's Falls and Interstate State Park. Continue the dream of a Twin Cities to Duluth trail system, connect other trails and recreational areas, connect surrounding communities and continue the same non-motorized multi-use recreational trail opportunities.

The Gateway State Trail is one of my favorite rides and the fact that it is only 1 mile from my house makes it all the better. I can cruise to Stillwater in about an hour or I can head West and connect with the Bruce Vento trail and from there it's an endless network of bike trails.

I may not have any coffee houses in my neighborhood but I have something better; the Gateway State Trail!