Autumn hikes on Minn.-Wis. border, Part II

Brilliant fall colors can be seen along the Minnesota-Wisconsin
border from September and mid-October.

If living in a border

county or traveling near the Wisconsin-Minnesota state line, plenty of great autumn trails await.

Central and northern Minnesota border with Wisconsin mostly follows the St. Croix River from Prescott, Wis., to Lake Superior. Maple, basswood, oak, aspen and birch dominate.

Minnesota

Carlton County
Day hikers can cross a swinging bridge above a raging river running over nearly 2 billion-year old rock then enjoy incredible autumn colors at Jay Cooke State Park. The 1.5-mile round trip East Ridge Trail crosses and then partially follows the St. Louis river southeast of Duluth. A new $1.1 million swinging bridge opened in 2013. To the delight of most kids (and adults), the 219-foot pedestrian bridge bounces and sways. The rest of the trail heads through a hardwood forest whose green in summer rivals that of Oz’s Emerald City. The leaves turn an impressive array of yellows, reds and oranges as autumn sets in. From Interstate 35 take the exit for Minn. Hwy. 210, driving east through Carlton. The park is about five miles from the freeway. Turn right/south at the River Inn Visitor Center and park in the lot nearest the river. For more Carlton County trails, see Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota.

Chisago County
Hikers can follow some of the same footpaths and rail lines that the region’s first Swedish immigrants used to settle Minnesota on the Swedish Immigrant Trail. During the late 1800s, many Swedish immigrants took the ferry across the St. Croix River and then footpaths to their destinations. A spur off the St. Paul-Duluth rail route to Wyoming opened during 1880, helping speed the immigration inland. Perhaps the best of the trail’s completed portions is the Shafer Segment. Birch trees dominate in some sections, but the trail is mainly lined by mixed hardwoods that leave the path and its grass shoulders covered in an array of colorful leaves during autumn. Park on the street in downtown Shafer, off of Redwing Avenue near 303rd Street. The trailhead is near 303rd and heads for about two miles east of Redwing. Look for the white signs with the trail logo in the blue and yellow colors of Sweden’s flag. For more Chisago County trails, see Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota.

Pine County
Hikers can walk alongside pretty Tamarack River, where a variety of trees light up the trail in autumn. The 3.75-mile out and back Tamarack River Trail runs along the river’s west side before it flows into the St. Croix River. Rolling terrain features maple, basswood, ash, aspen, oak, tamarack along with the evergreens Norway, red and white pine. From Sandstone, take County Road 123 east then go straight-left/east on County Road 30. Turn right/south onto County Road 24 and then left/east onto County Road 25. After passing Markville Cemetery, take the next right/south. Park at the Tamarack horse camp and head south on the trail in the St. Croix State Forest. Note that the full trail actually is a loop but requires a river crossing, so that and the route on the river’s east side are not included here. For more Pine County trails, see Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota.

St. Louis County
A pair of picturesque waterfalls, footbridges, and a walk alongside Chester Creek await hikers on the Chester Park Loop in Duluth. Located near the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus, the 2.4-mile trail is particularly beautiful in autumn when the golden bronze of maple and basswood leaves form a canopy over the path and float upon the creek. In Duluth from West College Street take North 19th Avenue E southeast. Turn right/west onto W. Kent Road, then right/west onto East Skyline Parkway after the curve right/northwest onto Chester Park Drive. Park along the road then walk back alongside the road to E. Skyline Parkway and cross the bridge to the trailhead. For more St. Louis County trails, see Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota.

Washington County
The fresh scent of pine needles upon the pathway and the gentle rush of water along the river’s rock walls instantly lulls you into a feeling of serenity on the Riverside Trail at William O’Brien State Park. The 1.5-mile trail loops through a floodplain and typically is open during summer and autumn when water levels have gone down. Roughly half of the trail follows the river, mainly through a good mix of hardwoods common to a floodplain forest in this region. During autumn, their leaves turn gold, red, orange and brown. Across the water is Wisconsin, and with the two undeveloped shorelines, tranquility reigns. From Marine on St. Croix, Minn., take Minn. Hwy. 95 north into the park. Turn right/east onto O’Brien Trail North/County Road 33. The road curves south, dead ending in a parking area alongside Lake Alice. The trail begins at the picnic grounds immediately east of the parking lot.

Wisconsin

Burnett County
Day hikers can walk across an old railroad bridge over the St. Croix River at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and St. Croix State Forest on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. The Gandy Dancer Trail, which starts dozens of miles south of the state forest in Polk County, at Danbury crosses the border into Minnesota. The trestle bridge segment is about two miles round trip. You’ll head through a forested area. The mix of trees near the riverfront yields a fantastic multi-colored leaf display in autumn. An added bonus for autumn hikers: You’ll probably spot a number of migrating waterfowl, including sandhill cranes. Also watch for bald eagles, osprey, northern harriers and hawks, all of which reside year-round in the area. In Danbury, parking for trail access is next to the walking route north of Hwy. 77 between and Hwy. 35 and North Glass Street. From the lot, take the trail north.

Douglas County
A walk along a pristine sand beach awaits day hikers of the Lake Superior shoreline in the Bear Beach State Natural Area. The unmarked trail runs for up to 3.4-miles round trip along narrow Bear Beach. Hiking the beach, you’ll get a good sense of what this area of the world looked like before Euro-Americans settled it. A thick woods hugs the sand’s southern side while the lake stretches wide beyond to the north. Though the forest this far north is heavy on the evergreens – especially balsam fir, white pine and white spruce – in autumn the yellowed-colored leaves of paper birch and trembling aspen and the spring green of speckled alder are well-represented. From Brule take U.S. Hwy. 2 west. In Maple, turn north onto County Road F. Next, go left/west onto Wis. Hwy. 13 then right/north onto Beck’s Road. Park in the dirt lot at the end of Beck’s Road near the Lake Superior shore.

Polk County
Day hikers can experience an autumn forest that looks almost like the one Native Americans and pioneers saw during the 1800s. The 2.9-mile Ridge View Trails near Osceola heads beneath a lush forest canopy in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Osceola State Fish Hatchery on a bluff overlooking a St. Croix River back channel. Sugar maple is the dominant tree. Each autumn, its leaves vary from yellow to orange or red. Basswood, whose leaves turn olive in fall, and white ash, which changes to a deep maroon, usually are mixed in the canopy. From Osceola, take Wis. Hwy. 35 north and turn north onto County Road S. The two trailheads are on the road’s left/west. Both trailheads have their own parking areas off of the road. Just beyond 93rd Avenue is the southernmost parking area, which is an excellent trailhead for either loop.

***

The splendor of fall colors combines with a vista of the St. Croix River and fasinating rock formations on the Summit Rock Trail at Interstate State Park. The 1-mile round trip trail heads to a bluff’s highest point. Moss and autumn leaves cover the surrounding rock and ground while maples, basswood and eastern white pines line the trail. At the top, prickly pear cactus can be spotted amid the outcroppings. The highlight of the hike without question is the incredible view of the riverway from the summit. Looking north, the Old Man of the Dalles rock formation is visible. From St. Croix Falls, take Wis. Hwy. 35 south. Turn right/west into the park and follow the entry road to the parking lot across from the Lake O’ the Dalles.

St. Croix County
Tucked within Wisconsin’s dairy country is a hilly, wooded region that gives day hikers the chance to get back to nature. Glen Hills County Park offers a plethora of trails amid 700 acres of maple and oak trees. The 2-mile round trip Glen Lake East Trail goes downhill to a campground. Before hitting the trail, though, head to a scenic overlook of Glen Lake, ringed by red pines and hardwoods. From U.S. Hwy. 12 in Wilson, take County Road W north. Turn left/north onto Rustic Road 4 then go left/northwest onto Thompson Lane, which dead ends at the parking lot.

Pierce County
Hikers can walk through a rare old growth oak forest on the Purple Trail at Kinnickinnic State Park. The 1.2-mile loop sits near the confluence of the St. Croix and Kinnicknnic rivers. Pioneers and 19th century logging companies cut most of the trees in this part of Wisconsin, but the trail passes through one of the few woodlands to escape the ax. The oaks are majestic, especially when their leaves turn tan, orange and brown in autumn. The trail includes a deck overlooking the confleunce where eagles can be spotted. From Prescott, take Wis. Hwy. 29 east then turn left/north County Road F north. Turn left/west onto 820th Avenue then left/south into the park; follow the entry road west all of the way to its end and park in the St. Croix Picnic Area Lot.

Silver Creek Trail follows river, stream

Yellow lady's slippers in Jay Cooke State Park.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR. 

Walk in Jay Cooke
S.P. crosses
swinging bridge

Day hikers can walk alongside a scenic river and stream in a pleasant woodlands on northern Minnesota’s Silver Creek Trail.

The 3.25-miles round trip trail in Jay Cooke State Park follows the St. Louis River and its tributary, Silver Creek. The route described here combines a segment of the East Ridge Trail with the Silver Creek Trail to make a loop.

To reach the park from Duluth, Minn., head south on Interstate 35. Exit onto Minn. Hwy. 210 and drive east through Carlton. The park is about five miles from the freeway. Turn right/south at the River Inn Visitor Center and park in the lot nearest the river.

The trail leaves from the parking area’s southeast end. This actually is a stem for the loop and heads through a picnic area before reaching the St. Louis River.

Swinging bridge and ancient rock
Crossing the river requires walking over a new $1.1 million swinging bridge, which opened in November 2013. To the delight of most kids (and adults), the 219-foot pedestrian bridge bounces and sways. It replaces the 1953 bridge damaged during flooding in 2012.

As crossing the swinging bridge, outcrops of ancient Thomson Slate can be seen on the St. Louis River. During the Precambrian era when this part of world was under a shallow tropical sea, the growing weight of sediment compressed into shale and then slate. Over time, the rock layers folded and tilted, leaving the odd and sharp angles seen here.

Rippled among the slate are dikes of molten rock that now form “dikes.” While the slate was underground, magma worked its way into fissures and then hardened. One such dike runs from the bridge’s north end southwest across the river, ending east of an island.

