Outdoor & Snow Lovers

Let's meet for a fun hike on the various trails at the beautiful Fort Snelling State Park and hopefully see some of the wildlife there. (There are lots of deer.) The pace will be about a 15:30 - 16:00 minute mile. This pace can be considered moderate to fast. The terrain is pretty flat for most of the trails. See NOTE below on the pace.

This is a MN State Park and requires a vehicle permit. Daily permits are available as you enter the park (ranger station is on the right hand side). Yearly passes are a better option for the money. The yearly passes are valid for one year from the month of your purchase. It is a rolling year so if you buy the pass (for example) April 1st, 2025, the pass is valid until April 30, 2026. See the MN DNR website for information on how to purchase yearly permits. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html

Tips for hiking:
1. Dress in layers. Layers work well to help you adjust your temperature as you get warm while hiking.
2. Dress for about 10+ degrees warmer than the outside temperature. You will get warm while hiking.
3. Bring a separate, dry, shirt for socializing afterwards. It will help prevent chills.
4. Decent hiking shoes. Terrain is uneven. Sandals are not a good option.
5. Bring bug spray, sunscreen & water as desired.

After the hike we can go to Venn Brewing for socializing. The social time is a good way to get to know other attendees better.

Please keep your RSVP updated. If you are running late due to traffic, please comment on the event so we know to wait. We do not want to wait if we do not know if the person is coming. Also, it is respectful to the leaders who are taking time to organize the event.

NOTE: There are several free apps that are GPS based that can help you identify your pace. Another option to know your pace - 4 miles per hour on a treadmill, or mark 4 miles with your car and see if you can do that in an hour. If you fall too far behind, the leader needs to keep moving forward on the route as others have planned for the pace and do not want to wait. An option to get back is to use All Trails (a free app) and click on the map for your location and it displays the trails which can help you get back to your vehicle.

By signing up you agree to release the organizers, event hosts and other members of the event from any liability. The trails may be muddy, uneven and have rocks and tree roots that sneak up out of the ground and could trip you :) Be prepared for whatever the weather or trail may throw at us!
Hope to see you on the trail!

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a beautiful park and on the first Tuesday of the month, admission to the park is free. What's better than free?! Join us as we hike approximately 6 miles through the park. The pace will be about 15:30 - 16 minute mile which may be fast for some, but just fine (or even slow) for others. If you don't know your pace, there are several free apps that are GPS based that can help you identify your pace.

Dogs are welcome on the hike, but must be on a leash per park rules. We'll meet in front of the Nordic Center (1st parking lot on the right from main entrance off of Keats Ave). There are restrooms located inside the building if necessary.

After the hike, we will go to the Lakewood Tavern to enjoy socializing with others. This place has a full menu and a large selection of adult beverages :) Lakewood Tavern is located at 9939 Hudson Blvd N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042.

Tips for spring hiking:
1. Dress for about 10+ degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Even if it is chilly to start, you will get warm while hiking.
2. Layers work well to help regulate your temperature. If you get too warm, you can take off a layer.
3. Bring a separate, dry, shirt for socializing afterwards. It will help prevent chills.
4. Decent hiking shoes. Terrain is uneven.
5. Bring water, sunscreen & bug spray as desired.

Please keep your RSVP updated. If you are running late due to traffic, please comment on the event so we know to wait. We do not want to wait if we do not know if the person is coming. Also, it is respectful to the leaders who are taking time to organize the event.

By signing up you agree to release the organizers, event hosts and other members of the event from any liability. The trails may have some mud, tall grass on the side of the trails, uneven and have rocks and tree roots that sneak up out of the ground and could trip you :) Be prepared for whatever the weather or trail may throw at us!

Hope to see you on the trail!

Bike ride Wednesdays! Let’s meet at the Nichol’s trailhead in Eagan for a bike ride on the Minnesota River Greenway. We’ll bike for approximately 15 miles at about a 12 mph speed. Afterwards, we can head to Bald Man Brewing for socializing. Socializing afterwards is a great way to get to know other attendees better and make friends.

Please keep your RSVP updated. If you are running late due to traffic, please comment on the event so we know if we should wait. We don’t want to wait if we don’t know the person is coming.

By signing up for this event you agree to release the organizers, event hosts and other members of the even from any liability.

Please join us for a hike along the Minnehaha Falls trails. We'll cover about six miles, starting outside of Sea Salt restaurant overlooking the falls. The pace will somewhere around 17ish minute miles - give or take depending upon the group.

The route will vary week to week depending upon trail conditions and the choice of the leader. It is mainly paved trails. Afterwards, consider joining us for post-hike socializing at Venn Brewing. It is a great way to get to know people & make friends!

Please keep your RSVP current. It is hard to know if the leader should wait for someone that may not even be coming. Please be considerate and not be a No-show!! Please note: RSVPs close at 5:30 PM the day of the meetup.

Free parking is available in the neighborhood north of Minnehaha Falls.