Fall Colors at Roughlock

We spent a perfect fall Sunday afternoon touring the Hills to see the fall colors. We were actually surprised to see 50% still green?! Must have been the unusually wet summer? Many aspen trees had turned a lovely shade of yellow... there were many lovely reds in the bushes and vines... and of course the evergreen Spruce and pine. The area around Roughlock Falls was even nicer than previous years, having been added as an official SD State Park. A lot of money was spent improving the walking areas... increasing the viewing areas of the falls, but also protecting the natural area by creating walkways.

The following pictures speak for themselves!!
A small branch of scrub oak... some of the few orange-red colors out so far.

Looking down over the "big" waterfall area.

Daddy and Liv looking down at the creek. She mostly wanted to climb up the railing... not sure where she thought she would go after that??

Looking down into the canyon, the photo barely picks up the large moss covered boulders at the bottom. I remember wading through this water fall in August one year (1995??)... it was freezing then! Imagine how cold it would be now!

Anika was warm enough as long as she kept moving!
These red bushes were really lovely, and many had small white berries on them. Does anyone know the variety?

Looking up at the water fall from a lower area.
Grandpa had to help keep track of Liv... she was pretty busy wanting to get to the water!
This caterpillar was eating away... he'd better hurry if he wants to have wings before the frost arrives!