Sat AM Long Hike @ Myre-Big Island State Park +Main Street Restaurant–Albert Lea
Details
Let’s meet up for a long Autumn hike at Myre-Big Island State Park! Following the hike(optional) join us for a late lunch/brunch/coffee at Main Street Family Restaurant.
https://mainstreetfamilyrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/37436-Main-Street-Family-Restaurant-Menu-compressed.pdf
At Myre-Big Island State Park, oak savanna and prairie landscape, including wetlands, dominate most of the park. Along our route, we will take a loop around the 116-acre Big Island, covered with maple/basswood forest and along a glacial esker as we view some late fall colors and hopefully spot some late migrating birds.
THE HIKE: Expect to be hiking 3-3 1/2 hours at a moderate pace (18-20 minute mile or 3 miles/hour) over about 9 miles around wet lowlands, oak savanna, and grasslands. We will pause a few times to hydrate, snack, and enjoy the scenery. Trails are of bare earth, rock, turf and gravel. There may be washouts, ruts, exposed roots, steep hills, mud and/or standing water. Part of our route will take us on a stretch of the paved Blazing Star State Trail.
Sorry, no dogs, +1s or children allowed. Only Twin Cities Hiking Meetup members who agree to these expectations will be welcome on the hike.
Modern bathrooms are available in the park office/ranger station as you enter the park, then a few pit toilets are available 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.
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)
FINDING US: After passing the park office/ranger station, take the 3rd left to go to the Big Island Picnic area and veer to the left for the parking lot. We will meet on the northeast side of the lot, by the information kiosk.
I look forward to seeing you there!