The Joy of November on the Trails

When we think of great times to hike, spring, summer and early fall often are the times we most love to be out exploring. The weather, the plant, insect and animal life, the color; the lushness and variety of sights along the trailside make every step along the way a delight.

I find, though, that it is in the late fall - the cold days of November when the autumn leaves are long gone and the air is crisp and often near or below freezing - that I experience some of my greatest joy while hiking. It is a time of quiet, less crowded trails; endless vistas;  and sights hidden by lush growth displayed once more for those who hike the trails.

While it is a cat-and-mouse game to find trails during the various gun deer seasons, being tri-state-al (living in MN near the borders of WI and IA) helps alot. It is worth the effort to find safe hiking spots to enjoy all November has to offer.

Here are a few favorite moments and sights from these last lovely few weeks of hiking and the secrets revealed.

A flock of cedar waxwings flew away from a red cedar we were near. We stayed quiet and they returned to feast on the berries while we stood quietly beneath them on top a bluff. A rare treat.

Water droplets from an overnight rain glisten on an oak leaf on an early morning hike.

Way finding on oak-leaf covered trails we've never been on is challenging but fun. We can discern a faint outline of slightly crushed leaves. The blazes on trees and trusty app keep us on track though.

I also freely admit that shooshing through dry oak leaves as I hike is one of my top favorite parts of late fall hiking.

The surprise of seeing bright green - maidenhair ferns, wood ferns, rock ferns, waterleaf - nestled among the sea of fallen leaves - even after frost - is always a delight. 

Tamarack is the only conifer in MN to shed all its leaves annually. They hang on even longer than the oaks before shedding. The orange-yellow hue stands out as some of the last color left in the forests.

Fungi and lichen still can be found before the frost hugging close to the ground amidst the fallen leaves. After the frost, the shelf fungi hang on in their slow work of breaking down the tree they perch on.

Rock formations hidden from view by lush undergrowth and leaves are suddenly spied. They tell the story of upheaval and long erosion, only revealed in the late fall and winter months.

The last subtle colors of the forest before the winds sweep the leaves away for the winter.

We get almost uninterrupted views of the Mississippi River from the blufftops as we hike along the eastern rim trails. 

The fall migration of tundra and trumpeter swans along with many other waterfowl along the Mississippi flyway is a highlight of November.

I hope you too have been hiking and enjoying the special sights along the trail this November. It's a great month to be hiking!

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters