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Winter Walks
Winter Walks
We all wanted a white Christmas, and we got our wish on December 19. We got 5 or 6 inches of snow mostly during the night before but on and off during the day. We did lots of shoveling so we could get our car out, but we still wanted to go out for a walk. We decided to go out to Fort Ridgely and see if they had plowed enough for us to park and go for a walk. The highway was plowed and so was the Chalet parking lot. I love to be the first on the trails after a storm to see all the animal prints and make my own. Here are some of the pictures Becky and I took on our walk. We went through the woods instead of out on the prairie.
Heading downhill breaking a trail
We chose the trail on the left through the woods.
Most trees had some still snow sticking to their trunks. Notice the "arch tree"
Closer to the "arch tree". It had been bent over like this before the storm.
Snow covered everything including these branches on the ground.
We bundled up for the weather.
At the north end of the valley below the chalet.
Back into the woods
Picnic Shelter in the Campground covered with snow
Closer up view
New bathroom in the snow
Looking down at the bathroom from above through the woods and prairie
Here is a short video I took of deer tracks and one of their trails into the woods. It was snowing gently.
We took another walk through the snow on December 23 starting from the parking lot by the cemetery. There were many more tracks by animals and humans. Here are a few more pictures we took.
Deer tracks through the prairie
One deer dragging its feet through the snow and another lifting its feet.
Not sure what this deer was doing with its feet to get this curved pattern.
Little birds pulled down grass to pull off the seeds and eat them.
Snowmobile path along a trail with deer tracks across and beside the trail.
A deer path through the woods perpendicular to the hiking trail.
Not all deer go on one trail. Notice the 2 brush piles.
More deer and human tracks.
Improvements at Fort Ridgely
Improvements at Fort Ridgely
As we walked up from down in the valley through the woods, we noticed lots of brush that had been cut and stacked among the oak trees sometime before the snowstorm.
Brush piles covered with snow.
More brush piles
Picnic Shelter in the Campground had a new roof put on this fall and cleaned up including tuck pointing the mortar for the gneiss rocks in the structure.
These pictures obviously were taken before the snow.
Candlelight Walk/Snowshoe in February
Candlelight Walk/Snowshoe in February
One of the best attended events of the year is our annual candlelight walk through the snow at the park. Hundreds have attended the last few years. Hopefully we will have lots of snow to walk/snowshoe through. I include below a couple pictures from last year. There is need for volunteers to put out candles and direct people on the trails. Contact Joanne at 507-426-7840 or joanne.svendsen@state.mn.us It will be on February 8, 2025 from 5-8pm. Here is what Kelsey posted about it on the park's website and for all parks.
Get outside this winter and see the wonders of Fort Ridgely State Park at night, with hundreds of candle luminaries to light your way through some of the most scenic trails. There will be two loops to choose from to create your own adventure for a truly unique winter experience! Warm up and spend time with friends and family over campfires and enjoy free hot chocolate available at the Chalet.
The self-guided trails are available anytime from 5 to 8 p.m. The first loop is about 1 mile and features rolling hills and the second loop is less than 1 mile and relatively flat and open. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy and comfortable boots.
To join, please meet at the Chalet or the Upper Picnic Area.
The program is free to attend but requires a valid Minnesota State Parks Vehicle Permit. These may be bought online at MN DNR State Parks Vehicle Permit or at the park office.
I saw on our walks this week that the trails have been cleared and are ready. The sledding hills are also ready.
Last February's candlelight walk. Getting on the trail near the Chalet.
Heading back across the prairie to the hill up to the chalet.
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