Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge hike
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 9:30am
On April 20, we will welcome guest leaders Bion Beebe and Linda Bjornberg from Twin Cities Hiking Meetup, to show us their favorite trails from the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge trailhead in Bloomington.
We will hike approximately four miles at a moderate 17-18 minutes/mile pace, around Bass Ponds and along the Minnesota River. This is an unpaved dirt and grass trail that is mostly flat with a few hills. It is a lovely area that has many trails and great sightings of eagles and other wildlife, and is one of Bion and Linda’s favorite places to lead hikers.
From Highway 77, exit at Old Shakopee Road, head west to Old Cedar Avenue, and then go south to the end of the road where there is a big parking lot. No parking permit is needed.
If you want more information about the UMRA Hiking Club and/or would like to volunteer to lead a hike at your favorite park, please email Bev Moe or Michael Luxenberg, the co-leaders of the UMRA Hiking Club.
Upcoming Events
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
Pick a favorite book and bring a brief synopsis of the book to the breakfast and share with the group.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss In Winter’s Kitchen by Beth Dooley when it meets via Zoom on Friday, June 19. Kathryn Sedo will lead the discussion.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
This event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the Summer Social Trivia Game.
There are three entree options - all include dessert (or GF desert) and a choice of sodas, lemonade, and coffee or water.
Cash bar available inside the Dock & Paddle.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Two major conferences, one organized by the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and the other by the Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA), will take place this year. The AROHE conference will be held in Florida and the BTRA conference will be hosted by UMRA on the UMN campus.
The AROHE conference invites all interested retirees and university faculty and staff to reimagine retirement. You are invited to register if interested at https://www.arohe.org/2026-Conference.
The BTRA is being hosted by UMRA this year. Leadership of retiree organizations around the US will convene to share competencies. Attendance is restricted.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.
Nanette leads a trail of two cities hike.