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Great Northern Trail Master Plan | August 2022 <br />Chapter 01 | Intro + Context <br />12 <br />SETTING/REGIONAL CONTEXT <br />The Great Northern Trail straddles two of the <br />three major biomes in Minnesota: deciduous and <br />coniferous forests. The pre-settlement vegetation <br />included Big Woods hardwoods with scatterings of <br />coniferous bogs and swamps in the north, and oak <br />openings and barrens with patches of aspen. <br />SITE INFORMATION <br />The Great Northern Trail is equally split between <br />Sherburne and Mille Lacs County, passing through <br />Elk River, Zimmerman, Princeton, the town of <br />Pease, and Milaca. The southern half of the trail <br />in Sherburne County is primarily wooded, located <br />a few miles west and parallel to Hwy 169. The <br />landscape is peppered with lakes that have been <br />developed with single-family housing. This section <br />of the trail has gaps in public ownership which will <br />require land acquisition. The northern half of <br />the trail passes through agricultural land and runs <br />directly parallel to Hwy 169. The historic rail bed has <br />significant vegetation that has grown up to provide <br />a tunnel-like experience as well as a strong buffer <br />from the highway. Remnant patches of wetlands in <br />this section host a variety of native flora and fauna. <br />Sections in Milaca and Princeton include views and <br />access to the Rum River, providing an opportunity <br />for a bike-paddle loop. An urban stretch of trail <br />through Princeton will require protected bike lanes. <br />Existing ContextExisting Context