Rice Creek West: Trail Review

In all the free time I have now, with not training for any races, I decided to check out some trails that have been on my 'to see' list.  Right at the top is Rice Creek West - in Anoka Co. Not to be confused with the portions of Rice Creek North in Anoka Co, nor the portions of Rice Creek West and North in Ramsey Co.

Trail: Rice Creek West.

Parking and Logistics I used the Locke Park access to the trail.  There's a port o pot, but the plumbed facilities are always locked for some reason.  I wanted to try this trail because it's quite close to a work location I frequent.  So, even without a place to change at the park, logistics are fine.

Hills: OMG Yes.  This is like "let's put a parking lot up here and then let you run down the hill to the creek.  And then up the hill to this road..."

Ease of Running: It's a paved trail.  The east bound portion of the trail from the dog park was fine except a mighty hill up to the Medtronic campus.  The west bound portion of the trail had issues due to new housing and road construction, and then a very old and 'lumpy' part of the trail. (Sorry, I don't know a better word for it.)

Nature: Lots of birds.  This trail is beautiful for a hot minute before it starts running next to the road. I was so excited and so bummed.

Will I come back: Maybe for a walk, but not for a run. I'm very 'meh' on this trail.  Some parts were amazing, especially down in the woods near the creek.  But, for a run, there are  too many at grade crossings of very busy roads.  Westbound, this crosses University Ave and River Rd at grade, with a signaled crosswalk.  Eastbound, this crosses Central Ave, also at grade with a signaled crosswalk. I didn't go east of Central, but there appear to be at grade crossings of Silver Lake Rd, Stinson Blvd and Long Lake Rd. It's not clear if they are signaled or not.