Lake County Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

We’ve been trying to figure out a way to get to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park since the wonderful lighthouse keepers at Big Sable Lighthouse in Ludington, MI recommended it, and showed us pictures from their trip. We were lucky enough to pick up a three day cancellation in the park’s new campground (<1yr old) that perfectly fit our timeline and it’s everything they told us it would be.

Shipwreck Campground

We pull into the campground just before dinner and it’s beautiful! The temperature is a cool 74 degrees and the whole campground is covered in wildflowers. In addition, the sites are large, level, and well laid out. Completely different from our last experience.

We also have the added pleasure of seeing lightening bugs flitting through the air after dark. It’s been years since either of us has seen this type of natural light show and we’d forgotten how peaceful it is.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

After a wonderful nights sleep we decide to take the bikes down the Gitchi-Gami State Trail to Gooseberry Falls State Park. Gitchi-Gami State Trail is a paved multi-use trail that will eventually run 89 miles up the Lake Superior shoreline from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. For now they only have a few sections built; but the 7 mile section between the two State Parks happens to be one of them.

The trail is wide, well posted, and offers spots to stop and take in the natural wonders around us. Like Split Rock, the trail is also currently lined with wildflowers.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Once we reach Gooseberry Falls State Park, we ride down the southern edge to the Lake Superior Shoreline and stop to take in the view at Picnic Flow, where the Gooseberry River empties into Lake Superior.

Next we take a short tour of the visitors center before walking out to view the Falls.

There are three falls here, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. We’re very surprised by how many people are here for a Wednesday and can only imagine what this place is like on a weekend.

It’s time to head back north to get to the much awaited Split Rock Lighthouse before it closes for the day.

Split Rock Lighthouse

We get our first view of the lighthouse from the trailside/roadside viewpoint. Then an incredible view from the beach next to the pump house below the cliffside lighthouse.

Split Rock Light Station went into service in 1910 and for the first 20 years could only be reached by boat; which meant it was only manned during the shipping season. Once the North Shore Highway was extended beyond the light station, a connecting road was also built and light keepers began living there year round in 1930. Shortly thereafter it also became a popular tourist destination. It was decommissioned in 1969, became a state historic site in 1970, and in 2011 was listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Two Harbors

After rain overnight we wake up to a beautiful morning. Checking the latest weather forecast it appears it will be an inside/outside day dodging rain. So, we hop in the truck and head down to Two Harbors; which has several museums with both inside and outside components that will match the forecast.

Agate Bay

We begin our exploration with Agate Bay and the beautiful views and history to be found there.

Iron Ore Docks

There are only three of the six iron ore docks left in Agate Bay; which is the site of the first shipment of iron ore from Minnesota in 1884. They’re still in use today and ship over 10 million tons of ore pellets annually. Dock #1 (right) is about 7 stories high, over 1,300 feet long, and has 112 pockets.

Frontenac Pilot House

This is the actual pilot house from the steam ship Frontenac; which was a 604 foot long freighter launched in 1923. The pilot house was added in 1967 and she served for a total 56 years (1923 – 1979) until a sudden squall blinded the captain and it’s crew causing the ship to run aground on Pellet Island Reef on Thanksgiving Day, 1979.

The Breakwater and Lighthouse Station

The Two Harbors Breakwater Light Station was manned from 1892 to 1970 when it was updated to an automated AeroBeacon currently in use, making it the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota. The light can be seen 17 miles across the lake and the lighthouse residence has been updated and now serves as a B&B.

The Duluth and Iron Range (D&IR) Depot Museum

The D&IR Depot Museum houses many interesting items inside the depot; but, in my opinion, the real treasures are outside. The first (The 3 Spot) and the last (Yellowstone Mallet) steam locomotives used on the Minnesota Iron Range.

“The 3 Spot” was the first locomotive purchased by D&IR. It was built by the Philadelphia-based Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. The railroad was still being built in this area, so the locomotive actually arrived via Lake Superior being towed by a company tugboat. With a wood burning engine, she was immediately put to work as a construction locomotive, shipping men, supplies, rails, and other resources to the site where new track was being laid.

The Yellowstone Mallet #229 is one of only 18 locomotives of it’s type. Built in 1941 – 1943 by the same company who build “The 3 Spot”, they have been referred to as “The locomotives that defeated Hitler.” With WWII raging, iron ore was so vital to the war effort that these engines were assigned a higher preference rating for construction than military steel for tanks and ships. These locomotives have the pulling power of four modern diesel locomotives.

Tugboat “Edna G”

Built in 1896 and retired in 1981 the Edna G is the last steam driven tugboat to be used on the Great Lakes. It still has it’s original engine and is currently in operating condition. It operates with a crew of 4 and was used around the clock until it was retired. She is currently on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a museum.

City of Two Harbors

As we are leaving town we see a few other interesting items. The first is a mural that encompasses an entire building and the second is the 3M Birthplace Museum; which unfortunately is closed today.

As we’re relaxing after dinner at camp later we realize that we got very lucky today. The rain held off until early evening and the majority of it went south. This is very good because the forecast was calling for severe weather including the potential for hail.

Tettegouche State Park

Our final day here we head north to Tettegouche State Park for one final hike along the Baptism River and the waterfalls we’ve heard about.

We head up the trail and instantly come to some rapids as we follow the trail under highway 61.

Further up we come to some wildflowers along the trail.

High Falls

We head to the end of the trail and the High Falls first. The High Falls, at a height of 100 feet is the tallest waterfall entirely in MN.

Once we’ve experienced High Falls we follow the trail back through the woods toward Two Step Falls.

Two Step Falls

As we traverse the 200 steps down to the Baptism River we see the pair of waterfalls that make up Two Step Falls. This is the first time we’ve seen two almost identical falls so close together and we’re wondering if this as rare a sight as we think it may be.

Silver Bay Park & Marina

We have a little time left before we have to check out and move north, so on the way back to camp we stop at Silver Bay Park & Marina and the viewpoint there.

Here, we spend a little time climbing over the rocks to try and a get a view of where the Frontenac ran ashore.

It’s now time to head back to camp, have lunch, pack up and head north to our next destination in Grand Marais, MN. The very unusual 4pm checkout came in very handy at this site.