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Minnesota
52

Minnesota State Parks

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USA Parks
Minnesota
Arrowhead Region
Grand Portage State Forest
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Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Joseph Valerius
Minnesotas highest falls at 120 feet.
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Lucas Payne
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Wes Gerber
Pigeon River High Falls
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Lucas Payne
Grand Portage State Forest © Nancy Bauer
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Nancy Bauer
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Nancy Bauer
Grand Portage State Forest High Falls © Lucas Payne
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GRAND PORTAGE STATE FOREST
GRAND PORTAGE STATE FOREST
Torrents of wild water plummet 120 feet over the High Falls down to the Pigeon River in this park on the U.S. - Canadian border. The falls, the highest in the state, presented a serious obstacle to river travel, so a "carrying place," or portage, was necessary. American Indians created the ancient nine-mile trail from Lake Superior to bypass the falls. This trail became known as "The Grand Portage." Today, visitors of all abilities can take a one-half mile trail and boardwalk to the falls overlook area. The park is designed for day use only and contains mixed hardwood-conifer forests and hiking trails along the banks of the Pigeon River. The spectacular scenery sets the stage for recreational opportunities that include hiking, photography, and picnicking. The park lies within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and is bordered by Canada on the north and east. Lake Superior is about one mile east of the park.
Nature of the Area
Mixed hardwood forest covers most of the park and is dominated by paper birch and quaking aspen, with occasional white spruce, white pine, balsam fir, white cedar balsam, poplar, and black ash. Visitors will also see mountain ash, mountain maple, red-dosier dogwood, and thimbleberry. The slopes and crest of the large ridge are boreal forest communities containing abundant groundcover that includes clintonia, bunchberry, wild sarsaparilla, and club mosses and ferns. The forested areas provide a beautiful backdrop to the rugged beauty of the falls and the shoreline of the Pigeon River that runs through the park.

The geology of high falls is a story of fire and ice. According to geologists, it begins in the middle of the Precambrian era about 1.9 billion years ago. An ancient sea covered what is now Minnesota and deposited mud that hardened over time into a layer of shales and slates known as the Rove Formation. These are the layered rocks you can see along the inside of the high falls gorge. About 1.2 billion year ago, the continent began to spread along a rift that extended from what is now eastern Lake Superior to Kansas. Basaltic lava flowed over this zone, while here in Grand Portage, database intrusions penetrated the older Rove Shales turning the contact area shales into slate. The cliff the falls run over is a diabase dike and is very resistant to erosion. Huge glaciers bulldozed away the softer rock (shale and slate) leaving the harder and more resistant rock (basalt) standing. There were four major advances of ice with warmer interglacial climates between each advance. We are currently in the fourth interglacial period with the most recent glacial retreat having occurred around 10,000 years ago. The land around the Lake Superior basin gradually rebounded from the weight of the ice and the lake level slowly receded. The ridges around Grand Portage State Park would have first emerged as an isolated group of offshore islands. As centuries passed, gravel was deposited in terraces by the retreating lake. The path to High Falls cuts directly through one of these gravel terraces. About 9,000 years ago, the lake level dropped to a point where the river mouth would have been at the lower end of the High Falls gorge. If High Falls is a post-glacial landform, then the gorge is only about 9,000 years old. There is speculation among geologists that the gorge was cut before the glaciers came, filled with sediment, and was re-excavated after the lake level dropped. There is evidence for this happening in several other North Shore river valleys.

The glacial ridges in the park add to a varied terrain which harbors an abundance of wildlife. The channeled bays and river islands below the falls are home to osprey, eagle, otter, beaver, moose, and great-blue heron. Visitors can expect to see white-tail deer and black bear along with other small animals and birds.
History of the Area
Git-che-O-ni-ga-ming and Grand Portage are Ojibwe and French words for "a great carrying place." Grand Portage State Park and the surrounding area is rich in Indian and fur trade history. To American Indians, voyageurs and fur traders in the 1700s, the natural features of the area were an awesome sight. Travelers and traders were faced with a 120-foot waterfall, the thundering rapids of the Pigeon River, cliffs, and rocky terrain that was impossible to cross. The only option was to go around these obstacles. The nine-mile trek became known as "The Grand Portage" and ultimately gave the area its name. The park lies within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and is bordered by Canada on the north and east. Lake Superior is about one mile east of the park. The park was established in 1989 through the cooperative efforts of the State of Minnesota and the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians. A unique situation exists in that this is the only state park not owned by the State of Minnesota. The land is leased from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) which holds it in trust for the Grand Portage Band. The development and operation of the park rests primarily with the Department of Natural Resources and is implemented through the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Camping
1. Grand Portage State Forest Campground: This campground is located within the state forest and offers a variety of camping options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins.

