Fall color hikes abound on Mesabi Range

Maple Hill Park, Hibbing, Minnesota

There’s no better way to experience autumn colors on Minnesota's Mesabi Range than a hike.

The brilliant yellows, oranges and red

of maples to the scarlet and russets of oaks...the crisp, fresh autumn air and

the last warm rays of sunlight before winter arrives...the crunch of fallen leaves and acorns beneath your boots...stopping to enjoy a warm mug

of apple cider or a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon on the trail.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails around the Mesabi Range to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Maple Hill Park (Hibbing)
A forest of gold, red and orange maples and yellow birch await hikers at Maple Hill Park in Hibbing. A 1.2-mile round trip trail heads around the hill’s northeast base then makes a steep 80-foot climb up its side to a vista. The hike can be extended by taking other trails around the hilltop and its bottom. From U.S. 169 and Minn. Hwy. 73 in Hibbing, take the latter south. Turn left/east onto Lindquist Road then right/south onto Erickson Road. Park in the lot at the road’s end.

Sturgeon River Trail (Chisholm)
An aspen and birch forest awaits along the Sturgeon River in Superior National Forest. The 2.5-mile round trip segment of the Sturgeon River Trail heads through the second-growth forest as well as a stand of stately pines. From Chisholm, head north on Minn. Hwy. 73. Turn left/west onto County Road 65. Look for a large parking on the road’s right/north side in about 1.2 miles. Take the trail northwest to a shelter.

Laurentian Divide Recreation Area (Virginia)
Orange and various hues of yellow and red leaves await hikers at the Laurentian Divide Recreation Area in Superior National Forest. About 5 miles of various connecting trails lead to the top of the rec area’s Lookout Mountain, which offers a fantastic vista. Fun fact: Streams on the divide’s north slope head to Canada and drain to Hudson Bay while those on south slope flow into either Lake Superior or the Mississippi River. From Virginia, take U.S. Hwy. 53 north. The rec area is on the right/east.

Anchor Lake Wildlife Management Area (Eveleth)
A young forest of aspen and birch await hikers at the Anchor Lake Wildlife Management Area. A number of easy-to-hike hunter trails crisscross the 216-acre site, which is nestled in a narrow point on Anchor Lake. A dense conifer forest of green and orange-needled tamarack in the wetlands as nearing the lake add splashes of colors to the gold-leafed younger trees. From Eveleth, take U.S. Hwy. 53 south. A small parking lot is on the highway’s right/west side directly across the road from the Anchor Lake Rest Stop. Walk the hunter trail south; it soon turns west and heads to connecting trails in the wildlife area.

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park (Tower/Soudan)
Fall colors can be seen mixed among the pines on the Hiking Club Trail at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The trail runs 2.4 miles through the park, passing historic mine pits and heading through an old growth forest. From Minn. Hwys. 1/169 in Soudan, turn north onto County Road 4595/Main Street then right/northwest onto McKinley Park Road into the state park. Leave your vehicle in the main lot.

Scenic State Park (Grand Rapids)
Day hikers can explore a pine-covered ridge separating two lakes and a woods lit each autumn with colorful leaves at Scenic State Park. The 2.9-mile route combines two trails – Tell Lake and Chase Point – that are popular at the state park. The trail is grassy and wide as heading through a woods of quaking aspen, large-toothed aspen, and balsam poplar. From Grand Rapids take U.S. Hwy 169 east. Just past Taconite, turn left/north onto County Road 7, also known as Scenic Highway. In about 30 miles, go right/north into Scenic State Park on County Road 75. A parking lot is on the road’s right side in 0.4 miles. Park there.

Wabu Woods Scientific and Natural Area (Grand Rapids)
A forest of red oak, sugar maple, and basswood await at Wabu Woods Scientific and Natural Area. You’ll need to rely on deer trails and degraded footpaths to work your way through the woods, but the effort is worth it. Large white pines and occasionally yellow birch dot the forest while low-lying areas offer swamp alder and swamp ash amid white cedar. From Grand Rapids, take Minn. Hwy. 38 north. Turn left/west onto County Road 19. After Cedar Springs Road are signs for the natural area on the road’s right/north side. Park off the road between the signs and head north into the woods.

11 Great Day Hiking Trails in Virginia

Stony Man vista at Sehnandoah National Park

Five Great Chesapeake Bay Trails for Families
Kids will love the ocean views, water-free trails through bald cypress swamps, and an enchanted forest that lay in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. Here are five trails area trails perfect for children.

