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www.shta.org THE SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL Information, photos, and more. Check the IS WAITING FOR YOU. “Conditions” page to get information on trail conditions. Visit the “Store” to make a donation, become a member, or shop for SHT items. THE SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL largely follows the scenic ridgeline high above Minnesota’s Lake Superior North Shore and extends for 310 miles from Jay Cooke State Park to the We’re member supported and Canadian border. Narrow and rugged, the trail connects +,-îr /010í eight state parks, state and county forests, and the Superior National Forest. The SHT is designed for foot travel only and BECOME A MEMBER. The Superior Hiking Trail is well-marked with blue paint blazes for the main trail and Association (SHTA), a non-profit organization with white blazes for spur and overlook trails. more than 3,800 members, builds, maintains and promotes this spectacular trail. The Superior Hiking Trail depends on members for its very existence; it is not maintained by any government agency. PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE Memberships benefits include: T!e 2 "#s o 2 %&s ' ( )*l • Free trail maps DAY HIKING. Access the trail from 53 trailhead park- • Discount prices on SHTA merchandise ing lots every 3–11 miles. The trail is narrow with roots • The Ridgeline newsletter four times per year and rocks. Wear sturdy footwear and allow one hour • Monthly e-bulletin SHT News You Can Use for every one to two miles hiked. Bring water, rainwear, • SHTA events notice— guided hike schedule, annual snacks, insect repellant, and a warm layer. Always carry conference materials, volunteer opportunities. a map when you hike. Dogs are allowed on leash only. • Satisfaction of preserving a vital link with the !"a$ %&s BACKPACKING. 93 backcountry campsites with 2–6 natural world on Lake Superior’s North Shore. tent pads are located every 5–9 miles along the trail VISIT OUR OFFICE AND STORE. Located in the p()*+e ,-s (except in Duluth where there are no SHT campsites). historic green house on Highway 61 in Two Harbors at ./0 12úls No permits, fees, or reservations are required. Parties the corner of 8th Street. Hike planning, memberships are required to share campsites. Camping is allowed at and retail items including maps, books, t-shirts, and 560 úl 789 designated sites only since private land is mostly not more are available. Proceeds support the trail. marked. Campsites have backcountry latrines and fire :;9e <=>þ rings but the use of stoves instead of fires is encour- HOURS: Summer (Mid-May to Mid-October) aged. Most campsites are located near surface water Mon–Fri 9am–5pm | Sat 10am–4pm | Sun 12pm–4pm @oBC <=f8D9… sources. Always treat drinking water. Leave no trace Rest of year Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm wherever you camp and pack out all garbage. WINTER USE. Snowshoeing and winter camping is possible. Not all trailheads are plowed in winter. www.shta.org | 218-834-2700 | [email protected] HIKE THE TRAIL! D3*4 05Þ ® o @Aŋ TCD?פSUGGESTED HIKES f 89h t No; <'g ( S ■ GOOSEBERRY RIVER LOOP ■ OBERG MOUNTAIN LOOP 2.0 miles. Park at Gooseberry Falls 2.5 miles. Park at Oberg Mountain Trailhead 2.2 miles State Park Visitor Center parking north on Forest Service Rd. 336 (Onion River Rd.) from lot, Hwy. 61 milepost 38.9. Take Hwy. 61 milepost 87.5 north of Tofte. Moderate state park trail to Upper Falls, con- hike has nine spectacular overlooks. tinue upstream on state park Fifth ■ DEVIL TRACK CANYON AND RIVER Falls Trail, cross bridge at the Fifth 2.5 miles one way. Park at County Rd. 58 Trailhead Falls, and return on other side of 0.7 miles north from Hwy. 61 milepost 113.8 north of the river on SHT to Visitor Center. Grand Marais. Hike along edge of deep canyon and ■ SPLIT ROCK RIVER LOOP see Devil Track River far below, then descend to river. 5.0 miles. Park at Split Rock River Hike back same way. Wayside at Hwy. 61 milepost 43.5. ■ KADUNCE RIVER SHT travels along scenic river 0.9 miles one way. Park at Kadunce River Wayside at past numerous falls for 2.5 miles, Hwy. 61 milepost 120.2 north of Grand Marais. Cross crosses river on bridge, heads back highway and take spur trail 0.9 miles along beautiful on other side 2.5 miles to Hwy. 61, Kadunce River gorge to bridge. Hike back same way. GUIDE TO THE crosses highway and goes west SUPERIOR on paved Gitchi Gami Trail to come HIKING TRAIL to box culvert under Hwy. 61 that The essential guidebook returns to Wayside. for both day hiking and backpacking. Mile-by- ■ BEAN & BEAR LAKES LOOP mile trail descriptions 6.7 miles. Park at Penn Blvd. and maps of each section, campsites, and Trailhead in Silver Bay. At Hwy. driving directions for 61 milepost 54.3, turn north and trailhead parking lots. continue on Outer Dr. and Penn $15.95 or $13.55 for Blvd. 2.1 miles to parking lot. Loop members. Lake goes to spectacular overlooks of Superior TRAIL MAPS Bean and Bear Lakes and back to Complete set of 6 parking lot. pocket maps. $1 each or $5 for the set. ■ EGGE LAKE Free for members. 2.3 miles one way. Park at Finland Recreation Center Trailhead on Co. Rd. 7 east of Finland on State Hwy. 1. Hike to beautiful Egge Lake through maple ■ ELY’S PEAK forests. Hike back same way. 0.9 miles one way. Park at 123rd Ave. W. Trailhead in west Duluth by taking I-35 Exit #246 for Midway Rd. ■ CARLTON PEAK and go south 2.7 miles to 123rd Ave. W. After paved 1.5 miles one way. Park at Britton Peak Trailhead 2.7 SHUTTLE SERVICE. The Superior Shuttle runs on a Munger Trail, climb to peak with gorgeous views of Lake miles north on Co. Rd. 2 (Sawbill Trail) from Hwy. 61 mile- fixed schedule to most trailheads Fridays-Sundays from Superior and surrounding forests. Hike back same way. post 82.8 in Tofte. Hike to summit of Carlton Peak with breath-taking views. Hike back same way. mid-May to mid-October. Hike one way and take the shuttle the other way. For information: 218-834-5511, .o’s No; S"O [email protected], or www.superiorshuttle.com?פE SHT êGs <'g ( HIJ ?KL0e «Ne L!e S.
Recommended publications
  • Lake Superior South Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report

