Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Hiking Club Trail #10

​HIKE DETAILS
Date: October 23, 2017
Location: Nerstrand, MN
Length: 2.2 Miles (Hiking Club Trail)
Difficulty: Intermediate: (HCT) leaf cover hid a lot of roots and rocks, some hills
Cumulative Hiking Club Miles: 28.4 of 197

I think at this point I am scared that winter is coming - hiking almost every day, trying to take in all that remains of fall!

Nerstrand attempt #2 - this time on a weekday so hopefully we won't run into 1,000 dogs like last time. We were just about the only ones in the park this time - just how I like it!

But because this is attempt #2 of the season we are here later into October than I wanted to be. Most of the color is gone but if this is what it looks like when most of the leaves have fallen this park must be spectacular in the Peak season - I must come back next year!!!

This time my Mom and Winston came along - I think she is getting more comfortable out there but she still won't commit to joining the club...

The highlight of this hike happens fairly early on - Hidden Falls, a small waterfall tucked away in the forest - when there with no people it is magical (I really like waterfalls!). From there it leads across the river into the Big Woods forest (this park was created in 1945 to protect what was left of the MN Big Woods). It leads up hill - you travel over a lot of roots and rocks and with this being late fall they were all covered with leaves - watch your step! I found a lot of variety of mushrooms along the way.

From what I read this park is covered in wildflowers in the spring... all the more reason to go back.
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