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The Luce Line Trail
is a state-established trail maintained by the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources. It stretches 63 miles from the western metro suburb of Plymouth to the small town of Cosmos in west-central Minnesota. The trail runs on a former railroad line and is available for biking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and skiing. From Plymouth west about 30 miles to Winsted, the surface is limestone. There is also a parallel treadway for horseback riding. Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail west of Stubb's Bay Road. From Winsted west to Cosmos, the trail has a natural surface.
The Luce Line Trail was originally built as the Electric Short Line Railway from downtown Minneapolis to west central Minnesota by Colonel William Luce. Somewhat hampered by financial constraints, the line was slowly expanded. In 1927, it reached its western most point at Gluek, Minn., which was referred to by employees as "the coast." The track was officially abandoned by the railroad in 1972 and was taken over by the DNR for a recreational trail in 1976. Funding as well as political issues have at times slowed its development, but improvements continue to be made. The trail is a preserved strip of countryside with many varieties of plants and animals. Saunders Lake is right along the line and is a beautiful destination. Below is a Hennepin county map that shows Saunders Lake abutting the Luce Line to the west (left) Map of Saunders Lake
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