Location:

Heath Creek runs from Union Lake to the Cannon River in Northfield, but I’ll focus on the section within the St. Olaf Natural Lands for this location profile (see a slightly out-of-date map here). St. Olaf College’s land along the creek runs extends from Highway 19 on the north end to Armstrong Road on the south. Several miles of mixed-use mountain bike and hiking trails connect the two roads. The trails extend into the main section of the Natural Lands on the north end, and into the City of Northfield’s Sechler Park on the south end.

Preferred Type of Shooting:

Heath Creek is one of my go-to locations when I’m in need of a nature fix. The creek itself serves as a centerpiece for the land. Rounded rocks make up the majority of the creek bed, making for interesting subjects for long exposures. The land around the creek is primarily mature maple/basswood forest, with a stand of old burr oaks and a recent forest restoration with saplings near Armstrong Road. In spring, the forest floor comes alive with a wide variety of ephemeral wildflowers.

There’s no shortage of fauna to go with the flora, either. Small songbirds grace the low shrubs and branches, woodpeckers and owls make appearances higher above, and hawks, vultures, and eagles soar overhead. The ever-present squirrels scamper around with chipmunks at their side. Deer make frequent appearances, and I’ve even seen the occasional trout in the stream.

Whether I’m focusing on wide-angle landscapes, close-up macro shots, or wildlife, I never feel like there’s a shortage of subjects. Even if I’m not finding inspiration in the genre that I set out to shoot, I have yet to return without good photos.

Of course I’ve spent plenty of time shooting portraits in the land surrounding the creek as well. The yellows, oranges, and reds of the leaves provide for a classic Minnesota fall portrait look. That said, it’s not my absolute favorite location for portraits, since other spots in town have a bit more variety of background within a short walking loop.

What makes it special:

I have a deep personal connection to this little patch of land. I’ve been visiting since my first fall at St. Olaf in 2015, when I was introduced to the mountain bike trails. I’ve consistently shot (and ridden my bike!) there since, getting to know the land better than any of my other shooting locations. I’ve even left my own (approved) marks on the land. As a student in the St. Olaf cycling club, I assisted with the construction and maintenance of some of the trails on the northern end. During my senior year, I worked as a Natural Lands Technician, spending most of a semester clearing invasive species from the very southern end.

Even excluding the personal angle, I find that Heath Creek still stands out. It’s a uniquely quiet spot of land for Northfield. I find that I don’t see a single other person on the majority of my visits. I attribute this to a few different factors. First of all, I don’t think it’s particularly well-known. Despite appearing on maps of the Natural Lands, there’s minimal signage on either end of the trail. Second, it’s just not as convenient to visit as some other areas. Plenty of St. Olaf students frequent the rest of the Natural Lands, but the Heath Creek section requires crossing Highway 19 without a crosswalk, which can be a rather daunting experience during peak commuting hours.

When you combine that feeling of solitude with the narrow, hand-cut trails (compared to the wide mowed trails of the rest of the Natural Lands and the Carleton Arboretum), visits to Heath Creek leave me feeling far more connected to nature. It’s nice to have a little sanctuary like this in town.

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Check out the previous entry in this series here: Downtown Northfield