Winter Fun at the Luminary Loppet

This weekend is the LOPPET...this Scandinavian word, like 'Uff Dah', always brings a smile to my face.  One of my all-time favorite winter traditions is the Luminary Loppet which is held on a  frozen Lake of the Isles in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis.   The Luminary Loppet is hard to describe, it's a little like being … Continue reading Winter Fun at the Luminary Loppet

Hiking Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 5 miles DIFFICULTY Easy and accessible for all abilities DATE  April 3, 2016 MAIN FEATURES  Coon Rapids Dam, Bald eagles and accessibility for all abilities Three Hikes in one week! I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty stoked that the weather has been so great! Today’s featured local hike is Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park … Continue reading Hiking Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 7.5 miles DIFFICULTY Easy to moderate DATE  May 14, 2016 MAIN FEATURES  Horseback riding, close proximity to greater Minneapolis area This week’s hike took us just a short drive out of the city to Crow –Hassan Park Reserve in Rogers, MN! Crow-Hassan was recommended to me because it is one of the most “wild” of the … Continue reading Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Urban Hike – Luce Line + Sebastian Joe’s

trip DETAILS LENGTH 20 miles DIFFICULTY easy, mostly paved, some dirt DATE HIKED August 27, 2016 MAIN FEATURES  Wirth Beach, Chain of Lakes, Ice Cream! Last week was the 26.5 mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail to raise money for Children's cancer research.  So....of course, I signed up to take the Scouts on a 20 mile urban hike … Continue reading Urban Hike – Luce Line + Sebastian Joe’s

Urban Hike 2.0 Theodore Wirth + Chain of Lakes

trip DETAILS LENGTH 20 miles DIFFICULTY easy, mostly paved, some dirt DATE HIKED NOVEMBER 12, 2016 MAIN FEATURES Grand Rounds, Eloise Butler Butterfly Garden, Lake Harriet We had one more 20 miler to do this year and this fall and unseasonably warm.   We knew this would probably be our last weekend before the snowfall and decided to go for … Continue reading Urban Hike 2.0 Theodore Wirth + Chain of Lakes

Wandering Pine

Wandering Pine is a blog resource for hiking, gear reviews, health, and adventure. I'm a Southern California native, transplanted to Minnesota.  After decades of resistance, the land of 10,000 adventures has finally won me over.  Its beauty, especially in the winter is something I have come to love.  Hiking, backpacking, camping, snowshoeing, and basically any time … Continue reading Wandering Pine