Superior Hiking Trail Rises to Craggy Peaks and Plunges Into Forests of Birch, Maple, Spruce, Cedar, and Pine

Photography by Gary Alan Nelson A Trail With a View For spectacular vistas, follow a footpath along the North Shore’s rocky ridge. Are you up for a day hike in one of Minnesota’s most dramatic landscapes? The Superior Hiking Trail rises to craggy peaks and plunges into forests of birch, maple, spruce, cedar, and pine. It crosses rushing streams and opens to panoramas of Lake Superior and the highlands. Built just for hiking and backpacking, the 296-mile footpath runs from Jay Cooke State Park to the Ontario border. Each year more than 50,000 hikers explore parts of this sensational trail. With 53 trailhead parking lots, one about every 5 to 10 miles, you can easily hop on and hike for an hour or a day. Here’s a look at some of the sights along three stretches. 26 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer July–August 2014 27 Gooseberry to Split Rock Gooseberry Falls State Park is a popular starting point. In the park, a bench overlooks the Gooseberry River. Markers assure hikers they’re on trail. This 6-mile section follows Bread Loaf Ridge. Atop a cliff, hikers gain a bird’s-eye view. During spring and fall, hikers can see migratory birds along this North Shore flyway. July–August 2014 29 Waterfalls on the Gooseberry River create a soundscape. From time to time, hikers get a view of the open sky over the big lake. In the late 1890s, lumber companies logged the land along the river. By the 1920s logging and fire had cleared the pines. Today, the mixed hardwood forest includes birches and aspen interspersed with pine and fir trees. From May to September, ferns and wildflowers adorn the forest understory. Because of the great lake’s effect on local climate, a few rare species of arctic-alpine plants persist along the North Shore. July–August 2014 31 Split Rock River Loop Several loops of 2 to 8 miles make pleasant day hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail. This 5-mile stretch travels along the Split Rock River. Most of this moderately challenging loop is within the boundary of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Sights on a lakeside spur include eye- catching small ferns among rocks, colossal cobblestones on a beach, and the historic Split Rock Lighthouse. 32 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer July–August 2014 33 34 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Standing lakeside, a hiker illustrates the grand scale of this inland sea. On the river loop, hikers pass through a grove of birches and a split rock. In 1905, during one of Lake Superior’s infamous November gales, six ships sank within 12 miles of Split Rock River. The tragedy led to a call for a lighthouse. From 1910 to 1969, Split Rock Lighthouse warned ships of the shore’s rocky cliffs. Silver Bay to Tettegouche Hikers get a rigorous workout on this 11-mile up-and-down stretch, which begins in Silver Bay and enters Tettegouche State Park. An overlook offers a breathtaking view of Palisade Valley. In the state park, the lower falls on the Baptism River roar. Fall color tinges leaves of hardwood trees and shrubs.Abundant maples attract hikers in the fall. 36 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer July–August 2014 37 38 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Some hikers prefer a cool, cloudy day for hiking this rugged terrain. Cliffs overlook Bean Lake. Asters bloom as summer gives way to fall. The trail passes the 60-foot-high cascade called High Falls on the Baptism River. Lake Superior is never far from view. nV Volunteers with the Superior Hiking Trail Association build, maintain, and manage the trail. For information and maps, visit the shop in Two Harbors or go to www.shta.org. .

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