Halfway through our journey, approximately one mile down the Dry Brook Ridge Trail, we turn left and follow the red Balsam Lake trail the rest of the way to the summit. At this point, the terrain changes dramatically, and becomes much more steep and rocky. Up until this point, the character and composition of the forest hasn't changed much, but it begins to change dramatically as we ascend the mountain. In the distance, you can hear the characteristic "teacher, teacher, TEACHER" call of the oven bird -- a ground nesting bird characteristic of the deep forest.
	You will encounter many rock outcroppings and geologic formations along this section of the trail. Here we see a classic example of a glacial erratic. This cross-bedded sandstone rock was formed by deposits of sand in a riverbed as much as 350 million years ago. The sandstone was then transported to this location approximately 20 thousand years ago by the intercontinental ice sheet that blanketed much of north America during the last ice age.
As you continue your ascent of Balsam Lake Mountain, you are sure to encounter the Bead Lily -- a plant species commonly found in higher elevations of northern forests. The presence of this plant indicates that we are at a higher elevation and signals a change to a more boreal forest. The Bead Lily blooms in May and June and is identified by its broad waxy leaves that hug the ground.