About us
For dog lovers who are ready to go "BEYOND THE SIDEWALK" with our best friends. Our main goal is to actually spend quality time with our pups doing fun things, instead of just hurrying through the daily grind of walking around the neighborhood.
You don't need to own a dog, but you'll have to tolerate ours. We stop often to water the dogs, take pictures, and play in creeks/rivers/lakes.
Usually, we have 2-3 events/week, year round.
When it's cold, we hike. Usually, we hike 6-15 miles/week in cool weather.
When it's hot, we kayak. Some easy lake paddles, some 10 mile river trips.
When it's nice weather, we camp. Campouts will include kayaking/hiking.
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In 2025, after 12 yrs of free membership, we have found it necessary to establish a $15/year membership fee. There is a 60 day free trial, but after that you will need to pay the dues to attend/participate in our events.
YOU MUST BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND EVENT. You'll need to answer our membership questions, pay the dues (after 60 day trial), RSVP like other members do, and abide by our rules if you want to hang out with us.
Leave the negative talk about family or politics at home, just bring a sense of humor and enjoy the day.
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IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A POWER HIKING/PADDLING GROUP, THIS IS NOT IT!
The pace of our hikes/paddles is more relaxed, and our groups are smaller. We take our "goof off" time seriously, especially if there's a puddle, creek, lake or river around. If you're in a hurry to burn up the trail, you won't like our group.
You do have to be reasonably fit for most of our hikes, which average 3-6 miles long.
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WE HAVE RULES & WE ENFORCE THEM! BE SURE TO READ THEM. It's no fun having to correct people on the trail. Please just read them.
Keeps our dogs and people safe and happy. By joining our group, you acknowledge that you have read these rules and agree to abide by them. You obviously hike at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and your dog's safety.
If you don't like these rules...or think they don't apply to you...you should not join our group!
NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES, 6' max
NO INTACT MALE DOGS....THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
KEEP YOUR SHOTS UP TO DATE. We do not check this.
Please use tick preventative on your dogs, for their safety. Trails are often wooded.
Bring water for your dog....this is important, even if you don't think so.
Stay to the right on the trail, just like driving a car. We don't own the trails.
Arrive a bit early and be ready to go, we hit the trail/launch at the scheduled time.
Please leave the political or negative talk at home, no one wants to hear it.
PACE OF HIKE is set by event hosts. New members, do not take over and lead the pack.
If your dog is mean or aggressive, you will be asked to leave.
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REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP:
• A picture that clearly shows either you or your dog...prefer one of your dog!
• A real name for you and your dog
• Your dog's name, breed and age.
IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY THESE THINGS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DENIED.
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Upcoming events
12
BABLER PARK DOG HIKE, Hawthorne Trail
Edmund Babler State Park-Hawthorn Trail, 800 Guy Park Drive, Wildwood, MO, USWeather permitting, we will hike the HAWTHORN TRAIL, which is 1.2 miles long and pretty easy. We have to drive to the trailhead at the back of the park.
PARK MAP. Hawthorne Trail shown in yellow. Meet at ALTA SHELTER.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Map | Missouri State ParksPredicted weather includes ice this weekend, so be sure to check here before heading out. We will cancel if roads are bad.
Some of us may be go graveyard hunting. Weird, but we like to explore old hidden spots like this. There's supposed to be one right near the campground, another near the entrance of the park.
Usual hiking rules apply:
Bring water for your dogs
Short leash only, no retractables.
Wear appropriate footwear - hiking boots,
Poles recommended, but these are not really hard trails.
Expect mud after a rain or snow melt.
YAK TRAX in snowy conditionsDRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Use your GPS or meetup mapping to get to the park. Once inside the park, come to the fork in the road. You can get to this trailhead going either way, but to the right is shorter. By the swimming pool area, you'll turn onto another road and go back up the hill to this trailhead at the very back part of the park.
ALTA SHELTER on Theodore Martin Drive. Meetup map pin should get you there.
