Minnesota Hiking Club #55 - Minneopa State Park

 

Minnesota Hiking Club

#55 - Minneopa State Park

Date Hiked: January 5th, 2025

Other Hikes That Day: Fort Ridgely State Park

Wanderloon Ranking System Score: 2.42

I've mentioned my January 4th trilogy of hikes that took place in weather cold enough that even a giant prehistoric elk would question, and given that I haven't written anything about them yet, that should also indicate how well I thought of the parks.

Naturally the one I did the very next morning was going to feel a bit underwhelming. 

Yes, I already wrote a bit about that for dear old Fort Ridgely (you're with us in sunshine and weather more drizzly... deep Daria cut for those who know), but this was the first one on January 5th. It was closer, and while it was cold, it wasn't "dangerous elk turned back and planned his revenge later" cold. Mercifully, because my sunglasses didn't turn to ice. 

A note on proximity: because it was winter, I didn't do Flandrau State Park between Minneopa and Fort Ridgely, even though since there was no snow, I probably could've. But if you're not doing the Hiking Club in winter, it's not an issue and those might line up nicely. 

Second note on proximity: if you're doing the Passport club simultaneously, it's good to know that the stamp location and the Hiking Club trail are not in the same place. The stamp can be found near this whip cream-esque waterfall, while the Hiking Club trail is closer to the river and the buffalo area. 

Are all these notes a way to avoid covering the hike itself because of its unfortunate time slot of following possibly my favorite day of my Hiking Club odyssey? It's not not that...

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this park, and the fact that it has a buffalo herd (not the last one I'll write about that does) is really amazing and awesome. From one vantage point on the Hiking Club trail, very close to the end, I could barely see a few of them. But, they're a herd of wild buffalo running free across the plains (second Daria reference of this post, sue me). It's not a zoo, it's not guaranteed that one will get a good view. 

Speaking of good views though, there is a fantastic view of the Minnesota River on the trail. For once, winter is an advantage, because it was easier to see without any leaves on the trees. Winter, ya ain't so bad! 

The trail is pretty decent. Some elevation gain, but not too much... again, following January 4th, my calves needed the break. It's in good condition, it's a good walk through the woods and prairie, and sometimes you get to see buffalo roaming around. It's a decent stop on this journey, and probably an even better one when there are temperatures that human beings ought to consider living in, everything doesn't look brown and/or frozen (except the buffalo, if they're not brown there's something wrong), and the river is flowing rather than stuck in icy stasis. 

Had the trail gone by this badass waterfall though, it'd likely be higher on the list.