This excellent map of the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest was published by the Forest Service but is now out of print. I am on a mission to get people out on this trail. If you'd like an 11 x 17, 2 sided color paper copy send me your postal address and I will mail it out to you.
The red and white pine of the Chippewa National Forest were first logged in the late 1800s, now known as the river era of logging. Logs were floated downriver to the sawmill. By the early 1900s these easily accessible pines were gone and railroads were built to haul logs out of the woods. This was a much more efficient and reliable method of transportation. Many miles of abandoned railroad grade lie hidden in the Chip, like the one shown here west of Longville, MN. It seems the wooden railroad ties were left in place here after the tracks were taken up. You can't really see them but you can feel the rippling under your feet as you walk.
I could go on and on about how much I enjoy the mature red pine encountered while hiking the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest. Oh, wait maybe I have. Many of these stands of pine were planted by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930s.
These toothy critters have a significant impact on the lands and waters where they live. The North Country Trail takes advantage of the earth and stick pathways created by beavers.
Scenes from the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest, off the Woodtick Trail near Longville, MN. I worked this scene for 30 minutes from several vantage points and zoom levels. No wonder it takes me all day to hike a few miles.
Camping is permitted anywhere in the Chippewa National Forest. Rustic campsites are also available every so often along the North Country Trail. This campsite near Remer, MN has been lovingly tended and awaits your visit.
"Daylight in the swamp!" This was the lumberjack's call to get out of bed and into the woods. The Chippewa National Forest is loaded with water everywhere, but ironically water access to the backpacker can be tricky because much of the water is hard to get at to due to soft marshy shorelines. This lovely scene is north of Remer, MN.
This portly fellow seemed unconcerned with my presence. I suppose he knew if I got too close all he had to do was whack me up side the head with his tail and I would be in a world of hurt.
I spotted this wonderful scene while driving to a North Country Trail parking area in the Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN. I just had to pull over to get the shot. The large red pines on the right remind me of exploding fireworks.
The North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest is attractive to ATV and dirt bike riders, even though it's posted for non motorized use only. I believe the key to preventing this abuse is for more hikers to get out on the trail and make our presence felt. Above, The nearly indestructible Carsonite posts that mark the North Country Trail are no match for a shotgun blast at close range.
Maybe one more boulder is needed to keep the macines off the trail at Milton Lake on the North Country Trail near Remer, MN.
Passing by an NCT trailhead and parking area years ago, I pulled in and saw a map like this one. This began a slow process that lead to my eventual adoption of a section of the trail for maintenance purposes.
Red pines reach for the sky on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN
The Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN is the home to a great many monster-sized red pine. The North Country Trail winds between them here and throughout the forest.
Holy Water lake is a couple of miles past the easterly dead end of the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest and beyond the forest boundary. It is well worth the trip for it's sandy beach, excellent campsites and wildlife. The lake was named by surveyors hired by a Catholic priest in the late 1800's who thought he owned land that was actually at the bottom of the lake.
The NCT in the Chip dead ends at the eastern forest boundary, causing many to skip it. It's a beautiful piece of trail none the less and well worth the effort.
The NCT in the "Chip" is a beautiful trail that winds its way through the lakes and woods of northern Minnesota. Here we pass Sailor Lake on the far eastern edge of the forest.
Hiking and taking pictures. That about says it all. That's what I really enjoy doing. When I get to choose what I'm going to do on any given day it often involves one or the other or both. Taking pictures that I like is great fun but sharing my photography with others makes it real. I hope you enjoy these pictures taken late summer and fall 2009 on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest of Minnesota.
