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Itasca & Chippewa N.F. backpack
Minnesota
length: 116 miles
Description
Why go there? This two-week long backpack trip will go from Minnesota’s flagship state park – Itasca – through the Paul Bunyan State Forest and across the Chippewa National Forest to near Remer.
Hike highlights:
- Headwaters of the Mississippi River and virgin pine forests in Itasca
- Glacial Itasca Moraine landscape of the Paul Bunyan State Forest
- Undeveloped lakes of the Chippewa National Forest
Flora / fauna of the area: This hike will take you through an area with rolling hills that is typical of Minnesota's famed "Northwoods." Along the way, you'll pass through a mixture of forest types including aspen, pine plantations, lowland conifer, black ash swamps, northern hardwoods, and some virgin stands of pine and hardwoods in Itasca. You'll also pass by many, many lakes and wetlands. You won't pass many streams; however, as the area consists of a lot of well-drained gravelly deposits left by the last glacier. Wildlife that you'll encounter may include bear, wolf, moose, deer, and a variety of birds. You're almost guaranteed to see bald eagles.
Land ownership: A mix of private and mostly public, including Clearwater County tax forfeit lands, White Earth State Forest, Itasca State Park, Hubbard County tax forfeit lands, Paul Bunyan State Forest, Cass County tax forfeit lands, and Chippewa National Forest
Description: Hikers departing from the Anchor Matson trailhead will head east across the southern tier of Itasca State Park passing by numerous undeveloped lakes along the way. After crossing U.S. Hwy 71, the trail heads northeast towards the Schoolcraft River and Lake George, passing within a couple of miles of the small community. Note: the last remaining gap in this section (from Spider Lake Trail to Hubbard Co. 4) will be completed in late 2009. The next section of trail takes the hiker through the Itasca Moraine landscape found within the Paul Bunyan State Forest which is characterized by short gravelly hills and small kettle lakes/wetlands. Crossing into Cass County, the Trail enters the Chippewa National Forest, which it will follow for the next 65 miles passing near the communities of Walker, Hackensack, Longville, and Remer along the way. The trail crosses many roads and different habitats within “the Chip” but a general rule of thumb is that you’re never that far from water – a wetland, lake, or small stream.
Camping information: no entrance fees or camping fees are required except at two of the three backcountry campsites found on the NCT within Itasca State Park and at the Gulch Lakes campground within the Paul Bunyan State Forest.
Directions to and GPS Coordinates for trailheads:
- Anchor Matson trailhead: From Park Rapids, head north on U.S. Highway 71 and then west for 10 miles on State Highway 113 to the Anchor Matson Rd., which will be on the north side of the road. Look for a NCT trailhead sign. To reach NCT trailhead, continue north on Anchor Matson Rd. for about 3 miles and look for the trailhead on the west side of the road. GPS Coordinates: N 47°10'19.60" W 95°18'36.45"
- FR 2101 parking area: From Remer, you should head east on State Highway 200 and look for Cass Co. Rd. 132 on your left. Follow Co. 132 which will turn into FR 2101 and look for a small parking area in a field on the south side of the road. GPS Coordinates: N 47° 1'56.96" W 93°49'32.44"
For more info:
- Chapter / affiliate contacts: the Laurentian Lakes and Itasca Moraine Chapters
- Agency partners: Itasca State Park (218-266-2100) & the Chippewa National Forest (218-544-1044)
- Other weblinks: NCTA's Wiki Guide page for Minnesota