Where in Duluth?

John Hatcher Mar 27, 2012 17 Comments

I think this is a tough one but if you’ve been past it maybe you’ve noticed it.

Just discovered this place today. Very exciting to find new terrain.

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17 Comments

jhatcher

about 13 years ago 

Sorry. This is too hard, isn't it. Should I offer hints? That's a tree.

ericswan

about 13 years ago 

In the woods behind St Scholastica?

bluenewt

about 13 years ago 

Is it the Superior Hiking Trail near Magney?

jhatcher

about 13 years ago 

Wow. I'm impressed. Yes, it is on what I think is called the Valley Trail behind Scholastica. I had never walked back there before, but I will again. I ran into another walker who said the woods and trails stretch all the way over to Rice Lake Road. Gorgeous walking. This bucket was wedged up inside an open spot in an old tree. Seemed like it had been there for a while.

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

Not to be critical of jhatcher -- I forgot about this myself and wandered briefly onto the Superior Hiking Trail yesterday -- but it should be noted that local trails are closed right now.

Here's the info from a city news release:


The City of Duluth's Parks and Recreation Department is asking the public to refrain from using city hiking trails, snowmobile trails and cross country ski trails. Due to the annual spring thaw these trails have become soft and are now vulnerable to being damaged with deep ruts and possible erosion.
 
The public can help prevent damage to these trails by staying off them until warmer temperatures and drier weather improve trail conditions. A notice regarding the reopening of trails will be provided as soon as conditions permit.
 
Trails that are open to the public at this time are the Lakewalk, the Munger Trail and the Western Waterfront Trail. In addition, the far eastern part of Skyline Parkway near Hawks Ridge is also a good place to walk as well as the far western end of Skyline Parkway, west of Spirit Mountain. These portions of Skyline are still closed to vehicular traffic.


Is there anyone else's fun I can spoil?

If it helps at all, the Western Waterfront Trail is a great suggestion this time of year. The birds are insane.

jhatcher

about 13 years ago 

Ugh. (Or Uff da, I suppose) You are correct. I completely forgot about that. I will say that these trails are up pretty high and were dry as a bone, but that's no excuse.
Don't be like me. Just say "no."

Barrett Chase

about 13 years ago 

The valley itself is called the Valley of Silence. I recommend walking the trail in the fall. It's spectacular.

Herzog

about 13 years ago 

If they're dry, they're dry, no worries. Plus, realize, if the city was so johnny-on-the-spot with these things, and not simply plugging the equation into a machine, or waiting till May to vote on it,  they would've taken fifty bucks out out their five million dollar East Superior street remodel fund, and hired me to spend an hour with my Husqvarna to clean up the big pine that's still blocking the Lester trail head at Occidental and Superior, that blew over during Snowmageddon.  

I really can't believe it's still there over a month later. They seriously can't deploy out one of their Hostess quaffing city workers to finish an easy job I could do in a half hour?  Pine cuts like butter people.  I'd probably get fined if I just went out there and did it.

emmadogs

about 13 years ago 

Paul's right about Western Waterfront Trail.  It's a prime birding area.  Also, it can get really hot/humid/uncomfortable during the summer, so this time of year is perfect to go.

DaVe

about 13 years ago 

So, I'm assuming the trail ban includes all the Superior Hiking Trail?

in.dog.neato

about 13 years ago 

Though it doesn't always include Duluth sections, the Superior Hiking Trail Association website keeps track of trail conditions up the shore, and I do think they take reports from hikers in the field.

in.dog.neato

about 13 years ago 

And, DaVe, no. I know several hikers who've pulled overnights, though trail conditions vary greatly from good to go to don't even go there.

Makoons

about 13 years ago 

I love the valley trail, my friends and I used to walk back there all the time when I went to CSS. There's all kinds of remnants of old houses, pillars and foundations, front steps and fireplaces. Also they erected the "no fires!" sign because my friend thought it'd be the perfect place to do ceremony. *shakes head*

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

I also remember some kind of "Bicycle Tree" controversy concerning the woods behind St. Scholastica. I don't remember what it was all about, except that there was some kind of ledge where people were throwing their old bikes off so they would get caught on some tree, or something like that. I think the controversy was that the tree was full of bicycles and the nuns decided the best way to deal with it was to cut down the tree. This would have been maybe ten years ago and my facts could be way off, so let's not call them facts.

Dawn Marie

about 13 years ago 

I always love finding new trails and areas to explore.  So the Valley of Silence, if one were to go check it out, where would the best place to park be?  I know where CSS is, but short of driving by, I've never actually been on campus.  Thanks!

Barrett Chase

about 13 years ago 

Parking at CSS is tight for visitors, as there's only a handful of legal spaces. 

Here are the regulations. There are only 27 designated visitor spaces and you still need acquire (free) permit to park in them. Here's a map of parking lots with no legend to describe what the numbers mean. 

I would guess that the regulations ease up quite a bit during the summer months, but I can't say for sure. I'm also not sure about this, but it seems like you'd be able to park in other spots in the evenings and on weekends, but once again, I don't know that for sure.

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

Turn off Kenwood Avenue onto Partridge Street, just south of the CSS campus. You can park free on Partridge Street. Walk to the top of the street and find the trailhead there.

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