    Lake Superior South Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report

    Summary Monitoring and Assessment Lake Superior-South Watershed Why is it The undeveloped nature of the Lake Superior-South Watershed, along Minnesota’s North Shore within the Lake Superior Basin, is undoubtedly a key reason for the high important? water quality found in most parts of the watershed. This watershed covers 624 square miles of St. Louis and Lake counties, with nearly half of the land under state ownership (42%). Almost 90% is forested. The watershed is home to several small cities and supports diverse species of wildlife and fish populations. It contains 1,067 miles of streams of which 800 are designated as coldwater. Its immaculate waters produce some of the state’s highest-quality stream trout fisheries. The watershed is a valuable resource for drinking water, habitat for aquatic life, recreational opportunities and timber production. Key issues Overall, water quality conditions are good and can be attributed to the forest and wetlands that dominate the watershed’s land cover. Many stream segments have exceptional biological, chemical, and physical characteristics and should be considered for additional protections to preserve their high quality. The top five stream resources include: McCarthy Creek, Unnamed Creek (West Branch Little Knife River), Gooseberry River, Stewart River and Captain Jacobson Creek. Problem areas do occur but are typically limited to the lower reaches of streams where stressors from land use practices may accumulate. Impairments are likely a function of both natural and human-caused stressors. Historical and recent forest cover changes, along with urban/industrial development, draining of wetlands and damming of streams are likely stressors affecting biological communities within the watershed.
  • What the “Trail Eyes” Pros Taught Us About the SHT P H

