Hammer Trail
- 0.9 mi
- loop
- 55 ft
- climb
- 1,142 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Apr, Jun–Oct
- best months
Caution today
Weather is marginal · OpenWeather · checked 7 h ago
Hammer Trail is a 0.93-mile loop in southern Minnesota, about 2.2 miles from the town of Simpson. The route rises from 1,089 feet to 1,142 feet, with a total elevation gain of 55 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.66 miles in, where the grade reaches 7%. It is a moderate cross-country ski route, and its short length makes it an easy addition to a day on the snow. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rochester show January highs around 23°F with lows near 7°F, while February runs a little warmer at about 27°F. The station sits roughly 160 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the route may run slightly warmer. Several other ski routes lie close by. Meander is 0.3 miles away and The Pipe is 0.4 miles away. For a change of pace, the Willow Creek Reservoir Loop hike is about 2.5 miles off, and Chester Woods County Park Campground is roughly 6.9 miles away.
Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Hammer Trail
Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
23° / 7°
9 wet
Feb
27° / 11°
8 wet
Mar
40° / 23°
10 wet
Apr
55° / 35°
12 wet
May
68° / 47°
13 wet
Jun
78° / 58°
12 wet
Jul
80° / 61°
11 wet
Aug
78° / 58°
10 wet
Sep
72° / 50°
9 wet
Oct
58° / 38°
9 wet
Nov
42° / 26°
9 wet
Dec
28° / 14°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rochester Intl Ap, MN, 4.3 mi away at 1,304 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive
SKI
The Pipe
~1 min drive
0.23-mile out-and-back ski trail in Minnesota with 63 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~16 min drive
0.59-mile out-and-back route on Douglas State Trail in Minnesota with 49 ft of elevation gain.
SEE
Welch Village
~1h 17m drive
SKI
Meander
Next door
0.78-mile out-and-back ski trail in Minnesota with 54 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
The Pipe
Next door
2.49-mile out-and-back route in Minnesota with 276 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~17 min drive
0.51-mile cross-country ski trail in Minnesota with 10 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~20 min drive
Douglas State Trail is a 0.24-mile out-and-back ski trail in Minnesota.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~25 min drive
1.77-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 126 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~27 min drive
0.80-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 39 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Douglas State Trail
~28 min drive
0.86-mile out-and-back route in Minnesota with 56 ft of elevation gain.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
