North MN Outdoors

Hike to Stewart Falls, April 8, 2024

Stewart Falls is a dramatic, reasonably accessible waterfall near the Sundance ski area; it is east up the Provo canyon from the Salt Lake City metro area. Hiking to the waterfall from the trailhead near Aspen Grove was a 3.6-mile round trip. The change in elevation along the trail is about 780 feet, but it is up and down and did not seem too taxing.

The biggest challenge presented by the trail was snow. Despite it being a warm day in early April, there was plenty of snow on the trail and it was slippery in some of the steep sections. Hiking poles would have come in handy.

Gorgeous scenery on the way to the falls.

Stewart Falls

Videos that show the falling water.

Scenery on the return trip was also beautiful.

Powder Days in April

There was fantastic skiing on April 6 and 7 this year at Park City, Utah. A late season storm provided a gentle downfall of powdery snow. This was a welcome change from two days previous, when warm afternoon temperatures had us skiing in slush.

This Beats a Day at the Office

Mardi Gras in Utah

Just images from a great day skiing in the Canyons section of Park City on Mardi Gras day.

Neff’s Canyon Trail

Mountainous hiking trails are remarkably close to Salt Lake City. One example is Neff’s Canyon trail; its trailhead is shown on the map below, right at the east edge of the Salt Lake City suburbs.

The trail is steep, ascending 3562 feet over its 3.5-mile length. For my first visit, on January 9, I only ventured a mile up the trail, and climbed 700 feet according to my Garmin. This first mile seemed steep to me, but the further 2.5 miles are even steeper.

Near the trailhead the dominant trees are Scrub Oak, only a mile up the trail White Firs have taken over.

Dramatic view of mountainous geology seen from the trail.

From the trail you can look down on Salt Lake City and see the Oquirrh Mountains in the distance.

Another view of Salt Lake City and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west.

Scenes of Fall in Minnesota

Geese heading south

Reflections

Foggy morning on the lake

In the woods

Signs of Fall in August

Already in August there are clear signs of approaching fall in North-Central Minnesota. It may be that leaves are turning early this year because of our dry conditions.

Looking east in early evening from west side of Leech Lake

Leaves yellowing slightly on tree on the west shore of Leech Lake.

Alder and hazel bushes rimming the shores of our lake are starting to yellow.

Staghorn sumac along roadsides is starting to turn red.

This maple was red on August 16, exceptionally early.

The Lost 40; A Remnant of Old Growth Forest in Minnesota

Because of a surveying error in 1882, 144 acres of forest in North-Central Minnesota were never leased to a timber company and therefore were spared from logging. Today the area is designated as the Lost 40 SNA (Scientific and Natural Area) and features a hiking trail of about one mile winding through huge red and white pines.

The red marker indicates the location of The Lost 40 in North-Central Minnesota

The map above shows detail around the Lost 40 SNA, including the ~1 mile hiking trail.

The highlights of a visit to the Lost 40 SNA are the towering red and white pine trees that are up to 240 years old.

A plaque along the trail provides the history of the Lost 40

A visit to the Lost 40 isn’t complete without a stop at the Hoot-n-Holler in nearby Alvwood MN.

Mill Creek Canyon, Utah

A benefit to life in Salt Lake City, Utah is the proximity of the city to the Wasatch Mountains. Recently for a hike in the mountains we drove up Mill Creek Canyon to the Upper Big Water Trailhead, just 9 miles east of the 215 Beltway in the city.

Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa)

Trees in Mill Creek Canyon include Subalpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and Quaking Aspen.

Many wildflowers were blooming on this day in early August.

Bigleaf Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Dwarf Fireweed (Epilobrium latifolium)

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium)

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)

Richardson’s Geranium (Geranium richardsonii)

Mill Creek

White Wildflowers Predominant in Late June

In late June, around the time of the summer solstice, nearly all the wildflowers in our area of North Central Minnesota are white. This seems unusual because other times of the year I see colorful wildflowers. May and early June have yellow and pink wildflowers, while in July through October you see magenta, yellow, and purple. The very first wildflowers of the spring are on blooming shrubs, and they are also predominantly white.

From quick online research I learned that bright white flowers are more visible to a wider range of pollinators. In particular, white attracts flies better than other colors, while bees are attracted to both white and colors. So, the prevalence of white flowers in earliest spring is understandable because there is likely more flies than bees at that time. The late June dominance of white wildflowers is not as easily explained. It could be coincidental, or maybe there is a subtle relation to available pollinators.