Sun AM long Silverbrook Falls hike at Interstate Park + Loggers-St. Croix Falls

Let’s celebrate the long Labor Day weekend with a long (8-9 mile) Sunday hike at scenic Interstate State Park! Following the hike(optional), we will head to Loggers restaurant nearby in St. Croix Falls, WI for a late lunch/refreshments. 2071 Glacier Dr. #5, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 Menu | St. Croix Falls, WI | Loggers Bar & Grill

We will follow trails that will take us to a couple of overlooks of the St. Croix River and some glacial potholes and then to the Silverbrook Falls. We will pass by an abandoned copper mine and then to the grounds of Silverbrook Mansion and view the 18-foot Silverbrook Falls.

Expect to be hiking 3 ½-4 hours at a medium pace(18-20 minute mile or 3 miles/hour, slower on hills) over 8-9 miles. We will pause a few times to hydrate and enjoy the scenery. There will be a short snack/water/bathroom stop after completing the most rigorous part of the hike, before heading to the Silverbrook Falls area. The trails will be mostly non-paved trails with uneven terrain that varies with rocks, gravel, sand, roots, tall grass/vegetation, mud and dirt. We will walk on some park roads to connect trail sections. There will be some hills that are quite steep and challenging. Poles are suggested for this hike.

*I recommend bringing at least 1 liter of water and a snack for this hike.* We will meet on the Minnesota side of the park at the Visitor’s Center in Taylor Falls and hike over the Highway 8 bridge into Wisconsin.
Protective clothing or DEET bug spray should be considered for potential ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs that are active at this park in the summer. You may want to bring a bug headnet along, just in case. Sunscreen or protective clothing is also recommended

ABOUT THE PARK: A steep-sided gorge called the "Dalles of the St. Croix" is the scenic focus of Wisconsin's oldest state park. Three state natural areas are contained within the park's 1,400 acres protecting unique glacial features and plant communities. Habitat types include upland and lowland forest, and bedrock glade. Interstate Park comprises two adjacent state parks on the Minnesota–Wisconsin border, both named Interstate State Park. They straddle the Dalles of the St. Croix River, a deep basalt gorge with glacial potholes and other rock formations. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/interstate

Modern bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead with a few pit toilets along the route.

Each car will need a MN state park pass. The prices are: $35 for an annual pass and $7 for a daily pass.

CARPOOLS: Contact one another directly or post a carpool meeting time and place in the Comment section of this event page. Remember to coordinate whether you will stop at Loggers after the hike.

IMPORTANT: Please honor your RSVP and if your plans change, update your status to Not Going as soon as you are aware, even if you are on the Waitlist.

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.

Furthermore, all participants are expected to adhere to the guidelines agreed to when signing up for Meetup which can be reviewed at: Meetup.com > Policies and Community Guidelines > Community Guidelines (https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002897532-Usage-and-content-policies-Rules-for-using-Meetup)

Sorry, no dogs, +1s or children allowed on this hike.

The pin is correct. We will meet in the NE corner of the parking lot parking lot at the 2nd entrance to the MN Interstate Park- the “Pot Hole Area,” as you come east on Hwy 8(right before crossing the St. Croix River). As you turn right at the stop light, you’ll see a boat tours sign, then the Interstate State Park sign. If you go over the river, you have gone too far.
I look forward to seeing you there!