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Hoar frost
on the forest floor |
It felt like a tropical heat wave during the first half of this month with decidedly un-November-like weather. My coldest morning hikes started in the high 30s and most days I hiked in warmish 40s and 50s temps. We had some fog, some sun, some rain and an actual snowfall on November 20 (lots, lots earlier than in recent years!). We ended in the 30s (with a nip of 20s at the last) this past week, a much more seasonal temp.
As I hoped, the temps were still cool enough and the leafless trees bare enough to make for some of my favorite fall hiking. Clear views, no sweat and no bugs! Well, low bugs. Like last year, the unseasonably warm temps at month’s beginning kept ticks active. With my Premethrin-sprayed clothes, Rynoskin and 10-minutes-in-the-dryer routine, I was comfortable and tick-free. But really?!?!
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A view of the Mississippi in Iowa
Image -Kris Lawson |
The hunting seasons in MN and WI kept me hopping in the tri-state area and revisiting favorite trails and parks from state-to-state. A lot of these trails, with their stunning geology and expansive river views, I save especially for the snowless late fall/early winter hikes.
I find November hiking beautiful, full of surprises and prime hiking time. Last year I made some observations and they remain just as true. This year, my eyes were again dazzled by flashes of green, incredible rock formations, migratory birds and vistas that went on forever.
Here are a few of my favorite sights over the November weeks.
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Tundra swans and ducks finally arrived
in great numbers in November's last week |
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Great rocks in fog and, on another day, in sun
at Levis Trow Mounds
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| Post-warm rain forest floor |
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| A lovely log full of turkey-tail fungi |
Now let's start thinking and wishing hard for some crispy cold and luscious snow to play in!
What are YOU noticing on your hikes?
A month of hikes:
Hikes below in bold color or underlined have links to previous posts OR descriptions/location of the trails found online
Levis Trow Mounds, Black River Falls WI (2);
Iowisota Retreat Center bluff trails, Lansing IA;
Lytle’s Landing, Brice Prairie WI; Camel Hump trails, Onalaska WI;
Goose Island County Park, La Crosse WI;
Reno Quarry, Brownsville MN; Fish Farm Mounds, Lansing IA (2);
Red Oak Road Dike and Lookout, Harper's Ferry IA;
Yellow River Forest, Luster Heights Unit, Harper's Ferry IA
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At Yellow River Forest Luster Heights
North Overlook
Image -Kris Lawson |
All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
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