Hike past site of Minnesota’s only gold mine

Map of trail Little American Island sites. Courtesy of Voyageurs NPS.

Day hikers can explore the only authentic gold mine discovered in Minnesota.

The Little American Island Trail loops 0.25 miles in at Voyageurs National Park’s Rainy Day area. In summer, a boat is needed to reach the trail on Little American Island, but you can hike, snowmobile or ski there in winter.

If you need to hitch a ride there, the Grand Tour, a ranger-led boat tour, heads to and from the island in a Rainy Lake bay three days a week on summer afternoons. Along the way, you can see active eagle nests and a commercial fishing camp. The tour does charge a fee.

From the dock on the island’s north side, the trail heads about 100 feet inland. At the first junction, go right/west on the trail. This loops over an adit, a passage that leads into a mine, usually built for access or drainage.

Boomtown
In 1893 while prospecting on the island, George Davis discovered the gold in a six-foot wide vein of quartz. He crushed some of it, and an analysis found about 25 cents worth of gold in the sample.

With that news, the island's owner, Charles Moore, sold the land to some Duluth businessmen, and mining began in earnest. To support the operation, Rainy Lake City sprung up on the east side of Black Bay Narrows about a mile southeast of the island. At its height, the mining town boasted a population of a few hundred with 17 saloons (which sold whiskey at 15 cents a glass), a dry goods store, lumberyard, bank, furniture store, bank, hotels, bakery, brick factory, post office and even a school.

At the next trail junction, go right/south. This spur leads to another shaft and a pile of tailings. Most of the mine’s tailings were used to construct nearby International Falls’ main street, causing many to jokingly nickname it the “city whose streets are paved with gold.”

Returning to the main trail, go right/east. You’ll pass a large pulley wheel that was attached to a winch for hauling gold-bearing rock out of the mine. After that is another adit.

During the height of the rush in 1894-95, a 200-foot shaft the trail passes was dug with about $5600 of gold mined.

Waiting for eons
Magma pushed the gold up to the surface about 2.1 billion years ago when a fault line ran through the area. The fault was similar to today's San Andreas Fault, caused by two tectonic plates sliding past one another, as this region was near the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, the beginning of the North American continent we know today.

In the late 1890s, many other mines, both shafts and exploratory pits, across the “Rainy Lake Gold Fields” were dug, but no more gold was found. The boomtown soon went bust and became a ghost town by 1901.

At the next junction, turn right/east. In about 200 feet is an overlook of scenic Rainy Lake. Once you’ve taken in the view, return back to the junction except continue walking straight/west. The trail at the intersection that follow heads back to the dock; turn right/north onto it.

Trail links Voyageurs to International Falls

Rainy Lake Recreation Trail. Photo courtesy of Voyageurs NPS.

Visitors to Voyageurs National Park looking for an easy trail to hike or bike will enjoy the new Rainy Lake Recreation Trail.

Opened in 2015, the fairly flat, paved trail covers 1.7 miles one-way in the park’s Rainy Lake area. If looking for a longer walk or bicycle ride, the trail conveniently connects to the International Falls Bike Trail, which runs for another 12 miles.

Trail map. Map courtesy of Voyageurs NPS.

To reach the trailhead, from International Falls take Minn. Hwy. 11 east. Turn on County Road 96 and follow the signs to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Park at the center.

Before heading out onto the trail, stop at the center to enjoy its exhibit, children’s activity center, and small theater for enjoying a film about the park. Rainy Lake is the only one of the park's three visitor centers that operates year around. A bike rack, picnic table, and benches are available at the visitor center plaza.

From the visitor center, the trail runs alongside the park road and County Road 96, dipping into the woods and curling around rock outcroppings.
The trail reaches the International Falls Bike Trail at the junction of County Road 96 and Hwy. 11. Running 12 miles, the bike trail offers views of Rainy Lake, heads through woodlands, and passes vibrant marshes and lakefront neighborhoods. A portion of the bike trail is in Koochiching State Forest.

At Jackfish Bay, the Bike Trail becomes a designated on-road shoulder route, which is fine for bicyclists but not so great for hikers or walkers. It turns back to an off-road trail after passing through Ranier.

After passing the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters in International Falls and running alongside Rainy Lake’s southern shore, the trail ends downtown. Parking is available in the Chamber CVB lot (301 2nd Ave.), close to where U.S. Hwy. 53 meets Minn. Hwys. 11/71. The trail is a quarter mile east of the CVB office.

Wheelchair accessible, the connected trails are open to walkers, bicyclists, runners, and snowshoers. Pets are allowed but in the national park must be leashed of no more than 6 feet and attended at all times.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

Northern lights brighten trail’s night sky

Northern lights at Voyageurs National Park. Photo by Voyageurs NPS.

Oberholtzer Trail

Hikers can witness vivid displays of the aurora borealis at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota.

One great day path to see the northern lights, as the aurora borealis is more commonly known, is the Oberholtzer Hiking Trail. The 1.7-miles round trip trail can be enjoyed during the day for its woodlands, lake view, and marsh, but at night its proximity to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center also makes it ideal for seeing these dancing lights.

