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Online via Zoom.
Nearly next door neighbors, State Forest State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer rewarding, though contrasting Colorado mountain hiking and camping experiences. Tune in to discover some highlights of each park, interesting trails, overnight options, and strategies to access and enjoy the national park.
Presented by Tom Y.
Online via Zoom.
Join Pat as he recounts his 186.3-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Southwestern Maine. Experience breathtaking views from peaks like Mount Washington, known as the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather,” and navigate the unique challenges of these stunning mountain ranges. Witness diverse landscapes and the thrill of the Appalachian Trail as it winds through this beautiful region. The journey included 20 of the 4000-footers and is considered the hardest section of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, Pat encountered wildlife, visited numerous hostels and huts, and faced the notorious Mahoosuc Notch, often referred to as the most difficult mile of the Appalachian Trail. This hike is a testament to the resilience and beauty of the northeastern United States.
Presented by Pat E.
Online via Zoom.
The Lost Coast Trail is 26 miles of stunning, rugged Northern Californian coastline that is only accessible by foot, with some sections only passable at low tide. Come learn about permits, gear, tide maps, shuttles, recommendations, and highlights from this bucket list backpacking adventure.
Presented by Ellen Y.
In-person Social at the Aspen Room at Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
This meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.
First Tuesdays is about making connections! There is no presentation. Instead, we gather for a potluck at 6:00. At 7:00, we gather at tables to learn about specific topics, play games, or catch up with friends! In the past, there has been lots of great conversation and connecting!
Schedule:
6:00 PM Potluck. Bring:
– An item to share that is enough for about 6-8 people (don’t forget the serving utensil!). If ingredients are hard to identify, indicate them to help people with dietary restrictions. While all desserts would be nummy, it’s not very healthy….Help us to have a variety of food by indicating what you will likely bring. You can always change your mind. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE
– Your own beverage, plate/bowl, and utensils.
7:00 PM Visit topic tables, play games, or chat with friends! Tables will be set up so you can learn more about various topics. There will always be a New Member table and a Game table (bring your favorite board or yard game!). Additional topics will depend on the interests of those attending. Anyone can host a table.
Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones! Feel free to invite guests to join us!
Online via Zoom.
The Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) is a leading non-profit mountain bike advocacy organization in the Duluth/Superior Twin Ports Area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. COGGS was established in 1994 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our trail network was recognized by IMBA as a Gold Level Ride Center, one of only six on the planet. From the beginning, the Duluth Traverse, and the trail networks across Duluth, were about more than than just building great bike trails. As part of a broader plan to revitalize a historic industrial city, outdoor recreation has been a key driver in population retention and growth, local business development, and an improved quality of life for all. See more here: https://www.coggs.com/
Presented by Ansel Schimpff, Executive Director
Online via Zoom.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Douglas Tallamy wrote, “Chances are, you have never thought of your garden as a wildlife preserve that represents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role our suburban landscapes are now playing …”
Now, the stakes are even higher. With a native plant landscape, we must support biodiversity, mitigate climate change and make our communities more resilient in the face of challenges to come.
Presented by Marilynn T.
Online via Zoom.
In February 2024, Martin and a partner in adventure seized a rare chance to reach the Arrow Lake BWCA campsite in an area of the Powwow Trail that has become almost inaccessible due to flooding from beaver activity and thick overgrowth of jack pine after the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire. A planned eight-mile round trip to the Arrow Lake campsite became a 24-hour overnight winter hiking survival test.
Martin will present slides on this adventure, information on gear prep, the importance of checking gear at home and at the trailhead before starting a hike, and the importance of the right attitude when confronted with unexpected challenges.
Presented by Martin K., a lifelong advocate for hiking trails in the BWCA
THE FIRST TUESDAY POTLUCK ON FEBRUARY 3RD HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO MINNESOTA’S 2026 PRECINCT CAUCUSES.
Online via Zoom. Request the link here.
Join Voyageurs Conservancy’s Education & Dark Sky Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador to learn about the winter stars above and the stories they hold. This beginner-friendly program invites you to step outside, explore key winter constellations and deep sky wonders, and learn how we can protect our view of the cosmos from light pollution. No telescope needed – just a sense of curiosity and a warm coat!
Presented by Jesse G. of Voyageurs Conservancy
Online via Zoom
Kat Cantner from the University of Minnesota will share the story of the state’s past recorded by its fossils, rocks and minerals. Through 3.5 billion years of history we’ll explore evidence of Earth’s earliest continents, mountain building, a mid-continental rift, inland seas, glaciers and lakes.
Kat is the Science and Outreach Coordinator for the Continental Scientific Drilling Facility in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota.
Online via Zoom
The Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail is an ambitious long-distance, 100-mile trail currently in development, stretching from Chatfield, Minnesota, to the Mississippi River. Winding through the rugged and picturesque Driftless Area, this trail will showcase the region’s unique topography, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes. Our goal is to create an immersive outdoor experience that connects hikers with the natural beauty, history, and communities of southeastern Minnesota. Once completed, the trail will provide opportunities for adventure, recreation, and conservation, offering a place for people of all backgrounds to explore, reflect, and connect with nature.
Presented by Alexa Trail Director Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail
In-person Social at the Aspen Room at Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
This meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.
First Tuesdays is about making connections! There is no presentation. Instead, we gather for a potluck at 6:00. At 7:00, we gather at tables to learn about specific topics, play games, or catch up with friends! Last month, there was lots of great conversation and connecting!
Schedule:
6:00 PM Potluck. Bring:
– An item to share that is enough for about 6-8 people (don’t forget the serving utensil!). If ingredients are hard to identify, indicate them to help people with dietary restrictions. While all desserts would be nummy, it’s not very healthy….Help us to have a variety of food by indicating what you will likely bring. You can always change your mind. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE
– Your own beverage, plate/bowl, and utensils.
7:00 PM Visit topic tables, play games, or chat with friends! Tables will be set up so you can learn more about various topics. There will always be a New Member table and a Game table (bring your favorite board or yard game!). Additional topics will depend on the interests of those attending. Anyone can host a table. Just ask the Presentations person for a sign.
Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones! Feel free to invite guests to join us!
P.S. Members are encouraged to post a hike at Westwood Hills before the potluck. Just post it to our website.