    What the “Trail Eyes” Pros Taught Us About the SHT P H

    A publication oF the Superior Hiking TrAil AssoCiation SUmmEr 2019 What the “Trail Eyes” Pros Taught Us About the SHT P H o im Malzhan iS the trail operations director T o for our sister trail organization the ice Age B y Fr Trail Alliance in Wisconsin. Doing business as esh T “Trail Eyes,” Tim was one of four entities the SHTA Tr hired in the fall of 2018 to evaluate and recom- ac mend renewal strategies for what we have dubbed k S mE D “The Big Bad Five,” those sections of the SHT most damaged from heavy use and old age (or both). i A Though all four evaluators—malzhan, Critical Connections Ecological Services (Jason and Amy Husveth), the north Country Trail Association, and (Continued on page 2) What the “Trail Eyes” Taught Us About the SHT (continued from cover) Great Lakes Trail Builders (Wil- lie Bittner)—did what we asked (provide specific prescriptions for the Big Bad Five), their ex- pert observations gave us much more: they shed light on the en- tire Superior Hiking Trail. In other words, what they saw on the Split Rock River loop, or the sections from Britton Peak to Oberg Mountain and Oberg to the Lutsen ski complex, or the proposed reroute of the SHT north of Gooseberry Falls State Park, were microcosms of bigger, more systemic issues with the SHT. ❚ “keep people on the Trail and water off of it.” This suc- cinct wisdom comes from Matt no bridge is not the only problem at the Split rock river loop.
  • Boarder Route Trail (BRT) BOARDER ROUTE TRAIL BRT Spurs Superior Hiking Trail !9 Campgrounds !I Parking

    Boarder Route Trail (BRT) BOARDER ROUTE TRAIL BRT Spurs Superior Hiking Trail !9 Campgrounds !I Parking

    Boarder Route Trail (BRT) BOARDER ROUTE TRAIL BRT Spurs Superior Hiking Trail !9 Campgrounds !i Parking Rose Lake East South Lake Clearwater Lake West Trailhead Crab Lake Topper Lake Gogebic Lake Pine Ridge Loon Lake Pine Lake Loon Lake Landing Clearwater Road McFarland Lake Crab Lake Trailhead South Lake Trailhead Portage Brook Otter Lake Trailhead East Trailhead Otter Lake 0 15 30 60 90 120 Miles ´ The Border Route Trail is a 65-mile long hiking trail that crosses the The Border Route Trail is a rugged Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the far northeast wilderness hiking trail that follows corner of Minnesota (Arrowhead) and follows the international border ridge-lines and the top of high cliffs between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. It connects with the Superior wherever feasible. Therefore, hiking Hiking Trail on its eastern terminus and with the Kekekabic Trail on its the trail offers expansive views across western end at the Gunflint Trail (Cook Cty. Road 12). The closest towns the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in are Grand Marais (beginning of Gunflint Trail, County Rd 12) and Hovland Minnesota and Quetico Provincal Park (beginning of Arrowhead Trail, County Road 16). In addition to the in Canada. eastern and western termini, the Border Route Trail can be accessed through several spur and connecting trails, allowing for hiking trips ranging from short day-hikes to multiday backpacking expeditions. http://www.borderroutetrail.org/ Sources: Boarder Route Trail Association, Esri, MN DNR, BWCA photos.
  • 2019 Federal Recreational Trail Grant Awards

