The Lake Zorinsky Recreation Area is one of the Omaha area’s most utilized trails located on 168th Street south of Center Street. The trail is 6 foot wide and all concrete. We will walk about 4 miles at a pace slightly over 3 mph to complete the East Side Loop. Get out and exercise before the holiday meal!

Meet promptly at the flagpole at the southeast parking lot of Zorinsky Lake (just west of 156^th & F). It is possible that the restrooms may be closed for the season. The hike will be cancelled in the event of rain or snow.

Saturday, December 12
9:30am hike
11:00am-12:30pm meet and socialize
DeSoto Bend NWR
Winter/Holiday Gathering

This 7827-acre national park is located 25 miles north of Omaha, NE. DeSoto Bend NWR is located in one of the most densely inhabited wildlife areas of the Midwest.

The park offers many experiences for people to enjoy. The visitor’s center contains a movie theater that will feature footage on some of the historical significances of Lewis and Clarks' expedition through the area in the early 1800’s. There will also be a film explaining the historical find of a steamship named Bertrand that sank in 1865 and was later found in 1968. There is a large collection of well preserved items of the Civil War era artifacts pulled from the hull of the Bertrand on display in the visitor's center.

Meet for the hike at the visitor's center at 9:30am. We will take a very short hike on the Missouri Meander Trail which is located by the visitor's center. We will let the weather decide if we are hiking, or snowshoeing (we will need 2-4 inches of snow cover on the trail to snow shoe). Weather permitting, we may additionally opt to hike the two loops of the Cottonwood/Grassland Nature Trails for an additional 1.5 miles of flat dirt/grassy trail. This is a great opportunity for beginners to bundle up and hit the trail! At approximately 11:00am we will meet and socialize in the conference room area. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available.  Afterwards, please plan to stay and independently view the films, tour the Bertrand exhibit and discover all the rest that DeSoto Bend NWR has to offer.

To get there, take I-29 to the Missouri Valley (exit 75). Make a left onto US Hwy 30 and head west about 6 miles to the park entrance which will be on your left. Follow the signs to the visitor's center. Entrance fee into DeSoto NWR is $3.00 per vehicle.

Please RSVP to let us know if you will join us and to receive a trail update on hiking plans, especially if we have had any snow accumulation. Persons willing to bring  a dozen cookies (store bought is fine!), hot chocolate and can help with set-up and/or clean up please send an email.  Your help would be most appreciated. Hot water, paper goods and napkins will be provided. Feel free to come for the hike, to socialize or both. Hope to see you!

Saturday, January 2, 10:00am
Neale Woods
Hike Leader: Cath

Neale Woods Nature Center is a nature preserve in the hills along the Missouri River, just north of Omaha. We will meet at the visitor's center at 10:00am and plan to hike 3 to 5 miles depending on the weather and trail conditions. The hike will be done by noon. The trail will be moderate to rough and if necessary the steep part of the trail will be avoided. There are no restrooms if the visitor's center is not open. Fee is $5.00 per person at pay station if not a member of Fontenelle Forest. Please bring own water/drinks. Please dress for cold and variable weather. Please RSVP to let us know if you are coming so we can communicate any pertinent weather or additional trail information.

From I-80 take Hwy 75 North. Merge onto Storz Expressway towards Florence Blvd/Eppley Airfield. Take the Florence Blvd ramp and turn left at the stop sign. Florence Blvd. becomes J. Pershing Drive. Continue through the T intersection at Mormon Bridge onto River Road. From there, you will travel 2.7 miles to White Deer Lane (past NP Dodge Park and Hummel Park, stay to the right at the fork in road). Turn a slight left onto White Deer Lane and left again onto Edith Marie Ave.  Follow road and will lead to Neale Woods.

OR

Take the 30th street exit off I-680. Turn south on 30th street then immediately left onto the Dick Collins Road. Follow 1/4 it mile to Pershing Drive and turn left. Go 2.7 miles north on Pershing (North River Road), then turn left onto White Deer Lane. Take the first left onto Edith Marie Ave. and go about 1/4 mile to Neale Woods.

In the event of bad weather, cancellations will be posted on the website as soon as possible.