August Tracking Club: This is Not a Test Prep

From the beginning of Minnesota's lockdown, we have been encouraging people to get outside on their own or with members of their household. Five months later, there is growing evidence that outdoor transmission of the novel coronavirus is extremely rare, as discussed in these articles from the New York Times and Washington Post. Meanwhile, masks are proving to be effective in reducing transmission. With this growing understanding of potential risks, we believe it is safe to resume small outdoor gatherings such as tracking club. These gatherings allow for easy spatial distancing and offer connection to people and to nature in one of the safest ways possible.

Meanwhile, due to travel restrictions, we have postponed our fall Track and Sign Evaluation with Marcus Reynerson until next year. In it's place, next months' tracking club Will Not be a One Day Evaluation. So, we had better Not Do some Test Prep! Come join us at Ft Snelling State Park as we explore track and sign, ask each other challenging questions, and generally have a great time Not Preparing for an Eval. Please note that access to Ft. Snelling is complicated by construction on Hwy 5.

Sunday, August 16

9:00am - 1:00pm

We will gather outside the Ft. Snelling State Park visitor center:

Ft. Snelling State Park

101 Snelling Lake Rd

West St Paul, MN 55111

This is an all-weather event and we spend time off trail. Please bring appropriate footwear and dress for several hours outdoors in whatever weather we may have that day.

We will gather outside at 9:00 in between the parking lot and the Visitor Center. We will head out on the trail about 9:20 and return to the visitor center about noon to wrap-up and share stories. If you need to reach us the day of the outing, please call Jon's cell phone at 612-388-4700.

Important Notes

Road construction on Highway 5 complicates travel to Ft. Snelling. West bound Hwy 5 is closed between 34th St and (roughly) Davern St, including the bridge over the Mississippi. Traveling from the west, you will need to exit and 34th St and follow it around Ft Snelling National Cemetery as it becomes Post Road, passes the main airport runways, and crosses back over Hwy 5 to enter the park. Mind the posted speed limit, there is a heavy speed patrol presence along this route.

You need a State Park pass to drive to the Visitor Center, but you can park for free at the Historic Fort Snelling visitor center. It is about a half-mile walk past the historic fort and down the hill to get to the State Park visitor center. The Historic Fort parking is located at 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111.

You can also avoid both of these issues by coming by bicycle.

RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.

• • E-mail Jonathan <poppele@umn.edu>

  • Use our online Contact Form

Click Here for Directions--which should account for the road construction: