I'm in!!!! I can do either day (I really need to get a life). Early afternoon would be great, since I like to sleep late on the weekends. I live in Minneapolis and would be willing to drive an hour outside of the metro.

The only place I have ever been hiking in Minnesota is Afton State Park. I went there this past summer and it was nice, though I didn't find it very challenging. I want to feel my legs burning!!!

I did some research on trails earlier this summer and thought Frotenac State Park's Bluffside Trail, Barn Bluff in Hastings, Hay Creek in Red Wing, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage all sounded like they could be good ones. I'm down for whateva though.

Avoid morning chill? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ......wimp. You would think you would be used to it by now:huh:

I'm interested in hiking, I'm not sure I have the right gear for it (I wasn't much of a walker before I started trying to lose weight) but as long as it's somewhere a good pair of sneakers and a jacket would be good for, I'm game.

I'm not able to join in, but thought I'd add some info.

Barn Bluff is actually located in Red Wing and is challenging because it's all uphill! Frontenac is also very challenging if you take the stairs down the hill next to Lake Pepin; it's beautiful, though.

If you're looking for other options, I'd recommend Wild River State Park (between North Branch and Taylors Falls) because one side of the park is very easy hiking and the other is very difficult hiking; something for everyone. If you're looking to go a little more west of the cities, Lake Maria is a good option; I've heard the trails are nice. To head to the southern Twin Cities, Schaar's Bluff in Hastings is nice because there are easy and more difficult options and it's a free park. All of the State Parks require a $5/day/car permit, unless you have the $25/yr annual pass.

I've been to all of the State Parks in the southern half of the state, so feel free to send messages if you'd like more information. Otherwise, the DNR has good info at www.dnr.state.mn.us/

Lastly, the DNR Facebook page is posting updated fall colors information every Thursday, in case you want to make sure you're getting an eyeful of some beautiful colors!

Whichever location you decide on, have fun! Hopefully I'll be able to join in sometime in the future (perhaps a winter snowshoeing outing?).

Bump for my Pals!

October is in flux for me right now, so not sure which weekend(s) I'm open. That said, I will make every attempt to join you guys whenever something is decided!

Richard T Anderson Conservation Area is a great hike right in the cities and not so well known. It's just past (1/6 mile) the Lion's Tap on Hwy 212 in Eden Prairie. Nice trails through the woods, pretty hilly, up to a scenic overlook that gives a great view of the river valley below (Shakopee, Valleyfair, etc.). It's a nice option that doesn't require an entire day for those of us in town.

20/21 work for me and the 28th as long as I know in advance so I can take off work. What an awesome idea!

Looks like so far that weekend only works for a few of us (3 is what I have so far - Me, Melissa and Tim) BUT that others want to join in and so what if we throw a couple more dates out:

Oct 20/21 or Oct 27/28??

Right now I'm thinking the 20/21 would work for me. Especially if it was mid morning to mid afternoon.

I'll be hungover on the 7th so I'm out that day. :drinker: