What is there to do at Quartz Mountain in the fall? Quite a lot actually! The broad categories are camping, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching.
Fall is a great time to camp. The nights are cool so a fire is welcome. There is something so primal about sitting around a campfire, staring into the flickering flames, listening to the crackles & pops, smelling the pungent smoke. It can transport you from the present back to sim pler times. Fewer people camp in the fall so you have a better selection of camp sites to choose from. Reserve your favorite campsite via www.travelok.com.
Fall fishing at Quartz Mountain offers opportunities to wrangle catfish in the river in addition to great lake fishing. In Lake Altus-Lugert there are walleye, crappie, smallmouth bass and more catfish waiting to test your skills. All can be caught from the bank, so a boat is not necessary. Please be aware the lake is below 19% full, so the walk is longer than usual to get to the water from the traditional “shoreline”.
Late fall hiking is a time of contrasts. There are fewer trails open around the lodge area as nearby private property has hunting on it. Yet hundreds of acres of wooded dunes become available to hiking when the Eagle’s Roost ATV Area closes to vehicle traffic. Hiking along North Shore is a great activity when the winds are from the north. The trees protect you from the brunt of the cool winds. Eve hiking trails in the Cedar Valley area seem new, as the leaves begin to fall and different views of the surrounding mountains become visible.
Wildlife watching is so easy in the fall. Quite a few species really like acorns…especially Live Oak acorns. Settling in where you have a great view of a cluster of Live Oaks and you are almost guaranteed to see dee come to feed. Which tree is the Live Oak? They are the small trees, with oval leaves that are still green. Live Oaks lose their leaves in the early spring so they have green leaves through the fal & winter.
Of course the star of wildlife watching at Quartz Mountain is the Bald Eagle. These majestic birds soar high over the mountains in the afternoon sun. While early morning has them roosting on sunny branches out of the wind. So if the wind is out of the north, eagles are often found near the lodge, the base of Twin Peaks or even around the Main Boat Ramp. When the winds are out of the south, Hicks Mountain Boat Ramp is a much better location to stake out.
Why not visit Quartz Mountain in the fall and experience some of these activities yourself?