Tag Archives: State Park

Destination, iPhoneography, Panorama, Photography, Steam-scapes, Travel

NERSTRAND BIG WOODS – State Park #exploremn

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NERSTRAND BIG WOODS

Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, northeast of Faribault near the small town of Nerstrand. The park derives its name from the Big Woods, a large, contiguous forested area covering much of central Minnesota prior to the arrival of European settlers. The park and its forest were an outlying ‘woods’ typical and similar to the Big Woods proper, which were historically found on the more recent glacier deposits located west of the Cannon River 10 miles to the west. Aside from a small waterfall, the outstanding natural feature of the park is the forest itself. ~ wikipedia

It was a beautiful Autumn morning to take a walk out to Hidden Falls in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.  Out and about with two other photog-friends, Jeff & Robert chasing waterfalls and capturing the Autumn palette.

Dan, Jeff & Robert

Albeit past prime with many leaves on the ground, there was still a fair amount of color.    The trail out to Hidden Falls is .5 miles on dirt/gravel and wooden boardwalk trails with some stairs.

There was a nice flow when we arrived at the falls.  We even had the whole place to ourselves for a little bit.  A nice day brought out several people that we passed on our way out.  Since you are in the area, be sure to stop at Nerstrand Meats & Catering for a snack or picnic supplies.  Their smoked meat products are phenomenal.  Cheddar Stix and Cajun Jerky are two of my must have favorites whenever I pass through the area.

iPhone shots of the Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

DSLR shots with 10 stop ND filter

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

 

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Destination, iPhoneography, Nature, Panorama, Photography

PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS SP, MI – Autumn Color #puremichigan

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PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

The Porcupine Mountains, or Porkies, are a group of small mountains spanning the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties, near the shore of Lake Superior. The Porcupine Mountains were named by the native Ojibwa people, supposedly because their silhouette had the shape of a crouching porcupine.They are home to the most extensive stand of old growth northern hardwood forest in North America west of the Adirondack Mountains, spanning at least 31,000 acres. In these virgin forests, sugar maple, American basswood, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch are the most abundant tree species.  The area is part of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. ~wikipedia

Porcupine Mountain Wilderness

The drive through the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness are was popping with color.  We entered on the West side – Presque Isle River area.  I was a lovely six hour drive from Red Wing, MN.

WEST SIDE

The Presque Isle River water falls are short hikes from the main road with ample parking places.  There are quite a few stairs on one of the hikes.  Another occasion to get the puppy-kids out of car for a walk.  This Michigan state park was a bit more pet-friendly compared to WI and MN, where you are limited to an area or certain trails.

Geography

The most striking geological feature of the Porcupine Mountains is the long basalt and conglomerate escarpment parallel to the Lake Superior shore and overlooking Lake of the Clouds, a continuation of the same copper-bearing bedrock found farther northeast on the Keweenaw Peninsula. A second ridge farther inland, on the other side of Lake of the Clouds, includes Summit Peak, the highest point in the mountains at 1,958 feet.  Rivers, waterfalls, swamps, and lakes lie between the rocky outcroppings. There are a number of waterfalls on the Presque Isle River in the extreme western side of the park. ~wikipedia

EAST SIDE

Lake of the Clouds Overlook is accessible from the East t side of the park.  It is hard to beat the view from here.   This area is wheelchair accessible via a long ramp.

It was mid 39 degrees with a 30+ MPH wind when we visited – Brrrrrr, it was cold.  I must say that an iPhone does a tremendous job with a panorama.  My phone was all over the place in that wind.  You can see by the weather map below; although Lake Superior is a cold lake, this time of year it’s relatively warm and turn that snow right into rain.

PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

Don’t miss that photo op @ Porcupine Mountains Outpost.

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Destination, iPhoneography, Photography, River-scapes, Travel

COPPER FALLS STATE PARK, WI – Autumn Color #travelwisconsin

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COPPER FALLS STATE PARK, WI

Copper Falls State ParkCopper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre state park in Wisconsin. The park contains a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls. Old Copper Culture Indians and later European settlers mined copper in the area. The state park was created in 1929 and amenities were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. In 2005 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site with 10 contributing properties. ~wikipedia

We stopped by Copper Falls State Park on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  A welcomed pit stop to get out and stretch our legs.   The puppy-kid welcomed the pit stop as well – they had been sleeping since we left home for the most part.

Puppy-Kids
Clover, Harley & Lucy

The Fall color was peaking in North Wisconsin along Rustic Road 95 on our way North and East toward the UP.
–Explore WI Rustic Roads–

Rustic Road 95
Rustic Road 95

Copper Falls State Park was teaming with color.  We didn’t take the time to hike out to the water falls here, but rather a quit walk about and a few iPhone photos.  We had many more miles to travel to get to Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park.

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