2024

Online via Zoom

The Border Route Trail is a 65 mile long hiking trail that crosses the BWCA in the far northeast corner of Minnesota and follows the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. The MN Rovers along with the guidance of the MN Department of National Resources and the US Forest Service started building the trail in the 1970s. The Border Route Trail Association was then incorporated in 2004. The Border Route Trail is an affiliate of the North Country Scenic Trail (NCNST). This beautiful, remote trail was built and is maintained by volunteers. This presentation will review the history of the trail and show what current maintenance trips are like in both the wilderness and non-wilderness sections.

Online via Zoom

The Great Plains Trail (or GPT) is a long-distance trail running 2,200 miles from Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas to the U.S./Canada border in western North Dakota. Join Steve Myers, the founder of Great Plains Trail Alliance, for a trip through the plains that may surprise you with its diversity and scenic beauty. You’ll encounter mountains, canyons, badlands, buttes, forests, and sweeping grasslands on a scale found almost nowhere else on earth.

Online via Zoom

If you like playing outside despite the weather conditions, you’ll want to hear what Dr. Robert Pozos shares on human temperature regulation in the cold environment.  He’ll provide a general overview of temperature regulation physiology,  hypothermia, frostbite, non freezing cold injury,  cold induced vasodilation, various resuscitation methods, a couple of “war stories”  and modern challenges dealing with thermal regulation for seniors and kids.

Tune in before the presentation for the Minnesota Rovers Annual Meeting where we will announce the results of the Board of Directors election.

Hybrid program (& annual membership meeting)
In person at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church and also being presented over Zoom

During the 2010s, as precipitation records fell across the state during multiple years, it became clear that Minnesota’s climate was experiencing a trend towards more, and often heavier precipitation. In the 2020s, the state has done a U-turn, with dry growing seasons during four consecutive years, and with three straight years of significant growing season drought somewhere in Minnesota. These dry periods have defined the decade so far, putting it in stark contrast with the 2010s. Unlike other multi-year drought episodes, however, these recent ones have been broken by heavy and even record-setting cool-season precipitation regimes. The result has been to boost annual precipitation well above what has been typical historically during drought years. Moreover, the state has continued to see heavy and extreme precipitation events, even during the dry growing seasons, and some of these have been historically large or intense. When adding it all up, the early 2020s stand out as the “wettest dry period on record.” This presentation will examine predominant climate trends and projections in Minnesota, with particular emphasis on precipitation and hydroclimatic extremes.

Presented by Rovers’ favorite climate scientist, Dr. Kenny Blumenfeld.

Online via Zoom

Hear about promising and less promising equipment and strategies you might try when riding your bike in the winter.   Margaret has been commuting by bike for the last 30+ years in Boston and Minneapolis and still hard at it.  She is a gadget queen by nature and has tried all different apparel and equipment.  She’s happy to share her triumphs, failures and insights with you.

Online via Zoom

Learn about Great River Greening’s work restoring and adapting habitats throughout Minnesota to prepare for our climate future and ensure healthy, resilient green spaces for plants, animals, and people.  Find out how you can be a steward!

Online via Zoom

After having to change travel plans when flooding hit the original destination, Jen and Barry decided to check out Bryce Canyon and a few other parks in southwest Utah.  There were a few other complications to the trip, but it turned out to be a great adventure.  Utah is a beautiful state with mountains wherever you drive.

Online via Zoom

Learn about an annual four-day supported ride and adventure around Minnesota with Bicycling Around Minnesota (BAM).  It’s a great fit for cycling enthusiasts and many Rovers have experienced BAM over the years.  Presented by Mary Derks (seasoned BAM Tour Director, dedicated cyclist, and professional project manager) and Lisa Rippe (enthusiastic fitness leader, BAM volunteer, and Life Time team member for Run Club).

Hybrid program
In person at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church and also being presented over Zoom

Tag along (via photos and stories) as Chris walks a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.  Historic snow and the remnants of Hurricane Hilary added to the fun as five Rovers hiked this beautiful ribbon of trail (California Section L).

Chris was born and raised in Anchorage and began backpacking as a youth in the Chugach Mountain Range of Southcentral Alaska.  Other recent adventures include the Resurrection Pass Trail in Alaska, Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Grand Canyon, Zion, and sections of the Superior Hiking Trail.  Hobbies include hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and fat biking.

Happy New Year!