Trout Lake State Forest - Part 2

The dogs and I had hiked to a picnic area on Trout Lake and were on our way back to the trail head when I saw another water access and led the dogs downhill to get there (see Part 1, posted yesterday):

They were more than happy to get their feet wet again:

It was cool down there by the water:

But it was time to get back on the trail and continue heading toward our car. I stopped to photograph these tiny, orange mushrooms:

We walked back uphill to continue on the trail, but I couldn't find it. I stayed calm and searched the area, learning that we were on a peninsula (so I couldn't get too lost). I circled and explored, looking for the trail and was just beginning to worry when we heard splashing and playing up ahead. I figured it was a family who'd landed their boat at the picnic spot, so we headed toward the sound. When we arrived, Seamus had already been out in the water, making friends with the family:


Daphne had yelped just before we got there and began limping. When we arrived, she too swam out to greet the family:

Daphne was still limping, so I examined the pads of her foot - but saw nothing. Then we began to worry that she might have broken a bone. The father of the family, an animal lover, checked her also. I examined her one more time, and this time found a short porcupine quill stuck in her foot, above the pads. I held her while the father yanked it out. All was well again and we could resume our hike back to the car. I said good bye and thanked the family:

It was easy to find the trail this time, and I promised myself I'd stay on it. We were on our way home:

But then we came to a fork in the trail...................................Sorry, I really did find the fork and couldn't resist the corny joke. I picked up the fork and brought it back as trash:

More tiny, orange and scarlet mushrooms:

This was comfortable, easy walking, though both Seamus and I were tired. It was a pleasant walk:

The dogs got yet another cool drink from a mountain stream and we continued on our way back to our parked car. I was tired, so quit taking photos. I figured I already had more than enough anyway:

Trout Lake State Forest - Part 1

The dogs and I had just hiked up to the Cedar Lake Overlook (see yesterday's post) and were now embarking on a longer but flatter trail to a picnic spot on the shore of Trout Lake:

 All along the way I saw White Baneberry plants with ripe berries. They are also called Doll's Eyes for obvious reasons - white orbs with a black dot (pupil):

This trail was more comfortable walking for the two old codgers of the group, Seamus and me. Although there were some muddy spots, at least there were no hills to ascend or descend:

There was a dizzying array of wildflowers, especially Asters and Goldenrods - so many, in fact, that I gave up trying to photograph and identify them. I already knew False Solomon's-Seal, however:

The dogs were having a grand time but I'd forgotten bug spray and kept swatting at gnats and mosquitoes:

There were lots of mushrooms but I only stopped to take pictures of the really colorful ones. This ruffled yellow mushroom was sure a beauty:

I tried to avoid the muddy spots but the dogs delighted in traipsing right through them:

And then we arrived at the picnic spot. It had a small, sandy beach, where folks landed their canoes, and a picnic table. I sat at the table and watched Seamus wade out into the cool water and lie down. Daphne soon joined him:

Daphne began bouncing around, splashing and playing, so Seamus stood up. We stayed for awhile but then it was time to begin walking back:

We walked uphill into the Hemlock forest to get back on the trail:

And then started our journey back. When I saw another water access, however, I led the dogs back downhill to see it:

 On the way, I saw this strange fungus. I searched for an I.D. when I got home and finally learned that it was Yellow Finger Coral Mushroom. The name perfectly describes it. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Cedar L:ake Overlook With The Dogs

I drove down with the dogs to Trout Lake State Forest, about an hour southwest of home. I planned to try two trails, the first of which was to take me to an overlook over Cedar Lake. I parked and stepped out of the car, immediately seeing Purple-Flowering Raspberries, a favorite of mine which I haven't seen recently:

The trail to the Cedar Lake Overlook was billed as short but steep, and the beginning of the hike confirmed at least the second half of that - it was steep:

We made it to the overlook and the dogs ran back and forth along the rocky edge:

Seamus is getting old and developing leg and hip problems, so he was content to hold still and look out over the beautiful lake with me. I too am old and lame, so we made quite a pair as we hobbled along:

Clover and Daphne had run off to the left, but returned to where I was standing, 100 feet above Cedar Lake:

And the little dogs decided to act like mountain goats. I made sure Seamus stayed away from the edge as he has fallen more than once:


And then we started back toward the trail head:

The dogs stopped at several woodland brooks for a drink of cool, clean water:

And we passed through areas of tall trees:

Much of the trail was rocky, and both Seamus and I were beginning to limp:

We were going downhill to the trail head, but that doesn't mean the trail was all downhill. We had a few sections which took us back up:

But we soon reached the trail head and hopped back into the car for a short trip to the next trail. I'll post about that tomorrow: