- Estimated Cost: $40
- Deposit: $15
- Max Trip Size: 7 people
Join us on Thursday, June 15 – Sunday, June 18, as we explore part of the Chippewa National Forest, hike The Lost Forty, take a boat ride to Star Island& hike to Lake Windigo and camp on the shores of Cass Lake. Let me know if you have questions.
Fun Fact! The Chippewa National Forest is the first National Forest established east of the Mississippi River& contains more lakes& wetlands than any other National Forest!
We will leave the Twin Cities on Thursday, June 15, around 10 AM. We will stop& hike at the Shingobee Recreation Area, just south of Walker, MN. The North Country National Scenic Trail winds through part of Shingobee Recreation Area. We will continue on to Cass Lake& set up camp late afternoon / early evening on Thursday. On Friday, we will take a pontoon boat to Star Island, the largest Island on Cass Lake. Star island is unique because it is also home to Lake Windigo, a one-of-a kind lake within a lake.
Saturday will be a day of exploring bogs, scenic byways, historic sites& The Lost Forty—an area of land that was never logged. The Lost Forty Scientific& Natural Area (SNA) has virgin old growth Red& White pines that are 350 years old. It’s also home of the MN Red Pine “Big Tree Champion”, which stands 120 feet tall& has a circumference of 115 inches.
Sunday will be a day of exploring the area before returning home.
For those who would like to bike, there are three bike trails in the area: Migizi Bike Trail is a 19 mile paved bike trail that circles Pike Bay; The section of the Heartland State Trail from Cass Lake to Walker is a 22-mile paved trail; Section 3 of the Paul Bunyan State Trail covers 37 miles from Walker to Bemidji.
Meals will be on your own. We will provide a stove for group use. We will have a group potluck dinner on Friday. Sharing large tents will be necessary to accommodate the camping site. Possible dinner options in Cass Lake or Bemidji on Thursday and Saturday.
Estimated Cost: $20 – 40, depending on group size. (plus meals& transportation) Deposit: $15
Here are links to info for the area:
Chippewa National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa
Shingobee Recreation Area
http://www.co.cass.mn.us/document_center/land/trails/Shingobee_Recreation_Area.pdf
The Lost Forty
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna01063
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chippewa/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=26672&actid=50
Star Island& other attractions in Cass Lake MN http://www.casslake.com/attractions.html
Migizi Bike Trail https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chippewa/recreation/recarea/?recid=26700&actid=70
Heartland State Trail http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.htm
Paul Bunyan State Trail https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/trail-maps/section-3/