Trail leads to incredible vista on Stony Man
Fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its famous Shenandoah Valley await day hikers on a segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Shenandoah National Park. About 101 miles of the famed backpacking trail passes through Shenandoah, with many sections accessible from Skyline Drive. An excellent segment to hike is the Stony Man Trail, which runs about 1.6-miles round trip and gains 340 feet in elevation.

Best trails for seeing Shenandoah's wonders
Among the best ways to see Shenandoah National Park’s top sights is via a day hike. Just five short trails will allow you to enjoy each of the park’s highlights – Blue Ridge Mountains vistas, Eastern hardwood forests, river cataracts, wildlife sightings, and one of the nation’s longest footpaths.

Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.

Trail leads to incredible vista on Stony Man

Fall colors from Stony Man Overlook. Photo courtesy of Shenandoah NPS. 

Topo map, Stony Man Trail.

Route covers
segment of
Appalachian
Trail in Virginia

Fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its famous Shenandoah Valley await day hikers on a segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Shenandoah National Park.

Often simply referred to as the Appalachian Trail, the route runs about 2200 miles between Mount Katahdin, Maine, and Springer Mountain, Georgia. It’s the world’s longest hiking-only trail and takes months to traverse.

About 101 miles of the famed backpacking trail passes through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, with many sections accessible from Skyline Drive. An excellent segment to hike is the Stony Man Trail, which runs about 1.6-miles round trip and gains 340 feet in elevation. Avoid crowds by arriving early.

Ancient mountains
To reach the trailhead, from Luray, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, head east on U.S. Hwy. 212. Turn right/south onto Skyline Drive. After a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains, leave your vehicle at the Stony Man parking area.

Pick up the blue- and white-blazed Appalachian Trail on the parking area’s east side. The trail heads roughly northeast through a beautiful forest, gradually gaining 200-plus feet over about 0.4 miles.

This segment of the trail crosses the ancient and greatly eroded Blue Ridge Mountains, which formed about 320 million years ago when the tectonic plates carrying North America and Europe collided. At that time, Blue Ridge’s peaks were among the highest in the world, comparable to the younger mountains in today's Alps.

Upon reaching the junction heading to Stony Man Mountain, go northeast on the trail. This is a stem trail, that in about 0.1 miles reaches a loop; go counterclockwise or to the right/north on it.

Stony Man Overlook
The loop curves around the east and north sides of Stony Man Mountain, the park’s second highest point at 4011 feet (Hawksbill Mountain is 40 feet higher.), for about 0.3 miles. Stony Man is the Blue Ridge Mountains’ most northerly 4000-foot peak. The summit is basalt that has metamorphosed into greenstone.

On the loop’s west side, take a 0.05-mile spur to the viewpoint. Upon reaching the Stony Man Overlook, the Appalachian Trail crosses its highest point – 3837 feet – in the park. At the viewpoint, you’ll be rewarded with an expansive view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Massanutten and Allegheny Mountains beyond, as you breathe in clean, crisp air. The view is particularly impressive in autumn when the trees below are alit in color.

After taking in the vista, head back to the loop and go right/southeast. Be careful not to accidentally turn onto the Stony Man Horse Trail.

In about 0.15 miles, the loop reaches the stem trail that takes you back to the Appalachian Trail. The stem is to the right/south. Once at the Appalachian Trail, retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks guidebook.

Great day hiking trails of Minnesota’s Iron Range, Part II

The trailhead for the Lookout Mountain Trail System can be
found at the Laurentian Divide Recreation Area's picnic area.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.

Peaceful Northwoods lakes, decades-old pine and aspen forests, and an 1800-foot peak await day hikers in the Virginia-Eveleth, Minn., region.

Easy to reach by highway, the area serves as a gateway to the Superior National Forest with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park just beyond that. To reach the area from the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area, take Interstate 35 north; in Cloquet, exit onto Minn. Hwy. 33 then turn north onto U.S. Hwy. 53, which heads into Eveleth.

