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| 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.
