Superior Hiking Trail Renewal Projects Require Section Closures on Two Popular Trails
Apr 15, 2024 07:20PM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Top, Bean and Bear Lakes Loop. Bottom, Split Rock River Loop. Superior Hiking Trail Association.
From the Superior Hiking Trail Association - April 15, 2024
In 2024, the Superior Hiking Trail Association will complete Trail Renewal Projects on two of the Superior Hiking Trail’s most popular loop hikes – the Split Rock River Loop and Bean and Bear Lakes Loop.
The Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, will close sections of these loops to protect the safety of trail users and project contractors.
Due to deferred maintenance and high usage of these sections, both the Bean and Bear Lakes Loop and Split Rock River Loop are experiencing serious erosion and tread issues, and also feature aging infrastructure. Both loops require updating to modern trail design standards. These renewal projects will restore and renew these gorgeous North Shore trail loops to be enjoyed for many years to come while also increasing their ability to withstand high visitor use and weather-related impacts.
The Bean and Bear Lakes Loop closure will begin May 15 and impact 2.2 miles of the main SHT corridor between the western junction of the spur trail to the Bay Area Historical Society Trailhead and an all-terrain vehicle trail to the north of Bear Lake. This closure will also impact 1.2 miles of the eastern spur to the Bay Area Historical Society Trailhead between the main SHT corridor and the junction with the western arm of the spur.
Trail users will be able to bypass the closed section using an SHT spur trail and George’s Gorge Trail, an ATV trail. This closure includes the Penn Creek and Bear Lake Campsites, and all Bean and Bear Lake overlooks. Bear Lake Campsite will be rehabilitated as part of the larger renewal project.
The eastern side of the Split Rock River Loop will close September 1 and impact 1.8 miles of the main SHT corridor between the western junction of the spur trail to the Split Rock River Wayside Trailhead and the river crossing at the top of the loop.
Trail users will be able to bypass the closed section on spur trails, the same reroute suggested when the river is running too high to ford safely. This closure includes the Southeast and Northeast Split Rock River Campsites. Overnight trail users should plan to use a different campsite on this section for the duration of the closure.
These projects are made possible with funding support from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
When these trail sections will reopen is project-dependent. Please check the Association’s Trail Conditions page for more information and reopening announcements.
About the Superior Hiking Trail Association: The SHTA is the Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and renews the Superior Hiking Trail, or SHT, Minnesota’s premier hiking trail. The SHT runs more than 300 miles from the Wisconsin-Minnesota border to the Canadian border and is a resource for everyone to discover, learn, and connect with nature and themselves. The SHTA is honored to serve as stewards and promoters of this North Shore treasure. For more information, visit superiorhiking.org.
From the Superior Hiking Trail Association - April 15, 2024
In 2024, the Superior Hiking Trail Association will complete Trail Renewal Projects on two of the Superior Hiking Trail’s most popular loop hikes – the Split Rock River Loop and Bean and Bear Lakes Loop.
The Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, will close sections of these loops to protect the safety of trail users and project contractors.
Due to deferred maintenance and high usage of these sections, both the Bean and Bear Lakes Loop and Split Rock River Loop are experiencing serious erosion and tread issues, and also feature aging infrastructure. Both loops require updating to modern trail design standards. These renewal projects will restore and renew these gorgeous North Shore trail loops to be enjoyed for many years to come while also increasing their ability to withstand high visitor use and weather-related impacts.
Image: Superior Hiking Trail Association
The Bean and Bear Lakes Loop closure will begin May 15 and impact 2.2 miles of the main SHT corridor between the western junction of the spur trail to the Bay Area Historical Society Trailhead and an all-terrain vehicle trail to the north of Bear Lake. This closure will also impact 1.2 miles of the eastern spur to the Bay Area Historical Society Trailhead between the main SHT corridor and the junction with the western arm of the spur.
Photo: Degraded tread on Bean and Bear Lakes loop
Trail users will be able to bypass the closed section using an SHT spur trail and George’s Gorge Trail, an ATV trail. This closure includes the Penn Creek and Bear Lake Campsites, and all Bean and Bear Lake overlooks. Bear Lake Campsite will be rehabilitated as part of the larger renewal project.
Image: Superior Hiking Trail Association
The eastern side of the Split Rock River Loop will close September 1 and impact 1.8 miles of the main SHT corridor between the western junction of the spur trail to the Split Rock River Wayside Trailhead and the river crossing at the top of the loop.
Photo: Failed drainage on Split Rock Loop
Trail users will be able to bypass the closed section on spur trails, the same reroute suggested when the river is running too high to ford safely. This closure includes the Southeast and Northeast Split Rock River Campsites. Overnight trail users should plan to use a different campsite on this section for the duration of the closure.
These projects are made possible with funding support from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
When these trail sections will reopen is project-dependent. Please check the Association’s Trail Conditions page for more information and reopening announcements.
About the Superior Hiking Trail Association: The SHTA is the Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and renews the Superior Hiking Trail, or SHT, Minnesota’s premier hiking trail. The SHT runs more than 300 miles from the Wisconsin-Minnesota border to the Canadian border and is a resource for everyone to discover, learn, and connect with nature and themselves. The SHTA is honored to serve as stewards and promoters of this North Shore treasure. For more information, visit superiorhiking.org.