Once across the bridge, go left/east onto the East Ridge Trail. At Trail Intersection 30, head left/east. This part of the trail follows the river, which leaves behind the turbulent rapids of the narrow dales and quiets as broadening.

After the river and trail turns south, you’ll come to where Silver Creek flows into the former. The trail then parallels Silver Creek. A shelter overlooking the creek sits atop 50 feet of red clay left behind when Glacial Lake Duluth covered this area at the end of the last ice age some 11,000 years ago.

Deer and wildflowers
At Trail Intersection 37, a spur leads to Silver Creek’s shore. From the trail intersection, go right/northwest; you’re now technically on the Silver Creek Trail.

The open understory of the surrounding woodland is not due to flooding but whitetail deer. Protected within the park limits, the deer population has grown unchecked and eat any new saplings they find. As the park’s deer have become accustomed to people, you’re likely to spot one or more along the trail.

One wildflower you’ll probably see despite the deer is the yellow lady’s slipper, which bloom about mid-June. They’re most common near the end of the trail as it heads back toward the river once Silver Creek swerves west.

At Trail Intersection 53, go right/north. This takes you back onto the Ridge Trails. To reach the swinging bridge and come full circle, go straight/north at Trail Intersection 31, then right/northeast at Trail Intersection 28, and finally left/north at Trail Intersection 32. At the bridge, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Osprey highlight northern Minnesota trail past two ponds

Wildlife Pond at Moose Lake State Park.
 Photo courtesy of Minensota DNR. 

Rolling Hills Trail skirts
feeding area for nesting pair

Day hikers can watch a pair of majestic osprey feed on a trail in a northern Minnesota state park.

The Rolling Hills Trail runs about 1.8 miles round trip at Moose Lake State Park. A connector and an adjoining trail allows hikers to either shorten or lengthen the hike slightly.

To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 35, take Exit 214 (for Moose Lake) east on Minn. Hwy. 137. Turn at the first right/south into the park, and use the lot on the entrance road next to the park station.

From the parking lot, take the walking path heading straight east. At the first trail junction, go left/north and cross Hwy. 137. In about 0.1 miles from the parking lot, you’ll reach a trail intersection at the southern side of Wildlife Pond. Go right/east. You’re now officially on the Rolling Hills Trail.

This section of the trial passes the dam holding back Wildlife Pond. Largemouth bass, Northern pike, panfish and walleye all are common in the waterbody.

Osprey breeding pair
The fish provide a well-stocked grocery for a pair of osprey that nest in a dead conifer on the pond’s west side. Their nests, made out of sticks, are large with some running nine feet deep.

At the next junction, go right/east. This heads past the dam on the southern shore of a smaller pond.

This portion of the trail makes for great wildlife viewing. The osprey often can be seen gliding over the ponds as they feed. They’ll be the largest raptors in the sky – an osprey’s wing span can reach 71 inches across. Their heads and underside are a grayish white while the upper body is brown.

The trail is fairly level as it heads away from the ponds. In about 0.6 miles, it comes to a connector trail; taking the shortcut shaves 0.1 miles off the hike.

Continue on the main circuit, however. It initially descends a bit then as looping northwest rises, allowing hikers to experience why the trail received its name. After 0.4 miles, you’ll reach the other end of the connector trail passed earlier.

Shelter and viewpoint
In 0.1 miles, you’ll come to shelter at the junction with the Wildlife Pond Trail. Going straight/west onto it takes you around the north and west shores of Wildlife Pond, adding 0.3 miles to the total hike. A small section of that trail, however, often is underwater, so only hike it during dry seasons.

The shelter marks a good spot to view the osprey. Determining which of them is the husband and which is the wife can be a little tricky. Generally, male osprey have a slimmer body and narrower wings; the female osprey also have a banded breast. You’ll want to bring a binoculars to see that kind of detail.

After resting at the shelter, go left/south and follow Wildlife Pond’s eastern shore. A little more than half-way through, the other small pond appears on the left/east.

Ospreys are a remarkably successful species. They can be found all over the world and are the second most common raptor after the peregrine falcon.

In 0.3 miles from the shelter, you’ll reach a trail junction. Go left/west and repass Wildlife Pond’s dammed southern shore. After 0.1 miles, you’ll arrive at the stem trail that leads to parking lot; turn left/south and retrace your steps back to your vehicle.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Topo maps for day hiking trails in Minnesota’s Jay Cooke State Park

No one ever should hit the trail without a topographical map. Here are topo maps for three day hikes in Minnesota’s popular Jay Cooke State Park.

About 50 miles of hiking paths run through the park just southeast of Cloquet. To reach the park, from Interstate 35 take the exit for Minn. Hwy. 210, driving east through Carlton. The park is about five miles from the freeway. Turn right/south at the River Inn Visitor Center and park in the lot nearest the river; most of the park’s trails can be accessed from the visitor center.

Trails are marked in yellow on the maps. Click each map or open it a new window for a larger, printable version.

Carlton Trail

C.C.C. Trail

East Ridge Loop

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Great day hikes in Wright, Minn., area

Beaver Pond Trail at Savanna Portage State Park.

A beaver pond, a centuries-old portage route, and an intercontinental divide await day hikers in the Wright, Minn., region.

