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You are here: Home / Archives for Secret/Blackstone Hiking Trail

Come Hike With Me

October 18, 2020 by Denise Brake 2 Comments

Leave behind your worries. Don’t think about the Corona virus. Put politics and the ugliness that is election season out of your mind. Take your time. Look closely. Let’s get present. Let’s get real. Come hike with me.

Superior National Forest encompasses nearly four million acres in the ‘arrowhead’ of Minnesota. On our trip up north, we hiked the Secret/Blackstone Hiking Trail. The nighttime rain had cleared away to blue skies. The air was crisp, the sun was warm, and breakfast of fire-toasted bagels was in our bellies. We were ready to go!

Bent reflections
Pink water plants, possibly Watershield
Beaver tree
Bunchberry Dogwood
Aspens, Paper Birches, and Evergreens
The best view
Lichens
Club moss
Wild Blueberries
Large-leaved Aster
Fern and Wild Rose
Harebell
Wild Blueberries turning color
Looks like Christmas
Maple leaves
The young ones waiting for the older ones to catch up
Close to the edge
Powder puff Lichens
Claw marks. I’m not the only one who slid down this steep part.
Club moss. Like tiny pine trees.
Red Oak
Ennis Lake
High up on the ridge
Lightning-struck White Cedar
Secret Lake
Marsh and creek from Blackstone Lake to Flash Lake
Lichens and moss
Ruffed Grouse
Burned area
Bear scat
Beaver lodge
Tall Pine who survived the fire
Blackstone Lake
Gray Jay
Aspens–one of the first to grow after a burn
Blackstone Lake
Back to the beginning

How do you feel? Three hours, more than four miles. Lots of lakes. Challenging rocky trails. Exquisite Nature! Breathe deeply. All is right with the world in this moment.

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Filed Under: Fall Tagged With: lakes, Northwoods, rocks, Secret/Blackstone Hiking Trail, Superior National Forest, trees

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