This particular Wednesday I was not feeling life. I had a hard afternoon crash, zero energy, and was severely lacking motivation. Regardless of how I am feeling, a hike is always something I am in the mood for. Thankfully a friend sent a text asking about going for a hike. I am so grateful for that friend and that text as well as our proximity to this lovely state park. I had last been hiking at Whitewater in mid-April when minimal pops of green were coming through on the forest and valley floors. This park has something to offer every season and has an ever-changing landscape, so I recommend going as often as possible to see it in all of its shades of glory. This particular time, many of the spring flowers were in bloom and the rolling bluffs were a very lush green. All of the forest undergrowth seemed to glow a fluorescent green as well. The dense canopy provided a cool, shaded hike the majority of the way, you could definitely tell the difference stepping into the heat of the sun as we reached the number of overlooks starting at Inspiration Point to the intersection that leads to Chimney Rock. It looks like there will be plenty of berries to forage this year near the Chimney Rock trailhead/picnic area as well as on the road from the nature store to the parking near Trout Run Creek trailhead/picnic area. If I recall correctly, I believe the majority of these are red or black raspberries. And for those of you wondering, berry picking is generally allowed in state parks and in state and national forests in Minnesota; there may be some specific areas with special regulations, so be sure to check online.
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