The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) extends, almost completed, from Jay Cooke State Park 285 miles along the Lake Superior North Shore to the Canadian border. It has been dubbed “The second best long trail in the nation” by Backpacker Magazine. But there are numerous great single day out-and-back hiking options, too.
This article recommends 10 day-hikes. Most involve spur trails to the main Superior Hiking Trail. The spur trails are marked with white blaze marks on trees. The main trail has blue blazes. The junctions of these trails have signposts. Pocket maps and the “Guidebook to the Superior Hiking Trail” are recommended. Find them at regional outdoor stores, book stores and The Superior Hiking Trail store / office: 731 7th Ave. (Hwy 61) in Two Harbors. www.shta.org 218-834-2700
1. The Split Rock River Loop
Hike the river that gave the famous lighthouse its name. Park in the wayside rest at milepost 43.5 on Hwy 61. Hike a five-mile loop up one side of the river and back on the other. Start on an SHT spur trail. At .5 miles turn right onto the main trail. You will pass the first of many delightful waterfalls, cascades, pools and then two freestanding pillars of rhyolite, the rock that splits. Cross the fourth reincarnation bridge. Spring ice jams can be a problem on these North Shore rivers. Continue ahead. Return via a high hill with an Adirondack hut overlooking the big lake. Near there follow the state park cross country ski trail .7 miles back to Hwy 61 and a short walk to the wayside and your car.
2. Bean and Bear Lakes Loop
Park in the huge parking lot on Penn Blvd (Co. Rd. 5 / Forest Rd 11), the main and only road heading inland from Silver Bay. Hike 6.7 miles via the main SHT to the rugged bare-topped bluffs high above Bean and Bear Lakes. You can imagine that you are in the high mountains of the west here. Giant talus slopes descend from vertical cliffs to the water below. After 3.6 miles return on the Twin Lakes spur trail (turn right from SHT and then right again) back to the main trail and the parking lot. Maps recommended.
3. The Oberg Mountain Loop
Short and sweet. Hike this 2.5 mile loop through the sugar maple-covered summit of Oberg Mountain. There are nine overlooks. This loop is a must see in late September when the maples turn crimson. Access is from the parking lot two miles up the Onion River Road, milepost 87.5 on Hwy 61 near Lutsen. Use the main SHT heading east for a very short distance. Turn right onto the summit loop.
4. Carlton Peak
The most popular destination on the Superior Hiking Trail. Tackle it either from the wayside parking area in Temperance River State Park, milepost 80.3 on Hwy 61 or from the Britton Peak parking lot, 2.7 miles up the Sawbill Trail (Co. Rd. 2). The first option packs a wallop in scenery and vertical rise. The Temperance River Gorge is exceedingly deep and narrow – another must see. Round trip from Hwy 61 to the summit is 6.8 miles. The second option is easier, 2.8 miles round trip. Both climb steeply up the summit knob where a good long picnic is almost mandatory.
5. Moose Mountain
This recommendation will hit your pocketbook a tiny bit. And it is so worth it! Especially in maple color season. Drive to Lutsen Mountains Ski Area and ride the gondola up to the summit over 1,000 feet above the big lake. Relax at the summit restaurant before diving into the cedar forest that clings to the north facing escarpment. This is a spur trail. Soon you will encounter the main SHT. Turn right, down into the valley and up and around Mystery Mountain until you reach the Poplar River bridge. A short spur connects from there back to the gondola base. Total walking distance 4.4 miles.
6. Cascade River Loop
The SHT heads four miles up both sides of the Cascade River. Park in the campground area of the park or on Hwy 61 at the mouth of the river. Hwy 61 milepost 99.9. The Co. Rd 45 bridge crosses the river at the upper end of this loop. Hike either direction for a 7.8 mile loop. The trail is rugged, muddy when wet, and definitely worth whatever challenge it throws at you. View multiple waterfalls, deep canyons, a “Secret Falls” a “Hidden Falls” and an old mine shaft.
7. Chester Creek
You need go no further north than Duluth to enjoy a Superior Hiking Trail experience.
Start on East 4th St. at 14th Ave East, home of Burrito Union. You might want to step inside for some cold Chester Creek Ale or Superior Trail Ale, brews made just for them and you. Ummm…good! Walk up the Chester Creek canyon following the SHT blue blazes. You will pass many waterfalls and huge white pines. At Skyline Parkway, cross the creek and head back down the opposite side of the stream on unmarked trails. You will end up on 4th St. 1.8 miles round trip.
8. Manitou Cascades
Start in the parking lot of George Crosby Manitou State Park, 7 miles up Co. Rd. 7 from the town of Finland. Follow the SHT main trail to the junction of a steep and rocky trail heading left .25 miles down toward the base of the Cascades. Swim in the pool. Lunch on the rocks. Return by going back up to the main SHT and head back to your car or continue down river on the main trail (West Manitou River Trail). Pass the main SHT junction which would take you onward to Canada. Turn right on the Misquah Trail and then right again on the Yellow Birch Trail. This leads back to the parking lot. Use the State Park trail map! 3.5 miles round trip via Yellow Birch Trail.
9. Caribou Falls and Crystal Creek
Walk .6 miles into the North Shore’s most scenic waterfall. Do go to the base of the falls! Then continue 1.4 miles more to the covered bridge over tiny Crystal Creek. At Crystal Creek you can scramble down the steep hillside below the campsite and enter the old mine. Look for the waterfall inside. You will discover why they call this Crystal Creek. Return the same way. Start at the Caribou Falls State Wayside mile 70.5 on Hwy 61. A spur trail leads inland to the falls. The main SHT leads eastward at the SHT bridge over the river. 4.1 miles round trip.
10. Carlson Pond
Escape from the crowds with this one. You’ll likely see more moose than humans. Head 3.3 miles up the Arrowhead Trail (Co. Rd. 16) from Hovland to the SHT parking area on the right. Walk downhill on the trail and then follow the westbound main SHT upstream along Carlson Creek. Pass beaver ponds, the road and then large multi-lobed Carlson Pond. Look for beaver and moose. Walk to the southwest end of the pond for the best view. Hang out there for awhile. A moose or two or three will hopefully be your reward. Return to your car the same way. 6.8 miles round trip.
