Pickerel Lake Park, 6001 Ramsdell Dr NE, Rockford ~ 12/5/20 & 1/6/21

2-26-21

It couldn't have been more beautiful then it was today at Pickerel Lake.

And apparently our state tree is famous for many historical things. 

Blue skies were certainly smiling on us today.

 

1-6-21

One month later we were back, this time with snow covered trails.

The lake was mostly frozen although the ice was thin.

Someone had made a miniature snow person on a trail marker.

When we returned, someone had upgraded him.

This time we took the white trail (with a little blue & black). It was somewhat hilly and quite beautiful.

At the top of the loop, the trail runs into private property and turns back down.

At one point we came to an intersection on the black trail and chose left. Don't do it - dead end (although in any season but winter, you might see something cool).

A right turn was more productive.

We found a curly tree and some serious beaver work along the way.

We knew about loosestrife being invasive but did not know about blue spruce. It looks like they are cutting down a ton of them.

This poor birch has been carved into multiple times.

We love this park and have to return soon to walk the red trail.

Wearing some sort of grippers is highly recommended if you are walking on non-paved paths in the winter.

There is a porta-potty in the parking lot, the terrain is rolling, and one can easily walk 3+ miles here and run into very few people. Cheers to winter walking!

12-5-20

Our recent goal is to walk several different parks each week (shooting for 4 miles everyday) ~ all for mental and physical health during these trying times. And this lovely park was our choice today.

This long boardwalk takes you over the lake where you find several different trail options. We chose to stay close to the lake, because views like this.

We like walking on dirt paths and these wander all throughout the woods.

Taking the path less traveled sometime comes at a price, like having to clamber over fallen trees.

This small trail took us through whipping branches, past a secret note (which we did not read), and right to the edge of the marsh.

The views were worth the dampness.

Beavers apparently live here and we later saw a small one sitting on a log (we were not fast enough for a photo).

We continued to walk, taking random trails wherever they led us.

And the woods combined with lake views will keep us coming back.

Gnarly trees, cloud reflections, and skim ice that formed.

This park has a few more rules than most so take note before you trespass against one.

A rock holds a plaque giving a bit of history of the property. I don't know why the Lithuanian man had this somewhat pejorative nickname but nonetheless, there it is.

This is one of many parks we had not been to before today and we will continue to explore this one as well as all the others waiting out there for us to walk.

3 miles covered but two trails not taken.