Each fall, the Superior Hiking Trail folks recommend several fall-color hikes along the trail, which runs through Duluth and from near Two Harbors to the Canadian border. Some of the hikes are geared to the peak maple colors, some to birches and aspen. For more information, go to
www.shta.org
.
Here are the recommendations, put together by Gayle Coyer, executive director of the Superior Hiking Trail Association:
For maple viewing
In Duluth from the 123rd Avenue West Trailhead parking lot to Ely's Peak and back, 1.8 miles total.
West of Two Harbors from Rossini Rd./East Trailhead to Lake County Demonstration Forest Trailhead, 6.9 miles one way (the Superior Shuttle now goes to this location with a confirmed reservation).
Bean and Bear Lake Loop, 6.8 miles total, Penn Boulevard Trailhead, Silver Bay.
From Finland Recreation Center Trailhead to scenic Egge Lake and back, 4.6 miles total, Finland.
Leveaux Mountain Loop, 3.7 miles total, and the Oberg Mountain Loop, 2.3 miles total, both with dramatic overlooks of maple forests, both from the Oberg Mountain Trailhead north of Tofte.
Take the Lutsen gondola to the top of Moose Mountain, see the colors from the top of the mountain and take the 0.8 SHT spur trail and then the 2.7-mile main trail back to the chalet for a total hike of 3.5 miles.
Hike out and back from the Cook County Road 1 trailhead to Tower Overlook, 3.0 miles total, Schroeder. For aspen and birch viewing
The next peak is early October when aspen and birch leaves glow with bright yellow. Good places to experience this gorgeous peak are:
Caribou Falls Viewing Platform and back, 1.8 miles total, start from Caribou River Wayside south of Schroeder
Temperance River State Park to Britton Peak, 4.8 miles one way (use the shuttle) or do an out and back hike from the Britton Peak trailhead parking lot to Carlton Peak and back, 4.4 miles total
Hike in to the new A-frame bridge over Dyers Creek and back from the Cook County Road 1 Trailhead, 2.2 miles total, Schroeder.
