Lakewalk and Willard Munger Trails
St. Louis and Carleton Counties, MN
40.2 mi total 0.0 certified 0.0 connecting 25.4 marked 14.8 bare
At one time, the fly in the Arrowhead Route ointment was seen as getting through or around Duluth, the second largest city on the NCNST (and eventually to be the largest, as the route through Dayton, Ohio, is temporary). But, things changed when it was realized how trail-oriented the city is. Though not all the trail will be certifiable, eventually there will be off-road trail clear through the city, except for a two-mile gap, and that sidewalked. This came about as a combination of a number of things, mostly rail-trail: first, the development of the "Lakewalk", a popular urban trail right on the Lake Superior shoreline, leading to the heart of downtown, and set to be extended northwestward; a move by the Duluth City Council to extend a rail trail southwest to the trailhead for the Willard Munger Trail, a state bicycle trail; the Willard Munger trail itself, a model of rail-trail conversion, and, finally, Jay Cooke State Park, one of the more spectacular of Minnesota's many great state parks. Though not all the pieces are in place yet -- the Lakewalk extention is scheduled for 2001, and although the Lakewalk-Willard Munger connection has a high priority, it hasn't been funded at this writing -- what was once seen as a problem is now seen as a unique opportunity.
Until reaching Jay Cooke State Park, this is an urban trail, rather than wilderness. Resupply opportunities are extensive. CAMPING opportunities are limited to Indian Point Park and Jay Cooke State Park. BEARS are not a problem. MAPS AND INFORMATION: On the section north of Indian Point Park, Duluth Convention and Visitor's Bureau, 800-438-5884 can fill in most needs. For south of Indian Point, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Information Center, Box 40, 500 Lafayette Center, St. Paul MN 55146 (612) 296-6699, or toll free in Minnesota, 800-652-9747.
DULUTH, MN 55801-55816 (Pop. 92811) is perhaps best known as a port, shipping iron ore from Minnesota and wheat from the great plains all over the world. But, it's also a north country town, although a rather cosmopolitan one, and oriented toward outdoor recreation. There is a wide array of sightseeing opportunities near the trail, including the William A. Irvin, a museum ship, the Marine Museum at Canal Park, a scenic railroad, Glensheen Mansion tours, Duluth Omnimax Theater, and much besides. MOTELS: Too many to list here; get information from Duluth Convention and Visitor's Bureau, at the above address. However, half a dozen motels are clustered along Old Highway 61 (CR222) back between Knife River and Lester Park; three more are near the suggested route near the beginning of the Lakewalk; several more rather expensive ones are located near the end of the Lakewalk, five more are located near the suggested route in the vicinity of 40th Avenue West, and another near the start of the Willard Munger trail. SERVICES: Again, too many to mention, but most hiker services except for outfitters will be located along the suggested route.
0.0 [0.0] US61 AT LESTER RIVER BRIDGE IN LESTER PARK
If more information about Duluth is needed, the Duluth Convention and Visitor's Bureau operates a tourist information booth just to the east of the starting point of this section. Ask for a copy of the Duluth-Superior Hotel Motel Guide; in addition to a comprehensive motel listing, the map in this brochure, though poor, covers the important parts of this route. From the bridge, the suggested route follows sidewalks along US61 southwestward. After 2.0 miles, reach 40th Street East; the Lakewalk is due to be extended to a point just south of the intersection in 2001. For now, continue following the sidewalk southwest along US61 (London Street). Near 26th Ave East, about a mile farther, US61 turns slightly to the south, widens and becomes I-35. Stay on London Street for about another 0.6 mile until reaching 21st Avenue East.
2.6 [2.6] TURN SOUTH ON 21ST AVE. E.
Follow 21st Ave. East south across I-35; on the far side, a signed ramp leads down to the Lakewalk. Parking is very limited, given the popularity of the Lakewalk.