To reach the trail, from International Falls take Minn. Hwy. 11 east to the park. Turn right/south onto County Road 96, aka Park Road; when Hwy 96 turns south, continue straight/east on Ut-342. Park in the lot for the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Public Boat Access, trying to find a space as close to the entry road as possible.

Walk along the side of the road toward the parking lot's junction with Ut-342; after a low, flat outcrop of rock but before the junction, look for the trailhead on the left/west.

The trail initially crosses an open area, running 0.35 miles to the beginning of its eastern loop. This stretch marks a great spot to stop and view the aurora borealis.

The light show occurs when charged particles from the sun strike the Earth’s magnetosphere, which deflects dangerous radiation and other magnetic waves from space. After being deflected, the striking particles flow around the Earth, as if water striking a stationary rock.

Sometimes the charged particles penetrate the magnetosphere, until smashing into nitrogen or oxygen atoms. Which one the particles hit and at what altitude this collision occurs determines the light show’s color.

Red lights means the particles are hitting oxygen, above 150 miles in altitude. If the particles hit oxygen below that altitude, they will be green. Purple is common when the particles contact nitrogen more than 60 miles above the surface. Blue occurs when hitting nitrogen below that height. Because of this, the northern lights can appear a variety of colors.

The aurora borealis will appear more intense in Voyageurs than at almost any other national park other than those in Alaska. That’s because the northern lights are more prevalent in middle to higher latitudes as approaching the pole. Sometimes at Voyageurs, it fills almost the entire sky.

The best time to see an aurora is during a solar storm on a clear night when there is little or no moonlight. An aurora forecast with maps is available online from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

If hiking the full trail during the day, go left/east onto it. Most of the rest of the way is wooded.

In 0.12 miles, you’ll come to a spur; go left/east into it, which in 0.05 miles leads to a bench overlooking Rainy Lake. All of Voyageurs’ lakes abound with walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass, and during daylight you’re certain to see fishermen on the waters.

Once taking in the view, head back on the spur; at the loop, continue left/west. In 0.1 miles, you’ll reach the junction with the main trail; go left/west onto it.

After 0.16 miles, the trail crosses County Road 96. Then in 0.06 miles, it reaches the western loop; go left/west on it.

The loop circles to the north and in 0.11 miles comes to a bench. In 0.03 miles from there, you’ll reach the end of loop; continue by retracing your steps back to the first loop.

Rather than going on the east loop again, stay left/northeast; in 0.04 miles, you’ll come to the other junction for loop. Keep left/north back and head back to the parking lot.

Oberholtzer Hiking Trail also is used as a snowshoe trail in winter.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

Enjoy Voyageurs National Park scenery without heading deep into backcountry

Tilson Bay Trail map. Courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Wild strawberry blossom.

Casual visitors to Voyageurs National Park often worry about hiking deep into the backcountry, where getting lost among black bears and gray wolves always is a possibility. One solution that allows you to enjoy the region’s scenery without straying far from civilization is the Tilson Bay Trail, located just outside of the park’s Rainy Lake area.

The 1.6-mile round trip trail consists of a side trail and a loop at one end. It’s near a major highway and surrounded by a housing development but is nestled far enough away from both to give you that back-to-nature feel, especially as part of it is in the Koochiching State Forest.

To reach the trail, from International Falls, take Minn. Hwy. 11 east. Immediately after crossing Tilson Creek, turn left/south into parking lot. Walk to the other side of the highway into the boat launch area for the trailhead.

The trail quickly climbs, crossing rock outcroppings to an overlook of the surrounding forest.

At the first junction, go left/northeast onto a side trail. You’re now officially in the state forest. At 567,985 acres in size, the state forest crosses three counties.

You’re certain to find a variety of trailside wildflowers. In spring, the white blossoms of wild strawberry and blueberry flowers as well as violets are common, and the bright green glow of new aspen leaves are particularly impressive.

The next junction rejoins the main trail. Go left/east onto it. You’ll then cross a few small boardwalks that’ll keep your feet dry in wet areas.

After that, the trail crosses County Road 137 and parallels that road, passing a Little Free library along the way, and re-enters the woods. The trail then splits to form a loop. Which way you go on the loop doesn’t much matter; from either direction, the woods opens up to a view of Tilson Bay on Rainy Lake.

Upon completing the loop, retrace your steps back to the junction for the side trail. Rather than go on the side trail, though, continue left/straight west. You’ll soon pass the first junction for the side trail.

The trail again climbs past the first set of rock outcroppings you went over then descends to the parking lot.

The trees, flowers and rock formations along the trail resemble much of the rest of Voyageurs National Park’s Rainy Lake area. An entry to the national park is just a mile to the east.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

How to get to Voyageurs National Park

Beaver Pond Overlook Trail

The remote national park in northern Minnesota can be reached via U.S. Hwy. 53, which runs north from Duluth and east from International Falls.

From the Twin Cities, take Interstate 35 north and then, once in the Duluth area, Hwy. 53 northwest.

From Thunder Bay, Canada, take Canada Hwy. 11 west to Fort Frances and cross into the United States. In International Falls, the road becomes Hwy. 53 or Second Avenue.

Hwy 53 offers access points to each of the park's visitor centers:
• County Road 129 heads to the Ash River Visitor Center and resort area. An excellent trail there is the 0.4-miles round trip Beaver Pond Overlook Trail, where you can spot iconic Northwoods wildlife...or at least signs of it during the day.
• County Road 122 runs north to the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. In this area, you can hike atop rock almost half the age of the Earth on the 2.2-mile Echo Bay Hiking Trail.
• Minn. Hwy 11 runs east from International Falls to Rainy Lake Visitor Center. A great day hike there is the Little American Island Trail, which loops 0.25 miles around the only authentic gold mine discovered in Minnesota.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

Great trails surround Voyageurs National Pk.

Tilson Bay Trail

Several million acres of forest and public land surround Voyageurs National Park. All boast a number of great hikes that pass fascinating rock formations, head to little seen waterfalls, and offer inspiring trailside vistas.

Most of these trails can be found in one of three regions: the International Falls area, east of the city as heading to the national park's Rainy Lake Visitor Center; Kabetogama State Forest, which sits south of the park’s Kabetogama and Ash River visitor centers; and Superior National Forest, which includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to the park’s west.

In the International Falls area, a bicycle path runs from the city to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Along the way, the Tilson Bay Trail and the Tilson Creek Ski Trails in the Koochiching State Forest allow you to clamber over ancient rocks as heading through lush woodlands.

The Kabetogama State Forest offers a variety of trails and forest roads that can be hiked. The best sight to see is the Ash River Waterfalls Trail, which leads to a little-known three-story waterfall.

Superior National Forest offers two particularly scenic trails near Voyageurs. The Vermilion Falls Trail heads to a 25-foot waterfalls while the Vermilion Gorge Trail overlooks a narrowing of the Vermilion River.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

Voyageurs trails pass changing wetlands

Voyageurs National Park officials hope to remove invasive hybrid cattails.
Photo courtesy of Voyageurs NPS.

Anytime there are lakes and rivers flowing into them, the landscape will feature bordering wetlands. Voyageurs National Park is no exception, and the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail/International Falls Bike Trail, when it nears Rainy Lake or a tributary's shoreline, passes plenty of them.

The wetlands seen today along the trail today likely will look different in a few years. The park is working hard to rid the wetlands of invasive hybrid cattails and replace them with such natives as bur-reed, bulrushes and wild rice.

Exactly how to best do that is a question mark for the moment. Removing by hand, fire and mechanical harvesters all are being tested, and in varying settings one method may be better than the other.

The hybrid cattails so common in Voyageurs' many wetlands arose when native broad-leaved cattails crossed with narrow-leaved cattails brought here from Europe. The hybrid grew faster and in denser stands than native species.

That proved a disaster for native fish and waterfowl relying on native plants. The dense stands decreased spawning habitats for black crappie, golden shiners, northern pike and white suckers. As the hybrid filled in ponds, they left little forage and few resting spots for migrating waterfowl and songbirds, reducing their populations.

Some great Voyageurs National Park trails that pass wetlands include:
• Rainy Lake Recreation Trail/International Falls Bike Trail
• Tilson Connector Trail (partially in neighboring Koochiching State Forest)
• Vermilion Falls Trail (in neighboring Superior National Forest)
• Vermilion Gorge Trail (in Superior National Forest)

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.

Tilson Creek trails link to VNP visitor center

Tilson Creek Ski Trails, Green Trail

Tilson Creek Ski Trails map

The Rainy Lake section of Voyageurs National Park nicely connects with several trails in neighboring Koochiching State Forest.

Tilson Connector Ski Trail
The 0.93 mile one-way trail links the national park’s Rainy Lake Visitor Center to the Tilson Creek Ski Trails.

To reach the trailhead, park at visitor center and head west from the lot, paralleling the park road. When the trail splits, go left/southwest, crossing County Road 96.

The trail passes through a wetlands then through a wooded area.

Also known as Voyageurs Tilson Trail, once in the state forest it becomes the Blue Trail of the Tilson Creek Ski Trails.

Tilson Creek Ski Trails
The Tilson Creek Ski Trails consists of 10 miles of ski trails arranged in several stacked loops, delineated on state forest maps by color.

Several routes are possible, ranging from short loops to longer excursions. The Blue Trail consists of three stacked loops with the last one joining the Orange Trail. South of the Orange Trail are the Yellow and then the Red trails. North of the Orange is the Green Trail and the Boardwalk.

In summer, grass quickly overgrows on these trails, so this is a good hike for dry days in spring or autumn after a good frost has knocked down the foliage. During winter, hiking is not allowed on the ski trails.

You also can access the trail system via the Green Trail. To do so, use the parking lot on the south side of Minn. Hwy. 11 east of International Falls in the Koochiching State Forest; this is the same lot used for the Tilson Creek Trail on the highway’s north side.

Learn more about the park’s day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Voyageurs National Park guidebook.