That stretch you rode from the "wrong turn over the bridge" to the end of your ride was the river, but not in its original channel. Sometime back in the 50's (I think) they channeled the river as part of a flood control project. Essentially, it was a very meandering, slow moving river that flooded easily in the spring. They made it a straight shot so that water could move through faster. I don't know, but suspect that they made the diversion channel that you rode alongside in the first couple of minutes of the video at the same time. You are correct it is a marvelous trail. If you know where to look there are a couple of public restrooms and water fountains. The tower that you saw, but didn't comment about, at Falls Park is a free observation tower with great views of the falls.
Thanks for the info on the diversion. I wish I had known about the observation tower on a clear day it would have been a great view. Thanks for watching and enjoy the loop.
That stretch that you rode from the larger dam up to the spillway at 2:46 wasn't the river. It was the diversion canal that takes much of the flow of the Big Sioux river around the north edge of the city. It rejoins the Big Sioux at the bottom of the spillway and then continues east, out of town. From the spillway onwards you are riding along the actual river. I've walked the loop three times and ridden it on my bike a dozen times or so. It's a nice urban bike trail that goes through a dozen, or so, different city parks.
Nice! We also have a "Falls Park" in my hometown of Greenville, SC, although I would say the falls there in SD are a little more impressive. Looks like you had the trail mostly to yourselves!
I was very impressed with the falls, they were much more impressive in person than the pictures I had seen. We rode early in the morning and it was cold, high 30's. That made for less people, but as it warmed up we saw more bicyclists. I also try to film when there are less people in the shots. Thanks for watching!
I took this trail having lived in Sioux Falls for about six years, it really is very beautiful!
It is a gem of a trail. Thanks for watching!
That stretch you rode from the "wrong turn over the bridge" to the end of your ride was the river, but not in its original channel. Sometime back in the 50's (I think) they channeled the river as part of a flood control project. Essentially, it was a very meandering, slow moving river that flooded easily in the spring. They made it a straight shot so that water could move through faster. I don't know, but suspect that they made the diversion channel that you rode alongside in the first couple of minutes of the video at the same time. You are correct it is a marvelous trail. If you know where to look there are a couple of public restrooms and water fountains. The tower that you saw, but didn't comment about, at Falls Park is a free observation tower with great views of the falls.
Thanks for the info on the diversion. I wish I had known about the observation tower on a clear day it would have been a great view. Thanks for watching and enjoy the loop.
I put this on ny bucket list.
Glad you liked it. Definitely a trail to ride, hope you get to cross it off your list. Thanks for watching.
They keep the trail and the parks in very good condition.
We were very impressed how well kept the trail was, and hope they can continue to expand that beautiful trail system. Thanks for watching!
This brings back memories thank you for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching and commenting.
That stretch that you rode from the larger dam up to the spillway at 2:46 wasn't the river. It was the diversion canal that takes much of the flow of the Big Sioux river around the north edge of the city. It rejoins the Big Sioux at the bottom of the spillway and then continues east, out of town. From the spillway onwards you are riding along the actual river. I've walked the loop three times and ridden it on my bike a dozen times or so. It's a nice urban bike trail that goes through a dozen, or so, different city parks.
Nice! We also have a "Falls Park" in my hometown of Greenville, SC, although I would say the falls there in SD are a little more impressive. Looks like you had the trail mostly to yourselves!
I was very impressed with the falls, they were much more impressive in person than the pictures I had seen. We rode early in the morning and it was cold, high 30's. That made for less people, but as it warmed up we saw more bicyclists. I also try to film when there are less people in the shots. Thanks for watching!