With a three day weekend to burn we headed out Saturday morning, once Grace could work it into her social schedule and I into some hunting time, for Devil's lake state park. Heading south allowed us to hit some more fall foliage at its peak and we hike trails literally around the lake. It was amazing beautiful. The maples were at full yellow and cast a golden glow to the light and reflected off the carpeted forest floor of the same hue. The stark contrast of the foliage and ancient quartzite rocks was gorgeous as it has been since the last ice age. 14000 years in the making. The trails are steep enough to be considered moderate plus. We hit the hot-spots of elephant rock, Devil's doorway and Balancing rock. We actually passed the spur trail for balancing rock but it didn't disappoint when we headed back to check it out. It may have been the busiest state park we were ever at, I am not sure we were ever more than 50 feet away from another person or group doing the same thing we were doing. Sometimes there is a reason an area draws a crowd. We grabbed a hotel and dinner and had a chill evening and a little swimming. The morning gave way to more sites to visit and out of the handful of options we opted for Parfrey's glen. It is an easy walk initially, and busy with people again, but then gives way to some boulder scrambling up a creek bed to a fair-sized water fall (10'-12'). The glen is deeply walled and 100 foot high in some areas, the geological striations are really great to consider. The Glen is also the states first designated natural area. Preserved and rededicated to the citizens to protect its unique beauty for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment