This Sunday we’ll get our annual weather prediction from a certain rodent, and whether or not he predicts a longer winter, residents can celebrate the season at Springbrook State Park.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Training Specialist Anne Riordan is hosting a “Six More Weeks of Winter Hike” Sunday at the park located north of Guthrie Center. No matter the season, Riordan encourages the public to enjoy the sights and sounds at Springbrook, “The groundhog, if he sees his shadow that’s supposed to mean that we have six more weeks of winter and I even think the weather is supposed to be 40 degrees. So either way a great time to come out and hike. We’re going to meet at the campground gazebo at 1 o’clock and hike for a couple of hours, and probably won’t see a groundhog but we will celebrate whatever the weather happens to be.”

Riordan adds this can be a great activity for those who plan on eating plenty of snack foods while watching the big game later that day. As Springbrook celebrates 100 years of the Iowa state park system, there are several upcoming free events at the park for the next couple months.

Sat Feb 8th Full Moon Hike and Fire/Hot Chocolate in the CCC Shelter 7:00-9:30 Meet at CCC Shelter. Bring Snacks to Share if you wish.

Tues Feb 11th Nature Explorers – Animals in Winter After school program at Mary Barnett Library in Guthrie Center 3:30-4:30

Sat Feb 22nd For the Birds Build a make and take Suet Feeder 10:00-12:00 Meet at Park Office

Tues March 3rd Nature Explorers – After school program at Mary Barnett Library in Guthrie Center 3:30 – 4:30

Sun March 8th Tracking Down the Story 1:00-3:00 Looking for tracks and other animal signs and evidence, putting together the story/explanation based on the evidence we find—Doors and Windows
Meet at Campground Gazebo

Sun March 22nd Signs of Spring Hike (7 wks after our Six More Weeks of Winter Hike ☺ 1:00-3:00 Meet at gazebo