    2019 Federal Recreational Trail Grant Awards

    FEDERAL RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROGRAM 2019 Funded Grants Project # Applicant Organization Project Title Project Description Type of Use Total Project Cost Award Amount To purchase groom tracks; LTB maintains 52 miles of rough 0001-19-2C Cook County Tracks for groomers terrain with multiple access points to the State trail and Motorized $26,487.84 $19,865.88 businesses for lodging, food, and fuel. To purchase one snowmobile with light bar, bumper, winch, 0004-19-2C Town of Fredenberg Arctic Cat Bearcat Purchase and rear plate to be used to perform snowmobile trail Motorized $15,299.00 $11,474.25 maintenance. Josephine Nunn Trail Reconstruction To reclaim and reconstruct a 10' wide trail, to replace existing, 0006-19-3B City of Champlin Non-motorized $87,500.00 $63,000.00 Project poor condition 25-year old asphalt trail. To purchase equipment to maintain trails and pack trails for 0007-19-2A Itasca County Maintenance equipment Motorized $25,527.41 $19,145.56 winter riding To purchase equipment for grooming early season, 120 miles 0009-19-1C Lake of the Woods County Lightweight Snowmobile Trail Groomer Motorized $35,620.00 $26,715.00 of wooded and cross-country ski trails Trail & Campground Improvement & To help maintain and improve trails and campgrounds in parks 0011-19-S Minnesota Trail Riders Association Joint $46,000.00 $34,500.00 Maintenance and forests for all users. Cross Country Ski Trail Grooming To purchase equipment to groom the four GIA ski trails with 0012-19-1A Cass County Non-motorized $35,304.00 $26,478.00 Equipment over 63km
  • Annual Report 2019

    Annual Report 2019

    2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to The North Country Trail Association WELCOME TO THE North Country Trail Association The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) is the longest hiking path in America’s National Trails System stretching more than 4,600 miles across eight states. In 1981, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) was incorporated as the official ‘friends’ organization of the Trail. Working alongside the National Park Service the Association is the Trail’s steward, providing experiences that celebrate nature, promote physical health and build community connections. Today, we are thousands strong. We are a united community of individuals and partners who embrace the spirit, peace, and beauty found along the Trail. TOGETHER WE... Hike it Build it Love It Photo: John Day MISSION OUR COMMUNITY’S CORE VALUES The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, • Accountability We take ownership and responsibility for protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic our actions, policies and decisions. We engage in wise Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of stewardship of public and private resources. the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers • Collaboration We value the spirit of cooperation between and partners. staff, volunteers, all partners and landowners and are committed to building and maintaining this culture of VISION collaboration. Service is the backbone of our organization. Our vision for the North Country Trail is that of the premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience • Excellence We strive for exceptional quality and safety, for hikers and backpackers in a permanently protected both in the work we do in building and maintaining the Trail corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse and in the experiences of the users of this world-class trail.
  • Map 2, Lake Superior State Water Trail from Knife River to Split Rock

    Map 2, Lake Superior State Water Trail from Knife River to Split Rock

    ROUTE DESCRIPTION - River miles 26 to 60 (34 miles) (0.0 at Minnesota Entrance – Duluth Lift Bridge). 48.0 Private resort. [47° 07.135' N / 91° 30.265' W] 57.7 Little Two Harbors at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Access to park and lighthouse, a MAP 2 - Knife River to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 51.0 Gooseberry Falls State Park and Gooseberry Minnesota Historic Site. Trailer access, parking, River. Carry-in access, parking, campground, 2 campground, picnic area and trails. 26.5 Knife River Marina. Access at launch area. watercraft campsites (available on a first-come, [47° 11.865' N / 91° 22.620' W] Parking, toilets. [46° 56.705' N / 91° 46.950' W] first-served basis), picnic area and trails. [47° 08.560' N / 91° 27.500' W] 59.0 Gold Rock Point. Wreck of the Madeira, driven 26.6 Knife River Beach. Carry-in access, rest area, ashore in 1905, lies scattered on the bottom in parking, toilet. Sand and pebble beach. 53.0 Thompson Beach. Four watercraft campsites 10 to 100' of water with portions clearly visible [46° 56.785' N / 91° 46.845' W] and rest area, toilet. No fires. First-come, in calm water. A popular recreational diving site, first-served. [47° 09.480' N / 91° 26.230' W] please be alert to divers in the water. Rest area 30.2 Private resort. Rocky Beach. on small beach nearby. No facilities. [46° 59.025' N / 91° 44.170' W] 53.8 Twin Points. Rest area, trailer access, parking. [47° 12.410' N / 91° 21.520' W] No camping permitted.
  • Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerability of Brook Trout in Lake Superior’S Tributary Streams of Minnesota

    Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerability of Brook Trout in Lake Superior’S Tributary Streams of Minnesota

    Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerability of Brook Trout in Lake Superior’s Tributary Streams of Minnesota Lucinda B. Johnson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth William Herb, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Meijun Cai, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth Report to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, upon completion of contract # MN DNR/1229G WO 47578 Natural Resources Research Institute technical report number NRRI/TR-2013/05 1 Executive Summary Water temperature is generally considered one of the primary physical habitat parameter determining the suitability of stream habitat for fish species, with effects on the mortality, metabolism, growth, behavior, and reproduction of individuals. In this study we assessed the potential threats of climate change on stream temperatures and flow regimes in Lake Superior tributary streams in Minnesota, USA. The study included deterministic models for stream flow and temperature of three study streams (Amity Creek, Baptism River, Knife River), and regional (empirical) models for specific flow and temperature parameters to give better spatial coverage of the region. Information on stream flow, stream temperature, and land cover was used to develop a brook trout presence/absence model to understand the current pattern of distribution of brook trout and predict future distributions under future climate. The hydrology of north shore streams is mainly driven by air temperature and precipitation. Historical air temperatures in the region have a significant upward trend, particularly since 1980. Global climate model (GCM) outputs project a continued increasing trend in air temperature, with an increase in mean annual air temperature of 2 to 3 °C by 2089.
  • LAND USE and WATER RESOURCES in the MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE DRAINAGE BASIN Carol A. Johnston, Brian Allen, John Bonde, Jim Sal6s

    LAND USE and WATER RESOURCES in the MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE DRAINAGE BASIN Carol A. Johnston, Brian Allen, John Bonde, Jim Sal6s

    LAND USE AND WATER RESOURCES IN THE MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE DRAINAGE BASIN Carol A. Johnston, Brian Allen, John Bonde, Jim Sal6s, and Paul Meysembourg Natural Resources GIS Laboratory (NRGIS) NRRI Technical Report NRRI/TR-91/07 July 1991 Research funded by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources INTRODUCTION Rivers and streams are an important feature of the Minnesota North Shore. A dozen state parks and waysides lie at the mouths of rivers that cascade down the steep slopes of Minnesota’s northern highlands into Lake Superior,-carving beautiful waterfalls out the basalt bedrock. But the rivers that drain the 5778 km2 North Shore drainage basin provide more than scenic beauty, delivering nutrients and other materials to Lake Superior. Lake Superior’s tributaries provide about half of its annual water input (Bennett 1978), more than 90% of its total dissolved solids, and 68% of its phosphorus (Upper Lakes Reference Group 1977). Moreover, the water from these tributaries is delivered to the nearshore zone, in which Lake Superior’s biological communities are concentrated (Rao 1978, Munawar and Munawar 1978, Watson and Wilson 1978). Since these communities of bacteria, algae, and zooplankton form the basis of the food web, the productivity and integrity of Lake Superior’s waters are heavily dependent on water supplied by the North Shore drainage basin. While some of the materials delivered by rivers and streams are essential to aquatic life, excessive inputs of sediment and nutrients can cause nonpoint source pollution, the flow of pollutants from land to water in stormwater runoff or from seepage through the soil.
  • Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for the Canada Lynx

    Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for the Canada Lynx

    ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNATION FOR THE CANADA LYNX Final Economic Analysis | October 31, 2006 prepared for: Division of Economics U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4401 N. Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 prepared by: Industrial Economics, Incorporated 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 Final Economic Analysis – October 31, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION 1 FRAMEWORK FOR THE ANALYSIS 1-1 1.1 Approach to Estimating Economic Effects 1-2 1.2 Scope of the Analysis 1-6 1.3 Analytic Time Frame 1-11 1.4 Information Sources 1-11 1.5 Structure of Report 1-12 SECTION 2 BACKGROUND 2-1 2.1 Proposed Critical Habitat Designation 2-1 2.2 Threats to the Species and its Habitat 2-8 SECTION 3 TIMBER ACTIVITIES 3-1 3.1 Profiles of Regional Timber Industries 3-2 3.2 Changes in Timber Management Practices as a Result of Lynx Conservation Efforts 3-9 3.3 Pre-Designation Impacts to Timber Activities 3-12 3.4 Post-Designation Impacts to Timber Activities 3-13 3.5 Caveats 3-18 SECTION 4 DEVELOPMENT 4-1 4.1 Summary of Results 4-2 4.2 Methods and Assumptions 4-4 4.3 Unit by Unit Analysis 4-8 SECTION 5 RECREATION 5-1 5.1 Summary of Impacts to Recreation 5-1 5.2 Methods and Assumptions 5-5 5.3 Snowmobiling Scenario 2: Estimated Impacts by Unit 5-12 5.4 Hunting and Trapping 5-22 5.5 Other Recreational Projects 5-24 Final Economic Analysis – October 31, 2006 SECTION 6 PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PLANNING 6-1 6.1 Summary of Impacts to Public Lands Management and Conservation Planning 6-1 6.2 Methods and Assumptions
  • Parks and Trails Legacy Plan Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance a 25-Year Long-Range Plan for Minnesota

