I recently had an opportunity to go with my friend Moon down into a storm drain. This drain system goes on for miles and miles. there are 3 staircases that go all the way to the surface to diffuse the water drainage. This may be the coolest place I've ever been. A little scary too!
The old Amtrak station in St. Paul.
My evening started off having a couple of extra minutes before I met up with Moon. I thought I would get a couple of pictures of the old train station. Then I went over to meet Moon at the Dubliner.
The old Ace Box Bar sign.
I wish I had a picture or two of the way we had to take to get down to the river. Unfortunately I was too busy trying not to die. I guess it wasn't that bad, just very slippery, muddy and steep.
The Triple Helix.
After a couple of slips and near falls. We made it down to the entrance. We got our flashlights out and headed in. Right into this.
It was like walking into a giant crazy underground fun house. We started making our way up the tunnel.
This way!
We passed hundreds of graffiti pieces. Some huge. Some small.
So after walking for a good 45 minutes or so we had passed under two drain "waterfalls". Kind of gross. You try not to think about it.
How far underground are we?!? That tiny little dot in the center is a manhole grate by the way.
We finally got to the side tunnel that leads to the first "Helix"
Not much room to breath.
This tunnel was about 1000 feet long and 6 feet tall and about 3and a half feet wide. I am not normally a claustrophobic person but, when you are in the middle of that tunnel 100 feet below ground it's freaky. Finally we got to the base of the staircase.
Lifetime fitness has nothing on this staircase.
I haven't climbed that many stairs in a very long time. After 10 minutes and 3 breaks because I'm a fat bastard we made it to the top.
The top of the stairs.
I was happy to note the block ledge at the top to sit down for a couple of minutes.
Tube to the water holding tank under fairview and Marshall.
The view from my resting place back down the stairs.
We headed back down and went down the tunnel another half mile or so.
Having fun with flashlight reflections.
We were about 2 miles in at this point. I knew personally that I had no desire to climb the last two "Helix's". So we headed back to the entrance swearing to come back another time to tackle the other staircases.
Moon at the drain exit.
You can't beat the view from down here. After a short rest we climbed back up that stupid river bank. By the time we got to the top it was all I could do to hop the fence.
We went home tired, muddy and with plans to tackle another mission soon. The next day I was so sore from all of that climbing I could hardly walk lol. It was a great experience that I can't wait to repeat.