2017 Fall Color Trip

Each year I spend some quality time up on the north shore chasing the fall colors. The maple leaves had already turned the previous week, so I was in search for the yellow aspens and birches. I love driving the back roads in the Superior National Forrest, always on the look out for a moose.

This is a group of tamaracks. Tamaracks are a pine tree that change color and loose their needles. I found this little beaver pond just after sunrise.

This year I wanted to hike into the Boundary Waters via the border route trail. My goal was to hike to the Rose Lake overlooks. The hike there brought me to Stairway Portage Falls. This is a waterfall located between Duncan and Rose Lake. I wish I could have spent more time there.

This is down stream from the Stairway Portage Falls.

Years ago I saw a photograph from this exact location and have always wanted to go and photograph it for myself. It took me four long grueling hours of backpacking through some of the hardest and harshest terrain before i made it to my destination. The lake below is Rose Lake, with Rat and South Lake in the distance. The shoreline on the other side of the lake is Canada. If you are looking for a place to re-charge your batteries and take a little break, this is the location. These overlooks are some of the best ones in the state.

I set up my little single person tent just before sunset. Talk about a room with a view.

During the night the temperatures dropped. The temperature of the lake water was warmer than the temperature of the air, creating a lot steam off the lake.

No better way to get your day started than with a cup of coffee. I sat and watched the sun rise and slowly dissipate the steam off the lake. Eventually the steam cleared and i could see the lakes below.

Finally the steam lifted. Well worth the wait. Time to hit the trail and head back home.