Mississippi Headwaters

On Thursday, October 3, we made our final push to get to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. On the way we got off the highway to take a look at the murals in the town of Wadena – we found a small portion of the 100’s that they have there.

Our first stop at Itasca State Park was the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center – it was filled with lots of reading material about the river – especially the decision on where it starts, the history of the preservation of the area and, of course, the role the CCC played in the development of the area. Lake Itasca – which is the lake that starts it all – was named by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft in 1832 from the Latin words for “truth” and “head” by linking adjoining syllables: verITAS CAput, meaning “true head.” It was deemed that all other inputs into the lake were too small to be called a river.

On the way to the campground we stopped at an overlook and got our first view of Lake Itasca – the lake that starts it all.

After setting up camp, we took a walk looking for some birds – didn’t see much, so you get these “artistic” shots from along the trail – I love a dead tree, and we were seeing some color.

On Friday, we made our way to the headwaters – stopping first at a beach along the way – Trish tested the water – she said it wasn’t too cold, but didn’t say let’s hop in.

The Visitor’s enter at the headwaters is named for Mary Gibbs. She’s the woman who stood up to the loggers to protect Itasca State Park and its pines. And the statue is of an Indian woman releasing turtles to the river. It reminded me of the work my nephew Theo did to protect the turtles in Guatemala.

And here are some facts for our trivia playing buddies. Don’t ask us to remember these when we get home.

At the headwaters – Anne and Trish crossing, and then taking shots of each other from opposite sides of the river.

Here is a shot of Lake Itasca from the headwaters, and we saw these trumpeter swans coming and going and spotted this flicker in the trees.

This was a globe showing the great rivers of the world, but I was more impressed walking up behind it and realizing that the Pacific Ocean covers nearly half of the earth. I’ve seen globes before, but this hollow one really made the point in a striking way.

We then drove the Wilderness Drive – a 14 mile loop around Lake Itasca. We walked another short trail, and then stopped at a boat launch area sitting between Elk Lake and Lake Itasca, Elk Lake is one of those lakes that feeds into Lake Itasca, but the stream between the two is considered to be too small to call it a river.

Then we decided to walk out to the fire tower. On the way we walked by a small pond and got a closer view of some trumpeter swans.

Trish walked half way up the tower and I did the 150 steps to the top. You could see some great color in all four directions. If you look closely you can see me in the tower, and Trish on the ground.

A full shot of the tower and more color along the trail.

We stopped at the Douglas Lodge area on the way back and took some pictures of the CCC’s work.

After a rest back at the campground we drove over to the lake to watch the sunset. There was this great kayak launch that a couple of folks used for an evening ride – no need to get your feet wet.

Another gorgeous sunset.

Trish watching the sunset, and me taking photos.

On Saturday, there we many more people around. We went back to the Douglas Lodge area and did a hike that took us by the old boat used for tours of Lake Itasca – I don’t think it ran this year. That is Trish by the “Old Timers Cabin” and views of some color along the trail. And there were little red squirrels everywhere.

We made our last stop on our way out of the park at the Preacher’s Overlook – where I got a shot of this tree monster. We had seen these white flags on lots of small pines in the park. I finally asked someone and they said the rangers put them on to keep the deer from eating the saplings.