It is fall, and the forest is changing quickly. Leaves are turning color and falling, flowers are going to seed, and animals are prepping for winter by putting on fat, flying south, or caching food. Changes happen fast enough that the Superior puts out a weekly fall color report so you can visit the forest, even when you don’t have time to actually visit the forest. Check it out on the web or on our Facebook page.
Of course, actually visiting is always the best choice. There are a lot of visitors this time of year, cruising the forest roads slowly in search of autumn. While the big picture and sweeping vistas are certainly nice, don’t forget to get out of the car and look at the small stuff as well. Sometimes it is easy to forget the beauty of a single mushroom in the riot of leaf color.
It is also easy to forget the beauty of fall when you start to get mad at other people on the roads. Whether you are a leaf peeper or not, simple courtesy while driving will take care of most issues. Pull over in a safe place to let others pass by if you are traveling slowly, and if you stop, park well off the roadway.
If you want to travel faster, wait until it is safe to pass. If you are interested in looking for fall colors, we do have designated fall color routes posted on roads near Tofte. Pick up or download a map, and then follow the icons posted at intersections. And, if you don’t want to deal with people driving slowly, the same fall color route map may be a great starting place when planning your alternate route.
Like some animals, our campgrounds are preparing to hibernate for the winter. During the next two to six weeks, we will be turning off water systems before they freeze, and discontinuing garbage service. Once in this winter mode, campgrounds will no longer require a nightly camping fee. We’ll be updating our website regularly, so check before you head out to see if you might need to bring your own water.
Be extra cautious with your campfires in the fall. Leafless brush and dry grass are good fuels, and fewer campers means it is less likely that someone will spot an escaped campfire. September 11 was the anniversary of the Pagami Creek Fire. No one wants a repetition of that, so make sure your campfire is dead out before you leave it.
This weekend is also the start of the bow deer season. Leaves turn orange in the fall, and so should your coat! Orange is not only the new black, it is the new every color in the fall. We have several hunter walking trails in the area, and it is probably a good idea to leave these to hunters during the fall.
While fall is in the air, the Forest Service is actually looking forward to next summer already! We actually do our summer hiring right now in the fall. If you are interested in working as a seasonal front desk person, recreation technician, wildlife technician, or as part of the timber or fire shop, go online and find the large job ad.
Application is over the USAJobs on the web, so make sure you have all the materials you need before applying. See our website for job announcements and application information.
Enjoy the autumn, and make sure to put visiting the national forest on your fall schedule!
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