WALKER - REMER

Chippewa National Forest, Cass County, MN

55.0 mi total 55.0 (+13.0) certified 0.0 connecting 55.0 marked 0.0 bare

THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST was the first National Forest to be established east of the Mississippi River. The forest boundary encompasses about 1.6 million acres with about 660,000 acres of National Forest Lands. The remainder are State, County, Reservation and private lands. The Leech Lake Indian Reservation shares common boundaries with the forest. Water is abundant in the forest. Over 700 lakes, 920 miles of streams, and 150,000 acres of wetlands are within its boundaries. The forest boasts of having the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Several sensitive species of wildlife are present. such as the osprey, loon, and great gray owl. The gray wolf is present, but rarely seen. Deer are common; bear are not unknown, but rare enough that the forest does not issue hiker warnings in their literature.

Though long established and highly maintained, the trail in the Chippewa will probably undergo a serious relocation and extension with the coming of the big North Country Trail "Arrowhead" relocation over the next few years. The relocation will probably more than double the current 68 miles of trail in the forest, and move the eastern trailhead far to the north and east, but will lop off ten to twenty miles of the current easternmost part of the trail in the forest. Due to this, and outside connection problems, the suggested route given here does not use all of the certified trail in the forest. This relocation will be discussed in more detail in the next section.

The North Country Trail is but one of many maintained by the Chippewa National Forest, but it is excellently maintained, well marked, signed and developed; the forest has done an excellent job for the trail. Surprisingly, in this lake-ridden land, water on the trail can occasionally be hard to find -- or hard to reach, as many potential water points are surrounded by soft, marshy conditions. The trail goes as much as 13.5 miles without reaching a good water point. As in other National Forest lands, CAMPING is permitted anywhere in the forest. A number of campsites are located along the trail, some co-located with boat launches, others built specifically for the North Country Trail by volunteers of the Headwaters Chapter of the NCTA. These sites usually have fire rings and pit toilets; reservations or permits are not needed. Other, more developed campsites are also available in the forest, some near the trail. Open fires are not permitted, except in fire rings. MAPS: Chippewa NF still has a reprint of the excellent 1991 USFS map of the trail available; it is out of print in many other forests. This map is more than adequate to get the hiker through the forest on the trail. The maps given here show a little less detail than the USFS maps, but should also be adequate for most users. INFORMATION: Rod MacRae's guide to the Chippewa National Forest, some years old but still excellent, is available from the NCTA Trail Store, as is the Hutchins Guide for the trail in the forest. Both are excellent source material, giving much more detail than possible here.

For more information about the forest, contact Chippewa National Forest, Rt. 3, Box 244, Cass Lake, MN 55663, (218) 335-8600; or Chippewa National Forest, Walker Ranger District, HCR73, Box 15, Walker, MN 56464, (218) 547-1044.

WESTERN END: The suggested route given here comes into the forest on the Heartland Trail, temporarily chopping off the westernmost 3.5 certified miles of the North Country Trail in the CNF, until such time as the segment to the west in the Paul Bunyan State Forest is completed. At present, the western trailhead is located on FR2820A at the western boundary of the forest (also the Cass county line), usually only accessable by 4-wheel drive vehicle. The trail proceeds southeasterly for 2.5 miles through mixed forest cover, and scattered groves of virgin, (over 200 year old) White and Norway Pine. After 2.5 miles, cross CR12; limited parking at trailhead. The trail continues southeasterly for another mile before reaching the Heartland Trail crossing, where the suggested route given here joins. Walker, MN is another four miles to the north up the Heartland Trail.

WALKER, MN 56484 (Pop. 970). Good for long-term resupply; some hiker-specific items available. Several restaurants, ranging from fast food (Hardee's) to family to fancy; large, full-service supermarket, several motels and B&Bs, including the Lakeview Inn (218) 547-1212 SR371 east of town (about a quarter mile from the ranger district office), Chase on the Lake, (218) 547-1351, Northwood Beach Motel, (218) 547 1306, (both downtown) and the Walker American Motel, (218) 547-2200 on SR 371 to the west. Also, sporting goods, hardware, drug store, laundromat.

0.0 [0.0] JUNCTION OF NORTH COUNTRY AND HEARTLAND TRAILS

The trail joins the suggested route from the west on the northwest shore of a small lake near where CR14 (also FR2833) joins to parallel the Heartland Trail for a distance, about 1.5 miles inside Cass County. As the NCNST leaves the Heartland Trail, it's necessary to clamber about 60 feet down a steep bank to the trail circiling the southern shore of the lake. Possible undesignated campsite and water access. A mile to the east of the Heartland Trail, cross SR34. The parking lot for the Shingobee Recreation Area is about 0.3 to the south.

