With its brilliant backdrop of foliage tinted in reds and yellows, autumn is the perfect time for a scenic drive or a hike or bike ride along a secluded trail.  Explore one of these featured routes this fall, or choose another one of Minnesota’s scenic byways and numerous bike trails and hiking paths.

On the Road:
Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway

The yellows and golds of aspen and birch, the crimson of maples, and the green pines make for a spectacular bouquet of color in the Chippewa National Forest north of Grand Rapids each fall.  The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway heads north from Grand Rapids on a rolling road (Hwy. 38) through the woods.

Stop at the visitors center in Marcell for maps and information.  At the 40-mile point is the north woods village of Bigfork; turn east here on Co. Rd. 7 for a trip to Scenic State Park, which certainly lives up to its name.  Peaceful hiking trails lead through groves of tall virgin pine along a lakeshore; watch for eagles and migrating waterfowl.

Take Co. Rd. 7 back down to Hwy. 169 or turn off on one of the enticing back roads that leads through the forest back to Hwy. 38, for a return loop to Grand Rapids.  All together, this circular route of about 90 miles makes for a wonderful day trip, with stops for a picnic, hike or photos of the fall color.

There are resorts in the woods, a campground at the state park, and plenty of hotels in Grand Rapids.

For more info:
www.Scenicbyway.com

By Bike:
Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

This easygoing, paved state bike trail tours the countryside for 39 miles between Mankato and Faribault, passing lakes, wetlands, stands of woods and small towns.  It travels under a canopy of hardwood forest for about three miles in Sakatah Lake State Park.  In the fall, the elms, ash and basswood are shades of yellow and gold, and the trail is bordered with fall wildflowers and prairie grasses.  Begin your trip at parking areas at either end of the trail, or start from the rest stop in the midpoint village of Elysian.

Mankato provides more biking options. The Sakatah Trail links to the 3.5-mile Minnesota River Trail through town, and that brings you to the scenic 6-mile Red Jacket Trail. This lovely trail heads out of town along a wooded, secluded hillside and passes over three railroad trestles, one of them 80-feet above the LeSueur River.

With so many options, it’s easy to plan a short ride or an all-day trip, depending on your biking power.  For an overnight getaway, camp at the state park, or choose from one of the several hotels in Mankato or Faribault.

For more info:
www.Greatermankato.com
www.Visitfaribault.com

On Foot:
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Fall is a fabulous time to visit this wooded park near the southwest shore of giant Mille Lacs Lake.  As park naturalist Jim Cummings explains, the fall color display progresses over several weeks.  The red maples peak in late September and early October, followed by the yellows of the other hardwoods in mid-October, and then later in the month, the burgundy of oaks and gold of tamaracks.  Another late October bonus:  thousands of migrating waterfowl-ducks, geese, swans and pelicans—arrive at Ogechie Lake in the park, typically the last week of the month.

With about 40 miles of trail, it’s easy to plan a hike of any length to enjoy the fall color up close.  For those who can make the climb, a 100-foot observation tower provides an incredible 20-mile view of the forest tapestry and all of Mille Lacs Lake.  The tower is an easy quarter-mile walk from the trail center.

There are also two trails with a surface and grade suitable for wheelchair use. One is the mile-long, circular Touch of Earth nature trail starting near the picnic area.  The 1.5-mile Landmark Trail along the shore of Ogechie Lake explores an area that has been home to ancient Indian villages and pioneer homesteads; many interpretive signs along the route give details about the interesting history of the area.  A half-mile of this trail is handicapped accessible.

The terrain of the park ranges from level to very hilly; most trails are over gently rolling land and wind through the woods.  The park naturalist suggests two other trails to explore.  The beautiful, three-mile Hiking Club trail extends from the Landmark Trail.  The popular Glacial Ridge Trail is a 1.5 mile footpath through a century-old pine grove and along a tamarack bog.  Another way to enjoy fall color in the park is to rent a canoe for a float along the slow-moving Rum River.

For more info:
www.Mnstateparks.info

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