Located in the Minnesota Northwoods, the small town of Wright is the gateway to a state park, a state forest, and a state wildlife management area. The region is fairly easy to reach from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area; simply take Interstate 35 north, then in Moose Lake exit onto Minn. Hwy. 73 and head north.

Among the great day hikes in the Wright area are:
g Beaver Pond Trail – The 0.6-mile lollipop trail heads to then circles a beaver pond at Savanna Portage State Park in neighboring Aitkin County west of Wright. A parking lot is at the trailhead off of Shumway Lake Road.
g Continental Divide Trail Overlook – The northern end of the Continental Divide Trail offers an overlook to see where waters to the west flow into the Mississippi river and those to the east head to Lake Superior. To the reach the overlook, park at the trailhead for the Old Schoolhouse Trail and hike that to the Continental Divide Trail for a roughly 3.6-mile round trip.
g Kestrel Avenue to Lake 16 Trail – Up to five miles of trails run through a woodland from Kestrel Avenue west to just shy of Lake 16 in the Savanna State Forest in Aitkin County. Park on the east side of the road at the T-intersection about a half-mile south of the Savanna Portage State Park entrance.
g Salo WMA Impoundment Trail – In the Salo Marsh State Wildlife Management Area south of town, a half-mile jeep trail runs through woodland to where a stream flows into the Salo WMA Impoundment. Park at the trailhead off of 115th Pl.
g Savannah Portage Trail – Families with older teens can experience history by walking across this portage that the first European explorers of the area hiked more than 300 years ago – and that Native Americans used for millennia before. The trail runs six miles one-way (12-miles round trip) in Savanna Portage State Park. It connects overland the watersheds for the Mississippi River and Lake Superior, one of many inland routes that allowed travelers to reach, via water, the North American interior from the Atlantic Ocean.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Ancient agates, loons, wild rivers await day hikers in Moose Lake area

Echo Lake Trail east segment.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Day hikers can discover some of the oldest agates in the world, listen to loons, spot otters, and walk along Northwoods rivers and lakes near Moose Lake, Minn.

Located in Carlton County, Moose Lake sits between the Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Duluth-Superior metro areas along Interstate 35. Its outdoors highlight is Moose Lake State Park.

Among the great day hiking trails in the Moose Lake area are:
g Echo Lake Trail west segment – Look for billion-year-old agates on the 1-mile west segment of the Echo Lake Trail in Moose Lake State Park. To reach the trailhead, leave Interstate 35 at Exit 214, taking County Road 137 east into the park. Turn right/south to the park office; past it, turn right/west into a pair of parking lots. The trailhead is on the eastern lot’s south side.
g Echo Lake Trail east segment – A total of 1.5 miles, the trail hugs the northeast shoreline of Echo Lake. Past the Moose Lake State Park visitor center, turn right/west to a pair of parking lots; the trailhead is at the south side of the eastern lot. Veer left/east at the first trail junction. Watch for otters and loons.
g Rolling Hills Trail – At 1.7-miles round trip, the looping trail passes two ponds. Park in the lot across from the state park visitor center, taking the trail heading east from the lot. Turn north at the first trail going left/north (Warning: the trail crosses County Road 137). At the next junction, the stem to the loop begins; go right/northeast, past the dam. Upon reaching the junction after that, head left/north. On the north end of Wildlife Pond at the shelter, go right/northeast. Ignore the next two trail junctions.
g Soo Line North ATV Trail – Moose Lake marks the eastern terminus of this 148-mile ATV trail that also can be day hiked. The former rail line, which largely runs through a hardwood forest, can be accessed west of town by parking at the end of North Kenwood Avenue south of Minn. Hwys. 27/73.
g Soo Line South ATV Trail – The 114-mile ATV trails connects to the North portion of the trail and shares its trailhead/parking area. The trail heads both north and south from this access point.
g Tall Pine Trail – The 1-mile lollipop trail starts at the parking lot across from the state park office. Take the trail heading east from the lot; the stem trail briefly joins with the Echo Lake Trail east segment.
g Wildlife Pond Trail – The 1.2-mile trail loops around Wildlife Pond. Start at the parking lot across from the state park office by taking the trail heading east from the lot. Turn north at the first trail going left/north (Warning: This crosses County Road 137). At the next junction, the loop begins. Go clockwise, always keeping the pond to your right when coming to other trail junctions. Watch the skies for bald eagles that have nested near the pond.
g Willard Munger State Trail – Park on  Industrial Road between Third and Hickory avenues. Going south on the trail takes hikers across and then along the Moose Horn River.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Variety of day hiking trails run across Holyoke, Minn., region

Most Holyoke hiking trails will be found
in the Nemadji State Forest. Map courtesy
of Minnesota DNR.

Fragrant evergreen forests, a multi-county rail line converted to hiking trail, and a rare pine barrens ecosystem await day hikers in the Holyoke, Minn., area.

Located between the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth-Superior metro areas, Holyoke easily can be reached via Interstate 35 then in Moose Lake taking County Road 8 east. The vast Nemadji State Forest is located southeast of town.