2. Judge C.R Magney State Park: Located just south of the Grand Portage State Forest, this park has 27 drive-in campsites for tents or small trailers.

3. Devil's Track Lake Campground: Situated on the shores of Devils Track Lake near Cook County Airport in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region about eight miles north from downtown Grand Marais off Highway 61.

4. East Bearskin Campgrounds: It provides campers with water access to canoeing routes as well as hiking trails into wilderness areas.

5. Flour lake campground: The site includes vault toilets, drinking water facilities along with picnic tables & fire rings at each designated spot.

6. Kimball lake campground: A family friendly place that also allows pets.

7. Hungry Jack Lodge & Camping Grounds: Offers cabin rentals alongside their rustic camping grounds which are equipped with modern amenities like electricity hookup points etc., making it an ideal choice if you're looking forward to enjoying some comforts while being close nature during your stay here!

8. Crescent Lake National Recreation Area (NRA): Though not directly inside GPFS but very nearby offering primitive backcountry camping experience amidst beautiful natural surroundings!
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Location
Grand Portage State Forest is

Trails
1. High Falls Trail: This is a half-mile trail that leads to the highest waterfall in Minnesota, standing at 120 feet tall. The path is paved and wheelchair accessible with several viewing platforms along the way for hikers to enjoy breathtaking views of Pigeon River.

2. Middle Falls Trail: A moderately challenging hike spanning about three miles round trip from Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center leading towards an impressive view of Middle falls on Pigeon river.

3. Mount Josephine Trails: These trails offer stunning panoramic vistas over Lake Superior and Isle Royale National Park as well as bird's-eye-view glimpses into Canada across the border waterways; they are more strenuous due to their steep inclines but worth it for experienced hikers seeking rewarding scenery.

4. Partridge Falls Hiking Route: An off-the-beaten-path trek through dense forest terrain which culminates at another spectacular waterfall - Partridge falls, this route requires careful navigation but offers solitude away from busier paths.

5. Pincushion Mountain Loop: It's a moderate difficulty level hiking loop covering around five miles offering scenic overlooks onto Lake superior while winding its way up through mixed hardwood forests.

6. Grand Portage Heritage Centre Walking Path: Although not technically within state forest boundaries, this easy walking path starts near park visitor center providing informative plaques detailing local history & culture throughout journey making it educational yet enjoyable experience.

7. Mineral Center Nature Walk: This short nature walk provides interpretive signs explaining various plant species found in region giving insight into diverse flora present within grand portage state forest area.

8. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Access Points: While these aren't traditional 'hiking' trails per se, BWCAW access points like Larch Creek Entry Point or Sea Gull lake entry point can serve as starting spots for multi: day backpacking trips deep inside pristine wilderness areas adjacent to Grand Portage State Forest.

9. Superior Hiking Trail: Although only a small portion of this long-distance trail passes through the state forest, it offers challenging hikes with stunning views over Lake Superior and surrounding wilderness areas.

10. Cross River Heritage Center Trails: Located near Schroeder these trails offer leisurely walks around historical buildings & artifacts providing glimpse into region's past while being surrounded by lush greenery making them perfect for family outings or relaxed strolls.

11. Grand Portage National Monument Loop: This 8. 5-mile loop is more than just a hiking path; it's an immersive journey back in time to experience life as early Ojibwe people did centuries ago amidst beautiful natural surroundings.


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Directions
From the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, travel north on State Highway 61 for about 36 miles to the Canadian Border. The park entrance is on the west side of the highway, just before you come to the U.S. Customs Station on the US/Canada border.

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Minnesota
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Minnesota State Parks

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