Lakewalk
Roundtrip: 5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Grand Marais, MN
This trail is part of the Superior Hiking Trail and is the only part which is directly on the shoreline of Lake Superior. This is one of those hikes everyone should do sometime for the sheer pleasure of such an extended stretch of beach-combing. If you enjoy this hike please let me know by using the form at the bottom of this page.
Walking on cobblestone beach can be surprisingly tiring as the terrain shifts under each step. The trail sign shows the trail is 1.5 miles (2.4km) but going out to every point I found it was longer.
From the Pigeon River border crossing continue south on Highway 61 for 46.6 km. On the lake side of the road you will see a Grand Portage State Forest sign just before the Superior Hiking Trail sign. Park on the wide shoulder across from the sign.
From the parking spot on the highway the trail heads to the beach through a short forest trail. When you come out on the beach you will see two small volcanic islands. One is offshore and has no trees, but the second is very close to shore and you can easily wade the few feet to get onto it.
Continuing past the island you cross areas of boulders, crescent beaches and lava beds. Along the way you can find Thomsonite that is a semiprecious stone used in jewelry. The third crescent beach has a sign at the 1 mile (1.6 km) mark where you can see remnants of the old Highway 61.
The fourth crescent begins at 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with another offshore island. Before the end of the fourth crescent watch for a trail marker in the bushes at the edge of the beach marking the end of the hike. Return the way you came.
Popularity: 39% [?]
Tags: grand marais, lake superior, lakewalk, Superior Hiking Trail
Red Rock Point
Round-trip: 800m
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Grand Portage, MN
This is one of my favourite spots on lake superior –especially on a windy day! I almost always stop here whenever I am travelling on highway 61.
Red Rock Point is located 18 km from the Pigeon River border crossing. Look for a pull off area on the lakeside of the highway, drive down the small road and park out of the way.
Facing the lake from the parking area, to the left you there is a long pebble beach to beach comb. If you follow the shoreline to the right and you will find a well worn trail that takes you up along the rocks to the point.
Popularity: 35% [?]
Tags: grand marais, grand portage, mn, red rock point
Forest Community Trailhead
Roundtrip: 2.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Thunder Bay, ON
The Forest Community Trail informs the hiker through several funny signs along the way like “7 Job Opportunities” that once matched up to an interpretive guide educating hikers on forestry in the area.
Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area is located 14 km north on Hazelwood Drive. Follow Dawson Road (Highway 102) past County Fair Plaza to Hazelwood Drive. Turn right on Hazelwood Drive and follow this road until it ends at the Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area. The parking area is clearly marked and there is a $2 per car user fee that can be deposited on the honour system at the trail head.
The trail can be found near the lakeside of the main building. The trail is open year round and makes a fun snowshoe to do with kids in the winter.
Popularity: 32% [?]
Tags: forest community trail, Hazelwood
Middle Falls
Roundtrip: 4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Thunder Bay, ON
Most people visit Pigeon River Provincial Park to see the High Falls, but the hike to the lesser known Middle Falls Lookout is also worth the trip any time of year.
The Lookout Trail climbs to the top of a cliff that overlooks Lake Superior and the Pigeon River that forms the border between Ontario and Minnesota. The trail to the lookout was once well defined but has grown in since the park ceased operations.
From the old park buildings you can walk upstream through the campground area to view the Middle Falls. Return to the park buildings and walk downstream. Enter the bush and turn right, crossing a small log bridge. Follow the somewhat grown-in trail along the Pigeon River. Several steep sections must be negotiated before reaching the lookout. Return by the same route.
From Thunder Bay, drive 65km south on highway 61 and turn right onto highway 593. Park at the old visitor centre on the left.
Popularity: 30% [?]
Tags: lookout trail, middle falls, Pigeon River Provincial Park
Roundtrip: 3km
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Grand Portage, MN
After this one, I’ll try to get off my fire tower kick for a while and I will post about something other than a fire tower next week! You can easily visit the Mt Sophie tower on the same day as you visit the Mt Maud fire tower.
I have read that most of Minnesota’s fire towers were constructed as make-work projects in the 1930’s. Some towers were even taken down from one location and put up in another just to keep men busy. At one time, there was a fire tower every 20 square kilometres in the northern parts of the state.
From the Pigeon River border crossing head west on Hwy 61S for 11.5 km. Turn Right onto County Road 17/Mineral Center Rd and follow it for 6.5 km.
Turn left at the corner of County Road 89 and Mineral Center Road. Follow County Road 89 for 1.7km and take the first right onto Speckled Trout Road. Follow Speckled Trout road for 2.25km and stay right at the Y. Continue for about 800m and park off the road. There is a sign indicating the trail to the Mt Sophie cabin. The trail is a rolling snowmachine/quad trail that is easy to follow. You will come to an old cabin with the tower located just behind it.
The steps to the top of the tower were in good repair and all the landing boards were in place. The views were great even though it was snowing pretty hard at the time of my visit.
Popularity: 27% [?]
Tags: fire tower, grand portage, mount sophie
