October 3, 2010 - Savanna Portage State Park

This is still one of my favorite state parks. Today solidified this belief even more. It must be that both times I have been here, my timing was perfect with regards to fall colors.

This time around I did not go to the Interpretive Bog for an opportunity to smell supposedly bear stank. Instead I chose to do a 1 mile hike on Look Lake, a 1/2 mile hike on Savanna Lake and a 1.2 mile hike along the Continental Divide Trail.

All three hikes proved to be colorful. On Loon Lake I met a man who had never been to Savanna Portage. He and his family came up for the day from the Twin Cities. We both commented on how folks are so much friendly up here than down in MSP. He said that he would definitely come up again. The Savanna Lake hike was very short. However it provided me with some great color.

My last trek of the day was to be a short one. The trail post said that hike to the continental divide overlook was 3 tenths of a mile. After reviewing the trail on the map when I returned, I would say that it was more than 6 tenths of a mile one way. But it was worth it.

The last picture on this post is one of my favorites from the past. Canoes, a lake and fall colors.

Beware: When at Savanna Portage, stay away from the stinky Bonita Bear.





Total Miles from Father Hennepin to Savanna Portage: 63.8
Total Miles for this Leg of the trip: 157.8
Total Highway Miles: 1652.3
Hiking Miles at Savanna Portage: 2.7
Total Hiking Miles for this Leg of the trip: 7.2
Total Hiking Miles: 45.0

October 3, 2010 - Father Hennepin State Park

This is my first time to Father Hennepin. This is another state park that I will be visiting again soon. Great colors and a nice view of Mille Lacs Lake. Did a nice 2 mile hike to Pope Point. I was a little disappointed that I did not see the pope there, but not being Catholic, I got over it very quickly. Either way, it was a great hike and got some great scenery along the way.




Highway Miles from Mille Lacs to Father Hennepin: 16.5
Total Highway Miles this Leg of Trip: 94.0
Total Highway Miles: 1588.5
Hiking Miles in Father Hennepin: 2.0
Total Hiking Miles this leg of trip: 4.5
Total Hiking Miles: 40.3

October 3, 2010 - Mille Lacs/Kathio State Park

Over the past few years I have seen this as a park that I wanted to visit. As with anything in life, it appears that other things have taken priority. I was excited that I was finally coming here and I was not disappointed. Being a beautiful Sunday afternoon, it was very packed because all of the colors were peaking.

My first trek was to see if my first ascent to the top of a fire tower was a fluke. I circled the tower for awhile, waited patiently as others went up and came down. Took a family picture for a nice family. Finally I decided to overcome my irrational fears and climb the stairs to the top. I got up to the top and had it to myself for about 4 minutes. Then a really nice mother/daughter shared the view from the top with me. We exchanged pictures for each other and talked about the beauty of the view. We decided to leave when we realized that more than the allotted amount of 6-7 people were on their way up. As we were descending we decided that the state park system should devise a system to ensure no more than the optimal amount should climb the tower. When we got to the bottom, we laughed, all realizing that a system could be put in place, but no one would follow it. So much for common sense.

I then took a mile hike down the interpretive trail to get a few good pictures. Hope you like them as much as I do. During my hike, I met a nice couple that a year old cross between a golden, a yellow lab and a poodle. I thought they called it a cockapoo, but don't really remember. Anyway, it was a very pretty dog.

If you want a nice state park within a hour and a half drive from MSP, this is a great choice.

Highway Miles from Home: 77.5
Total Highway Miles this leg: 77.5
Total Highway Miles: 1572.0
Hiking Miles in Mille Lacs/Kathio: 3.0
Total Hiking Miles this leg: 3.0
Total Hiking Miles: 38.3

September 27, 2010 - Home

Great to be home. Crashed almost immediately. Here are some stats from my first leg:

State Parks Visited: 30
Days: 6
Total Highway Miles: 1494.5
Total Hiking Miles: 35.3
High Point: 100ft fire tower
Low Point: 2341 feet down in a mine shaft

September 27, 2010 - Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River is the last stop on this part of my trip. Need to go home and sleep in my own bed. I like this park. It has a man-made lake beach and a nice blend of forest and prairie. I took the Picnic Trail to the Prairie View Trail which met up with the River View Trail for a scenic overview of the river.












Miles from Red River to Buffalo River: 98
Total Highway Miles: 1280.4
Hiking Miles at Buffalo River: 1.1
Total Hiking Miles: 35.3

September 27, 2010 - Red River State Recreaion Area

I remember how this recreation area was created. It was the result of a 500 year flood and more tears than any river valley could handle. I remember this vividly and wish I had the resources to volunteer to help. Amazing when you really don't realize that you actually have the ability to help, but don't think that you have them. Amazing how something was so stable as an awesome neighborhood and how a huge flood can change that perspective. What was once a neighborhood has become a campground that is protected by a flood control system. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes.

Miles from Old Mill to E Grand Forks: 46.3
Total Highway Miles: 1182.4
Hiking Miles at Red River: 0.5
Total Hiking Miles: 34.2

September 27, 2010 - Old Mill State Park

Never judge a book by it's cover. How many times have we all heard this? I am a convert. Originally wanted to see the old mill and decided to explore more and boy, was I surprised. What I thought would be just a quick view of the old mill sight ended up being a 2 mile hike. This is a very nice park and don't let the simplicity of it fool you. Much beauty in the fall and I am sure it is awesome year around. This park actually brought tears to my eyes because of the simplistic beauty of it all. Anyone my age remembers riding a spring driven horse, or hippo or alligator. It was so much fun when you got a little too heavy and you could make it touch it's nose to the ground and then kick you off the back end as a revenge!!!

Miles from Lake Bronson to Old Mill: 37.3
Total Highway Miles: 1136.1
Hiking Miles at Old Mill: 2 miles
Total Hiking Miles: 33.7