2.8 [0.2] TURN SOUTHWEST ON LAKEWALK
The highly developed Lakewalk follows the shoreline southwest for 2 miles, passing Lief Ericson Park and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Just past the Memorial, the Lakewalk turns south into Canal Park, and continues to follow the shore south for about 0.2 miles until a spur turns west along Buchanan Street. The route heads west for three blocks, then crosses a bridge over a freighter dock to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. To the north of the bridge sits the William A. Irvin, a great lakes freighter now serving as a museum ship.
5.2 [2.4] TURN NORTHWEST ON SKYWALK
An enclosed, weather-controlled "Skywalk" heads northwest from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The Skywalk is a handy and unique way to cross the Interstate and a couple of busy streets the 0.3 miles to Superior Street, then continue north at street level two more blocks to Second Street. If you can't find the entrance, follow Harbor Drive in front of the Convention Center southwest until it bends northwest and becomes 5th Ave. West, and follow this until reaching First Street a couple blocks west of the Skywalk, then go a block southwest and a block northwest to reach Second Street.
5.5 [0.3] TURN SOUTHWEST ON SECOND ST
.Second St. is SR23; it heads southwest. Past the downtown area, it jogs to the south a bit and SR23 joins Grand Avenue, and so does the suggested route, along the sidewalks. This route may be replaced by new urban trail development from the Convention Center to Indian Point Park in the next few years; this route will be better marked and less confusing. After 1.6 miles, cross I-35. Grand Avenue jogs again after 0.8 miles, this time to the west, but returns to the southwest. Cross under I-35 again after another 2.2 miles. Continue along Grand Avenue for another 1.1 miles until seeing the sign for the Willard Munger Trail.
11.2 [5.7] JOIN WILLARD MUNGER TRAIL
As the Munger is open to snowmobiles, it probably won't be the ultimate route of the NCNST; it's more likely the trail will follow the Western Waterfront Trail to Jay Cooke State Park, but that trail is currently only open to New Duluth. Besides, the Munger is a great bicycle trail, paved 8 feet wide, beautifully detailed and given a great deal of support by the towns located along the way. The Munger heads southwest alongside Grand Avenue; after 1.4 miles, at Smithville, it crosses, and gets away from the road. It turns south, then west, winding around, climbing steadily but easily, and crosses CR3 after another 3.8 miles. After another 2.4 miles, enter Carleton County. The trail continues southwest for another 3.4 miles, along the border of Jay Cooke State Park for the last mile, before reaching the junction with the Greeley Creek Trail.
JAY COOKE STATE PARK is the last of Minnesota's several great state parks the NCNST passes through, and is one of the older ones, established in 1915. The water-eroded gorge, steep valleys and massive rock formations are seen thoughout the park. The rock formations along the St. Louis River are especially unique. Located on the old portage between the St. Louis and Mississippi River Basin, the Grand Portage Trail in the park has been used for over 300 years. Bear are present, but rare, and park publications don't suggest any special precautions. The 8,818 acre park has 80 tent/RV campsites, three Adirondack shelters, three walk-in campsites and four backpack campsites. Campsite reservations are usually needed; call (800) 246-CAMP. For more information, contact Jay Cooke State Park, 500 Highway 210 East, Carlton MN 55718.
22.2 [11.0] TURN SOUTH ON GREELEY CREEK TRAIL
Essentially, the Arrowhead relocation ends at this point; for a few miles, the suggested route returns to the original 1982 Comprehensive Plan route. Jay Cooke State Park has a system for numbering trail route intersections, with the numbers posted near the intersection, useful because of the great number of trails in the park, not all of which are shown on the accompanying map. The Greeley Creek Trail intersection with the Willard Munger Trail is intersection #14. The route starts out south for about 0.1 mile, bears to the southeast for about 0.2 mile, then back to the southwest, passing intersection #13, with a horseback trail, after another 0.2 miles. Continue south on the Greeley Creek Trail for another 0.2 miles, past intersection #3, with the CCC trail, and 0.2 miles farther south, reach the intersection with the White Pine Trail at intersection #2.