7 attendees
QUEENY PARK DOG WALK
Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd, Ballwin, MO, USIf you're new to the group, this one's for you. Queeny is our "party hike", one that almost all people & dogs can enjoy. Easy to meet & greet on wide open trails. Usually our most well-attended hike.
NEW PEOPLE....PLEASE READ ENTIRE WRITE UP AND WRITTEN DRIVING DIRECTIONS, BELOW.
We hit the trail promptly at scheduled time, with or without you. Arrive a little early.
Good in almost any weather. This is where we go when it's too nasty to go anywhere else. Trails are mostly gravel and some paved with no mud. Pretty much level. Two small hills.
PACE OF HIKES: Our pace is about 2 mph, which is reasonably moderate. If that's not what you want...don't sign up. If you're a fast walker, plan on slowing down and enjoying the company. Don't be in a hurry, slow down and talk to people. New people, please don't take over and "lead" the hike.
NO GUEST DOGS, our hikes are for member dogs only. Human guests okay, but you're encouraged to come alone and socialize. It's a good park for conversation with your fellow pack members.
About 3-4 miles, allow 2.5 hours.
YOUR RSVP: Please, people, keep your RSVP updated, if your plans change. None of us like standing around a parking lot waiting for "no shows".
• ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES, they're very strict here
• NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES...dangerous in a group. 6' max length
• Comfortable walking shoes okay here, trail is gravel/paved
• Bathrooms after about 1 hour of hiking
• BRING WATER FOR YOUR DOG! THIS IS IMPORTANT!
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
If you don't read directions, you'll probably be hiking alone. There are 2 entrances and 8 parking lots. We hit the trail promptly at 10:00, with or without you. Arrive a little early and be ready to go at 10:00.
USE MAPPING FEATURE TO GET TO PARK, WEIDMAN ROAD ENTRANCE.
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MEET AT THE UPPER PARKING LOT. MAP PIN IS IN THE RIGHT SPOT.
When you turn into the park, (Weidman Road entrance) go up the big hill and take the FIRST ROAD ON THE LEFT AT THE **TOP OF THE HILL ** to the parking lot. If you go back down the hill and see the Rec Plex building, you're in the wrong place.
We gather near entrance to parking lot, on the left. Hard to miss us with all the dogs.
Allow 15 minutes from 270/Manchester.
If you want to view/print a park map, click on link below
https://stlouiscountymo.gov/sites/default/assets/pdfs/department/Parks/Queeny/QueenyTrail_small.pdf
3 attendees
WILDWOOD CABIN FEVER HIKE, PART 1 on Zombie Road bike trails
Ridge Meadows Elementary School, 777 Ridge Rd, Ballwin, MO, USWe haven't done this trail for a LONG TIME, and it was one of our favorites. It's close in, fun and very scenic with some great rock outcroppings. Lots of hills, but we'll go as slow as we need to.
This year’s Wildwood Cabin Fever Hiking Challenge Hike #1 starts at the Rock Hollow Trailhead Parking at RIDGE MEADOWS SCHOOL It includes parts of the Zombie West and East trails.
https://www.cityofwildwood.com/DocumentCenter/View/10736/Cabin-Fever-2026-Map-Details
This is the first of two Wildwood Cabin Fever Hikes. There are 3 selfee photos required to be submitted to get credit. Though I’m scheduling this for the group, anyone can do it independently.
THIS IS NOT AN EASY TRAIL.
Hiking boots required for safety.
Poles very strongly recommended.
YakTrax required if there's snow/ice.
If there's not snow/ice, expect mud.You can only do the first half, but then you won't get credit and won't get the swag they give away.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Use meetup mapping or your GPS. We meet at Ridge Meadow Elementary School. The far end of the parking lot by picnic table. There is a sign for Rock Hollow Trail there (the real name of Zombie Road)
No bathrooms at parking lot.
We hit the trail promptly at 10:00, with or without you. Arrive a little early and be ready to go at the scheduled time.
3 attendees
Past events
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