Twin Cities Hiking Meetup

Instead of hiking our usual hike at Hyland in Bloomington, we are having a special hiking event at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park south of Northfield where the fall colors should be at their prettiest.

In 1945, the creation of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park protected one of the last remnants of Minnesota’s Big Woods. A visit today reveals the ancient forests of pre-settlement Minnesota. Walk beneath sugar maple, basswood, elm, green ash and ironwood trees. Find over 50 varieties of wildflowers and many species of ferns and mushrooms along the rolling hills and glacial-cut valleys. Prairie Creek flows through the park, its picturesque Hidden Falls just waiting to be discovered.

We will hike approximately 2 1/2 hours and then have lunch in Northfield, the place yet to be determined.

We will meet at our usual time of 8:00 am at Hyland to carpool. Only vaccinated hikers in the carpool. Park in the first parking lot on your right as you enter Hyland's recreational area. Drivers need to have a State Parks permit to park at Nerstrand.

Only experienced hikers at this event due to the condition of the trails. This will NOT be a fast hike. The trail is more challenging than at Hyland and we will stop to enjoy the stunning views and gorgeous scenery along the route.

This special event will be held even if it rains but not in a storm. If it looks like bad weather, we will cancel the hike by 7:00 a.m.

Park in the first parking lot as you enter the park at 8:00 am. We will leave promptly at 8:15. If you are late, you will miss the carpool. The maximum number of hikers for this event is 16. Riders will pay their driver $5 (rt). We will to return to Hyland about 3:00 pm.

There are restrooms at the Trailhead. Bring your own water. Day packs are recommended.

To make sure everyone's health is protected, if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently been exposed, do not come to this hike. By signing up, you agree to comply with CDC recommendations and Wisconsin Department of Health and applicable rules for use of parks and outdoor recreational facilities.

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP in a timely manner so we are not waiting for you at the start and to allow those on the waitlist to attend.

Questions? Send me a message or post your questions in the comments section after you RSVP.

Hike at your own risk: By signing up for this event, you agree to assume personal responsibility for all risks associated with this event, and release the organizers, event hosts, and other members of the venue, from any liability.

Read all the stuff before signing up!

HIKE STUFF:

This is a 4 mile, moderate, unpaved trail with some steep inclines that make it more challenging - a great workout! We will keep a brisk pace most of the time, roughly a 18 minute mile (slower on the uphill). If you don’t know how fast that is, assume it’s quite fast. If you are not a fast walker or comfortable tackling big hills, this hike is not recommended. This park can be tricky to navigate and has rocky and sandy terrain. My 3 week old photo doesn’t do it justice - the color there is incredible right now!

This address takes you to the lot by the MTB trailhead. If you get to the horse lot you are in the wrong place. We will meet near the restroom building between the lot and the trail.

Please update your RSVP in a timely fashion. No shows are a bummer because they prevent other hikers from joining. Be considerate of others!

By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release our hikers, organizers, event organizers, and members from any and all personal injury and property damage liability.

No pets, no kids, no +1s, no crashers
from the waiting list. Only TCH meetup event registered hikers.

COVID STUFF:

In keeping with Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Dept of Health COVID rules for gathering in parks, please stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any known recent exposure. We will be practicing social distancing and other safe behavior during the hike.

Please join us for a moderately fast-paced hike through the woods and around the ponds and lakes of Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. We will choose a route from several options, ranging from approximately 4.5 to 5.4 miles in length.

Wondering about the pace? Typically it's between a 16 and 17-minute mile. Most people who do a cardio workout (elevated heart rate) three or more times a week have no problem keeping up. We provide maps for anyone who might fall behind.

Let's meet-up outside the Holland Lake Trailhead Pavilion at 9:00 AM. We will make introductions and get going by 9:02.

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please be respectful of others and update your RSVP in a timely manner. Do your part to stay off the dreaded "no show" list.

Confirmed hikers: Please update your RSVP before 7:00 AM Saturday morning so someone on the waitlist can attend. Waitlist people: Keep an eye open up until 7:00 AM Saturday to see if you made it onto the confirmed list. In the meantime, if your plans have changed, take yourself off the waitlist.

Recommended: Dress for the weather. Layers tend to work well. It may be colder as you start out, but you will warm up during the walk. Bring water as you feel necessary.

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 Twin Cities Hiking Group hikers, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

Hope to see you on the hike!

Join the group for a fall color stroll down the Avenue–Summit Avenue–one of the best preserved upper-class Victorian promenade boulevards in America.

Stretching four-and-one-half miles, from the St. Paul Cathedral to the Mississippi River, Summit Avenue’s homes and mansions of yesteryear’s elite are a wild assortment of styles like Romanesque, Queen Ann, Beaux Arts, Georgian Revival, and Italian Villa. Amazingly, about 85 percent of them remain.

Directions: From I-94, take the Dale Street exit and go south on Dale Street to Summit Avenue. Turn east (left) on Summit Avenue and continue to the intersection with Selby Avenue, right by the St. Paul Cathedral: 225 Summit Avenue. Park along either street then meet the group on the grand front steps of the Cathedral.

Thursday Night Hikes is a longstanding hiking group that welcomes new people (and, upon request, well-behaved, leashed dogs) at our hikes. The pace is slower this year so many brisk-paced hikers may wish to pass these hikes by. For more information about Thursday Night Hikes check out our website: https://thursdaynighthikes.wordpress.com/

Any questions? Leave a message below & I'll respond.

If you find you can't come please change your RSVP to NO as soon as possible to allow someone else to come.