Grey Cloud Dunes SNA
About • Location • Activities • Ecology
About |
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Links |
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Overview |
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History |
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This SNA was designated in 1998. |
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Management |
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Comments |
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Location |
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Maps |
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Printable Map(s) with GPS coordinates |
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Size |
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237 acres |
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Parking |
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North Parking Lot South Parking Lot |
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Driving Directions |
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Activities |
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Hiking Trails |
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The north parking area is at the corner of a woodland that has a dense, at times impenetrable shrub layer. Two trails lead from this parking area into the SNA. The first, a broad, open trail that doubles as a utility road, leads east to restored prairie on former agricultural fields. At that point the trail turns south and follows the top of the bluff, eventually reaching the south parking area. A second, much more interesting trail leads south through the western edge of the woodland. It emerges at the edge of the site’s only shallow lake and near a tunnel under the railroad tracks that connects the north and south sections of the SNA. A well used trail leads west from the south parking area to the railroad tracks. There are several other trails, really well worn footpaths, on this site, indicating that this metro SNA is often used by the public. On a recent trip there were no cars at the north parking lot when I arrived at 10:30 am on a Sunday. There were five cars in the lot when I left at 3:30 pm. |
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Hunting |
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No hunting |
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Ecology |
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Ecological Classification |
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| Ecological Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province |
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| Ecological Section | Minnesota & NE Iowa Morainal |
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| Ecological Subsection | St. Paul-Baldwin Plains and Moraines |
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| Land Type Association | Afton Bedrock Hills |
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Native Plant Communities* |
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Dry Barrens Prairie (Southern) |
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| * Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources | |||||||
Natural Features |
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Oak Grove
In stark contrast to the dense woods near the north parking area, the wooded section at the southwest corner of the SNA is an oak grove. There is an canopy of tall oak, hackberry, and other trees, but there is no shrub layer. This area is often flooded in the spring.
Railroad Prairie
A busy section of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway separates the north and south sections of the SNA. A tunnel beneath the tracks at the west boundary connects the two sections. Two-thirds of the railway between the sections is designated railroad prairie.
Visitor Photos |
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Kirk Nelson |
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Snowshoeing, 12/11/2021 |
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Oak Woods in Late Winter |
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Looking Out from the Treeline near the Railroad Tracks |
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Train |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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North Section |
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South Parking |
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The south parking area is sometimes closed. |
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North Parking |
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Trails |
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Shallow Lake |
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Knapweed Control Area |
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Dry Barrens Prairie (Southern) |
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South Section |
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Tunnel Under Railroad Tracks |
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Dry Barrens Prairie (Southern) |
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Oak Grove |
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Mooers Lake (Mississippi River) |
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Oak Woodland |
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Man-made Shelter |
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Slideshows |
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| Grey Cloud Dunes SNA Brett Whaley |
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| Grey Cloud Dunes SNA minnesota_snas |
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About
Grey Cloud Dunes encompasses two sandy terraces along the Mississippi River. The first, 40 to 60 feet above the river, is remarkable for its crescents and blowouts sculpted by southwesterly winds. The second, 110 feet above the river, has a dramatic cut-face. These river terraces mark the height of the river at various periods following the melting and retreat of the continental glaciers. |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area Virtual Hike Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
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About
Apr 2, 2020 Take a hike out onto the high terrace at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA. You’ll see a spectacular view of the Mississippi River. It’s a treat any time of year, but was especially nice in November, when this video was taken during a seed collection event on the site. This site was designated on December 30, 1998. mndnr.gov/snas/sna01101 |
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| Nature Specials Gone Badly Wrong: Episode 4, "The Sparrow Deer" Scott B. Meyer |
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About
June 14, 2011 This video represents what happens when to much deet is ingested with Nicotine. After seeing a bizzilion sparrows, one gets a bit punchy. Facts were not checked after the release of this video. It takes place at Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. This unique prairie is located on sandy terraces 60 and 110 feet above the present Mississippi River. Formed by the out-wash of the greatly enhanced glacial Mississippi, sand dunes resulted in crescent shapes or blow outs from SW winds. The place is a damn sparrow jamberoo, with over 8 different species. Plus isolated scrub is colonized by Orchard Orioles, Brown Thrashers, Bells Vireos, Alder Flycatchers, Eastern Meadowlarks and Yellow-Billed Cuckoos among many other |
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| Grey Cloud Dunes Michael Myers |
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About
Published on Mar 11, 2017 3.11.2017 |
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_02.jpg "bur oak (var. macrocarpa)")
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