North Shore Visitor

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43 Vacation Guide 2017
39.5
GOOSEBERRY FIFTH FALLS
TRAIL
An enjoyable 1.5-mile autumn
riverside stroll; includes the Upper
Falls and Fifth Falls; best during late
fall season.
43.0
SPLIT ROCK RIVER HIKE
A superb five-mile loop trail running
50 feet above the river affording
vertical views down red rock faces,
a footbridge, river valley vistas and a
Lake Superior overlook; best during
late fall season.
80.4
HEARTBREAK RIDGE DRIVE
This short drive leads you down
one of the prettiest maple-canopied
drives along the shore; best during
early fall season. From Highway 61,
north on the Temperance River Road,
east on 600 Road, then south on
Sawbill Trail to Highway 61 in Tofte,
three miles east of your start point.
Caution, this road can be rough.
86.1
OBERG MOUNTAIN LOOP
Only going for one hike? Pick this
one during the early season of
maple colors. A short walk in leads
to an ascending loop with sweeping
Lake Superior views that pale in
comparison to the beauty and
breadth of the vast maple hillsides
rising to the north; best during early
fall season. Trailhead and parking are
inland on the Onion River Road.
90.1
MOUNTAIN GONDOLA RIDE
Treat yourself to all of autumn’s art-
istry! The gondola skims the treetops
with southward valley views to Lake
Superior and expansive maple-be-
decked hillsides to the north. Once
you reach the summit, be sure to
walk the very short trail to the north-
ern overlook platform, where you
will have to “ooh” and “aah” in spite
of yourself. At Lutsen Mountains.
110.0
COUNTY ROAD 60
An especially handsome drive, this
Grand Marais area back road show-
cases canopies of sugar maples and
occasional glimpses of maple hill-
sides, all from the comfort of your
car. From Highway 61, north on the
Gunflint Trail, east on County Road 60,
then either south two miles on Coun-
ty Road 14 to Highway 61 or north for
a five-mile loop to Highway 61.
146.8
MOUNT JOSEPHINE
If you’ve never driven to Grand
Portage or the Canadian border,
the Mount Josephine wayside
areas make the trip worthwhile. The
topography changes and you begin
to climb, then just as you pass over
Mount Josephine, the lovely little
Teal Lake shows itself down in the
northern valley. A few moments
later, the entire southern landscape
opens to vast Lake Superior views
with Isle Royale, the Rock of Ages
Lighthouse in the distance, and the
smattering of Susie Islands just off
shore; great any season.
TOURS
Autumn on the Shore is the
most glorious time of the year.
Colors start with a leaf, a streak
of red or an occasional tree,
isolated and orange. From the
ridgelines, colors wash down
the hillsides surrounding deep
green-black stands of pine.
The colors peak between the
third week in September and
mid-October. As the maples
fade and Lake Superior begins
to cool, autumn comes to
the lakeshore. Treetops form
a yellow canopy over birch
and aspen and the tamaracks
shed golden needles amid the
leaf litter. Flaming underbrush
make guest appearances in
the company of brown grasses.
As the colors subside, Lake
Superior rages, smashing steel
blue waves against craggy
basalt shorelines. Hugging the
coast, 1000-foot ore boats take
heed of waves that exceed
30 feet. November is the best
month to watch the big lake.
Here are some favorite fall
color tours.
FOR THE BEST
PHOTOS AND
V I E W I N G ,
T R A V E L
WEST
IN THE
MORNING
A N D
EAST
IN THE
AFTERNOON
TO KEEP THE
SUN AT YOUR
BACK.