Major snow fell in the Minneapolis area last night and thru today.   I got the snowshoes out and gave it a go.  Start training for the Snowshoe Shuffle on Feb 6th in New Brighton.The snow was so light and fluffy on day one of the snowfall that you’d find yourself sinking to the base,but it is still fun.  That has changed two days later due to the rain. Crunchy snow! Poles are optional but many folks like to use them.  The temps are perfect to get out and play in the snow.  So whatever it is you like to do, go out and get some fresh air.  Some places that rent snowshoes are listed in the blog posting below this one.  If you are a X/C or skating enthusiast, check here for local trail conditions.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone.

If you ever wanted to try snowshoeing, this is a great winter to give it a go.  You can snowshoe with or without poles and if you want to get more of a workout try using the Nordic Walking techique while Showshoeing. Many parks rents out Snowshoes.  Some even offer a class or two, sign up early because classes fill up quickly.   Here are a few locations that do offer rentals.  #1 Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota County, open weekends and some holidays for rentals.  #2 Lakeville Park & Recreation. Classes listed too. Need to pick up equipment at Lakeville City Hall by 4:15 on Friday for a weekend rental.   #3.  Valley Bike and Ski, Apple Valley (Rent X/C too) #4 REI, all 3 MN  locations (Rent X/C & Ski/Skate too).  #5. Three Rivers Parks, 4 locations, Baker, Carver, Elm Creek, Hyland.   #6.  Hoigaards,  St. Louis Park (Rent X/C & Ski/Skate too) . #7. Voyagers National Park – Rainy Lake #8.  Baylor and Lake Minnewashta Regional Parks – Carver County.  #9. Wargo Nature Center, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and Bunker Hills – Anoka County -call 651-429-8007 #10.  MN State Parks, 25 out of 71 Statewide locations rent Snowshoes.  Local  Fort Snelling park does not rent SS, however they do offer programs from time to time where SS are available to try out. #11. Winter Trails Day offers a couple of locations in MN to try snowshoeing on 1/9/10 & 1/16/10.

Nordic Walking training is being offered in Prior Lake at Hidden Oaks Middle School in January.   Snowshoeing, Nordic Walking style is also being taught  at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville.  Come join in on the fun.  Please click here for more info on all classes.

If you are looking for X/C, downhill & snowboarding equipment at reduced prices, check out the MN Ski & Snowboard Expo at the convention center this weekend.  Linda Lemke, Queen of Nordic Walking, will be present and assisting clients with their winter sport needs. Sign up online to save $2. on ticket.

The Fall Midwest Mountaineering expo is a great one to attend.  It is free and chalk full of interesting exhibitors and presenters, such as snowshoeing. Lots of products on sale too.  A great time to buy winter attire.  Nordic Walking guide, Brian Glader, is leading a walk on Sun, Nov 22 @ 11:15 am for 1 hour.

Just returned from a pleasurable few days in and around the Gooseberry Falls area of the North Shore.  My rubber paws off to the Superior Hiking Trail Association for providing and maintaining such a wonderful

Gooseberry Falls State Park trails map

trail of 235 miles from Two Harbors to Canada. The trail connects 8 state parks, 3 state waysides, several state forests & Superior National Forest.  You can access the trail from 44 different trailheads. Superior Shuttle Service can pick you up after your hike.  SHTA offers guided hikes lead by naturalists. Upcoming dates are 7/18,  8/22,  9/26,  & 10/3/09.  Meet at their designated area and car pool to the start area.  They have it all figured out.  Adventure Vacations is a service that organizes Lodge-to-lodge hiking and/or biking destinations along the North Shore.

On an off shoot trail. No bugs!

The Superior Hiking Trails would also be superb for snowshoeing.

If biking is what you like to do, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail is a wonderful system.  It has 22 of 87 miles of paved trail completed.  Gooseberry to Split Rock Lighthouse boosts the most paved miles at this time.  Check out the 9th annual bike ride on Aug 15 ‘09 by Gitchi-Gami Trail Association which offers a 28 or 55 mile option and shorter if you’d rather end it sooner than 28 miles.

Ritter Farm Park Snowshoe Group Outing #2

Snow conditions were favorable for Snowshoeing at Ritter Farm Park today.    Ten of us gave it a go, for eight, it was their first time trying it out.   Everyone did super.  We saw the American Eagle many times today.  Never get tired of seeing that glory.

