The ratings below have been submitted by visitors who have hiked the trails listed in Hiking in Minnesota. To rate a trail, click on "Rate this Trail" on that trail's listing.
Number of ratings for this region: 13
13
Trail Name:Jay Cooke State Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: June, 2005 Trails that I hiked: Silver Creek, Lost Lake, Summer Trail Favorite trails: Silver Creek near trailhead and River Trail Best time to go: Don't know - Spring was not great for backcountry Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 1.5 stars What I liked: The day-hikable trails are decent - worth walking. The back country trails feel like you are just constantly walking through long grass with nothing significantly more beautiful than you could see in a wood suburb. What I disliked: They are almost too well maintained - it feels like someone goes over them with a 5-foot wide mower. The backcountry trails leave a lot to be desired. Additional comments: Silver Creek trail is, in fact, a loop... the signs only face one way on part of it and you may end up going down the wrong way. Trust your instincts.
Avoid summer trail in the spring, just muddy 1-foot grass with the same views as the entire rest of the back country. Submitted by: JWF from: MN Date submitted: June 13, 2005
12
Trail Name:Kekekabic Trail I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: May, 2005 Trails that I hiked: Kekekabic Trail Favorite trails: Best time to go: fall Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 0.5 stars What I liked: campsites What I disliked: the kek was extreamly marshy from all the rain, which made hiking very slow, and parts of the trail and campsites next to rivers and lakes were flooded. the blow down was also horendous, in places it was so bad that we had to crawl under it on our hands and knees, which is rather difficult with a heavy pack. there is also some sort of bush with thorns on it that grows along side the trail that tears up your legs and arms. Additional comments: Submitted by: m.s from: minnesota Date submitted: June 2, 2005
11
Trail Name:Tettegouche State Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: May, 2005 Trails that I hiked: Superior Hiking Trail Favorite trails: SHT Best time to go: I hiked in spring and, though wet, it was nice to not have bugs Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: good variablility in the hike... some ridge-walking, some valley-treking, some climbing, some decents... never in one thing for too long. What I disliked: Sloppy mud in early spring. What I liked: good variablility in the hike... some ridge-walking, some valley-treking, some climbing, some decents... never in one thing for too long. What I disliked: Sloppy mud in early spring. Additional comments: None. Submitted by: JWF from: Twin Cities Date submitted: May 31, 2005
10
Trail Name:Border Route Trail I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: Feb, 2005 Trails that I hiked: Border route trail, kekekabic trail, superior hiking trail, caribou rock trail, plus many spur trails and unnamed and/or unmarked wilderness trails. Favorite trails: Border Route Trail HANDS DOWN!! Best time to go: No contest AUTUMN Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: This is possibly the most ancient and majestic area of the state. This far Northeastern part of Minnesota is a part of the Canadian Sheild, which means that some of the most ancient rock on the continent is exposed here. And it totally looks like it. The coniferous trees in the region are riddled with Old Man's Beard fungus, a green, scruffy beardlike mass that hangs from their linbs like decrepit spider webs. This contributes to the feeling of this area being trantalizingly mysterious and forlorn. The trail itself is very rugged and rocky, making it a very desirable hike/climb for those who relish a good taxing wilderness challenge. There are moss and lichen-covered rocks everywhere, making it feel like a psychadelic enchanted forest. The moss in the area is quite varied and beautiful, sometimes forming in circular half-dome tufts, sometimes spreading across the ground like a grand carpeting. In places the moss is so thick and soft that it is comfortable enough to sleep on (softer than a mattress and JUST AS THICK). There are many enticing opportunities for off-trail exploration by the adventurous. There are relatively frequent, very high vistas that overlook lakes into canada that provide views of endless, wild, tree-covered hills. In autumn when the trees are bright with the forlorn fall colors, these vistas are utterly profound. This is a reliable trail for those who seek a solitary wilderness adventure, because ALMOST NO ONE hikes this trail. There are also a few looping trail deviations, some marked on maps, some not, such as the loops that meanders around sock lake and passes mucker lake( an excellent and worthy diversion). A completely fantastic trail. What I disliked: There is very little to dislike about this trail as long as one is willing to apply themselves and has a reasonable understanding of wilderness travel. THERE IS NO ONE AROUND TO HELP YOU. There are a couple of places where the trail is slightly difficult to decipher, most notably the segment that climbs the hill on the north side of clearwater lake. Additional comments: This is wild place for wilderness adverturers. Treat it with respect. Submitted by: Jonathan R. Carver from: St. Paul MN Date submitted: March 2, 2005
9