Four great trails to hike in the Hinckley area include:
g Gandy Dancer Trail (Hay Creek segment) – Hikers can walk the edge of a pine barrens and some forested areas on this 4-mile round trip trail in the massive Nemadji State Forest. Take Minn. Hwy. 31 north from Kingsdale; there's a parking lot at the state forest line. Follow the trail north, paralleling Hay Creek to the right. Go two miles to Moose Junction Trail and turn back at the junction.
g Matthew Lourey State Trail – From north of Nickerson, take County Road 146 to County Road 145 then Harlis Road/County Road 363; south of Bley Road, as the road turns east, look for parking lot. Follow the trail to the Northeast Extension Forest Road for 0.9 miles; turn back there for a 1.8-mile round trip through a largely wooded area that opens onto scenic meadows.
g National Christmas Tree – Day hikers can enjoy a peaceful walk through a fragrant evergreen woods in the Nemadji State Forest. The three-mile (2.6 miles for loop plus 0.4 miles round trip for stem) trail sits in the northwest corner of the massive forest. In 1977, a white spruce cut from the Nemadji served as the National Christmas Tree in the nation’s capitol. Forestry officials created the trail in 1987, naming it in honor of that tree.
g Yellow Birch Trail/Gandy Dancer Trail (state line segment) – The 3.2-mile round trip trail in the Nemadji State Forest is entirely wooded. To reach the trailhead, from north of Nickerson take County Road 146 to County Road 145 then Harlis Road/County Road 363 (which upon entering the forest becomes Harlis Forest Road); a parking area is located where the forest road intersects with the Yellow Birch Trail. Take the Yellow Birch Trail for 0.3 miles to the Gandy Dancer Trail, where there’s a shelter. Go north on the Gandy Dancer for 1.3 miles, crossing two branches of the State Creek Trail, and turn back at the Wisconsin border.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Day hikes through forests, alongside rivers, abound near Barnum, Minn.

The Willard Munger State Trail
is one of many near Barnum, Minn.

A variety of great day hiking trails run near the small community of Barnum, Minn.

Conveniently located off of Interstate 35 between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth, several excellent state parks and forests are within an hour’s drive of Barnum. Most notable are Moose Lake and Jay Cooke state parks.

Among the major Barnum-area trails are:
g Blackhoof River Trail – The Blackhoof Wildlife Management Area offers many trails, including a 1.3-mile round trip through aspen-spruce/fir and riparian forests to the Blackhoof River. Park at the trailhead on County Road 6’s south side just west of the County Road 3 intersection.
g Mahtowa Road Trails – A web of branching ATV trails that can be day hiked run through the southern section of the Fond du Lac State Forest northwest of town. On Minn. Hwy. 14 west of the County Road 172 intersection, take the first road heading north; drive well past the buildings and hike to the first trail junction for a mile round-trip.
g Willard Munger State Trail, Barnum segment – A parking lot is on the south side of County Road 6/Main Street west of downtown Barnum. Going north, the trail crosses the Moose Horn River.
g Willard Munger State Trail, Mahtowa segment – Though there’s no designated parking lot in nearby Mahtowa, a number of access paths run from parallel streets, particularly County Road 61 and County Road 141. The trail heading north of town is more wooded that the southern route.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Trails lead to neat sites near Cromwell, Minn.

Trails that run through a spruce-fir forest, atop a formation left by ice age glaciers, and to a fire tower await day hikers in the Cromwell, Minn., area.

Located west of Duluth, Cromwell is easy to reach via Interstate 35; simply exit onto Minn. Hwy. 210 and head west. Among Cromwell-area day hiking trails are:
g Carl Sandell Trail – Berry picking is common on this trail, which runs through aspen and spruce-fir forests, across upland grass areas, and past alder/willow swamps in the Carl Sandell Wildlife Management Area. Located northwest of town, park off of either Krogh or Homstad roads (both are County Road 122), and take the stem trail for about a mile round trip. Map.
g Corona Ditch Trail – This trail heads through northern Minnesota wetlands in the Kettle Lake Wildlife Management Area, offering an opportunity to see a number of waterfowl, especially during migrations. The trailhead is east of town on County Road 263, south of Minn. Hwy. 210; when County 263 reaches the state forest, turn left at a T-intersection and park at the end-of-the-road lot; this is an ATV trail that goes over a knoll then into a wetlands with the Corona Ditch Pool on the trail’s left. When the trail comes to T-intersection, turn back for about a 1.8-mile round trip. Map.
g Esker Trail – A ridge of sediment left by a glacier’s meltwater some 10,000 years ago serves as the route for this 1.2-mile round trip hike in Sawyer Wildlife Management Area. Located southeast of town, from Cromwell take Hwy. 210 then go south on County Road 7; turn right on the road to Sterle Pool, park in the third lot on the pool’s south side, and follow the trail east over a creek to the esker’s top. The ridge is about 1300 feet elevation, a good 120 feet above the valley floor. When the trail comes to T-intersection after descending the esker, turn back. Map.
g Rogers Lake Trail – This lollipop trail, in which the stem is far longer than the loop, runs about 7 miles round trip in the Fond Du Lac State Forest, passing the Cromwell Lookout Tower along the way. From town, take Minn. Hwy. 73 north. Turn right/east onto County Road 122 and then left/north onto County Road 120. Finally, go right/east onto County Road 223 (aka State Forest Road). The trailhead is in about a third of a mile, on the road’s right/south side. Map.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Willard Munger accessible in several cities

Willard Munger State Trail passes a rock cut between
Duluth and Carlton, Minn. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Willard Munger State Trail ranks as among Northeast Minnesota’s premier recreational routes.