1.0 [1.0] CROSS SR34

The Shingobee Recreation Area is laced with walking and ski trails, so keep a sharp eye open for NCT blazes. The trail climbs eastward to the top of the ridge. About 0.4 miles east of the highway is a designated campsite overlooking Anoway Lake in a pine grove at "Shingobee Vista", a lookout point with a great view of theShingobee River valley to the east. There is no water at the campsite, which is recommended by many. The trail descends to the south, crosses the Anoway Lake outlet on a unique floating bridge over a bog, then turns to follow the river valley to the east and follows the north shore of the river eastward for about a mile and a half, passing several possible water points and undesignated dispersed campsites, before reaching CR50.

3.5 [2.5] CROSS CR50

The trail uses the CR50 bridge to cross to the south side of the Shingobee River, (small parking lot, water access) and follows a small ridge overlooking the valley eastward. Again, a sharp eye for blazes is called for, as the trail goes through the "County Road 50 Hunter Walking Trail System", a network of walking and ski trails. After about 2.0 miles, the river turns to the north, and the trail continues to the east through a rolling countryside of mixed forest and open fields. After about another 1.3 miles, the trail turns south, and reaches Cyphers Lake (water available). The trail follows a ridge southward, with several views, then turns east at a small pond about 1.5 miles south of Cyphers Lake, and continues eastward about 0.1 mile to SR371. This was once the vicinity of Lothrop, a logging town of about 1,500 people, abandoned in 1901; the vacant buildings were later destroyed by fire. The Lake Erin trailhead and parking lot is about 0.1 mile north, and has parking, picnic grounds, and water pump. A cafe and motel is located about 2.2 miles north.

8.5 [5.0] CROSS SR 371

The trail heads southeasterly from the parking area, mostly through open, overgrown fields, once used for sheep pastures, now kept open and maintained for wildlife use, as are several other areas withing the Chippewa National Forest. After 2.0 miles, cross FR2107, also known as the "Woodtick Trail".

10.5 [2.0] CROSS FR2107 (WOODTICK TRAIL)

A small parking area is located at the crossing. The trail continues to the south, passing a small lake, the Woodtick Impoundment; after half a mile is a designated campsite, with table, pit toilet, firegrate and water access. The trail continues to the east, and after another 1.5 miles crosses FR2107 again.

The trail turns somewhat northeasterly through rolling terrain and hilly forest, passing several small ponds with potential water access. After about 2.5 miles, reach a designated lake access campsite at the south end of Hovde Lake. The trail continues eastbound through rolling forested hills for 0.5 miles until reaching FR3790.

15.5 [3.0] CROSS FR3790

Parking is available nearby the crossing. The trail turns to the southeast, and after about 0.5 mile reaches Long Lake (shown as Gut Lake on some maps). The campsite here is located on a rock ledge on the lakeshore. The trail continues easterly through rolling terrain and mixed forest; after another 1.5 miles reaches North Stocking Lake, which has a marshy shore. Continuing east, after another 0.5 mile the trail crosses FR2108.

18.0 [2.5] CROSS FR2108

There is no parking available at this crossing, and logging operations have made the area confusing, so follow trail markers carefully for the next mile, during which several logging roads and two-ruts are passed. At the end of that mile, Moccasin Lake is passed. The trail continues east through mixed hardwood and conifer forest, then turns southeast and emerges after another two miles at FR2107 again.

21.0 [3.0] CROSS FR2107 (THIRD TIME)

There is no parking available at the crossing. A dispersed campsite is located about a mile southwest on FR2107 , on the shore of Moccasin Lake. Once again, pay close attention to the trail markers, as the trail is entering the Goose Lake Trail System, another network of hunter/walker/ski trails. The trail continues to the southeast, but after about 0.5 miles turns to go around the north side of marshy Goose Lake. Leaving the lake, the trail veers east, then northeast, and after about 1.5 miles reaches FR2107 for the last time.

23.0 [2.0] CROSS FR2107 (FOURTH TIME)

Parking area, water pump near crossing. The trail continues east through hardwood forest and some swamp with bog bridges. After about 1.5 miles, reach Hazel Lake.

24.5 [1.5] PASS HAZEL LAKE

The Headwaters Chapter of the NCTA developed the Hazel Lake campsite in a brich grove on a hill overlooking the lake. There is also a dispersed campsite at the boat launch to the north on the east shore of the lake. The trail heads to the northeast past the lake, going through large stands of red pine. The trail turns north to parallel one-lane FR2100, then turns east, crossing it about 1.8 miles from Hazel Lake. Continuing northeast the trail passes through a low, marshy area with beaver ponds before reaching two-lane gravel CR 125.