Trail Name:Superior Hiking Trail I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: Sept, 102 Trails that I hiked: I have hiked the Cascade River and into Bear lake at Tettegouche. Favorite trails: Since those are the only two I have hiked in that area I would say those two are my favorite,But they were really awesome. Best time to go: When the weather is mild, not scorching in the day ,but not freezing at night Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: The Cascade River was a beautiful hike and the campsites were really nice.I would recommend the Cascade River trail. I would have to say that the Bear Lake trail at Tettegouche is my favorite. The scenery from this trail was incredible,with over 200 ft cliffs and beautiful outlooks on Bean and Bear Lakes and lots of wildlife I cant even count how many deer we saw.Though The terrain was a little more difficult, but very fun and challenging, I would highly recommend the Bean and Bear lake trails at Tettegouche, it was a hell of a time. What I disliked: Nothing really. Additional comments: Visit palisade Head. Submitted by: AWS from: Blaine ,MN Date submitted: April 14, 2004
8
Trail Name:Tettegouche State Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: August, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Superior Hiking Trail Favorite trails: All Best time to go: August Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Everything: sights, wildlife, vegetation What I disliked: Nothing Comments: Nothing Submitted by: Jordan Staffon,13 from: Kasson, Mn Date submitted: Jan 19, 2004
7
Trail Name:Superior National Forest I have hiked there: Few I last hiked there in: Apr, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Pow Wow Favorite trails: Angleworm Best time to go: Spring or Fall Trail marking: Poor Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 2.5 stars What I liked: Very scenic, nice and rugged lakes. What I disliked: Trail needs grooming. Tons of blow down trees blocking the trail. Comments: It could be diffcult to follow the trail once vegetation has grown. Submitted by: DLK from: Minneapolis Date submitted: July 19, 2003
6
Trail Name:Itasca State Park I have hiked there: Few I last hiked there in: August, 2002 Trails that I hiked: Favorite trails: Best time to go: Summer Trail marking: Poor Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: What I disliked: Comments: i think that this is an interedting place to go, although I would enjoy it more if the trails were a little better marked. Submitted by: L. G. from: Bemiji, MN Date submitted: March 7, 2003
5
Name of area:Minnesota Valley Recreation Area I have hiked there: Several I last hiked there in: Nov, 2002 Trails that I hiked: I have hiked from the Lyndale entrance(south of 106th) to the Old Cedar bridge many times. Favorite trails: Best time to go: Fall is my fav., but year round Trail marking: Poor Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 3.5 stars What I liked: It is a nice trail to train on or test equimpment. You can do the section I list above as a out and back (8 mile total) in about 2-2.5 hours. What I disliked: Watch out for mountain bikers. Most I have incountered have been very well mannered. Comments: The trail is pretty easy to follow, but there are very few markers. Submitted by: GB from: Prior Lake Date submitted: Nov 27, 2002
4
Trail Name:Superior Hiking Trail Times hiked: Few Date last hiked: June, 2002 Trails hiked: Poplar Lake/Cariboo region to Tofte
Pincushion MT Favourite trails: Best time to go: Late May Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: great overlooks, fabulous campsites
Loons and bears abound What I disliked: Comments: Submitted by: ep from: minneapolis, mn Date submitted: June 12, 2002
3
Trail Name:Tettegouche State Park Times hiked: Once Date last hiked: Apr, 2002 Trails hiked: all Favourite trails: all Best time to go: july Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: bestever What I disliked: nothing Comments: keep up the good work Submitted by: BreAnna smith from: becker Date submitted: May 3, 2002
2
Trail name:Border Route Trail Times that I hiked the trail: Once Date that I last hiked there: Oct, 2001 Trails that I hiked: Border Route Trail-eastern section Favourite trails: the section from Pine Lake to Clearwater Lake Best time to go: Spring or early Fall Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: This is an especially scenic trail with oustanding overlooks throughout the trail. The elevation is as high as anywhere in the state and the lakes are beautiful. The presence of large stands of old growth trees, such as white pine, red pine, cedar, birch, popple, and spruce make you feel as though you stepped back into time 300 years. The sheer wildness of this wilderness afford any hiker the opportunity to achieve complete solitude. You will not see another person on the Border Route Trail, especially from the eastern entry point. What I disliked: The trail is a rugged and poorly maintained trail, with very few signs, one must be able to read maps very well. There are very few quality campsites along the trail, which means you must plan accordingly. Basically every campsite you can stay at is a campsite designated for canoers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a bit lengthy as well, so you must plan to filter water at the beginning of the day. Comments: I would recommend accessing the eastern trailhead on John Lake, just off the Arrowhead Trail (County Road 16). The campsite at Pine Lake is a definite highlight along with several outstanding vistas above West Pike Lake, some near 500 ft above sea the lake. Submitted by: Jon Oman from: Minnesota Date submitted: Oct 26, 2001
1
Area name:Afton State Park Times hiked: Once Date last hiked: August, 2000 Trails hiked: Trail through backpacker camp and then along northern corner and back down to the river. Best time to go: Any time, but winter would be tough on steep trails without good boots Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars Favourite trails: Only one, the trail up to the backpackers camp, along the northern corner and back down to the river. Comment: current map handed out shows water at two sites, the campground (site #10) and off a loop at the north end. The north end is a hand pump that doesn't work. Submitted by: Tom from: Winona, MN Date submitted: Jan 24, 2001
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