William O'Brien has a Bonus Winter Trail - Why Not?

Hiking Club Trail #13

​HIKE DETAILS
Date: March 2, 2018
Location: Marine on St. Croix, MN
Length: 2.6 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate: Well packed but snow trails are more challenging and slippery than dirt
Cumulative Hiking Club Miles: 37.2 of 197

This winter was long and cold and it didn't seem to stop snowing except for when it was really COLD... I hadn't been outside much since my last hike in December - I can almost feel myself rotting away in front of the TV. I started that new job I had been looking for, right before Christmas. Life is busy again - it is time to start making the most of my weekends and days off!

I had some vacation days (already) so I took one and decided I would try this winter hiking thing. I didn't know what to expect but, the temps were in the 30's and the sun was shining so why not? I wore my normal hiking boots the trails were well packed. My mom decided to come along (still won't join the club) and of course Penny. The dog has cabin fever and needs to be outside more than I do!

We came out of the parking lot and I read my map wrong - made a wrong turn and we walked about a half mile down the wrong trail until I realized my error. Once on the right trail it takes you onto the road (they close down durning the winter) this road is a big hill that I was't looking forward to having to walk back up in the snow. Once you get to the actual trail into the woods it is wide and well packed and mostly flat. It follows the St.Croix river, past some camp grounds and picnic shelters then heads up to Lake Alice. 

​I don't know why I have always been hesitant to hike it the winter - everything is beautiful and clean, quiet and it is fun seeing all the animal tracks in the snow. I will definitley be doing more winter hiking in the future!