Blue Ox Trail between International Falls and Littlefork

Today, and one week ago today, I had opportunities to bicycle parts of the Blue Ox Trail between International Falls and Littlefork, Minnesota. The Blue Ox Trail is used primarily by snowmobiles in the winter and ATVs in the summer. Here are accounts of how my rides went on each of these days.

May 2, 2017

Today I got my bicycle ready after a long rest period over the winter. Surprisingly, there wasn't much to do as the tires held their air stowed away in the garage. I pulled out of the garage and rode the alley and roads to Kerry Park and the start of the Blue Ox Trail behind the Holiday gas station.

Signs of spring abound along the trail. There are lots of catkins on trees and shrubs

and frogs call from every puddle and wetland along the trail (of which there are many). Even the tamaracks are starting to leaf out.

The ride was pretty uneventful. I found a few railroad spikes on the trail,

reminders of the trails previous use as a rail line. There were lots of views across wetlands off to the side of the trail,

and even a few beaver ponds here and there.

I rode to the point where a branch trail splits off and heads to Loman, Minnesota.

I took a rest in the warm sun at the junction, then turned around and headed back to International Falls. Along the way I passed the skeletons of 3 deer together along the side of the trail,

along with some deer legs that had been deliberately arranged on the trail. It was decidedly strange.

May 9, 2017

For the second part of my ride on the Blue Ox Trail, I drove to Littlefork to start. I had a difficult time actually finding the trail in Littlefork. Eventually I followed County Road 22 and found the trail, a two track headed northeast.

Soon enough the trail traversed some wetlands. There was a striking view of a slow flowing stream from a bridge.

Almost immediately after crossing the bridge the trail was covered with small rocks, the type of which you typically see holding railroad ties in place. The stones made for slow and bumpy riding.

However, the stones were nothing compared to the water.

In fact, the trail soon became a long shallow pond that was unrideable,

and I was forced to turn around. I took a short break on the bridge

and shortly thereafter I was back at the car. I'm not sure how long the wet section extends, but just from the look of it, it appears to go on for at least a half-mile. I'm not sure I will give the ride another try.

Cranberry Peatlands Interpretive Trail

Today Noelle, Grandma, Sierra and I headed over to Canada to check out the Cranberry Peatlands Interpretive Trail near Alberton. It was a short drive through Fort Frances to the trailhead.

We parked off the gravel Whitmore Road and headed out on the boardwalk trail.

There were plentiful views out across the wetlands off the side of the trail.

The sign at the trailhead explained that the peat moss found here was harvested for use as poultry liner in the United States. Perhaps the highlights of the walk were several beaver lodges that were very close to the boardwalk. One even abutted the boardwalk.

There were even a few wildflowers in bloom: leatherleaf.

The marsh marigold was almost ready to bloom.

The trail ends at a viewing platform with expansive views of the surrounding wetlands.

From the platform we turned around and headed back to the car from the direction we had come.

We went into Fort Frances for a delicious lunch at Flint House, before returning to International Falls.

Greens Coulee Park and Preserve

Today, Noelle and I left Sierra with Grandma and went for a hike at Greens Coulee Park and Preserve in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Probably the most difficult part of the hike was finding the trailhead, which is situated in a neighborhood of new (and expensive) homes. Once we found the trailhead, we parked and hit the trail
ascending the steep Pierce Path.

Parts of the trail were so steep that there was a rope one could use to make your way up when muddy.

There were lots of spring wildflowers in bloom. More pasque flower,

along with Dutchman's breeches,

violets,

bloodroot,

and others.

Soon we came to the top of a ridge.

We followed a faint path out of the park and into the woods and preserve. Views started to open up over the surrounding blufflands.

Then, we found ourselves at Mushroom Rock!

We continued past Mushroom Rock to some really awesome views of the neighborhood down below and a distant view of the mighty Mississippi River.

We turned around at the end of the ridge (and trail)

and headed back into the park.

More views abounded from within the park at its high point.

After attaining the apex of the park, we started our descent, following the Clearwater Trail back to the car.

Holland Sand Prairie Preserve

Happy Easter! After an egg hunt

and visit from the Easter Bunny, Noelle, Sierra, Grandma and I headed out for a short hike at the Holland Sand Prairie Preserve near Holmen, Wisconsin. After our arrival at the preserve, we headed off, following an obvious trail into the prairie.

In an area of shrubs we found a bird's nest

and shortly thereafter, some pasque flowers.

We would find plenty of pasque flowers throughout the remainder of the hike. Soon, we came to a fence line
and some signs marking bell's vireo habitat.

We followed the fence line for a while

and found what might be a badger burrow in the soil.

We found a bench on top of a small hill to rest at

and then continued on.

Sierra was in the mood to expend some energy and so we let her run a little ways ahead.

We looped back to a section of trail that we had already hiked and split into 2 groups. Noelle and Sierra started back towards the car, while Grandma and I headed to hike a section of trail that followed the fence line on the other side of the preserve. Eventually, we all met back up at a concrete structure that I'm guessing is the remains of an old barn foundation.

Then it was a short walk back to the car.

Garvin Heights Park

Today seemed like a good day to get out of the house. A little research online for a place to go for a short walk that's not too far from Galesville, turned up Garvin Heights Park in nearby Winona, Minnesota. After a short visit with Grandpa at work and lunch at Culver's, we made our way up the bluff to Garvin Heights.
The views from the park were as good as advertised.

I saw a trail headed down the bluff and talked Noelle into letting me walk down to the lower part of the park.

She agreed and so I made the short, but steep,

walk down the bluff to Lower Garvin Heights Park.

I beat them down and did a little exploring while I waited for them. I found this old, rusty water pump in the woods.