Event Recap: A Winter Hike Through Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Our February event took us on a guided hike through Lake Elmo Park Reserve with Wendy Tremblay, a local environmental educator and leader of the Washington County chapter of She Ascends. It was one of those brisk, sunny winter Saturdays – not a cloud in the sky and not a degree over 20°F. Eager to emerge from our work-from-home cocoons and combat the February blues, WEN members and friends bundled up to spend the morning wandering through Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
The preserve, located less than 30 minutes outside of the Twin Cities, consists of over 2000 acres of forests, prairies, lakes, and wetlands. The vast majority of the area has been set aside for preservation and protection, intended to represent the composition of Minnesota’s landscape prior to the arrival of settlers. White-tailed deer, red foxes, pheasants, woodpeckers, and our beloved chickadees and cardinals can be spotted and appreciated here year round whether you’re hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, or canoeing through the park.
While waiting for the activity to begin, our small huddle quickly grew to 24 people (a great turnout for an outdoor winter event!). Introductions at the trailhead revealed the group represented a variety of cultures, age groups, and professional and educational backgrounds. Attendees ranged from soil scientists to mechanical engineering students to conservation retirees, all ready for a dose of fresh air and the chance to meet someone new.
With Wendy leading the pack, we embarked on our 3 mile route through the gently rolling hills around Eagle Point Lake. Chatter rippled through the group as we discussed our weekend plans, the best hiking boots, and the osprey nests above us. While the hike was short and sweet, we were surrounded by revolving snowy backdrops: stands of birch and pine trees, fields of native prairie, oak groves, and frozen marshes. Despite the month’s coldspell, an outdoor WEN event proved to be a great way to enjoy the weekend in the midst of Minnesota Winter.