Hiking for Health and Friendship
This special interest group is for members who want to maintain or increase their fitness and enjoy the great outdoors. What is hiking, after all, if not walking with better footwear! Join us as we hike trails around the Twin Cities and in nearby State Parks.
Hikes will be held from April through October on the first and third Mondays of the month, except for holidays. During the winter months (November through March), one hike a month will be held on the first Monday. Hikes will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about two hours. The summer schedule may include an urban hike or a longer hike at a county or state park, followed by lunch and maybe even a visit to a winery or brewery. Hikes will be held in light rain or snow but not a thunderstorm or a blizzard. Hike leaders have the discretion to cancel a hike because of extreme cold, heat or windchills. If a hike is canceled, attendees will receive a text or email by 8 am on the day of the hike.
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UMRA events.
Members are encouraged to lead one hike a year on their favorite trail. Hikes will generally range from 4 to 7 miles and go at a moderate pace, depending on the terrain, weather, and even the will of the leader and hikers!
In keeping with UMRA policies, all hikers must be vaccinated (and boosted if eligible) against the Covid-19 virus.
Please contact Hiking Club organizer Bev Moe at [email protected] if you would like to be a member and receive hiking emails. Include your name, cell phone number and zip code in your email to Bev.
You must sign up online for each hike. Your completed form will be sent to the organizer (Bev) and shared with that month's hike leader, and used to be sure everyone has arrived. Registrations will be accepted up to 24 hours before a hike. Within 24 hours, please email Bev or the leader to be added to the list of hikers. If you find you are unable to attend, be sure to let us know as well.
Revised August 7, 2022
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.