The fall season’s first chill was in the air on October 8 and autumn leaves were abundant on the trees. It was time for the Black Hills Explorers’ (First) Annual Fall Foliage Photo Fling. And few places better to find colorful outdoor scenery than Horse Thief Trail, from the lake of same name to Mt. Rushmore.
Horse Thief Trail is a short three-mile route deep in the forest, mostly in ravines and draws with trickling brooks, and surrounded by towering granite pinnacles. But mostly, the Explorers were on this particular route on this day, in search of the yellows, oranges and reds of fluttering fall leaves. And they weren’t disappointed. For three delightful hours the club strolled among the flashing rainbow colored leaves, while protected from the chill wind by giant grey granite monoliths.
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| Vern Thorstensen, Bev Schlosser, Stan __, Cathy Schofield, Gigi Kern, Jim Kern | | |
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| A photographer's dreamscape |
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| Jim and Gigi Kern stirring up leaves |
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| What's a hike without a quaint bridge? |
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| and a beautiful mountain brook? |
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| Cathy Schofield scouting a meadow |
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| kinnickinnic |
"Kinnickinnic"? These berries were prolific. They are quite tastey, but with a strange texture. Vern Thorstenson seemed to know all about them.  |
| Photo by Bev Schlosser |
