Trail offers snapshot of Split Rock’s features

Gitchi-Gami State Trail bridge over Split Rock River, courtesy of Wikipedia.

Map of DOT Wayside to Park Road segment.

Map of Split Rock Lightstation to Park Road segment.

Map of Split Rock Lightstation to Gold Rock Point segment.
Click on maps for larger images.

Gitchi-Gami runs 3.8 miles through Minnesota park

Day hikers can get a good sense of what Minnesota’s Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is all about via the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, the only route that runs from one end of the park to the other.

Though primarily a bicycle trail, the paved Gitchi-Gami can be walked as well. When completed, the trail will run 88-miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. One of its longest finished sections runs from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Beaver Bay, which takes it straight through Split Rock.

The trail rambles about 3.8 miles across the park. If split up, three trail segments make for great day hikes.

DOT Wayside to Park Road segment
This 2.6-mile (one-way) section cuts across Split Rock’s southern half.

To reach the trailhead, from Two Harbors take Minn. Hwy. 61 about 21 miles north. At Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, park at the DOT wayside overlooking Split Rock River.

From the wayside, pick up the stem trail on the lot's west side, taking it under the highway to the trail, which runs between the highway and Lake Superior. There’s a small sand bar beyond the stem and the main trail’s intersection. A logging camp existed here in 1899-1906.

Go left/northeast on the main trail and cross the Split Rock River's mouth with Lake Superior. In short order, you’ll reach the junction with the Corundum Mine Trail. That trail explores the remnants of a mining operation from the early 1900s.

At 0.3 miles from the trailhead, the Gitchi-Gami junctions with the Merrill Logging Trail. The Merrill Logging Trail was built on an old railroad grade that brought white pine from the Arrowhead to Lake Superior.

In 0.9 miles from the trailhead, you’ll come across the junction with a connector trail that heads to the Corundum Mine Trail. At 1.2 miles is the junction with the other end of Corundum Mine Trail.

The Gitchi-Gami next crosses Rock Creek, which flows out of the highlands into Lake Superior.

On the other side of bridge is a connector leading to the Day Hill Trail. At 1.4 miles, you’ll come to yet another connector to that trail. Day Hill is a large block of erosion-resistant anorthosite that is more than a billion years old.

At 1.5 miles, the Gitchi-Gami reaches a three-way intersection with the Day Hill Trail. Go left/north and hike the backside of Day Hill and its base as you come back alongside Hwy. 61.

Along the way, you’ll a pass wayside for Hwy. 61. From the wayside, you’ll get an outstanding view of Split Rock Lighthouse, which was constructed on 1910.

At 2.6 miles, the Gitchi-Gami reaches the park road. Though you’ve hardly covered the length of the trail in Split Rock, this marks a good spot to turn back for a 5.2-mile round trip.

Split Rock Lightstation to Park Road segment
This 0.6-miles one-way hike (1.2-miles round trip) runs through the park’s center portion.

To reach the trailhead, enter Split Rock as if going to the lightstation and park in its lots. From the southwest lot, pick up the access trail. When the trail splits, go left/south-west.

The trail follows the park road then swerves away from it to near the Little Two Harbors Trail. The Little Two Harbors offers great views of Lake Superior and leads to a beach.

Next the Gitchi-Gami crosses a creek. When it arrives at the park road, you’ve reached the spot where the previous segment ended. This marks a good spot to turn back.

Split Rock Lightstation to Gold Rock Point segment
This 0.9-mile one-way (1.8-mile round trip) heads into park’s northern section.

Enter the park as if going to the Split Rock Lightstation and park in its lots. As in the previous segment, from the southwest lot, pick up the access trail. When the trail splits, however, go right/north-east and cross the park road.

The trail closely parallels the park road then Hwy. 61 for 0.8 miles, where it arrives at a parking lot. From the lot, a 0.1-mile spur trail heads to a bay west of Gold Rock Point.

After taking in the lake views, retrace yours steps back to the lot. Alternately, you can continue north/east from parking lot to park boundary, which is in 0.7 miles; that addition, which crosses two creeks, makes for a 3.2-mile round trip hike.

Final note: Though the trail runs through wooded areas its entire length in Split Rock, it is wide, so you’ll want to wear a sunhat and don sunscreen.

Learn about nearby hiking trails in Day Hiking Trails of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Gitchi-Gami trail segments run past beaches

Gitchi-Gami State Trail north of Twin Points Wayside.

Topo map of Gitchi-Gami State Trail, centered on
Thompson Beach at Twin Points Wayside.

Southern portion of path offers access to Lake Superior

Incredible views of Lake Superior await day hikers of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail north of Minnesota’s Gooseberry Falls State Park.

As of 2013, about 29.5 miles of the paved bicycle path – which also can be used for day hiking – runs along the world’s largest freshwater lake from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Plans call for a 88.2-mile route. Construction began in 2001 with segments added since, largely thanks to the work of the nonprofit Gitchi-Gami Trail Association in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Gitchi-Gami largely parallels Minn. Hwy. 61. Currently, a 14.1-mile one-way segment of the trail heads northeast between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Beaver Bay.

