Snakes, Summits, and Secret Benches: One Wild Fall Saturday
Snakes, Summits, and Secret Benches: One Wild Fall Saturday
One Saturday last September, I did what any fall-loving, trail-chasing human would do: rolled out of bed at an ungodly hour, loaded up my daypack, a thermos of coffee, and hit the road by 6 a.m. My mission? Avoid traffic, beat the heat, and squeeze in two state parks before lunch. Spoiler alert: mission accomplished—with a few surprises along the way (looking at you, snakes).
Glacial Lakes State Park: High Peak Drama and Prairie Magic
First stop: Glacial Lakes State Park. And let me tell you—this place blew me away. I'd heard it was pretty, but I wasn’t expecting it to become one of my favorite Minnesota state parks. Seriously. It’s got wide-open prairie, rolling hills, glacial lakes, and just the right mix of challenge and chill.
Glacial Lake State Park
I took on the High Peak Trail, a 2.3-mile loop that climbs to the highest point in the park—1,352 feet up. The views are stellar the whole way, with golden grasslands stretching forever and oak stands popping up along the trail like little surprise photo ops. It felt like walking through a postcard.
Now, I wish I could say the summit moment was peaceful and triumphant—but no. The last few yards? Snake city. I’m not talking about one little garter snake. I’m talking about multiple. Slithering. Right where I needed to step. If you know me, you know snakes are my absolute nightmare. No matter how many I see, I never get used to them. So yeah—I panicked a little, powered through a lot, and made it to the top with adrenaline doing all the work.
Once I got there? 100% worth it. Big sky, endless prairie views, a perfect bench to sit and decompress. I stayed up there for a while, just breathing and snapping photos and pretending the snake thing didn’t happen.
Glacial Lake State Park
Bonus news: I’m not done with Glacial Lakes yet. I’ve got a camper cabin adventure planned there for mid-summer, and I cannot wait. Stay tuned for that one—it’s going to be epic.
Monson Lake State Park: Low-Key and Lovely
After the high (and the snakes), I headed to Monson Lake State Park for a cool-down. It’s a small park, tucked out of the way, but it’s got real hidden gem energy. There’s one trail—the Hiking Club Trail, a 1.2-mile loop that circles the lake and slips through trees, tall grass, and cozy little coves.
It’s an easy, peaceful walk—totally different vibe from the climb at Glacial Lakes. What I loved most were the side trails leading to benches tucked away in the woods or right by the water. It’s the kind of place that invites you to sit down, slow down, and just be. I didn’t see many people, which made it even better. Just me, the trees, and the reflections on the lake.
Monson Lake State Park
Final Thoughts: Fall Feels and Snake Jitters
Two parks. One day. All the vibes. Glacial Lakes gave me drama and beauty, Monson Lake gave me stillness and space. Toss in a few snake-induced heart attacks, and you've got yourself a memorable Saturday. This is exactly why I chase these mini adventures—because even when things don’t go exactly as planned, they always lead to something worth remembering.
And if you’ve never been to Glacial Lakes? Add it to your list. You’ll thank me later.
Let's keep rambling.
—Kelly