The paved bike path stretches across three counties, running 63 miles from Duluth south to Hinckley. It’s the fifth longest paved trail in the United States. Day hikers are welcome on the trail.

The Willard Munger can be accessed in a number of other communities. Among them are:
g Barnum – A parking lot is on the south side of County Road 6/Main Street west of downtown. Going north, the trail crosses the Moose Horn River.
g Carlton – A large parking lot with picnic shelter is along County Road 1 (Third Street) between North and South avenues. This route heads east/north toward Duluth with a connecting trail to Jay Cooke State Park.
g Duluth – The northern tip of the trail can be accessed at a number of spots. Among the most popular with parking lots are (from south to north): off 123rd Avenue West via the Superior Hiking Trail; off Riverside Drive at Grand Avenue (Minn. Hwy. 23); and marking the trail’s northern terminus, off Pulaski Street east of Grand Avenue (Minn. Hwy. 23).
g Finlayson – Park on Finland Avenue (County Road 60) immediately west of Front Street. Going south on the trail heads past green farmland in summer.
g Hinckley – The southern terminus of the trail begins at a gravel parking lot along 2nd Street NW (County Road 18) between Old Hwy. 61 N and Root Avenue N. The trail passes the Grindstone Reservoir and dam with a bridge over the Grindstone River.
g Mahtowa – Though there’s no designated parking lot, a number of access paths run from parallel streets, most notably Minn. Hwy. 61 and County Road 141. The trail heading north of town is more wooded that the southern route.
g Moose Lake – Park along Industrial Road between Third and Hickory avenues. Going south on the trail takes hikers across and then along the Moose Horn River.
g Rutledge – Park at the City Hall and Community Center off Minn. Hwy. 23 N., taking a stem trail behind (north of) city hall to the Willard Munger. Heading north brings hikers over and along the Kettle River.
g Sandstone – West of town, park in a dirt pull-off along County Road 27 at the County Road 61 intersection. Either direction takes you through wooded areas and past bucolic farm fields.
g Sturgeon Lake – A dirt parking area sits off of County Road 61 north of 2nd Street. Going south takes hikers into General C.C. Andrews State Forest.
g Thomson – Parking is available off the west side of County Road 210 south of Dalles Avenue and north of the trail. Heading west on the trial brings you past some rock formations and to a bridge over the rapids-laden St. Louis River.
g Willow River – A parking lot is located at the end of Church Street, west of County Road 61. The north-bound trail heads into the General C.C. Andrews State Forest.

A branch of the Willard Munger, known as the Alex Laveau Memorial Trail Segment, runs from Carlton through Wrenshall east to Minn. Hwy. 23. Major access points for this segment include:
g Carlton – Use the lot along County Road 1 (Third Street) between North and South avenues; walk south along the side of County Road 1, accessing the trail after crossing Otter Creek. Head southeast through wooded areas and rock outcroppings.
g Wrenshall – On non-school days, park in the Wrenshall Elementary lot northeast of the building; walk southeast on Pioneer Drive for an access road to the trail. The southeastern route runs through a nice mix of forest and farmland.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Willard Munger heads to pretty river bridge

Bike path/hiking trail runs 63 miles
from Duluth to Hinckley, Minn.

Day hikers can walk to a bridge over a scenic river on a segment of the Willard Munger State Trail in Barnum, Minn.

The Willard Munger ranks as among Northeast Minnesota’s premier recreational trails. The paved bike path stretches across three counties, running 63 miles from Duluth south to Hinckley. It’s the fifth longest paved trail in the United States.

This segment of the trail, located west of Barnum, goes 0.78-miles round trip. It’s best done in late spring through early autumn when temps are the most clement, though July and August can be hot and humid.

Former rail line
To reach the trailhead, from downtown Barnum, head west on County Road 6/Main Street. A paved lot is on the road’s south side. The trail runs north-south of the lot’s east side. Head north on the trail, and be careful when crossing County Road 6.

The trail heads through an outwash plains. The soil is sandy and loamy with stones.

Tracks for the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad used to sit on what is now the Willard Munger. The line originally was built as the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad and later became part of the Northern Pacific Railway.

The trail is named for a Minnesota state legislator who sponsored bills advancing environmental protection and trail development. Munger's earliest efforts, which date to 1954, make him among the first lawmakers to advocate outdoor recreation and preservation. He passed away in 1999, and his family runs an inn at the trail’s northern end.

Crossing the Moose Horn
About a third of a mile into the hike, the trail reaches the bridge over the Moose Horn River. The 36.4-mile-long tributary of the Kettle River rises as the outlet of Wild River Lake, about seven miles southwest of Cloquet. It meanders south, flowing into the Kettle southwest of Sturgeon Lake.

