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Colors, Colors Everywhere ...
BY MCKAYLA BOELTER
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ALL PHOTOS BY CHAD BUSCH / STATESMAN
A leaf changing during the 5K run at Bagley Nature Center.
From relaxing scenic byways to spectacular hiking trails, northern Minnesota is a great place to check out the fall foliage. Each year from the end of September to the middle of October, Maples and other trees along the North Shore and farther inland turn brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow.
When asked about some of the best places around campus to view the changing leaves students at UMD have said that the Chester Bowl ski area is a unique spot to appreciate the fall colors.
“Chester Bowl is a great place to do a variety of things. I have seen people just sitting on the rocks studying,” said senior Melissa Johnson.
Another interesting area to view the fall foliage is the Bagley Nature Area right on the edge of campus near the Oakland apartments. Plenty of students take advantage of the hiking trails in Bagley to exercise and enjoy the atmosphere in the spring and fall.
“Bagley has a really gorgeous view when you get to the top,” said sophomore Amber Olson.
For the die-hard fall enthusiasts, a venture farther from campus may be in order. Cindy Brown, of the Gooseberry Falls State Park information center, says that two of the best places to view fall’s colors are up near Tofte, Minn. and Finland, Minn.
“There’s not much by Gooseberry. There are plenty of aspen and birch which turn a pretty golden color in the fall, but when people talk of the changing colors of fall they are mostly talking about the Maples on the Caribou and Sawbill Trails near Tofte and on County Road 6 out of Finland,” said Brown.
Although farther from campus than some people might want to travel, Finland and Tofte are two good places to view the changing leaves. Hiking among the many trails in these areas will offer an impressive view of fall. If hiking is not up your alley, the scenic drive around these sites is also a great way to enjoy the fall colors.
Tofte is about an hour and a half away from Duluth, but the approximate 25 miles of scenic roadway is spectacular to see in the fall. Brown said the Sawbill, Caribou trails and the stretch of MN-61 is the main leaf trail on the North Shore. Among the many hiking trails near Tofte, there are two places that leaf-watchers go for the breathtaking views: Carlton Peak and Oberg Mountain, both on the main leaf trail.
A shorter drive away from Duluth is Finland, which is a little over an hour away. According to Brown, County Road 6 out of Finland has approximately eight miles of scenic byways that takes the driver to Little Marais. On that eight mile stretch there is an abundance of Maples throughout the ridges and valleys of the area that turn bright shades of orange.
This year the trees along the North Shore and elsewhere in Minnesota have turned color earlier than in the past, due to the drought Minnesota has suffered this year. Leaves on Elm trees and Cottonwoods have the appearance of leaf scorch (browned leaf edges) and other trees have simply changed colors earlier than normal. Sue Burks, Forest Health specialist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, believes that although there are multiple possible reasons for trees to turn colors early the main reason this year is the drought.
“Root disturbances, construction projects and heavily salted roadways are sometimes reasons why trees turn colors early, but this year the extreme drought we’ve had is a major factor in why the leaves have turned color so early.”
In spite of the drought, the trees in and around Duluth and the North Shore are showing a variety of color. Whether right here on campus, or an hour or so drive away, now is the time to get out and enjoy the colors of fall.