The snow has been melting away on us, but there are places that seems to have a good amount of snow left.  If you can get a hold of some Snowshoes, (see rental suggestions below),( Lakeville Park & Recreation), some places to try, would be our local parks, golf courses (ask first), and the outer edge of Lakes.  Always walk with someone.  Poles are recommended.  They help maintain your balance.

I’m so liking snowshoeing that I hope we get more snow!!  This is the first time ever that I wished for that!!

Eleven snowshoers enjoyed the pleasant temperatures and scenery of Ritter Farm Park today.

Ready to Snowshoe at Ritter

Lakeville Park and Recreation rented our group snowshoes.  Thank you!  We followed the trail thru the woods that is SE of the ELC Learning Center and spotted the Eagles Nest

American Eagle @ Ritter.

right off the edge of Lake Marion.  We also saw this majestic Eagle in a tree nearby.  The temp was about 35 when we were out and hit a high of 43 for the day, so the snow is melting off some.  I’m now

Thru the woods at Ritter.

bumming that the snow is disappearing.  What is it about this Love/Hate relationship we have with this winter season?   If you get a chance to try snowshoeing, give it a try.  See Jan 16th post below for info on places that rent snowshoes.  It really is a lot of fun and good for you too!

I was all pumped up to go participate in the Winter Trails day at Fort Snelling State Park today.  My husband and I drove in, paid our daily pass and saw 6 deer right away, but we were expecting some traffic into the park esp. near the Visitor Center and thought it sure is quiet here.

Fort Snelling Visitor Center

We got our gear and headed to the Center and asked the Ranger “where is the REI Snow Trail Snowshoe event?”  And he replied, “That was yesterday”.   Oh, did my husband relish that moment.  I messed something up!  I then asked if they rented snowshoes and he said they do not.  I asked how the event went and he said that they had between 900-1000 people show up yesterday 1/10 to snowshoe, X/C, or walk.

Snowshoeing, Nordic Walking style

The 250 pairs of Snowshoes that REI brought along were immediately strapped on,  and people waited in line to take their turn.  Maybe it was divine intervention that I got the day mixed up because I don’t like lines or crowds.   I happen to have a set of snowshoes,  so I was set, and Ken Nordic Walked the wooded walking trail thru Pike Island.  I can’t believe I hadn’t visited this place before.  It really is a jewel of a place.  The visitor center is nicely designed and has learning tidbits scattered throughout and nice facilities such as a fireplace and bathrooms.  We enjoyed what I figure was a 3.5 mile walk that took nearly 1 1/2 hours.   When we were nearly done, we saw a deer feeding close to the trail.  As we were driving out, we saw 3 deer crossing the lake as a man was also crossing it and then suddenly an airplane comes overhead quite low.

After all,  this park is near the Airport.   We had skipped lunch and were quite hungry by 3pm and were lucky to find this great restaurant called ” Lucky’s 13 Pub” in Mendota.  Only 5 minutes from the park or so.

Other Events at Fort Snelling Park 90 Days out Event Listing:  Learn to X/C ski on Jan 17th, 10am;  Snowshoe Adventure Jan 24th, 1pm;  Learn to Snowshoe Jan 31, 10am;  Candlelight Ski/Walk/Skate Feb 14th, 4-8pm.  Here is a  Snowshoe race/walk event called the Snowshoe Shuffle in New Brighton on Feb 7th, 10:00 am

Check it out…Nordic Walking with Snowshoes.  Did this twice this week and boy oh boy I can tell I got a great workout.  The first day was a bit frigid out but I endured for nearly an hour.  I’m a beginner snowshoer and I tend to lift my legs up more than I probably need to,  so I tend to feel it more in my quads.  I’m taking a lesson this Sunday in Eagan.  Limited  space available:   Register here

The 2nd time out my Nordic Walking buddy, Jessica, joined in for an hour hike thru Ritter Farm park.  The Nordic Walking European technique can still be managed quite well even with snowshoes on.  A few times my pole would hit the side of the shoe, but it did not cause me to trip.   We both felt exhilarated upon finishing and knew we’d be ‘feeling’ it later.

Notice on the photo how you swing your arm back and open your hand after the push off.  Keep your poles at a 45 degree angle and swing out from your shoulder.   Give this a try!!  This is a modification of typical snowshoeing with poles in which the poles are more straight and used for balance purposes thus mimicking trekking.  If you try the NWing method you are engaging more upper body muscles.