Join me for fun evening hike on the longest day of the year!
6:00 PM we will meet at the 50th Street Horse Trailhead Entrance to Afton State Park. We will hike the prairie loop trails with an out and back through old farmstead ruins to an grand scenic overlook of the St Croix River Valley for a hike of 6 miles. Anyone up for a challenge can add on the Trout Brook Loop (with a couple of serious hills) for a hike of 7.5 miles. These trails criss-cross and circle one of the more stunning prairie restorations I’ve seen anywhere near the Cities with beautiful rolling hills and long views. https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00100_summer.pdf
I love accessing Afton SP from this trailhead because you save so much time avoiding the long drive into the park and the mile+ walk along the paved trail and steps just to get to the hiking trails (and back!) A bonus is no state park vehicle sticker is required because you park on the side of the road.
Following the hike, join me for ice cream / gelato / other treats at Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in historic downtown Afton http://www.selmasparlour.com/
Location of trailhead is 15341 50th Street South, Afton, about 1 mile east of St Croix Trail.
Car pool will leave from REI Bloomington at 4:45 PM, meeting in the far NE corner of the parking lot near the big REI highway sign. Everyone is encouraged to share the ride so feel free to form car pools if you live in other parts of the Cities.
Note that this is a fair weather hike; if it’s raining the hike will be cancelled and a notice to the yahoo e-group will be sent by 4:00 PM. Best advice is to be signed up for the yahoo e-group so you can get email updates.