What we’re about
This is a group for anyone that loves to walk and hike in the great outdoors. I started this group to explore the local trails and meet other outdoor enthusiasts. We have a short, local "after-work" hike every week or two, and an occasional longer (half-day or all-day) hike on the weekends to discover the trails and parks within an hour or two of Springfield. We also organize more adventurous hiking trips to Italy, Ireland, Spain, France, Greece, Iceland and Slovenia. We like to have picnics, trailside wine tastings, and ALWAYS an apres-hike bite to eat.
People of all skill levels are welcome, but you should understand the difficulty level of each hike before you sign up.
PLEASE READ OUR FULL DESCRIPTION BELOW BEFORE JOINING.
See you on the trails!
° The group leaders and organizers are not responsible for participant/member safety before, during, or after the events.
° When you arrive at the trailhead before the hike, please find the hike leader and check in. This will be very helpful to the leaders as that pre-hike time is busy for them as they prepare for the outing. Chasing each person down to take attendance, as everyone mingles and moves, is sometimes frustrating. So by finding them and checking in it will help them know who is there, who is late, and if there are any of the dreaded No-Shows.
For the Apres events, you will not need to check in. The leader will still be noting attendance, but it's much easier with everyone seated and not moving.
° The group leaders and organizers will do their best to post applicable park/trail information such as but not limited to: park address, parking or any entrance fees, trail conditions, link to park map, etc. It is each members' responsibility to obtain trail/park information before each event independent of the group organizer.
• Our leaders and organizers are volunteers and fellow participants, not guides. You need to come fully prepared with all your own gear, maps, etc. as if you are going out on the trail alone. Don't forget to bring water for all outdoor events. If it's HOT or we're doing a longer event you might need extra. Be sure to bring safety supplies and a trail map.
• You are responsible for your own cost related to any meetup activity. (Meals, travel, park entry fees, etc.)
• You are responsible for travel to and from our meetup events. The group organizer does not coordinate carpools. However, individuals are welcome to arrange carpooling as desired.
° Everyone hikes at different paces. Please know your limits. Everyone is at free will to start, stop, and turn around when they would like. If you're a couch potato that's new to hiking, perhaps you should start with our short, easy walks, and avoid the "moderate" or "challenging" hikes, lest you find yourself falling behind the others.
° Please bring your pals but have them sign up on this Meetup group first. This insures that all participants receive accurate information about our group and our events.
° We usually hike in the morning starting between 8am-9am, or in the evenings around 5:30 pm. Please be punctual as we will start on time.
° To join our group you must complete the member profile questions and include a current photo of yourself that clearly shows your face. We want to see you, so we can recognize you at our events!
° Outdoor activities can be dangerous and may result in injury or worse. You agree by joining to hold harmless all members of the Central Illinois Walking and Hiking Meetup Group to include our members, group organizers, and event leaders. By joining our events you assume all risk and are responsible for your own physical safety and your property before, during, and after the events.
• If you have any medical condition or limitation choose events that suit your abilities. Please insure you have your physician's clearance to participate in outdoor fitness activities.
• Always have I.D. and emergency contact info available. This should be on your person (in your pocket or a pack) during all activities.
• Meetups may be canceled in inclement weather, closed trails, poor trail conditions, insufficient participation, and a variety of additional circumstances. Please sign up if you plan to attend, and always check for updates before leaving home.
• You must RSVP for a hike or Apres Hike event you plan to attend. Be sure to change your RSVP if you find you cannot attend. RSVP's are important as they help the group organizer make plans and reservations based on the group size. Each time you RSVP for an event but don't show up, you will be flagged as a "NO SHOW". After three NO SHOWs you will be dropped from the group.
• Do not attempt to promote your own events, other groups, or sale of any type of product or service through our group events or online resources. Our meetup pages and additional web resources are available strictly to disseminate information about our group and our scheduled events.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS:
DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER
Outdoor activities (walking, hiking, biking, running, camping, and additional activities) are understood to involve inherent risks. It is your responsibility to understand risk and take appropriate safety measures during all activities. By participating in this voluntary group, you expressly waive any and all claims that may arise from any of the activities planned, to include travel to and from and during the activity, and to understand the organizer, assistants, and group members do not assume liability for personal injuries, death, or destruction or loss of personal property. By participating in the group, you expressly waive any and all such claims against each and every other member in the group, including without limitation any and all claims against the group organizer, assistant organizers, or group sponsors.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- A Tale of Two Cities Pub Crawl, Walk, and DinnerMyers Building Parking Lot, SE Corner of 4th and Washington, Springfield, IL
For this walk we're going to do something completely different! No, not London and Paris, but even better...Springfield and Lincoln!
We'll meet and start our walk at the parking lot next to the Myers Building at the corner of 4th and Washington...SE corner. We'll have a nice brisk walk through downtown Springfield (about 30 minutes, 1-1.5 miles) then stop to refresh ourselves at one of our favorite pubs (which will remain a mystery). Then a bit later we'll walk a second leg and end up at the Amtrak Station on 3rd Street. We'll hop on the 4:46 PM train (there's a bar on the train for those that are still thirsty) for the 25 minute ride to Lincoln, where we hop off. In Lincoln we'll have another shorter walk through their historic downtown to yet another fun mystery pub, and if time permits we'll stop at a second pub. Later we'll make our way to a nearby restaurant for dinner. At 7:58 we'll hop on a southbound train heading back to Springfield, arriving at 8:25...the train station is less than two blocks from where we parked our cars.
The train tickets can be booked online at Amtrak.com (use the times I listed to book the correct train) or in person at the station. The basic fare is currently $6 for the outbound, $8 for the return. (The price will increase as the date approaches) I plan to do this walk even if it rains (bring an umbrella) or you can pay $1 more for a Flex ticket and be able to change the date if you have to cancel. The train does often sell out, and the station manager told me it might be impossible to sell tickets to our group the night of the walk as they will usually have to be out on the platform and not in the ticket office. So you'll need to purchase in advance.
The Apres will be at Rio Grande Mexican restaurant in Lincoln. I have a menu to pass around and we'll pre-order at our first pub stop so our food will be waiting for us when we arrive at the restaurant later that evening.
PLEASE DON'T RSVP FOR THIS EVENT UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE PURCHASED YOUR TRAIN TICKETS. I NEED TO HAVE AN ACCURATE COUNT FOR THE RESTAURANT.This is very important: Please bring cash with you to use at these drinking locations. With a larger group of people, it will simply take too long to pay for a drink with plastic.
