Please join us for a moderate-paced hike on the wooded trails of Chester Woods Park in Chester. The route will be approximately 5 miles, and we expect to be hiking for about 3 hours. Optional loop is additional 2 miles / 1 hour. We will pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery.

All trails are unpaved with uneven terrain, including turf, ruts, roots, rocks, gravel, and possible mud.

📍 Meeting location: Informational Stand by Boat Launch

Date: June 27th
🕘 Time: 8:00 AM (brief introductions; we’ll start hiking at 8:10)

Parking: Free parking is available near the meeting area.

Pace: The planned pace is about 20 minutes per mile. Note that pace may vary depending on weather, group size, and trail conditions.

Leaders will do their best to keep the group together, though some natural spreading may occur. Trail maps will be available for anyone with concerns, and the park is well-marked.

Route: Clockwise — Bluffland State Trail / Dam Overlook Trail / South Sand Prairie Trail / (Optional Zieman Loop Trail )/ Prairie Ridge Trail / Dam Overlook Trail / Bluffland State Trail.

Chester Woods Park Map

Note: Please be aware that in many parks outside Rochester, there is limited or no cellphone coverage. If you are unfamiliar with a park, please download a map prior to you phone ahead of time.

Optional: Post-hike lunch

For anyone interested, we’ll gather after the hike at Star Ocean Buffet  at 1320 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902

What to bring:

• Dress for the weather (layers recommended)

• Wear hiking boots or supportive sneakers

• Bring water and snacks as needed

• Optional: lawn chairs for after hike socializing 

Important: All regular hikers must be RASC members. If you only plan to participate in the organized walks, then you do not need to be a RASC member or sign the waiver. If you would like to participate as a guest to try it out, please click on the guest waiver button below to digitally sign our waiver. To sign up for membership or to sign a waiver, go to https://www.rasc-mn.org/hiking.

Please join us for a moderate/easy-paced hike on the wooded trails of Quarry Hill Park in Rochester. The route will be approximately 4 miles, and we expect to be hiking for about 2 hours. We will pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery. Most of the trails are rated easy to moderate, with overall gentle terrain and a few short, steeper sections that add mild challenge.

📍 Meeting location: Picnic shelter by the Nature Center

‍ ‍Date:  July 11th
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM (brief introductions; we’ll start hiking at 9:10)

Parking: Free parking is available in the main parling lot, near the meeting area.

Pace: The planned pace is about 20 minutes per mile. Note that pace may vary depending on weather, group size, and trail conditions. Leaders will do their best to keep the group together, though some natural spreading may occur. Trail maps will be available for anyone with concerns, and the park is well-marked.

Route: Clockwise — all three Recommended Trail Loops.

Quarry Hill Park Map

Note: Please be aware that there could be limited or no cellphone coverage. If you are unfamiliar with a park, please download a map to your phone ahead of time.

Optional: Post-hike lunch: For anyone interested, we’ll gather after the hike at: TBD (Check Discord for updates)

What to bring

Dress for the weather (layers recommended)

Wear hiking boots or supportive sneakers

Bring water and snacks as needed

Optional: lawn chairs for after hike socializing

Questions: Please feel free to post questions in the hiking group/event page on Discord

Important: All regular hikers must be RASC members. If you only plan to participate in the organized walks, then you do not need to be a RASC member or sign the waiver. If you would like to participate as a guest to try it out, please click on the guest waiver button below to digitally sign our waiver. To sign up for membership or to sign a waiver, go to https://www.rasc-mn.org/hiking.