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A Little Snow & the Gales of November
23 October 2009
final report of the year
We are getting light coatings of snow that disappear by midday with more frequency. Inland over the ridge some of that pesky snow is choosing to stay. Leaves are past peak along the entire shore.
So what should you do? Book a room with a Lake Superior view and watch the waves made famous in Gordon Lightfoot's song Edmund Fitzgerald.
With chilly temps here for the week, plan on taking some driving tours, then get out at waysides and state parks for some invigorating walks. And watch for the snow report starting around Thanksgiving!
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State Park Fall Color report provided by the DNR
| Gooseberry Falls State Park |
updated 20 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak
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Park Notes:
Fall colors on the shore are now past peak but the Bush Honeysuckle are still bright red and very beautiful. Bush Honeysuckle are shrubs that cover the forest floor under the birch trees. The color of the shrubs make hiking along the Gooseberry River trail very enjoyable this time of year. Water levels have come up with recent rains giving the falls a nice appearance. We also have a family of beaver in the Lower Gooseberry River that are fun to watch. |
| Split Rock Lighthouse State Park |
updated 21 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
Although color lingers in the landscape, it is now past peak due to recent windy and rainy conditions having blown down most of the leaves. There is still some color to be found closer to Lake Superior, especially in the understory vegetation and remaining golden aspen leaves. This is a nice time of year for hiking as the temperatures have not dropped too much yet and the reduced vegetation makes for easier spotting of wildlife.
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Tettegouche State Park
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updated 20 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
Fall is Here!. Great time to be outside. Expect crisp mornings with heavy dew, frost or light snow. Pockets of sugar maple are still showing their fall colors, along with moose maple. The best color is along Hwy 61, near Lake Superior. Expect declining colors inland, as most of the maples are done turning. Asters are done blooming. Colors are changed on the honeysuckles and sarsaparilla. They are red on the forest floor. Fireweed is done blooming, with flowers only on the top. This starts its blooming on the bottom, and when it gets to the top, the old timers say, summer is over. The squirrels are cutting cones on the spruce and pine trees, getting ready for winter. Hawks and raptors are in full migration, so look up. Salmon are almost done coming into the rivers now. The fish on inland lakes usually bite better as the water cools. Rent a canoe and try it out. Remember, the hungry looking ranger gets half of the fish you catch (he likes them cleaned too)! |
| Crosby Manitou State Park |
updated 20 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
It's Here!. Fall is in full swing with snow on the ground this week. Crisp mornings with heavy dew are common. Pockets of maple are still showing their fall colors between George H. Crosby-Manitou and Temperance River State Parks, and also between Highway 61 and the park. Expect the colors near Finland Minnesota to be peaking to a little past peak. Asters are done blooming.
Colors are changed on the honeysuckles and sarsaparilla. They are red on the forest floor. Fireweed is done blooming, with flowers only on the top. This starts its bloom on the bottom, and when it gets to the top, the old timers say, summer is over. The squirrels are cutting cones on the spruce and pine rees. Hawks and raptors are in full migration, so look up. Great hiking weather right now. For an easy walk try the wooden boardwalk around Benson Lake, about 3/4 mile, and be sure to watch for the otters! |
| Temperance River State Park |
updated 20 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
It is Here! FALL. Great hiking! Fall is in the air (as well as the migrating raptors); crisp mornings with heavy dew or frost are common. Small pockets of maple are still showing their fall colors, with the best color along Hwy 61 near Lake Superior. Inland, along some of the US Forest Service roads there is also some passing color. Asters are done blooming. Colors are changed on the honeysuckles and sarsaparilla. They have turned red on the forest floor. Fireweed is done blooming, with flowers only on the top. This starts its bloom on the bottom, and when it gets to the top, the old timers say, summer is over. The squirrels are cutting cones on the spruce and pines, getting ready for winter. Salmon are almost done coming into the rivers. Hawks and raptors are in full migration, so look up. There is some great hiking along the river and on up to Carlton Peak.
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| Cascade River State Park |
updated 17 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
High winds have damaged and closed the Cascade River Hiking Bridge until further notice. Fall colors are past peak |
| Judge Magney State Park |
updated 15 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak |
Park Notes:
Frost, fall winds and precipitation (snow and rain) have dramatically changed the landscape. Although the ground is littered with aspen and birch leaves, golden leaves in the canopy still shimmer on days of deep blue skies. The understory is dramatically varied with shades of lime, maroon, orange, red, and yellow. Sightings of bald eagles have been frequent this past week, especially near the footbridge as the eagles dive for the pink salmon in the shallows. A beaver has been cruising the lower stretches of the Brule and has surprised more than one visitor with a hearty slap on the water. The Devil’s Kettle Trail remains the favorite hiking trail, but the self-guided Timberdoodle Trail on the western side of the Brule is a good bet for a quiet woodland walk. The campground is open through October; the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Water has been turned off for the season.
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| Grand Portage State Park |
updated 19 October |
R E P O R T
Leaves: past peak
Grasses: past peak
Wildflowers: past peak
Bonus!! Treat yourself to some unbelieveable fall color photos from the area.
Photographer Travis Novitsky's work can be seen here.
***Grand Portage State Park will be open weekends ONLY during fall construction! The park will be closed Monday through Friday while work continues on the park's new visitor center. The park will be open for hiking, geocaching and picnicking between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, but weekend parking will be limited.
The closure will likely continue through mid-December.
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Park Notes:
Fall colors are now well past their peak. There are still a few leaves remaining on the trees, but with more harsh weather in the forecast (rain, snow and wind) all of the leaves will soon be down. Tamarack trees are beautiful right now, their needles glowing orange. They can be seen in a few areas along the highway as you approach the park. About 10 miles south of the park there is a nice patch of Tamaracks lining both sides of the highway... with their bright orange color you can't miss them. You can also see them along the shoreline of Teal Lake, near the highway summit of Mt. Josephine (by the rock cut). Once the Tamaracks lose their needles all of the fall color will be done for the year. |
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