Twin Cities Hiking Meetup

Hello, Please note location change to the Historic Ft. Snelling. We will walk at a moderate/brisk fitness pace for around 90 minutes. Route will vary depending on the trail conditions. Dress appropriately for the weather, but not too warm. Good hiking boots are a must. Once there is ice/snow on the ground you will need ice grippers. Note: To make sure everyone's health is protected, if you have symptoms of the flu, have recently traveled overseas to a country under a CDC level 3 warning/level 4 Department of State warning, or if you have been in contact with someone positive for the Coronavirus, stay home for 14 days after symptoms subside, or return from your travel. Thank you! Questions: Post questions in comments section after you RSVP. Important: ### By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release Hardy hikers, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

People get lost or have things go wrong in remote outdoors activities and even in large county and city parks. In 2010, a woman and her son were lost at Lebanon Hills while bicycling, leading to a search and rescue effort and their return after midnight. In the process a rescuer also became lost. Things can happen at any time. What are the Ten Essentials that you need on any adventure in the outdoors? What hacks do you use for items serving this purpose? This will be a hands on discussion of which items are essential to stay safe and to cope in the event that something goes wrong when you are outside. ___________ To join the Zoom presentation, go to https://mnrovers.org/contact-us/?directed_to=virtual-meeting and make sure "Virtual Tuesday meetings" is in the drop-down menu. After you submit the form, you'll receive an email reply with the Zoom link.

Note: to make sure everyone's health is protected, if you have symptoms of the flu, have recently traveled overseas to a country under a CDC level 3 warning/level 4 Department of State warning, or if you have been in contact with someone positive for the Coronavirus, stay home for 14 days after symptoms subside, or return from your travel. Thank you! Important Note: starting DEC 12 change of start time is 6:00pm Let's meet at 5:45pm to get acquainted. We will begin hiking at 6:00pm promptly. We are hoping the later time will allow all of us to be on time. Hoping the trails are dryer so wear can wear some tennis shoes. But if there has been a recent rain boots are suggested. You may want to start packing water and bug repellant (and possibly sunscreen) soon. The visitor center closes at 9pm, but restrooms are available if you use the side door on the left side of the building. Not sure when the visitor center is open later for the season. French Regional Park has both paved and unpaved trails with various lengths and difficulty, some of which are lighted seasonally. The unpaved trails are 100% open but are soft and muddy in spots. Please plan accordingly. Depending on the group and amount of rain, we might walk primarily on paved paths. Recommended items to bring include comfortable but sturdy hiking footwear, insect repellent, drinking water, and a snack. I'd also bring along a change of clothing and rain gear just in case it's needed. If you cannot handle hiking where mosquitoes are present, you might want to avoid this hike. EXPECTATIONS FOR ATTENDING THIS EVENT: **Event Cancellations** I will cancel in the event of a severe weather warning, nuclear holocaust, or other unsafe hiking conditions. If cancellation occurs, I will send an email to everyone who signed up and update this event page. Please check your email and this page before heading out if in doubt!! **Everyone hikes at their own risk** As with life, hiking has risks associated with it. You assume all personal responsibility and liability for being a part of this event. **This is an adult only hike. Hope you can attend! Questions: Post questions in the comments section after you RSVP. Important: ### By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release Hardy hikers, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. #### Photo description: A deer with 8 legs!

Due to COVID-19, everyone is required to WEAR A MASK. It is not only for your safety but that of others. Also, please be attentive to practicing social distancing. Hope you can make it! ---- If you would like to break up the workweek with a pleasant walk under the evening sky, talking with friendly people about things big and small, come join in the Wednesday walk. Expect a medium pace. There is plenty of free parking along Lake of the Isles Boulevard or on city side streets. We will keep to the walking path, starting around Lake of the Isles and then around Lake Calhoun. I look forward to seeing everyone. Total walk is about 6 miles (2 hours). Note above map location is of a house NEAR the meeting spot. Just walk toward the bridge and we'll be gathering next to the drinking fountain on the bike/walking path (around the lake). It gets dark during the hike, though generally there is enough street and city light to see. IF YOU ARE LATE and the group has already departed, you can likely catch up by hiking in the opposite direction around Lake of Isles---if you are standing looking at the lake, the group goes off to the right so to find us, you should START OFF HIKING TO YOUR LEFT. HOW FAST (OR SLOW) DO WE WALK? We on average walk at a medium pace, but there are those who walk faster and some a bit slower. So to try and accommodate everyone, and yet keep the social aspect of connecting with people and having interesting conversations, we pause four times along the way to let everyone catch up. HOWEVER, we only wait briefly, so if you fall behind you may need to finish the hike on your own. Note that frequent hikers who find themselves on the WAIT LIST may get priority for additional spots that get added beyond the initial limit. No dogs please. By attending the hike you agree to assume all risks. If you separate from the group, you should feel comfortable finding your way back to your car or home.