Twin Cities Hiking Meetup

We will be one group with a moderate pace of about 17 minute miles. We can choose our route once we gather. One option is to walk out and back on the paved trail from the East Beach to the entrance of French Park. The other is to walk on the Luce Line trail to the west beach.

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!

I'm back! Having led near 400 hikes around Isles and Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska over the years, and having taken a year off to care for another, I am resuming the walks, but around Lake Harriet.

If you would like a nice walk around Harriet Lake, talking with friendly people about things big and small, come join us. Expect a medium pace. There is plenty of free parking along Lake Harriet Parkway or on city side streets. I look forward to seeing everyone.

We'll do two loops, allowing people the option of a 1 hour (3 mile) or 2 hour (6 mile) walk.

The above picture is of the meeting spot that overlooks Lake Harriet. It is on the west side of the lake, noting the bandstand is on the north side (i.e., if you are at the bandstand looking at the lake, the park is on the right side halfway down). The park is sort of tucked away on a small hill, but you can easily walk into it from the lake or neighborhood streets.

HOW FAST (OR SLOW) DO WE WALK? We on average walk at a medium pace, but there are those who walk faster and some a bit slower. So to try and accommodate everyone, and yet keep the social aspect of connecting with people and having interesting conversations, we pause at times along the way to let everyone catch up. HOWEVER, we only wait briefly, so if you fall behind you may need to finish the hike on your own.

Note that frequent hikers who find themselves on the WAIT LIST may get priority for additional spots that get added beyond the initial limit.

No dogs please.

By attending the hike you agree to assume all risks with this event and release the organizers, event hosts, and other members of the Twin Cities Hiking Meetup Group from any liability. If you separate from the group, you should feel comfortable finding your way back.

Come ready for a moderate to slower paced hike (approx. 18-20 minutes/mile) in the Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. Please know yourself and your pace, because I don't want to slow the entire group down too much. We will be pausing occasionally to allow slower hikers to catch up at trail intersections, but if you're too slow, you need to find a different hike. We will hike a route 4-6 miles in length, depending on the condition of the trails, the weather and even the whim of the leader. This hike is also flexible and can be shortened for people who have to leave earlier or want to hike less (We can separate into two groups). We will hike in light rain, but if conditions look too bad, I'll cancel the hike about 1-1/2 hrs before.
Meet at the corner of the parking lot at the entrance to the path to the actual Richardson Center building (pin location shown). We will be trying to form a circle somewhere to avoid getting hit by cars, run over by people, or vice versa. See the geographical location on the map. There are restroom facilities and water available. We will start on time if everyone is there, but will only wait five minutes past the meeting time for late comers.
No pets for this hike. People who don't update their RSVPs for changes or don't show up for the hike can cause others not to come (this can cause others to remain waitlisted). So, please, if your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, 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're on the waitlist, within ~1/2 hour before the hike, do not come. So far, these hikes have not been full, so the waitlist has been a non-issue.
Questions? Send me a message or post your questions in the comments section after your 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.

We are moving to Ft Snelling State Park. Hike is at 5:30 pm ct. This is a moderate fitness speed hike, so it's meant to be not too fast, not too slow, 4-5 miles for approximately 1.5 hours. Exact route can change based on path's conditions or just to make things interesting.
Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear appropriate and comfortable footwear. We hike rain or shine (but not if there is a tornado watch/warning, hail, or lightning) Also, if you can't make it -- be nice and cancel as soon as you find out -- at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible.
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.

Please join us on Tuesday morning for a moderate paced hike (approx. 15.5 to 17 minute miles) at Moir Park and Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington. We will hike a route along Nine Mile Creek and the Minnesota River approximately 7 miles in length. This is an "out and back" hike so it accommodates faster and slower paces.
Our route will take us on grass, wood chip trails and paved trails. We will hike in light rain but not a thunderstorm. If it looks like bad weather, we'll cancel the hike by 7:00 a.m.
We will meet up at the Morgan Avenue parking lot at Moir Park at 9:00 and get going by 9:05. There is a portable bathroom in the parking lot. No potable water. j

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!