Spring Wildflower Hike: Exploring the NCT and Itasca's Westerly Woods
Remember to bring your camera when you join us as we discover the array of spring wildflowers during this late morning hike along the North Country Trail. We will be looking for the first ephemeral wildflowers of the “flower-budding” season as we hike through old growth hardwood forests. Watch for large flowered bellworts, hepatica and trillium. Portions of this 4 mile route will pass numerous wetlands and lakes where we might see returning waterfowl and shorebirds, so don’t forget your binoculars. (refer to Map 12, page 104 of the “Guide to the North Country National Scenic Trail in Minnesota”).
Notes: Dress for being outdoors, including sturdy boots that can get wet/muddy, water, energy snack, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent- including tick gaiters and hiking/trekking poles.
Date and Time
Saturday May 21, 2016
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Location
*Meet at the North Country Trail Head Parking at the South Entrance to Itasca State Park at 12:30 p.m. as we carpool to the trailhead. The route will follow the North Country Trail into the western most portion of Itasca State Park where very few people travel. Route may change based on weather and trail conditions.
Fees/Admission
This is the fifth of 12 hikes to be held as we celebrate 125 years of Minnesota State Parks and Trails and 100 years of the National Park Service. This event is sponsored by both Itasca State Park and the Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters of the National North Country Trail.
Learn more about the North Country Trail in Itasca State Park and east, at the Itasca Moraine Chapter site: http://northcountrytrail.org/itm/
Learn more about the North Country Trail in Itasca State Park and west, at the Laurentian Lakes Chapter site: http://northcountrytrail.org/llc/
