I was surprised to find part of the paved trail along the Mississippi River in Hidden Falls Park, St Paul, closed and covered by deep sugar sand. This area extends from below the Highway 5 Bridge upstream about a quarter of a mile. I was on a hardtail with 2.1 inch tires and could not ride through the area. I have not been able to find information about this trail disruption on city or county websites. I didn't see any suggested detour signs. It didn't seem like flood debris, other low areas were clear.
I rode from the Hidden Falls upper parking lot south to Crosby Farm Park (today, 15 Sept. 203). The new trail in the upland area (formerly the far end of Lower Hidden Falls Drive) is paved and now joins the trail segments that were previously separated by sand dunes.
The new parking lot at the bottom of the hill on Lower Hidden Falls Drive is complete. The Lower Hidden Falls Drive gate (along Mississippi River Blvd.) was locked closed.
FYI, I saw signs stating that Crosby Farm Regional Park will be closed for an archery hunt on Oct 9-11 & Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