The bridge marks a good spot to turn around. Of course, the hike can be extended by continuing north, but the trail heads through a more built-up area for a couple of miles beyond the bridge. After that, the trail roughly parallels the Moose Horn River to Mahtowa, a six-mile trek one way from the Barnum parking lot.

As the trail is paved, it’s handicap accessible. However, because it’s wide for bicyclists, you will be exposed to the sun, so don sunscreen, wear a brimmed hat, and bring extra water on hot days.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Fire tower, small lake await hikers in forest

The Cromwell Lookout Tower.
Photo courtesy Minnesota's Historical
Fire Lookout Towers blog.

Minnesota's Rogers Lake Trail
runs for 7 miles across brushland

Families with older children will enjoy a hike past a fire tower and around small Rogers Lake in Minnesota’s Fond Du Lac State Forest.

The Rogers Lake Trail – a lollipop route in which the stem is far longer than the loop – runs about 7 miles round trip. A plethora of unnamed trails can be found throughout this corner of the state forest; for convenience, we’ve named the route after its destination.

To reach the trail, from Cromwell, take Minn. Hwy. 73 north. Turn right/east onto County Road 122 and then left/north onto County Road 120. Finally, go right/east onto County Road 223 (aka State Forest Road). The trailhead is in about a third of a mile, on the road’s right/south side. Park far off the road’s shoulder.

From the road, the jeep trail passes through a small clump of evergreens and then past the Cromwell Lookout Tower. Built in 1949 by the state forest service, the tower reaches 100 feet high.

Fires are common in the 64,505-acre state forest that stretches across Carlton and St. Louis counties. In fact, one of Minnesota’s deadliest forest fires occurred in what later would become the state forest: The 1918 Cloquet Fire, sparked during a drought, left 453 dead and burned 250,000 acres.

Marshland
After a road gate, the trail heads south into open brush country. Alder and willow trees tend to dominate most of the state forest’s brush areas.

In about a quarter mile from the fire tower, the trail veers northeast and parallels a long, narrow stretch of marsh. If hiking in spring or summer, be sure to wear mosquito repellent.

About a mile from the trailhead, you’ll come to a tree farm. There’s a small shelter here for resting. The trail briefly passes through the plantation. With younger children, this marks a good spot to turn around; you’ve gone 1.5 miles for a 3-mile round trip.

If doing the full hike, the jeep trail crosses a narrower walking path then turns north, going by wetlands that usually are more blue than dry. This is an excellent place to watch for waterfowl, especially ducks.

Rogers Lake
The trail then continues northeast, coming to a junction for a logging road heading south; go straight/northeast, however.

Next the trail reaches a T-intersection. Go left/north; within a few dozen feet, turn right/east. The trail to this point has been a stem to this small, 1-mile loop that circles Rogers Lake.

Go left/north (or clockwise) on the loop. Rogers Lake covers six acres and so is among the smallest of Carlton County's 114 lakes. The terrain around the lake does head up and down a little, but most of the trail is flat and even.

Once the loop reaches the main stem trail, return the way you came.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Hike across swinging bridge at Jay Cooke

Rapids of the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park.

Rock at Jay Cooke S.P. nearly 2 billion years old

Day hikers can cross a swinging bridge above a raging river running over nearly 2 billion-year old rock on the East Ridge Trail at Minnesota’s Jay Cooke State Park.

The 1.5-mile round trip trail is one of about 50 miles of hiking paths through the park just southeast of Cloquet. To reach the park, from Interstate 35 take the exit for Minn. Hwy. 210, driving east through Carlton. The park is about five miles from the freeway. Turn right/south at the River Inn Visitor Center and use the lot nearest the river.

The trail leaves from the parking area’s southeast end. This actually is a stem for the looping East Ridge Trail, which is on the river’s south side. The stem heads through a picnic area before reaching the St. Louis River.

Swinging bridge
A new $1.1 million swinging bridge opened in November 2013. To the delight of most kids (and adults), the 219-foot pedestrian bridge bounces and sways. It replaces the 1953 bridge damaged during 2012’s flooding.

Beneath the bridge is the raging St. Louis River, which rushes over exposed bedrock formed about 1.9 billion years ago when a vast sea covered this area of North America. Over the eons as the mud and sand compacted into shale and greywacke, heat and pressure converted the buried stone into slate. Then, about 1.1 billion years ago, molten rock worked its way through fissures and covered much of the ground, leaving black basalt in its wake.

Once across the bridge, go left/east. You’re now officially on the East Ridge Trail, with this segment paralleling the river’s edge. Raging floodwater from melting glaciers some 10,000 years ago formed the river’s current course.

At Junction 29, go right/southeast. The rest of the trail heads through a hardwood forest whose green in summer rivals that of Oz’s Emerald City. The leaves turn an impressive array of yellows, reds and oranges as autumn sets in.

Upon reaching Junction 30, go right. The trail meanders about quite a lot along this segment but essentially heads west.

Variety of wildlife
Watch for a number of animals as walking through the woods. White-tailed deer will be easy to spot, but also look for signs of black bear, timber wolf and coyote.

At Junction 31, head right/north. The trail at this point has looped back toward the river.

