Twin Cities Hiking Meetup

Notice: This hike is NOT for beginner hikers. The trail is very hilly and the pace is brisk.

Please join us on Friday morning for a hike approximately 7 miles in length at an average pace roughly 16 to 16.75 minutes per mile. The length of the hike and the pace will depend on the weather, trail conditions, and the needs of the hikers. There are a couple places for early outs for hikers who prefer a shorter hike (4 or 5 miles).

The route will be on paved, grass and wood chip trails. Muddy in spots after a rain, but very few rocks or roots.

The route includes an option to go down and back up a ski hill! You'll want to try this.

We will hike in light rain, but not a thunderstorm. If it looks like bad weather, I'll cancel the hike by 7:00 a.m.

We will meet outside the Visitor Center at 8.00 and get going by 8:05. The restrooms are open and a cold water fountain is available to fill your water bottle both before and after the hike.

No dogs, plus ones, or kids.

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP in a timely manner so we are not waiting for you at the start and to allow those on the waitlist to attend.

Questions? Send me a message or post your questions in the comments section after you RSVP.

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.

Hope to see you on the hike!

Please join us for a moderately fast-paced hike on wooded trails, around the ponds and lakes of Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. We will choose a route from several options, ranging from approximately 4.5 to 5.4 miles in length.

For even more fun, consider joining us for an optional post-hike lunch at Ansari Grill, 1960 Rahncliff Ct, Eagan, MN 55122

Wondering about the pace? Typically it's between a 16 and 17-minute mile. If you don't know how fast that is, please assume it's pretty fast. We provide maps for anyone who might fall behind.

Let's meet up outside the Holland Lake Trailhead Pavilion at 9:15 AM. We will make introductions and get going by 9:17.

No dogs, no kids, no plus-ones.

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please be respectful of others and update your RSVP in a timely manner. Do your part to stay off the dreaded "no show" list.

Confirmed hikers: If your plans have changed, please update your RSVP before 7:00 AM Saturday morning so someone on the wait list can attend. If you are wait-listed: Keep an eye open up until 7:00 AM Saturday to see if you made it onto the confirmed list. In the meantime, if your plans have changed, take yourself off the wait list.

Recommended: Dress for the weather. Layers tend to work well. It may be colder as you start out, but you will warm up during the walk. Bring water as you feel necessary.

Questions: Post questions in the comments section after you RSVP.

Important: ### By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release Twin Cities Hiking Meetup hikers, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

Let's meet-up outside the Jensen Lake Trailhead Pavilion (building with the bathrooms) at 9:30 AM for a Saturday morning hike at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. We'll do short introductions and begin very close to 9:30 AM.
After our introductions, we'll set off to hike two loops around Jensen Lake (2.2 miles each , just over 4 miles total) at a moderate-fast clip. We retrace the loop, so there will be an opportunity for individuals to stop after the first loop, which makes this an inclusive hiking opportunity. Since the trail mostly hugs the lake, it is difficult to get lost.
The trail: The Jensen Lake loop section of the trail is easy to hike with only a couple small slopes. Most of the trail is unpaved with plenty of rocks and roots.
Hope to see you there!
Social/lunch gathering will follow at Ansari's Mediterranean Grill in Eagan (1960 Rahncliff Court, Eagan, MN 55122), where we’ll meet up with the Holland Lake group, also arriving there around 11:00 AM. This is a great way to have fun and get to know people!

Please join us for a full moon hike and campfire at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington on Saturday, November 16, 2024. This is our second Full Moon Hike of the Fall season! It should be a spectacular full moon!

We will meet at 5:00 pm at the courtyard near the west entrance to the Nature Center for a 5-6 mile hike in the dark. Hikers who prefer a shorter hike will be given the option to leave the trail early and help get the campfire started. Don't be late. We will start hiking by 5:10 pm.

Headlamps (or flashlights) are required for a moderately brisk pace for a night time hike - 17 to 18 minute miles. Make sure you can keep up. We don't want to lose anyone in the dark.

Our route will take us on grass and wood chip trails, with a section of paved trails if it's a clear sky. With a full moon, we should be able to turn off our headlamps for a while on the paved trails and hike au natural.

We will hike in light rain (no wimps on this hike) but not heavy rain or a thunderstorm. If it looks like bad weather, we'll cancel the hike by 3:00 pm.

Your hosts will obtain the permit for use of the fire ring ($25 fee includes firewood and kindling) and bring hot dogs for roasting on the fire after the hike. There's nothing like a grilled hot dog over an open fire. Yum! A small donation ($2) to help cover costs is not required but will be gratefully accepted.

Please bring your own beverage (beer, wine and hard ciders are permitted in the park) and perhaps a snack to share. Bring a camp chair or lawn chair and maybe a blanket to keep warm after the hike.

Don't come if you have Covid-19 symptoms or are sick (duh).

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP in a timely manner so we are not waiting for you at the start and to allow those on the waitlist to attend.

If you sign up for this hike, we will expect to see you! Cancelations on the day of the hike make planning more difficult and prevent other hikers from attending.

Questions? Send the hosts a message or post your questions in the comments section after you RSVP.

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.

Hope to see you at the Full Moon Hike!