Trail of Fears: Ophidiophobia LbNA #51428

Recent Visit: Sunday, 10 April 2011

Ophidiophobia is the abnormal fear of snakes. Most people
have a healthy fear of snakes, especially a fear of being bitten by
a poisonous snake. This is especially prudent along the river
valleys of SE Minnesota, home to the Timber Rattler. However,
folks suffering ophidiophobia would have nightmares about snakes and
would never consider going to an Indiana Jones movie.

Get to Mile Post 6 along the Cannon Valley Trail (six miles east of Cannon Falls). From Mile Post 6 continue east on the Cannon Valley Trail for
110 paces where you'll come to a bench and a sign on the north side
of the Trail. This marks the beginning of the (1.5 mile round-trip)
interpretive trail. Take it a small ways until you come to the loop
which you should take clockwise as indicated on the sign. Going up
the hill the ravine will be on your right. Near the top, the trail
will take a sharp left and there will now be a creek bed on the
left. At the top, the trail will double back by a bluebird sign and
some corresponding birdhouses, and there will be a cornfield on
your left. Continue to the next sign (about the erosion control
pond) where there will also be a bench. If you pass the pond and
come to a sign about plantings you've gone past where the letterbox is
planted. Seated on the bench, 40' toward the nearest large
deciduous tree to the right across the trail, look for an ammo box
located under the tree's branches, some brush and sticks.

Recommendations: take mountain bikes, wear blaze orange during
hunting season, read the interpretive signs, continue clockwise
around the loop, and bring your stamp and ink pad.
And beware of snakes!