    Parks and Trails Legacy Plan Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance a 25-Year Long-Range Plan for Minnesota

    Parks and Trails Legacy Plan Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance A 25-year long-range plan for Minnesota February 14, 2011 ©2011, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation, disability or activity on behalf of a local human rights commission. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This information is available in a different format upon request of persons of all abilities. February 14, 2011 It is our pleasure to introduce the Parks and Trails Minnesotans will look back and say the Parks and Legacy Plan. Funding created by the Legacy Trails Legacy Amendment accomplished what they Amendment gives us a unique opportunity to hoped for—and more. improve and expand Minnesota’s parks and trails of state and regional significance. This allows us to The plan recognizes the world‑class network of look out 25 years to envision a future in which parks parks and trails Minnesota currently has in place. It and trails play a significant role in the lives of all proposes to build on this foundation, making user Minnesotans. experiences even better. It is based on four strategic directions that together ensure a great future for parks Our extensive 18-month public engagement effort and trails: allows us to confidently state that this is a parks and • Connect people and the outdoors.
  • Hiking on the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway

    Hiking on the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway

    VisitCookCounty.com 218-388-2212 • www.wayofthewilderness.com • 218-388-2212 Outfitters Wilderness the of Way 218-387-2524 218-388-2224 • www.canoeit.com • 218-388-2224 leave only footprints. only leave Outfitters Canoe Voyageur pictures, only Take in. pack 218-388-2221 • www.tuscaroracanoe.com • 218-388-2221 you everything out Pack Outfitters Canoe & Lodge Tuscarora trail. main the on staying 218-387-1330 • www.troutlakeresort.com • 218-387-1330 by life plant fragile and Resort Lake Trout soils thin the protect Help Scenic Byway Scenic 218-388-2214 • www.trailcenterlodge.com • 218-388-2214 Leave No Trace No Leave Resort Center Trail The Gunflint Trail Gunflint The you expect to return. to expect you 218-388-2216 • www.seagulloutfitters.com • 218-388-2216 when and headed are you where know someone let Outfitters Canoe Seagull on Hiking detailed maps, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Always repellent. bug and sunscreen, maps, detailed 218-388-9929 • www.seagullcreekfishingcamp.com • 218-388-9929 and water for longer hikes, first aid kit, compass and and compass kit, aid first hikes, longer for water and Camp Fishing Creek Seagull 45 minutes per mile. Take along safety essentials: food food essentials: safety along Take mile. per minutes 45 218-388-2242 • www.rockwoodbwca.com • 218-388-2242 approximately Allow soles. non-skid with shoe jogging Outfitters & Lodge Rockwood on ledge rock. Wear comfortable boots or a well-built a or boots comfortable Wear rock. ledge on 218-388-2222 • www.poplarhaus.com • 218-388-2222 Be prepared for rough and slippery surfaces, especially especially surfaces, slippery and rough for prepared Be Haus Poplar Trail Safety Trail 218-388-4487 • www.poplarcreekbnb.com • 218-388-4487 Guesthouse Creek Poplar fish species.
  • Superior Hiking Trail Rises to Craggy Peaks and Plunges Into Forests of Birch, Maple, Spruce, Cedar, and Pine

    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.