Carpets of Ephemerals - Beaver Creek Valley State Park Hike (MN)

This MN state park is a hidden gem in a largely agricultural section of southeastern MN. Located just west of Caledonia, the road to the park steeply descends from farm fields into a narrow valley dominated by high sandstone walls and the healthy rushing creek. 

The moment you get into that valley, the quiet sounds of nature surround you. The creek itself has it's source in the park (Big Spring) and you can walk right up to it on one of the trails. The creek sustains a population of native brook trout and one can see fly fishing during the season.

There are two main kinds of trails in the park: wide, grass-covered or dirt old-road trails on the flats along the creek (Beaver Creek Valley Trail and Big Spring Trail) ; and narrow, rocky trails that descend up and down the sharp valley walls and ridge tops (Switchback Trail; Mossy Seep Trail; Steep Rock Trail; Hole in the Wall Trail; and West Rim Trail). Both types of trails are amazing for the flowers, views, challenges and wildlife that abounds.

While every season is special in this hidden valley, spring is especially noteworthy, particularly on the steeper trails heading up to the ridge tops. The profusion of wildflowers is intense - the patches of wildflowers are on rocks, hillsides, the valley floor and in every nook and cranny.

In the last two weeks I spotted: Dutchman's Breeches; Cutleaf Toothwort; Anemones; Spring Beauty, Bellwort; Miterwort; Jacob's Ladder, Phlox; Trout Lily; fiddleheads, Virginia Waterleaf, trillium (pre-bloom); Wild ginger; Solomon's Seal; Ramps; Bristly Buttercup; Hepatica; Bittercress; Little-leaf buttercup...whew!

The park is also a great place to spot birds including warblers like the yellow-rumped, palm, cereulen, blackburnian and yellow warbler. You can see and hear a variety of common forest-dwelling birds as well as the less common Louisiana water thrush and Acadian flycatcher. 

Sadly the park also has a huge population of invasive cow parsnip and garlic mustard so that is another reason to recommend early spring as a must-hike destination.

 

THE HIKE

Beaver Creek Valley State Park Hike

A perfect hike for any ability. Flat trails near the creek are wide and feature small footbridges to get back and forth across the trout stream. For those up for a challenge, head up any number of trails for bluff views and challenging narrow switchbacks among the rocks.

Location: 15954 County Rd 1, Caledonia, MN 55921

Follow Hwy 1 straight west from Caledonia into the park. Trails are accessed from various points in the park

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters