Hiking guide to Gooseberry Falls now out

My latest hiking guidebook, Day Hiking Trails of Gooseberry Falls State Park, was released Wednesday. Detailing more than 30 trails on Minnesota’s North Shore, the book focuses on those at Gooseberry Falls while including several south of the park to Two Harbors and those north to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Minnesota’s second most visited state park, Gooseberry Falls is famous for its five waterfalls that tumble over billion-year-old rock, grand Lake Superior vistas, and historic CCC buildings constructed during the Great Depression. The famous Superior Hiking Trail and the Gitchi Gami State Bike Trail both cut through the park.

Part of the “Hittin’ the Trail” series, the title marks my 17th hiking guidebook. It is available for purchase online in paperback or Kindle ebook.

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

Active Times highlights author's beach hike

Iona's Beach, a (pink) jewel of Minnesota's North Shore.

The Active Times today highlighted a North Shore spot I mention in my hiking guidebooks. “Beaches So Spectacular You'd Visit Them in a Sweater” includes Iona’s Beach, a span of pink pebbles along Lake Superior just north of Two Harbors, Minn. The article also includes a picture I took of the shoreline.

Iona’s Beach is mentioned in my guide Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota and receives a full write-up in my soon-to-be-released book Day Hiking Trails of Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Side note: One of the other beaches mentioned in the article – Moonlight Beach – was only a half-mile from where I used to live in greater San Diego and garnered weekly visits from my son and me!

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

When to hike Minnesota’s North Shore

Waves from Lake Superior crash against Minnesota's rocky North Shore.

The best months to day hike Minnesota’s North Shore are mid-May through September.

Depending on the year, April and October also can be pleasant.
During spring, waterfalls run at their highest levels, the bird migration is in full swing, and bugs are nil. Trails can be muddy, though, as snow typically melts between April and early May.

Unlike the rest of Minnesota, summers on the North Shore usually are not hot, as cool breezes off Lake Superior keep heat and most insects at bay. Rain, however, can occur during the afternoon even when the morning is sunny, so always check the weather forecast before heading out.

For many hikers, autumn marks the best time to hit a North Shore trail. By mid-August, summer’s bugs are gone, trails are mostly dry, and throughout September maples and aspen light the wilderness with color. A sweatshirt often is needed during the day, though, and nights can be chilly.

Mid-October through March usually is too cold and wet for day hiking. Once snow falls, trails typically are used for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing.

Five great North Shore trails include:
• High Falls Trail (Tettegouche State Park)
• Ridge Loop Trail (Duluth)
• River View Trail (Gooseberry State Park)
• Shovel Point Trail (Tettegouche State Park)
• Split Rock Light Station Trail (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)

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

‘Hikes’ author’s newest guidebook, on NE Minnesota, released

My 21st book – Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota – went on sale this week.

The indispensable guide to anyone who owns or rents a cabin on the North Shore, in the Minnesota Arrowhead, and along the St. Croix River, “Headin’ to the Cabin” describes more than 200 trails in Chisago, Pine, Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.

It is available in paperback, Kindle ebook and other ebook formats.

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