A good way to explore the lower half of that segment is by starting at the Twin Points Wayside. To reach it, from Gooseberry Falls head north on Hwy. 61. At mile marker 43, turn right/southwest into one of the two parking lots, which offers ample space.

South to Gooseberry Falls
Heading southwest on the trail should start with a quick walk to the boat launch at the southwest parking lot’s end. From the launch, you can access Twin Points Public Access Beach. The lot and beach used to be the sight of a Lake Superior resort.

The Gitchi-Gami can be picked up at the driveway entering the lots. Go left/southwest on the trail, which for the next 0.57 miles or so hugs the highway.

Next the trail swerves southeast to a quieter, wooded area away from the highway. When the trail curves southwest again, watch for and take one of the dirt paths heading southeast; these lead to Thompson Beach, which stretches a little under a quarter mile along Lake Superior.

About 0.5 miles after leaving Hwy. 61, the Gitchi-Gami rejoins it. That spot marks a good turnback point. Alternately, you can continue walking to Gooseberry Falls State Park, whose parking lot is 1.18 miles ahead with Upper Falls along the way.

North to West Split Rock River
Alternately, from Twin Points, the trail can be hiked north to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park’s West Split Rock River (a little more than 4-miles round trip).

From the northern parking lot, head right/northeast onto the wooded trail. The route immediately passes a connector trail to Iona’s Beach, whose pink rock shoreline warrants a trip all on its own.

In a quarter mile from the parking lot, the trail again runs alongside Hwy. 61. About 0.3 miles later, it comes right up to Lake Superior. This narrow spot marks a good spot to turn back.

Alternately, you can continue walking northeast to Split Rock state park. The Split Rock DOT Wayside is in about 0.9 miles.

Corundum Mine Trail
Another fascinating segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail north of Gooseberry Falls is the Corundum Mine Trail. Lake Superior can be enjoyed along Split Rock Point via a 1.8-mile round trip.

Park at the Hwy. 61 wayside immediately before Split Rock River; cross the highway and join the Gitchi-Gami State Trail that goes over the river. After the bridge, take the first trail heading right/southeast, then follow the connector trail overlooking Crazy Bay.

Learn about more day hiking trails at and near Gooseberry Falls State Park in my Day Hiking Trails of Gooseberry Falls State Park guidebook.

Twelve must-do hikes in Grand Marais, Minn.

Brule River from Superior Hiking Trail at Judge CR
Magney State Park. Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Fantastic vistas of Lake Superior, multiple waterfalls, and Minnesota’s highest point all await day hikers on trails in or near Grand Marais, Minn.

Located on Minnesota’s famed North Shore, the small city is distant yet well worth the trip. To reach Grand Marais or the two state parks nearby, travelers should take State Hwy. 61 north from Duluth, Minn. The drive itself with its sweeping views of Lake Superior will be impressive and set the right mood for discovering all that Grand Marais has the offer.

Among the many great day hikes in the Grand Marais area are:
g C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail (Little Devil Track River area) segments – Walk 2.1 miles (4.2-miles round trip) northwest to Blueberry Lake’s shores or go southeast about 0.45 miles (0.9-miles round trip) over the Little Devil Track to the Superior Hiking Trail intersection. Park in the pullouts at the intersection of County Road 6 and Forest Road 1367 in the Superior National Forest.
g C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail (Grand Marais city) segments – Walk southwest 0.45 miles (0.9-miles round trip) to the Gunflint Trail or head northeast for the same distance to the trail’s second stream crossing in Superior National Forest. Park on the turnaround at the end of Cedar Grove Drive, north of the Cedar Grove Drive intersection in town.
g Eagle Mountain Trail – Day hikers can ascend to the highest point in Minnesota via the rugged but incredibly scenic Eagle Mountain Trail in Superior National Forest.. The 7-mile (round trip) out-and-back trail is lengthy and can be steep at spots, and parts of it also are rocky; still, if the challenge isn’t rewarding enough, the views at the top certainly are. The trailhead is at the junction of Forest Road 158 (aka Bally Creek Road) and Forest Road 170 (formerly named Forest Road 153 and aka as The Grade).
g Gitchi-Gami State Trail (Grand Marais Segment) – Park in downtown Grand Marais near the trailhead off of Minn. Hwy. 61 near Eighth Avenue. Head south/west until the trail runs out for a 3-mile round trip.
g Grand Marais Corridor Trail – An urban hike, the 1-mile (one-way) paved bike trail heads through downtown Grand Marias. It does connect with the Grand Marais segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, however, and so can be extended by 1.5 miles (one-way).
g Lake Trail – Off Cascade River State Park’s shores, the glacial lake the Ojibwe called gichigami – “the great sea” – stretches for 31,700 square miles. The trail runs 1.2 miles (2.4-miles round trip) along Lake Superior’s rocky beaches and white cedar trees.
g Lookout Mountain Trail – After Labor Day, the park’s birch leaves turn gold, making for an impressive site against the green spruce and fir. The 3.5-mile loop takes you through the forest to an overlook 600 feet above the shoreline, offering a view of the Sawtooth Mountain Range and of blue Lake Superior in the distance.
g Superior Hiking Trail segment to Cascade Falls – The Cascade River drops over two waterfalls as it rambles through a fern-laden gorge of 1.1 billion-year-old volcanic rock. A segment of Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail heads about 0.85 miles round trip to Cascade Falls and the Cascades, a set of small drops just above it.
g Superior Hiking Trail segment to Devil’s Kettle – About a mile from Lake Superior, volcanic rock splits the Brule River in a formation known as the Devil’s Kettle. One side of the divided river drops 50 feet while the other half rushes into a pothole. A 2-mile round trip segment of the Superior Hiking Trail, in Minnesota’s Judge CR Magney State Park, crosses the Brule and heads alongside it to Upper Falls and then the Devil’s Kettle.
g Superior Hiking Trail segment to Gauthier Creek – Brook and rainbow trout are abundant in the Brule River and Gauthier Creek of Judge CR Magney State Park. You’re certain to see anglers landing one on either waterway. You can reach Gauthier Creek from the parking lot by taking a segment of the north to the stream for a round trip of about 2 miles.
g Superior Hiking Trail segment to Gauthier Creek loop – Moose, black bear, timber wolf, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, woodchuck, red squirrel, chipmunk, warblers, chickadees, jays, nuthatches, and woodpeckers all reside in Judge CR Magney State Park. To improve your chances of a sighting, go deeper into the park; that can be done via the same Superior Hiking Trail segment to Gauthier Creek, except extend the walk about two miles (4-miles total round trip) by crossing the stream and doing the loop on its north side.
g Superior Hiking Trail segment to Lake Superior – Containing 2,903 cubic miles of water, the world’s largest freshwater lake stretches across Judge CR Magney State Park’s eastern and southern horizon. For a grand view, from the campground parking lot take a segment of the Superior Hiking Trail south along the Brule River to just above its confluence with Lake Superior. The hike is about 1-mile round trip.

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

Get up close & personal with Lake Superior

Gitchi-Gami State Trail's Silver Creek Cliff Segment.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Incredible views of Lake Superior await day hikers of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail on Minnesota’s North Shore.

As of 2013, about 29.5 miles of the paved bicycle path – which also can be used for day hiking – runs along the world’s largest freshwater lake from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Plans call for 88.2-mile route.

Construction began in 2001 with segments added every year since, largely thanks to the work of the nonprofit Gitchi-Gami Trail Association in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It largely parallels State Hwy. 61.

Following are segments of the route, from north to south, that can be day hiked.

Two Harbors area
g Silver Creek Cliff Segment – The 1-mile round trip trail makes use of the Old Hwy. 61 roadbed and offers a 4000-foot vista of Lake Superior. Park at the Silver Creek Wayside Park and walk south/west to the western end of of Silver Creek Cliff.
g Gooseberry Falls State Park Segment – The southwest end of a 14.1-mile one–way segment begins at the state park. It can be picked up at either the park’s lower level parking lot or at the visitor center and walked to the Twin Points Wayside for about a 4.5-mile round trip.
g Twin Points Wayside segments – The trail can be hiked either south to Gooseberry Falls State Park (4.5-miles round trip) or north to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park’s West Split Rock River (a little more than 4-miles round trip). Parking is available at the wayside.
g Split Rock Lighthouse State Park segments – From the visitor center, either go south to West Split Rock River within the park (about 4.5-miles round trip) or north to Gold Rock Point (a little more than 4-miles round trip). Park at the visitor center.

Silver Bay area
g Beaver Bay Segment – The north end of the 14.1-mile trail begins in downtown Beaver Bay off of State Hwy. 61 south/west of Slater Drive. Hike the trail as far south as you like; the creek south of Pine Bay Loop makes a good turnaround for a little more than 4-mile round trip.
g Silver Bay Trail Segment – From Rukavina Arena on Outer Drive in Silver Bay, head 2.3 miles (4.6-miles round trip) south/west to West Road in Beaver Bay. Parking is available near the arena.

Schroeder area
g Temperance River Segment – The trail runs north/east through Temperance River State Park and the Temperance River gorge. At 3.1 miles (6.2-miles round trip), it can be accessed with parking at the MnDOT wayside in Schroeder.

Tofte area
g Tofte Segment – Starting at Tofte Town Park, the trail heads north/east. Leaveaux Creek is about 2 miles away for a 4-mile round trip.
g Ray Berglund State Park segments – Parking at the wayside, either head south/west to Leaveaux Creek for a 4-mile round trip or north/east to Rollins Creek for a 2-mile round trip.

Lutsen area
g Lutsen Segment – The trail heads south/west from Lutsen Ski Hill Road. Take it to Rollins Creek for a 3-mile round trip. Park at the designated GGST parking area.

Grand Marais area
g Grand Marais Segment – Park in downtown Grand Marais near the trailhead off of State Hwy. 61 near Eighth Avenue. Head south/west until the trail runs out for a 3-mile round trip.

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