Hike to skyscraper view of Lake Superior

Carlton Peak rises over Lake Superior, as seen from Britton Peak.
Photo courtesy of  U.S. Forest Service.

Carlton Peak rock
rose to surface
billion years ago

Grand views of Lake Superior and the surrounding countryside await day hikers atop Carlton Peak on the Minnesota North Shore.

A moderately steep segment of the famous Superior Hiking Trail heads to the peak, whose bald rock summit towers 85 stories over Lake Superior. Carlton Peak is in Temperance River State Park, but much of the 7.6-mile (round trip) trail heads through the Superior National Forest.

To reach the trailhead, from Tofte, Minn., take County Hwy. 2 (aka Sawbill Trail) north for two miles. Park in the Britton Trail Trailhead lot on the road’s east/right side. Don’t park in the Carlton Peak overlook, which is more of a wayside.

Head south on the trail, which crosses a mixed hardwood forest. There’s lots of birch and pine, but also a good amount of maple along the way.

Spur trail to overlook
The trail is a gradual uphill climb most of the way. It crosses County Road 2, so watch for traffic, and then make sure you don’t accidentally turn onto the intersecting Lutsen Trail.

Next, the trail crosses Carlton Creek, which flows down the hill into Lake Superior. Boardwalks are in place here and wherever else the trail dips through wet areas.

You’ll soon notice a lot of rocks and boulders along the trail, giving you the same feel as if hiking a mountain out west. Carlton Peak is one of the points on the Sawtooth Mountains range, which stretches along the North Shore.

A spur heading east leads to the Ted Tofte Overlook (look for the sign nailed to a birch tree), which offers unobstructed views. The Carlton Peak summit looms over the overlook.

Heading back to the main trail, continue south/west. Watch for signs that point to the summit. The trail becomes much steeper here with some cliffs, so keep a close eye on any children accompanying you.

Summit
The peak sits at 1526 feet above sea level. From there, you can see Lake Superior, the village of Tofte, the Temperance River Valley, and Taconite Harbor.

The bald rock summit is a massive chunk of anorthrocite, a rock consisting of hard green and pink crystals. About 1.1 billion years ago, the light rock floated up through lava to the surface.

During the last ice age, glaciers scraped away the volcanic rock above the anorthrocite. Since then, humans have quarried rock from the peak to face the lower portion of the Tofte Ranger Station, to construct Taconite Harbor, and as a building material for other structures.

The trail is named for Reuben Carlton, who guided surveyors into the area during 1848. For the next several decades, commercial fishermen in Lake Superior relied on the peak for navigation.

An alternate Superior Hiking Trail route to the peak leaves from Temperance River State Park.

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

Array of natural wonders await day hikers in Schroeder, Minn., region

Carlton Peak, Temperance River State Park.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR. 

Panoramic views of Lake Superior, a waterfall, and rivers rumbling down ancient gorges await day hikers in the Schroeder, Minn., area.

The tiny Great Lakes community sits about midway between Duluth, Minn., and the U.S.-Canadian border on Minn. Hwy 61. It’s nestled amid a state park and national forest.

Among the many great day hikes in the Schroeder area are:
g Britton Peak Trail – Though steep, the 0.5-mile round trip trail in the Superior National Forest leads to great view of Lake Superior, neighboring Carlton Peak, and the Temperance River Valley. Park in the lot off of Sawbill Trail/County Hwy. 2 north of Minn. Hwy. 61 and Tofte.
g C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail, Cross River segment – The 146-mile snowmobile trail can be hiked in summer with an access point north of Schroeder. From the dirt parking lot at the corner of Skou Road and Buckman Lane in Temperance River State Park Park, head southwest over the Cross River to the Superior Hiking Trail intersection and back for a 2.7 miles one-way (5.4-miles round trip) hike through woods.
g Gitchi-Gami State Trail, 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.
g Superior Hiking Trail, Carlton Peak segment – A segment of the famous trail heads to Carlton Peak, which at 1526 feet offers grand views of Lake Superior and the surrounding countryside. The peak is in Temperance River State Park, but much of the trail heads through the Superior National Forest. Park in the lot north of the Temperance River and head north, past Hidden Falls, for a 6.4-mile round trip.
g Superior Hiking Trail Cross River Spur – The 1-mile spur (2-miles round trip) runs through woods near the Cross River in Temperance River State Park. The trailhead leaves from the dirt lot at the corner of Skou Road and Buckman Lane.
g Superior Hiking Trail, Hidden Falls segment – A section of the lakeside shore runs from the parking lot to north of the Temperance River north to Hidden Falls, which makes a short drop, then on a bridge over the waterway to the falls’ other side. The walk at Temperance River State Park clocks in at .06-miles 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.