23.1 [0.9] TURN WEST ON WHITE PINE TRAIL
The White Pine Trail starts out to the northwest, but soon bears to the southwest, passing a shelter after about 0.5 mile, and after winding around in the descent of a hill for about 0.1 mile, continues west another 0.5 mile to the park headquarters area. The trail passes near a large campground, then turns south to cross a parking lot, and continues for about 0.1 mile to the bridge over the St. Louis River.
25.3 [1.2] TURN WEST ON SILVER CREEK TRAIL
The Silver Creek Trail turns east just south of the bridge over the St. Louis River. After about 0.4 mile, a short side trail goes down to follow the river (intersection #29), rejoining the trail along the bluff after about another 0.4 mile. The trail bears to the southeast, then to the south, following the river.After about another 0.6 mile, the trail bears to the southwest, following Silver Creek upstream for about 0.3 mile until reaching a trail junction (#37) with the Lost Lake Trail.
26.9 [1.6] TURN SOUTH ON LOST LAKE TRAIL
Sliver Lake Trail turns back to the west. The suggested route heads south on Lost Lake Trail to cross Silver Creek, then turns east, passing the first junction (#38) with the Bear Chase Trail after about 0.3 mile, and the second junction (#39) about 0.2 mile farther. A shelter is located between the two trail junctions, and a side trail leads to a backpack campsite to the north. It's been planned that the NCNST will follow the Bear Chase Trail south when a connection outside the park is established; for now, a longer route must be taken. Continue east on the Lost Lake Trail; after another 0.2 miles, pass intersection #43, where a side trail leads north to a backpack campsite. After about another mile, a side trail leading to the backpack camp at Lost Lake is passed (intersection #44); 0.1 mile to the north, reach the Lower Lake Trail at intersection #45.
28.7 [1.8] TURN EAST ON LOWER LAKE TRAIL
Lower Lake Trail starts to the east, but bears to the north. After about 0.4 mile, reach intersection #48, and take the Upper Lake Trail east, then south, then northeast for about 1.0 mile, until reaching intersection #47 with the Spruce Trail
30.1 [1.4] TURN SOUTHEAST ON SPRUCE TRAIL
The Spruce Trail heads southeast; after about 1.1 mile, it turns back to the north. NCNST hikers can take a short cut by bushwhacking southeast from this point to SR23, about 0.3 miles; however the suggested route stays on the trail, heading back to the northeast for about another 1.5 miles, until reaching intersection #50, with the Military Road Trail, which is followed to the northeast for about 0.5 miles until reaching intersection #51, with an access road. Follow the access road to the southeast for about 0.1 mile until reaching SR23.
33.3 [3.2] TURN SOUTHWEST ON SR23
SR23 is followed southwest. After 3.2 miles, pass intersection with CR19. Another 1.3 miles south, an overpass over the Wrenshall bicycle trail, another rail-trail, is reached.
37.8 [4.5] TURN EAST ON WRENSHALL BICYCLE TRAIL
This paved bike trail is followed east for 0.6 mile, until reaching the first crossroad. The bike trail continues east, but comes to a dead end at the state line, with no outlet.
38.4 [0.6] TURN SOUTH ON PAVED ROAD
The paved road is followed south for 0.3 miles, until reaching CR18.
38.7 [0.3] TURN EAST ON CR 18
Paved CR18 is followed east for 1.5 miles, until reaching the Wisconsin State Line, where it becomes CR W.
40.2 [1.5] WISCONSIN STATE LINE
Description of this segment ends at this point. Minnesota may not have the longest mileage of trail of the NCNST states, but it has had some of the finest, especially after the Arrowhead relocation has taken place. But, there's still plenty of great trail to come; the NCNST still has five states to go.