More than 180 species of birds make their home in the park, so keep an eye to the sky when the trail opens up. Among the most fascinating birds in the park are the great blue heron, the marsh hawk, and the pileated woodpecker.

Upon reaching Junction 28, go right. The trail is now in its homestretch. At Junction 32, turn left and walk along the river shore; the trail soon arrives at the swinging bridge. Cross and follow the stem trail back to the parking lot.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Trails abound at Moose Lake State Park

Echo Lake Trail west segment. Photo courtesy
of Minnesota DNR.

Moose Lake State Park offers a number of great short hiking trails for Minneapolis-St. Paul residents looking to get back to nature for the day.

Located about 45 minutes south of Duluth along Interstate 35, the park boasts five fairly easy trails through mixed Northern hardwood and pine forests. Some go alongside crystal blue lakes and ponds, and Lake Superior Agates can be found aplenty in the park.

To reach the park, from I-35 in Carlton County, take Exit 214, following County Road 137 east into the park; turn right/south to the park office.

The park’s trails include:
g Echo Lake Trail east segment – A total of 1.5 miles, the trail hugs the northeast shoreline of Echo Lake. Past the visitor center, turn right/west to a pair of parking lots; the trailhead is at the south side of the eastern lot. Veer left/east at the first trail junction.
g Echo Lake Trail west segment – About a mile long, the trial follows Echo lake’s northwest shoreline. Park in the same lot as for the Echo Lake Trail east segment; veer right/west at the first trail junction, however.
g Rolling Hills Trail – At 1.7 miles round trip, the looping trail passes two ponds. Park in the lot across from the visitor center, taking the trail heading east from the lot. Turn north at the first trail going left/north (Warning: the trail crosses Hwy. 137). At the next junction the stem to the loop begins; go right/northeast, past the dam. Upon reaching the next junction, head left/north. On the north end of Wildlife Pond at the shelter, go right/northeast. Ignore next two trail junctions.
g Tall Pine Trail – The 1-mile lollipop trail starts at the parking lot across from park office. Take the trail heading east from the lot; the stem trail briefly joins with the Echo Lake Trail east segment.
g Wildlife Pond Trail – The 1.2-mile trail loops around Wildlife Pond. Start at the parking lot across from park office by taking the trail heading east from lot. Turn north at first trail going left/north (Warning: This crosses Hwy. 137). At the next junction, the loop begins. Go clockwise, always keeping the pond to your right when coming to other trail junctions. Watch the skies for bald eagles that have nested near the pond.

Learn about nearby trails Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota.

Search for billion-year-old agates in Minn.

The Moose Lake State Park visitor center includes
a display of Lake Superior Agates.

State gemstone, great fishing
found in Moose Lake park

Day hikers can discover some of the oldest agates in the world on the west segment of the Echo Lake Trail in Minnesota’s Moose Lake State Park.

The western segment is the part of the trail following Echo Lake's northwestern shore. Its total length is about a mile. Adding the trail’s eastern segment more than doubles the length and heads into a campground.

Located in Carlton County, Minn., there’s no “Moose Lake" in the park, which is named after the nearest town – which in turn is near Moosehead Lake. To reach the trailhead, leave Interstate 35 at Exit 214, taking County Road 137 east into the park. Go right/south to the park office; past it, turn right/west into a pair of parking lots. The trailhead is on the eastern lot’s south side.

Echo Lake
Once on the trail, veer right/west at the next two junctions. This takes you to Echo Lake’s north shore, where there’s a small swimming area. Swimming is restricted to only a few feet from the shoreline, so it’s perfect for little children.

The calm, 104-acre Echo Lake reaches a depth of 47 feet. Fishermen like the lake for its black crappies, blue gill, largemouth bass, northern pike, northern pike, and panfish, particularly pumpkinseed sunfish. You’re likely to see rowboats and canoes on the waters.

At the next junction, veer left/west; the other way takes you to a picnic area. You’re now on the stem of the lollipop trail.

Though you may be taking in the blue lake and verdant scenery, keep one eye to the ground for agates. Lake Superior Agates – Minnesota’s state gemstone – are common in the park.

Eons in the making
The agates began forming some 1 billion years ago when lava flows covered this region of the world. As the lava hardened into rock, small bubbles formed where water vapor and carbon dioxide had been trapped. Over the eons, groundwater filled these bubbles with minerals that cemented to form literally millions of agates. Many agates locally have red bands due to the region's high iron content.

Erosion gradually dislodged the agates from the lava beds. Glaciers during the last several ice ages polished and smoothed these rocks, as well as distributed them across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Though a common rock, collecting of agates is not allowed in the state park.

For the next 0.3 miles, the trail ascends about 30 feet to a loop. This circle, which also is a third of a mile long, boasts a number of basswood, birch, maple and pine trees, making it ideal for an autumn walk, especially in early to mid-October. The morning and early evening, when the sun lights up the maples’ red and the birch’s yellow leaves, mark excellent times for a walk.

Upon returning to the loop’s starting point, follow the route back to the parking lot. If during summer, make a day out of it by enjoying a swim or picnic lunch. Also stop at the visitor’s center, which offers a display of agates found at the park (Fair warning if with children: The nature center has a small gift store.).

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.