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Snowshoes hikes, geocaching, bird photo ideas fill up parks weekend

Programs at Tettegouche, Wild River, Gooseberry, Fort Snelling parks.

February 16, 2017 at 5:49PM

Cedar waxwing (Robert Timmons/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Snowshoe hike

Tettegouche State Park 1-4 p.m. Saturday

Join the park naturalist for a guided snowshoe hike up the frozen Baptism River. Snowshoeing is a great, low-impact, way to explore the winter forest and to see signs of the animals that have passed through since the last snowfall. Loaner snowshoes available, first-come, first-served. (1-218-353-8809, mndnr.gov)

Candlelit hike

Gooseberry Falls State Park, 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday

Begin at the visitor center and hit the trails by foot, on skis or on snowshoes. There will be a bonfire and hot beverages. (1-218-595-7100, mndnr.gov)

Winter geocaching

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

1-2 p.m. Saturday

After an introduction inside the interpretive center, participants will snowshoe in search of hidden caches. Snowshoes, GPS units and an introductory snowshoeing lesson are provided. Registration required. Call 1-320-532-3269 and leave your contact information and the number of people attending.

Knot-tying clinic

Fort Snelling State Park

1-2:30 p.m. Saturday

Learn a few knots that you might find useful. Materials provided. Registration required; call 612-725-2724. (mndnr.gov)

Tech nature

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

1-3:30 p.m. Saturday

Head to Bloomington to learn about how a smartphone can be used as an outdoors adventure tool. There are a million apps available for smartphones and now there are many apps specifically for enjoying nature or engaging in citizen science projects. National Park Service ranger Sharon Stiteler will talk about how to find and identify wildlife, report your sightings, and even take pictures and video with a smartphone. Meet at the auditorium of the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center. (952-854-5900, bit.ly/fwsminn)

Bird banding

Lowry Nature Center

9 a.m.-noon Saturday

See wild songbirds up close as they are safely trapped, studied, banded and released. Drop in anytime. This program is free and open to all ages. Groups should call ahead. (763-694-7650, threeriversparks.org)

River snowshoe

Wild River State Park

1-2:30 p.m. Sunday

Join the naturalist for a leisurely mile trek along the St. Croix River on snowshoes. Free use of snowshoes. The hike is limited to 30 people, ages 8 and older. Registration required. Call 651-583-2125, ext. 227. (mndnr.gov)