Among the many day hiking trails in the Virginia-Eveleth, Minn., region are:
g Lookout Mountain Trail System – Most of the cross country ski trails on the 1840-foot peak can be day hiked during spring, summer and fall. The trails can be accessed via the Superior National Forest’s Laurentian Divide Recreation Area off of U.S. Hwy. 53/Minn. Hwy. 169 north of Virginia.
g Mesabi State Trail, Embarrass Lake to Giants Ridge segment – A 3.6-miles round trip walk through a thick forest alongside the Embarrass River runs from Embarrass Lake to Giants Ridge Road in Biwabik. A parking lot is off of Minn. Hwy. 135 on the north shore of Embarrass Lake with an underpass to get north of the highway.
g Mesabi State Trail, Gilbert south segment – In Gilbert, take the trail southwest near the shores of Lake Ore-Be-Gone then through a pine forest, turning back at County Road 97 for an 3.4-mile round trip. Park in the lot off of Wisconsin Avenue southeast of the Kansas Avenue intersection.
g Mesabi State Trail, Mountain Iron east segment – In Mountain Iron, park in the lot off of County Road 582 (aka Main Street) near the County Road 102 (aka Maple Avenue) intersection and head southeast between two ponds. When the trail turns northeast, turn back for a 1.2-mile round trip.
g Mesabi State Trail, Virginia west segment – On Virginia’s west side, take the trail just south of the Third Street (aka County Road 109) and Third Avenue (aka Parkville Street) for a 3.6-miles round trip through pine forest to the end of the Mountain Iron east segment. Limited parking is available at the Third Street and Third Avenue intersection.
g Otto/Harris Lake Trail – The 8-mile trail connects and circles around Otto and Harris Lakes in the Superior National Forest. Access the trail by parking in the lot off of Forest Road 416 about four miles south of County Road 16/Forest Road 11 southeast of Hoyt Lakes. Otto Lake is closest to the parking lot.
g Pfeiffer Lake Trail – A series of connecting loops ramble along the north and east sides of 55-acre Pfeiffer Lake at the Pfeiffer Lake Recreation Area in the Superior National Forest. Park at the main lot west of Forest Road 256; the recreational area is about 25 miles north of Virginia.
g St. James Lake Trail – A 4.5-miles (one-way) trail wraps around the north and east side of St. James Lake in Aurora. Park in the sand lot off of Erie Street North where it turns west, north of County Road 100 (aka West Third Avenue N.).
g Washusk Forest Management Road Trail – The logging road in the northwest corner of Cloquet Valley State Forest can be day hiked from the trailhead to Wabuse Lake for a 4.2-mile round trip. Park off the road at the state forest boundary where Taggart Road becomes Washusk FMR southwest of Eveleth.
g Whiteface Reservoir Trail – About 2.5-miles of trails run near the popular walleye lake and the Whiteface Reservoir Campground in the Superior National Forest. Access the trail at the campground off of County Road 618 some 15 miles south of Aurora.

Also see: Ten more Virginia-Eveleth day hiking trails

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

Great day hiking trails of Minnesota’s Iron Range, Part I

Ruffed grouse can be spotted on the Jenkins Creek Trail.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Placid Northwoods lakes, aspen and pine forests, and sharp-tailed grouse sightings await day hikers in the Virginia-Eveleth, Minn., region.

Easy to reach by highway, the area serves as a gateway to the Superior National Forest with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park just beyond that. To reach the area from the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area, take Interstate 35 north; in Cloquet, exit onto Minn. Hwy. 33 then turn north onto U.S. Hwy. 53, which heads into Eveleth.

Among the many day hiking trails in the Virginia-Eveleth, Minn., region are:
g Anchor Lake Wildlife Management Area trails – A number of hunting trails head through a mixed northern forest and past Anchor Lake, a favored habitat of waterfowl, in the 174-acre managed land. From Eveleth, drive 10 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 53, using the parking lot on the road’s west side.
g Arrowhead State Trail, Arrowhead Lake segment – A section of the extensive snowmobile trail system can be hiked from near the intersection of Forest Road 562 and U.S. Hwy. 53 to the Laurentian Trail for a 2.25-mile round trip in the Superior National Forest. Park in the lot off of Forest Road 562 at its intersection with Hwy. 53 north of Virginia.
g Auro-Bi Trail, Biwabik to Embarrass River segment – The snowmobile trail links Biwabik and Aurora to the Laurentian Trail. Pick up the trail in Biwabik off of Minn. Hwy. 135 for a roughly 4-mile round trip.
g Big Aspen Trail – Twenty-one miles of multi-use trails run along old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades north of Virginia in the Superior National Forest. Access the trail system from the trailhead at the parking lot off of County Road 405 north of Forest Road 256B.
g Bird Lake Trail – The 12-mile trail connects Hoyt Lakes to Bird Lake in the Superior National Forest. Parking is available at either terminus off of County Road 110/Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, but the more scenic (and more difficult) section of the trail runs on the eastern end past Bird and Lillian Lakes.
g Fermoy WMA Trail – Sharp-tailed grouse and other forest game birds abound in the lowland brush and aspen islands of the Fermoy Wildlife Management Area. A 0.7-mime L-shaped trail runs alongside a waterway north and east of the County Road 788 and Kingsley Road intersection.
g Great Scott WMA Trails – A series of trails run along the north and northeast sides of the Great Scott Wildlife Management Area south of Buhl. Pick up a trailhead by parking off of County Road 453 just before reaching Great Scott's northwest corner.
g Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area trail system – About 36 miles of OHV trails also can be hiked at the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area east of Gilbert. The trails head around iron-ore pits, stockpiles and tailings basins. Park at the main lot off of Enterprise Trail south of Minn. Hwy. 135.
g Jenkins Creek Hunter/Hiking Trail – The 4.5-mile trail (one-way) rambles through aspen groves of various ages in the Superior National Forest. Park in the lot at the trailhead off of County Road 16/Forest Road 11 about 13 miles south of Hoyt Lakes.
g Laurentian Trail – The state snowmobile trail runs several miles east-west through the Superior National Forest; segments near its center can be day hiked as a primitive trail. Access it via the parking lot north of the Laurentian Divide Recreation Area off of U.S. Hwy. 53/Minn. Hwy. 169 north of Virginia.

