Wilderness Hiking

Join us for a short festive ride out to Howth, with mince pies and mulled wine to enjoy along the way 🥧🍷 **Distance:** 25 km **Terrain:** Mostly flat, with a climb up to the Summit **Route plan:** 1️⃣ Depart at **12:00 midday** from the **Sails Sculpture on Clontarf Road** 2️⃣ Cycle out to **Sutton Cross** via the coastal cycle path 3️⃣ Turn right and head directly over **Howth Hill** 4️⃣ Short stop at **Howth Pier** 5️⃣ Return to the starting point by **2:00 pm** 🪖 **PLEASE WEAR A HELMET** 🔧 Bring a spare tube in case of a puncture WAIVER & RELEASE: We are a group composed of volunteers. We are not a professional organisation. As such, each of us is responsible for our own safety and well-being during an organised event. The organiser(s) is not in any way responsible for any participant on the trip. However, as a group of friends, we make an effort to look out for one another to the best of our ability. By joining this event, you and your guests agree to and accept the following waiver and liability amendment to the Meetup Terms of Service at [http://www.meetup.com/terms/ ;](http://www.meetup.com/terms/%20; 1. My guests and I have read the Meetup Terms of Service at [http://www.meetup.com/terms/ and hereby amend it to include the same waiver and release therein to this event's organiser(s)

Join us on Christmas morning for an easy paced 5km run. We will start, as always, with a warm up routine and then will run at approx 7.20 minutes per km pace. Enjoy the run, and be home in time for your dinner. We usually have a coffee and chat afterwards, but we will probably miss out on the coffee today. PLEASE NOTE: That, if you RSVP a particular event, then please ensure that you attend, as there may be other members relying on you for company on the run. IMPORTANT NOTE: Any run or activity that you participate in with the group will be at your own risk.

You'll meet your local guide at the meeting point a little before 11AM and show your booking. Then we'll commence a fascinating walking tour through the streets, sights, and sounds of Dublin old and new. You'll get an unrivalled insight to the history and culture that has shaped the capital you see today - warts and all, discover the lesser-known, intriguing oddities of our city, and get unique insider tips for the rest of your stay. Sites and topics covered include: Dublin Castle, Christchurch, Viking & Medieval Dublin, Temple Bar, fables, folklore and mythology, Trinity College, Stephen's Green, risings and rebellions, writers & rogues and so, so much more... please remember, places are limited and you must book your spot via: https://www.generationtours.com/dublin See you soon!

Hi 🙋‍♂️ we will meet at 7pm at ‘the Sails’ sculpture. We will walk along the seafront prom to the wooden bridge and back & stop for a drink & chat in the Yacht pub. To get to the walk start from town:- Clontarf dart station is just a short walk away. Or there are lots of bus stops close by too. Look forward to seeing you on the walk!! 😃 ***Note: if you are delayed or need to cancel, can you please leave a message below so that we can wait for you (or cancel your booking) thanks 🙏

For centuries, ancient wisdom and spiritual mentors have emphasized the transformative power of meditation, promising increased happiness and personal growth. You may have been drawn to meditation to cultivate inner peace and tranquility, enhance physical well-being, cleanse the mind, or attract positivity and good fortune.
Your goals may include stress management, increased happiness, enhanced intelligence, intuitive development, or even spiritual enlightenment. **About the meditation:** Of all the techniques developed and taught by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, perhaps none prompts as many glowing testimonials of personal healing and positive life transformation as the meditation on the Twin Hearts. Presently being practiced globally by people of different religions and backgrounds, the Meditation on Twin Hearts is extraordinary in its simplicity with amazing and dramatic results. Cost: Optional donation to charity RSVP: discoverpranichealing@gmail.com
 Facilitator: Hazel Keogh 085 2124080

Our annual Christmas DMW. This is a 42km linear walk across the trails of the Dublin Mountains. We will kick off from Tallaght Stadium at 09:00. Some of us will meet in Shankill around 08:15 and get a taxi over to Tallaght. We expect to be finished in approximately 7.5 hours, so will be fast pace. We will be having some food and drinks in Bradys pub in Shankill afterwards. Bus and Dart available in Shankill for return journey. Parking available also if you fancy driving over. Light hiking boots or trail runners are suitable for this hike as mostly forest trails and roads.

Meeting at the Glen of the Downs car park for 09.40am, on the trails immediately thereafter - this will be a nice hike around the Octagon in Glen of the Downs forest, then a hike out & around the Big Sugarloaf, before returning to car park, approx. 16km and ascent of 650m. Some really nice views on a clear day. This trek is mainly on tracks and trails and some road. Appropriate hiking gear is required for this & all of my hikes. However as this is mainly on good ground light hiking boots / trail shoes may suffice. Bring lunch & drinks of your choice. Coffee afterwards for those who wish and have the time in Plucks / Avoca / The Delagany cafe.

