The average wintertime hike is a frigid affair, but at Inniswood Metro Gardens, volunteers have figured out a way to battle the chill once the hike is over.
Inniswood’s Winter Hike is slated for Jan. 25. It’s part of Franklin County Metro Parks’ 42nd annual Winter Hike series, in which 12 of the 16 Metro Parks participate. The series begins Jan. 3 at Blacklick Woods Metro Park and ends Feb. 28 at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Each park’s event is a mix of guided and self-guided hikes. Hikers can choose how long their treks last, with trail distances ranging from 1 to 6 miles.
The trail at Inniswood is approximately 2 miles long and fairly flat, so hikers of all ages can get in on the fun, though strollers are discouraged.
While the lay of the land may not present an issue, trail-goers should always keep the weather in mind, says Char Steelman, public gardens manager. The “winter” in “Winter Hike” is always a factor, but hikers in years past have rarely been deterred by a little snow.
“I can only remember one Winter Hike in the 16 years I’ve worked here where we couldn’t hike,” says Steelman. “Last year, we had a level 2 snow emergency, but hikers still came out.”
A hiker who completes seven hikes in the series is given a small patch to commemorate the accomplishment, marked with the year. But a patch isn’t the only reward a hiker can expect after finishing a wintry excursion, especially at Inniswood.
While a bevy of baked goods and hot chocolate is served at the end of the hike, what hikers look forward to the most, Steelman says, is the chili. The hot and hearty meals come in multiple varieties to appeal to all audiences. In the past, venison, vegetarian, spicy chipotle, regular and turkey-beef combination chilis have been served.
Last year, hungry hikers went through 30 gallons of chili, 15 gallons of hot chocolate, 10 gallons of water and hundreds of cookies and other assorted baked goods. With up to 1,600 hikers turning out, it can be a daunting task to prepare all the food. Volunteers prepare and serve the food and drink to famished foresters.
The meal is free for hikers, but a donation jar is always available. All proceeds go to Inniswood Volunteers Inc.
Steelman stresses the Winter Hike series isn’t the only time people can walk the trails.
“People can come out any time to the parks, but there’s something about the group mentality,” she says.
The hike begins at 2 p.m. Hikers can meet at the garden entrance, 940 S. Hempstead Rd.
Kyle Banfill is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
Recipe
Inniswood Winter Hike Chili for 50
Ingredients:
1 head garlic or 1 small jar chopped garlic
1 bunch celery
4 onions or 1 bag chopped, frozen onions
4 green peppers or 1 bag frozen, chopped green peppers
4 lbs. ground chuck
4 lbs. ground turkey
6 Tbsp. chili powder
3 Tbsp. black pepper
2-3 Tbsp. dried basil
2 Tbsp. salt
4 28-oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 small can Rotel diced tomatoes with chili peppers
8 cups water
2 12-oz. cans tomato paste
4 Tbsp. sugar (optional)
2 52-oz. cans kidney beans
3-4 bay leaves
Instructions:
Chop garlic, celery, onions and green peppers in a food processor.
Brown vegetables with ground chuck and ground turkey. Add chili powder, black pepper, basil and salt.
Add, in order, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes and water, adding more water if necessary. Add tomato paste, then sugar, if desired. Add kidney beans, and finish with bay leaves.
Cook on low heat at least one hour and serve.
