Top Snowshoeing in Minnesota
The Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters Wilderness
By Todd Whitesel
The Gunflint Trail leads into the heart of the lake wilderness, where in winter the woods are deep in snow and lakes frozen over. The Gunflint Trail runs for 63 miles through the Superior National Forest with nine trails totaling 25 miles designated for snowshoe use at different points along the way. Beyond these nine lies the sprawling Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)— a 1,000,000-acre playground for mushers, snowshoers, and skiers in winter. The task is simple: Pick a place and go. Wildlife is a big attraction for Gunflint and BWCAW visitors and you will likely see resident moose, deer, and beaver. Timber wolves, rarely seen, may be heard on quiet nights. Bird-watchers should be on the lookout for gray jays, pine and evening grosbeaks, boreal chickadees, common redpolls, bohemian waxwings, spruce grouse, and great gray owls.
Magnetic Rock Trail: This trail runs 1.5 miles (one way) to a massive rock 10 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 30 feet high. The rock was deposited by glaciers and has a strong magnetic field — hold a compass up to the rock to see for yourself.
Northern Light Lake Trail: This half-mile trek leads into prime moose habitat and provides excellent vistas from the top of Blueberry Hill.
Information about area resorts and events can be found at the Gunflint Trail Association's Web site.
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