Sat AM Hike Wild River SP + Brunch/Lunch @ Village Inn-Wyoming

Let’s meet up to hike 7 miles in the scenic Wild River State Park! Following the hike, (optional), we will head for brunch/lunch/pie! at Village Inn, 4848 E Viking Blvd, Wyoming, MN 55092 https://www.villageinn.com/wyoming-mn

ABOUT THE PARK: Wild River State Park is named after the St. Croix's designation as a National Wild and Scenic River. The park is managed to provide quieter, more nature-oriented recreation as a counterpoint to the busier William O'Brien and Interstate State Parks downstream. Wild River provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Hawks, owls and eagles are common. The tracks of beaver, raccoon, fox, coyote, otter, mink, and deer are often seen in the soft earth or snow.

THE HIKE: We will hike about 7 miles at a medium pace(19-20 minute mile or 3 miles/hour, slower on hills) over a variety of landscapes including conifer and hardwood forests, savannah, prairie, wetlands and the St. Croix River. Expect to be hiking 2.5-3 hours. We will stop a few times to hydrate and enjoy the scenery. All of the trails will be non-paved trails with uneven terrain that varies with gravel, sand, roots, mud, dirt, ice and snow. There will be some hills that are quite steep and challenging. We will be hiking a mix of hiking only and multi-use trails, so we may pass some horses.

Based on expected trail conditions this time of year, grippers(ie: Kahtoola Microspikes) and/or hiking poles are recommended.

No dogs, no +1s, no children allowed on this hike. Only Twin Cities Hiking Meetup members who agree to these expectations will be welcome on the hike.

FACILITIES: Modern bathrooms and drinking water are available at the trailhead with a couple of pit toilets along the route.

PARKING: Each car will need a 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 chat section of this event page. Remember to coordinate whether you will stop at Village Inn after the hike.

EXPECTATIONS: Please honor your RSVP and if your plans change update your status to Not Going at least 24 hours in advance, even if you are on the Waitlist.

Please take a moment to review the rules for using Meetup: https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002897532-Usage-and-content-policies-Rules-for-using-Meetup

*EVERYONE HIKES AT THEIR 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.

After passing the Park Office/ranger station, go left at the “Y” to the Trail Center parking lot. We will meet in front of the Trail Center.
I look forward to seeing you there!