River Bend Nature Center-Faribault-Minnesota

Today’s hiking adventure was at River Bend Nature Center. We previously hiked here in the spring of 2023.

Our adventure began along the trails near the nature center.

The Straight River runs through the park.

There were so many amazing mushrooms growing. They were huge!

The trees are beginning to change colors.

Railroad tracks crossing above.

We then made our way to the train tracks.

Our hike on the train tracks was short. Once back on the main trail we noticed there were goats eating the invasive plants. The goats were very shy today.

We made our way to the Teepee Tonka Tunnel. Lots of colorful graffiti lined the walls of the tunnel.

The trail led to Teepee Tonka Park. We stopped at the park for some water before making our way back to the nature center.

We stopped at the waterfall. You may have to squint to see it.

We followed along the main road back to the nature center. We helped a grasshopper, a turtle and a fuzzy caterpillar cross the road.

Today’s hiking adventure was 6.2 miles.

Kawishiwi Falls-Ely-Minnesota

We hiked Kawishiwi Falls for the first time on October 19th, 2024.

The trail was full of fallen leaves. 

Kawishiwi Falls

We hiked up towards the power plant. The lake was so calm. 

We followed the trail away from the falls. There were a few signs with bullet holes through them.

There were quite a few trees where the roots wrapped around boulders.

This was my favorite picture. I have never seen a pine or conifer cone growing from the ground.

Our fall hike was 1.8 miles. 

On January 31st, 2025, we returned to Kawishiwi Falls for a winter hike.

It was a beautiful sunny day. 

Kawishiwi Falls was covered in snow. 

We completed the loop and made our way back to our starting point.

Our winter hike was .84 miles.