27.5 [3.0] CROSS CR125

There is no trailhead parking, but possiblity for parking at a road junction just to the north. From this point, the trail heads generally easterly for a mile, then turns to the north through an aspen forest for about a 1.5 miles, then turns east past some fenced private fields through an aspen forest to the developed trailhead parking area at SR84. Longville is 4 miles south.

LONGVILLE, MN 56655. Restaurants, medium-size grocery store.

31.5 [4.0] CROSS SR84

The trail heads east through a pine plantation. After half a mile, cross CR126; there is a small pond with possible water access near the crossing. After another 1.5 mile, pass Crown Lake; dispersed camping and water access. The trail trends to the southeast through mixed forest for another 1.5 mile until reaching FR2875.

35.0 [3.5] CROSS FR2875

Trailhead parking located at crossing. The trail briefly follows FR2875 northward, then turns east past the north end of Long Lake, passing some beaver ponds. After a mile, the trail crosses FR2875 again (no parking at this crossing) and continues eastward through moderately rolling countryside until reaching SR200 at the Boy River after 2.0 more miles.

38.0 [3.0] CROSS SR200 AND BOY RIVER

The trail uses the highway bridge to cross the wide Boy River. There is trailhead parking at both ends of the bridge; this is a canoe put-in for a popular canoe trip. There is no good water access for the next 13.5 miles. The trail heads northward from the river crossing, and after half a mile or so bends to the northeast, through rolling countryside and mixed forests, with occasional hillside openings that offer views. After about 1.0 mile, cross two-rut FR2561; cross it again after a short distance, and yet another time after about a mile, and a final time a short distance later. About half a mile farther, reach CR53 near the FR2104 intersection. Mabel Lake Forest Campground is two miles south on FR2104.

41.5 [3.5] REACH CR53

The trail joins CR53 eastward for a short distance, and with it turns to the north, before the trail leaves the road to the northeast. There is no trailhead parking, nor is there at the FR2117 crossing a short distance later. The trail continues northeastward through gently rolling mixed hardwoods with occasional open meadows. After a mile, pass a small pond that might be used for water access, but a marshy shoreline makes getting to the water difficult. A dispersed campsite is located near this pond. About 2.0 miles farther on, the trail bends southeast to cross, then parallel an abandoned rail grade now used as an ATV trail for about 0.2 miles. The trail leaves this grade and heads east through moderately hilly terrain and mixed forest and field, bearing back to the northeast crossing two-rut FR2117C, and after another 2.3 miles reaches the crossing of paved CR4.

46.0 [5.5] CROSS CR4

Parking is available near this trail crossing. The trail continues northeasterly from this crossing following FR2792 for a short distance before turning into the woods; after about 1.2 miles, the trail turns to the east to cross FR2792 again, and continues eastward through an aspen forest on hilly terrain. After about 1.2 miles, reach CR52.

48.5 [2.5] CROSS CR52

No trailhead parking at this crossing. The trail crosses the road, then turns shouth paralleling the road for a short distance before turning east into the woods again. The trail turns to the east through moderately hilly terrain, and after about half a mile reaches FR2324. The trail follows FR2324 northward for a short distance to avoid a private property crossing problem, then reaches the boat landing at Lower Milton Lake, about 1.2 miles past CR52.. This is the first good water access since the Boy River. Camping is allowed at the boat landing, or on a ridge to the east. The climb up the ridge to the east is steep, but the view is worth it. Though narrow at the crest, there are several viewpoints. The trail descends gradually through a mature forest of mixed hardwoods and conifers, turns to the east through mixed hardwood and second growth forest, and about two miles from Lower Milton Lake reaches FR 2321.

51.5 [3.5] CROSS FR2321

No trailhead parking in this vicinity. The trail crosses FR2321, then turns east for a distance before coming out to the road again, and follows the road or parallels it for about a mile, in order to cross a marshy area., Once off the road, the trail stays near it until it bears away to the southeast just short of the FR3760 intersection. The trail continues southeasterly through relatively flat country and mixed forest for another 1.5 miles until reaching the crossing of FR3761. Loon Lake, a small, marshy lake is about 0.2 mi to the southwest on FR3761. FR 3763 follows near the shoreline. About 0.1 mile to the southeast is a spruce grove used as a dispersed campsite; an unmarked path leads to a patch of hard shoreline for water access.

55.0 [3.5] REACH FR 3761

Due to the Arrowhead relocation project, the revised NCNST in the Chippewa National Forest will probably leave the current trail somewhere before reaching this point, perhaps as far back as the section between CR4 and CR52; the suggested route, for this reason, also leaves the existing NCNST at FR3761, and heads northeast, with the remainder of the section in the Chippewa NF to be discussed in the next section. Discription of the suggested route, therefore, ends at this point. However, it could be some years until the changeover, and the remainder of the current certified trail will be described briefly below:

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