🌞Vernal Equinox Hike🌱at William O’Brien State Park + Brookside Bar & Grill
Details
Let’s celebrate the first day of Spring with a long hike at William O’Brien State Park!
Following the hike(optional), join us for food/refreshments at nearby Brookside Bar & Grill, 140 Judd Street, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
https://www.brooksidebarandgrill.com/menus
William O’Brien State Park is a great place to observe early signs of spring with a flurry of bird calls and wetlands with active beaver and muskrat. We will hike approximately 8.5 miles at a medium pace (18-20 minute miles) over about 3+ hours, through a variety of landscapes including wetlands, hardwood forest and rolling hills before the trail winds by majestic 100-year-old pine trees along the St. Croix River. We will pause a few times to enjoy the scenery, including a short snack break at an overlook midway through the hike.
All of the trails will be non-paved trails with uneven terrain that varies with gravel, mud and dirt. There are many hills on this trail with several steep hills. Due to spring conditions, there may be some shallow water we need to cross. Poles are useful for navigating these conditions.
FACILITIES: Bathrooms and potable water are available in the visitor center with a couple of pit toilets along the trail.
Sorry, no dogs, +1s or children allowed on this hike. Only Twin Cities Hiking Meetup members who agree to these expectations and the Meetup Community Guidelines will be welcome on the hike.
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 know, 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)
We will meet by the trail map in front of the Visitor Center. After you pass the park entrance and ranger station, turn left at the first "T", and then take the first right into the parking lot.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there!