Where should I go backpacking in Minnesota this weekend?

October 9, 2013 9:18 AM

I want to go backpacking in Minnesota or western Wisconsin this weekend. Where should I go?

Here's what I'm looking for:

• 3-6 mile hike from car to campsite, with plenty of room to explore after setting up camp
• No hunting anywhere nearby
• Dogs allowed (on leash)
• Pretty stuff to look at
• Well-marked trails, I'm not an orienteer
• Less than 4 hours from the Twin Cities

My understanding is that with the government shutdown, national parks are off limits, but the BWCA is open.

So far I'm thinking Bear Head Lake or Eagle Mountain, but I've never been to either place so I'm not sure how good they are. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

posted by miyabo to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Best answer: No solid answers, but some info:

Fall color update Although it says 75-100% on the North Shore, the gales of November came early (last weekend) and blew most of them away. I'd go inland if heading north.

Deer season doesn't start until later this month, but people are out hunting pheasants and other birds right now. Hunting and Trapping Season info

State parks are open. I was at Bear Head Lake a few weeks ago, it was beautiful! It's sort of "Boundary Waters Lite", it might be nice for setting up a base camp and hiking around. The Taconite State Trail is right there, but you'd be leaving the park to hike on it. I'm not sure if the surrounding areas are open to hunting. Give 'em a call, they'd be able to tell you.

Eagle Mountain is past peak by now. Both Bear Head Lake and Eagle Mountain will have temps that drop below freezing at night...bring your winter gear! Forecast for the north is cloudy and windy for the weekend, but I would not be surprised if it cleared up at night. We've had a few days of AMAZING northern lights over the last week or so...I hope you get to see them!
posted by Elly Vortex at 10:05 AM on October 9, 2013 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Wow! Thanks for the amazing blog!
posted by miyabo at 11:00 AM on October 9, 2013

Best answer: The section of the Superior Hiking Trail that goes through Tettegouche State Park is one of my favorite Minnesota hikes and contains some fairly rugged (for Minnesota) terrain. The fall colors may be mostly gone, but there will be great views from the Bean Lake & Bear Lake overlooks, the top of Mount Trudee, and Raven Rock. Instead of doing an out-and-back hike, you can park your car at the trailhead on Penn Blvd just inland from Silver Bay and arrange for a shuttle to bring you back from where the trail crosses Highway 1. I think that particular section is about 11 miles, which sounds perfect for you since you wanted a 3-6 mile hike to a campsite and then the same back to your car. On your way up from the Cities, stop at the Superior Hiking Trail Association office in Two Harbors to get whatever info or maps you want. Dogs are welcome on the trail.

Eagle Mountain is a nice half-day round trip hike, but I'm not sure about camping at the top. The SHT in Tettegouche is better in my opinion.

The Caribou Rock Trail to the Rose Lake overlook is also great with some beautiful clifftop views, but it may be a little too far away for a weekend trip from the Cities. You'd have a decent chance of seeing bear, moose and wolves though.
posted by theory at 12:44 PM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

Amnicon Falls State Park in WI is very nice, especially at the falls. It's close to Duluth MN and Superior, WI so about 3 hours away.
posted by lstanley at 1:27 PM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

I've done 40+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail--including the Tettegouche section mentioned above--and wholeheartedly recommend it. You definitely want to have a flexible clothing layer system, as the temperature can change dramatically depending on whether you're on a hillside facing towards or away from the lake.
posted by TrialByMedia at 10:45 PM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I ended up starting at Cascade River State Park, and doing a couple of miles of the SHT, which leaves the park and goes up and down the Cascade River. I camped out at an SHT campsite along the river.

I thought this state park might be less busy than Tettegouche, but it was still quite crowded; there were dozens of other people on the short hikes within the state park. Just a few miles up the river on the SHT felt extremely remote though. I only saw two other hikers after leaving the state park.

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. It was a great weekend trip. Looking forward to camping more in the area in the future!
posted by miyabo at 5:19 PM on October 14, 2013