Minneapolis-St. Paul: Grand Portage Trail, Jay Cooke State Park
This 10-mile loop overlaps with the North Country Trail and visits a thundering falls along the St. Louis River.
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The St. Louis River gets loud and angry and it flows through the rugged slate and red clay bedrock of the Saint Louis River Gorge in Jay Cooke State Park. Most hiker jam up the trail around Oldenburg Point, one of the best places to access views. But hop on the Grand Portage Trail to ditch crowds and see the river from a high ridge, then drop to banks. Want more? Head over to the Summer and Silver Creek Trails for a five-mile overnighter to a backcountry campsite. For reservations: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/jay_cooke/index.html
Miles from city center: 144
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Parking
Location: 46.668208, -92.307848