*I have found that it can be difficult to find male-only spaces where I can openly experience and express my emotions and vulnerability in a group setting, which can lead to feelings of loneliness that I have experienced. This facilitated male-only walk in nature aims to address that. Please note, there is no pressure to share during the walk—attendees can choose to share as little or as much as they wish.* I may run more mixed (male and female) walks in the future. *Thanks for your interest.* ‘If we keep our eyes open and our hearts clear, we can realise that life gives us adequate opportunities to experience both love and hope.’ (John Moriarty) ‘Nature, calling us out of our biographies into the fluvial marvel of now.’ (John Moriarty) 'The freedom in walking lies in not being anyone; for the walking body has no history, it is just an eddy in the stream of immemorial life.' (Frédéric Gros) “In the age of the world’s night, someone returns to be beginning, becomes so inwardly empty as to be available to the beginning.” (John Moriarty) 'There was something in the darkness and cold that comforted me in my pain. There was something in feeling the rain. There was something if I stayed long enough.' 'I asked myself what it would be like to enter into the dark and emerge into the light. What would I discover about myself and others? What would I find in this space that could help me?' \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* These walks will encourage speaking from the heart, periods of silence mixed with gentle sharing, storytelling, encounters with nature, and free-roaming/solitary exploration. Contemplation and reflection practices will also be featured, and depending on the number of participants, I may incorporate individual, pair, and group activities. **Example format of a walk (please note this format can change slightly from walk to walk, depending on different factors - see note 1):** * Welcome, Introductions, Icebreaker Activity, and Group Guidelines * Walk for 15-20 mins as a group * Gather, check in, and share for 5-10 mins * Walk for another 15-20 mins as a group with someone leading * Gather, check in, and share for 5-10 mins * Stillness activity and/or free exploration/wandering for 15-20 mins * Final gather, check-in, and share for 10-15 mins * Invitation to share feedback, thank you, and farewell/goodbyes I will aim to provide a supportive and safe space during the walk where people can freely open up about their lives and experiences as much or as little as they choose to. Anything you share is confidential and shall not be disclosed outside the space. * **TIME:** Sunrise starts around 7/7.30am, approximately, so we will meet at 6.20am and start walking around 6.25am/6.30am. Please be on time to respect other members in the group. We will need to start walking at 6.30am at the latest. * **MEETING POINT:** The meeting point is at the Parkgate Street Entrance to Phoenix Park, where the bike rental is located. * **IMPORTANT:** Please read notes 1-16 below to prepare yourself for the walk. **Note 1 - Walk Format** Please note that the format can slightly change from walk to walk as I like to check in with participants and the group regularly during the event to try and understand what they need as the walk unfolds, and try to be flexible given the needs that can arise or just how the group is feeling as a whole. Other factors, such as weather, location, time, the introduction of new practices, and participant sharing, can also influence the structure and flow of the event. **Note 2 - Silence** I would like to explore being with silence during the walks, so I will suggest that people do some parts of the walk in silence if they want to and feel comfortable. When we reach destinations or resting points on the walk, there will be a break in the silence to allow for engagement and sharing if people feel like it. I may suggest different prompts or topics at times if needed to stimulate conversation, but primarily, I would prefer to use the group's collective wisdom and shared insights to guide the dialogue. If people prefer or need to talk at times, that's fine, but please be aware of and respect the silence in the space by being mindful of your proximity to others and speaking in softer tones if necessary. **Note 3 - Walking Pace** People will be encouraged to walk at their own pace, which they are comfortable with, and at the pace they feel in the moment. For some parts of the walk, I want people to explore their being, and that will bring them to different places than others. For example, someone may want to sit on a bench and breathe, someone else may want to stretch using the kerb, and another person may be drawn to walk towards or around a tree. We will regroup at different intervals before coming back together. If people prefer to talk to someone and walk in pairs or groups, that is fine. **Note 4 - Focuses/Topics** Listening, Silence, Heart, Wildness, Breath, Being, Pain/Suffering, Grief/Loss, Gentleness, Immersion, Gratefulness, Presence, Patience, Stillness, Honest Vulnerability, Kindness, Respect, Curiosity, Non-judgment, Peace, Innocence, Play, Letting Go, Ease, Rest, Movement, Senses, Feeling, Depth, Simplicity, Choices, Story, Calm, Safety, Interconnectedness, Contemplation, Grace. **Note 5 - Weather/Clothing** Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. I will still walk if there is rain/bad weather unless it is very, very bad. **Note 6 - Footwear** There is a chance we could walk through long, wet grass and/or leaves, so hiking footwear or something that can get a bit wet or dirty while you stay comfortable would be advised. **Note 7 - Phones** Please put your phone on silent mode for the duration of the walk so we can create a space with fewer distractions. If you need to take a call, please put some distance between yourself and the group before doing so to respect the quiet space we create together. **Note 8 - Thoughts On Discomfort** Speaking for myself, it will involve some discomfort to get out of bed early for a walk, as it is not something I do often. I hope to try and accept and work through this feeling of discomfort during the experience and perhaps open up to something beyond it. People may approach or experience this differently, and I hope to hear and open up to their ways of experience, too. **Note 9 - Donations** Donations are welcome and go towards supporting the group. I suggest a donation of €3 if you wish to donate. Donations can be made using Revolut, PayPal, or cash. If using cash, please have exact change as I don't normally have change on me. Pay by Revolut - [https://revolut.me/davidtbt5](https://revolut.me/davidtbt5) **Note 10 - Toilet Facilities** As far as I know, there are no official toilet facilities open at this time in Phoenix Park. Please be mindful of this before joining this event. If I hear or discover anything different, I will update this section. **Note 11 - Bike Parking Facilities** There are plenty of places to park bikes at the Parkgate Street entrance to Phoenix Park. **Note 12 - Car Parking Facilities** Parking a car to get to the Parkgate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park requires some forward thinking and planning. There is a large car park at the back of Heuston Station, but it is a 10-15 minute walk from where we meet. As it is early in the morning, you may be able to find a spot to park your car in the park, or else there may be on-street parking on Parkgate Street or around the courts. If I can think of any other options, I will post them here. **Note 13 - RSVPs** Please only RSVP if you intend to come and change your RSVP to 'No' if you are not going to be able to attend. **Note 14 - Disclaimer** Attending this event and every event in this group is entirely in every possible way at your own risk. **Note 15 - Questions/Feedback** If you have any questions or feedback, please do let me know. **Note 16 - Quotes** SOME MORE QUOTES THAT HAVE INSPIRED THIS EVENT: ‘If there's going to be any chance for us, we're going to have to stop and wait for our souls to catch up.’ (John Moriarty) 'I was experiencing an unnegotiable need to walk the earth with a barefoot heart and a barefoot mind.' (John Moriarty) 'Walking is to return to be guided by our own hearts...' (Unknown) “When there is really nothing left to do or believe, except to remember, walking helps retrieve the absolute simplicity of presence, beyond all hope, before any expectation.” (Frédéric Gros) “Days of slow walking are very long: they make you live longer, because you have allowed every hour, every minute, every second to breathe, to deepen, instead of filling them up by straining the joints…” (Frédéric Gros)

