Fall Lake Township trails

Easy final paddle for the trip. The site on Horseshoe Island deserved its #4 review score, but mice crawling over our tent during the night made for less than restorative sleep. Camp takedown was a breeze for our now well practiced group and loading the trailer was quickly done, too!

Distance: 4.3 mi • Elevation gain: 24 m • Maximum elevation: 416 m

Got to WI HQ around 6:30 AM and finished loading. Picked up our participants at the nearby Holiday Inn and were on the road by 7:30. Seems like a good group! Stopped at the Laurentian NFS Ranger Station to pick up our permit. They were stressed out. After the Trump layoffs, the Ely ranger station was operating…

Distance: 2.6 mi • Elevation gain: 14 m • Maximum elevation: 414 m

Bagels for breakfast. It looks like this group is going to work out well, everyone friendly, eager to get going. The portage to Splash Lake was busy, as usual. We quickly walked the boats up the little rapids between Splash and Ensign Lakes and then ticked off two of the campsites I had marked based on paddler…

Distance: 7.0 mi • Elevation gain: 55 m • Maximum elevation: 418 m

Rain before our breakfast burritos. Since it wasn't raining after doing the dishes and the forecast was cautiously optimistic, we decided to go ahead with rounding the peninsula to which we were attached. Soon after, it started to rain, with increasing intensity. We made it to the other side of the peninsula…

Distance: 7.9 mi • Elevation gain: 32 m • Maximum elevation: 414 m

Packing up a wet camp is never fun, but everyone was in good spirits because it was o longer raining. After a warm oatmeal breakfast, we quickly packed everything up and headed towards Splash Lake. Walking the canoes down the short rapids to Splash went even quicker than before. The portage into Newfound Lake…

Distance: 4.3 mi • Elevation gain: 42 m • Maximum elevation: 420 m

My boat partners and I decided to visit Prairie Portage, in part to walk on Canadian soil. One highlight was seeing a mink. On the way up, we saw some outfitter boats heading in a different direction, and second-guessing myself, I changed course. I should have followed my initial direction, and we added a few…

Distance: 6.4 mi • Elevation gain: 10 m • Maximum elevation: 412 m

Distance: 1.2 mi • Elevation gain: 50 m • Maximum elevation: 254 m

This loop is a must for nature lovers seeking expansive views of Lake Superior, dramatic cliffs, and unique rock formations. Starting through lush forests, the trail reveals Chapel Falls and the iconic Chapel Rock, a sandstone formation crowned with a lone tree—a marvel of natural resilience. Grand Portal…

Distance: 9.7 mi • Elevation gain: 425 m • Maximum elevation: 256 m

The Crooked Lake Loop Trail offers hikers a well-rounded outdoor experience within the scenic Pinckney Recreation Area. As it weaves through lush hardwood forests, hikers will encounter wetlands and open fields, with tranquil views of Crooked Lake. The relatively moderate trail allows ample opportunities for…

Distance: 4.4 mi • Elevation gain: 106 m • Maximum elevation: 298 m

The Penosha Loop Trail offers a peaceful and immersive hike through a mix of hardwood forests, scenic meadows, and ridges with glimpses of nearby lakes such as Bishop Lake. This five-mile loop is moderately challenging, with gentle slopes that provide both a good workout and moments for taking in the beauty of…

Distance: 4.9 mi • Elevation gain: 92 m • Maximum elevation: 317 m

This loop offers a rich blend of scenic landscapes and tranquility. Hikers are treated to diverse views of the park's iconic waterfalls, including the quieter Fifth Falls, as well as peaceful stretches along the Gooseberry River, which contrasts with the more crowded upper falls. The trails wind through lush…

Distance: 2.9 mi • Elevation gain: 78 m • Maximum elevation: 254 m

The hike to Baptism River High Falls provides an immersive journey through some of Minnesota's most scenic forestland. Starting near the visitor center, the trail meanders alongside the Baptism River, passing rocky outcroppings and tree-lined banks before reaching the 60-foot High Falls, the tallest waterfall…

Distance: 3.0 mi • Elevation gain: 115 m • Maximum elevation: 274 m

The Oberg Mountain Loop Trail is a rewarding hike, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest, lakes, and distant mountains. Along the trail, you’ll experience several scenic overlooks that provide sweeping vistas of the blue expanse of Lake Superior, the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, and the dense,…

Distance: 2.3 mi • Elevation gain: 180 m • Maximum elevation: 462 m

The Falls Trail and Highland Trail Loop at Ricketts Glen State Park is renowned for its breathtaking array of waterfalls, with hikers encountering a stunning collection of 21 named falls along the route such as the impressive Ganoga Falls and the serene F.L. Ricketts Falls. The trail meanders through lush…

Distance: 4.3 mi • Elevation gain: 262 m • Maximum elevation: 686 m