TOMORROW: Ten more Virginia-Eveleth day hiking trails

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

Best trails for seeing Shenandoah's wonders

Dark Hollow Falls. Photo courtesy of Shenandoah NPS.

Among the best ways to see Shenandoah National Park’s top sights is via a day hike. Just five short trails will allow you to enjoy each of the park’s highlights – Blue Ridge Mountains vistas, Eastern hardwood forests, river cataracts, wildlife sightings, and one of the nation’s longest footpaths.

Blue Ridge Mountains vistas
For many, vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains rank among the nation’s most beautiful natural scenery. The 4-mile hike up to the summit of Old Rag Mountain via the Ridge Trail (8-miles round trip) is challenging, but the 360 degree view from the top is unparalleled, as nearly 200,000 acres of wilderness stretch below you.

Eastern hardwood forests
Chestnut oak and red oak cover about three-fifths of the park’s Eastern deciduous forest. The 1.3-mile Limberlost Trail passes through some of that hardwood forest including a stand of mountain laurel, which is best seen when blooming in June.

River cataracts
Shenandoah National Park boasts a number of waterfalls, called “cataracts” in this section of the country. The Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail (6.8-miles round trip) heads to the park’s highest falls, Lower Overall Run Falls (aka Big Falls), which tumbles 93 feet into a gorge. Before getting there, the trail passes Twin Falls, which splits Overall Run into two streams that each drop 29 feet.

Wildlife viewing
The sometimes steep Dark Hollow Falls Trail, a 1.4-miles loop to a waterfalls, offers the opportunity to spot a variety of the park’s fauna, from the eastern tiger swallowtail and bobcats to white-tailed deer and black bear. Hike the trail in late summer when deer and bear bring out their newborns and congregate at the stream below the ridgeline that the trail runs along.

Appalachian Trail
About 101 miles of the famed backpacking trail passes through the national park, with many segments accessible from Skyline Drive. The 2.9-miles round trip segment between the Little Stony Man parking lot and Stony Man Overlook crosses the trail’s highest point (3837 feet) in the park but sports a strenuous 750-feet elevation gain to do so. To the trail’s west is Stony Man Mountain, the park’s second highest point at 4011 feet.

Learn about other great America national park sights in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Park guidebook.

Five Great Chesapeake Bay Trails for Kids

Boardwalk at Great Dismal Swamp.

Kids will love the ocean views, water-free trails through bald cypress swamps, and an enchanted forest that lay in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. Here are five trails area trails perfect for children:
g Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Bay Trail – Leading from the Visitor Contact Station to Back Bay, the 0.4-mile trail crosses a variety of ecosystems, from shrubland to marshes.
g False Cape State Park: Barbour Hill Interpretative Trail – This easy 1.4-mile trail cuts across a barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, offering an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife and plants.
g First Landing State Park: Bald Cypress Trail – Boardwalks and observation platforms abound on this 1.5-mile loop trail that heads around and through a bald cypress swamp and forest-covered dunes.
g Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: Boardwalk Trail – The interpretative and elevated Boardwalk Trail runs almost a mile through a representative section of the Great Dismal, allowing hikers to spot a variety of birds.
g Norfolk Botanical Garden: Enchanted Forest's woodland trail – For those preferring to stay closer to the city, the short, circular woodland trail through the Enchanted Forest garden takes kids through a secluded patch of mature oak, hickory, and pine.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.