Join WhatsApp Group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BYxEvbAvoVl3zcYXjhI0EX](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BYxEvbAvoVl3zcYXjhI0EX) Sat Dec 20, 2025 Cliffs of Moher Road Trip Meeting Point: 08:00 am Starbucks, Mount St Cres, Dublin, Dublin Reserve Carpool or Driver [https://link.extremelyshy.com/@dublin&H278F0](https://link.extremelyshy.com/@dublin&H278F0)

**Summary** I love hiking [Highbanks](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) in the winter after the sun has gone down. Highbanks is never really dark -- there's too much ambient light from Lewis Center. But I love the trails at night. When I started hiking Highbanks, I was afraid of getting lost and particularly at night. But now that I know my way around, nighttime is one of my favorite times to hike there. In addition, near the end of our hike, we will take a few minutes to walk around the Nature Center and look at the Christmas lights. (The Nature Center itself will be closed, however, by the time we get to it.) We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line). We'll hike about 5 miles on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks and [food](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood). Last year, the weather wasn't too terrible, and the Brewery had their patio fire pits going and we were able to sit outside. The fire pits at night are kind of amazing. The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, Lewis Center, OH 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by 7:45. **How to find our starting point in Big Meadows** If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park). Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left. **Note on our starting time** Highbanks closes at 8:00 this time of year, and they get kind of snarly about getting everyone out of the park by then. So please be on time for this hike. I want to allow two hours for the hike and be back at Big Meadows by 7:30. So we're shoving off at 5:30, with or without a quorum.

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line). We'll hike about 5 miles at [Highbanks Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks, coffee, or food (their Sunday [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) is Venezuelan and always gets good reviews). The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by noon. **How to find our starting point in Big Meadows:** If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park). Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left.

Join us this December for a (possibly!) snowy walk in Sharon Woods Metropark. This hike is dog friendly!🐕 Hot cocoa and candy canes will be provided after the hike. [Please register for this hike here](https://forms.gle/e7mLpRt2zWev2WnB6) to receive alerts and specifics about this event.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.