Although all five of Rydell NWR’s trails will be open for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, Church Lake, Rice Lake and Round Lake trails will be groomed and lighted for this event. Luminaries will be distributed along the three trails, but visitors are encouraged to bring a headlamp if they have one.
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Two owl-calling stations will be set up along the trails, where the calls of several owl species – such as saw whet, barred and great horned – will be projected into the woods to try and generate a response.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be several changes to the event from past years. The Refuge Visitor Center will not be open to the public, so the only warm-up opportunity, if needed, will be personal vehicles. The outdoor restroom will be available. Participants should bring their own snacks, coffee or hot chocolate, as organizers will not be able to provide any food or beverages this year. Also, the refuge will be unable to provide ski equipment or snowshoes for check-out.