Exploring Minnesota - Scenic State Park - Bear Head Lake State Park

Day 3

 

We ate, packed, and showered before 930AM and we took off for Schoolcraft. We caught up on our blog as we drove and took turns driving so everyone got the opportunity to read.

We drove through Schoolcraft, then on to Hill-Annex Mine State Park (unfortunately, we found is only open on the weekends).  We got our stamps and continued on our adventure with our camping spot at Scenic State Park (located 30 miles from Grand Rapids). 

 

 

 

 As we traveled along today, we had bursts of rain, making it difficult to find a somewhat dry campsite for the night.  We quickly set up camp and then went to investigate the park; checking out the boardwalk along the lake, the boat access, then off to hike the Chase Point Trail.   The Chase Point Trail started out very swampy, but quickly climbed to higher ground and took us out to a peninsula located between 2 lakes.  We had donned our rain jackets and doused ourselves with bug spray, but the bugs were still quite bad here at Scenic.  About halfway down the trail, we found relief with the wind blowing and chasing the mosquitos away.

 

We worried about how to have dinner with so many mosquitos, but remembered our Zippel Bay trip and searched out the picnic grounds to see if they were more open and less buggy.  Well, it surely was a find, as they have a lodge that was open and we were able to eat inside, read and play games.  We headed back to campsite #2, looking forward to a good nights sleep.

 Miles Hiked: 2 miles

Day 4

 We packed up early and headed to Bigfork (Heather was able to visit with Linette & family - a college friend), and we also had an unexpected Paul Bunyan sighting!

 

 

We then headed to the Soudan Underground Mine State Park (the oldest mine in Minnesota).  Along the scenic road we had numerous deer sightings and were able to capture one on camera (2 fawns were in the tall grass with her).

 

 

Unfortunately, the underground mine was closed due to elevator issues; however, Pete (our tour guide) gave us a complimentary above ground tour detailing the history to the present of mining in the Iron Range area.  We really enjoyed our time at the mine!

 

 

On to our campsite for the night - Bear Head Lake State Park (voted America's #1 State Park in 2010).  Tonight we are enjoying a camper cabin.  Bear Head Lake State Park is a beautiful park with natural shoreline around the lake, a great swimming beach and kayak/canoe rental.  The lake is a favorite for the fisherman (walleye, crappies, northern pike & bass)!

 Miles Biked: 5 miles