On Saturday, May 25, 2002 We took a day trip to the headwaters of the Mississippi river, located in Itasca State Park which encompasses Lake Itasca. It was a drive of 2 1/2 hours each way. We entered the park at the south entrance, shown here. During the drive from the Twin Cities, hardwoods have given way to stands of pine trees, an example of which you can see across the road.
	Just a view of the road up ahead. We pulled over to look at some fire damage.
	The natural order of things in Northern Minnesota forests means forest fires. They clean out the dead wood and provide an open forest floor for new growth. Fires do not necessarily kill the largest trees, although it looks like fire has killed this one.
	We are at the bottom center left on the map. It says we are going to drive by a series of small lakes on our way up to the headwaters.
	One of the small lakes along the entrance road to the park.
	Soon after we entered the park Lake Itasca appeared on the left side of the road. We found a small parking lot and walked down the wooden stairs to a trail along the lake. It looks like this huge tree has been snapped in two by the wind.
	Quick - run under it before it falls!
	A look up through the tree canopy to the sky.
	This gives you an idea of what walking through the woods without benefit of a trail might be like.
	A small flower blooms on the forest floor.
	Here is the view as one of the small sub-trails approaches lake Itasca. You can see small boats off in the distance when you enlarge the picture.
	Lake Itasca is not huge, but very picturesque.