Split Rock River Loop Hike

During a camping trip to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park a few weekends ago, we hiked the Split Rock River Loop. The loop is part of the Superior Hiking Trail and a portion of it is in the state park. The loop is 5 miles if you begin and end at the wayside rest parking lot off Hwy 61.

We hiked up the more difficult west side of the river and back down the easier east side. On the west side, it felt like we were constantly walking uphill and then immediately back down to the river only to go back up again after a few steps. The east side was very flat and easy by comparison. The biggest challenge was running out of water half way through and the water filter not working.

I’ve wanted to do this hike for a while and we had the perfect day for it. It was so beautiful and peaceful and well worth the effort.

This bridge and the next two waterfall pictures are just a few minutes past the parking lot. It was so serene and quiet that it felt like we were already far into the hike.

There are so many waterfalls on the river that we lost count. None of them are on the park map.

The way the trees grow out of the rock walls is always fascinating to me.

Some people think the river is named Split Rock because of this large rock formation.

This bridge marks the half way mark of the loop. It wasn’t as rickety as I expected given the fact that it’s being held in place by ropes attached to a tree and it looks like it could fall over at any moment.

This is what the trail was like for a good portion of the eastern side of the trail. It was pretty flat, without tree roots or rocks on the trail. There was a long stretch that was very muddy and wet. I didn’t take pictures because I was feeling dehydrated and just wanted to focus on getting back to the car. About 1/2 a mile before the end of the trail, it opened up to an amazing view of Lake Superior.

This trail shelter is perfectly placed at the top of the open hill. After the shelter, you walk down a steep grassy hill to Hwy 61 and back to the parking lot.

Wisconsin’s Interstate State Park – Silverbrook Trail Hike

I love a good waterfall and I heard that the waterfall at the end of the Silverbrook Trail is a nice one. The hike was nice but nothing spectacular and the waterfall itself was not all that amazing. Perhaps I was expecting more because that area is so beautiful in general.

Silverbrook Trail starts at the end of the group camp area.  We weren’t completely sure if we were allowed to park there but we did and nobody said anything to us. The first part of the trail is more open and prairie like and was very hot in the sun. After maybe 1/4 mile, there are more trees and shade. I was surprised how flat the trail is, considering how rugged the terrain near the river is.

 

The park map says the trail follows part of the old road that ran between Osceola and St. Croix Falls and passes an old copper mine area. I wish there were interpretive signs or a better explanation on the map as to the history of the area.

Shortly after the mine area, you come to the waterfall. It wasn’t very impressive from this vantage point and we were a little too lazy to find a way to the bottom.

All in all, hiking this trail would be a fine way to spend an hour when you’re bored and have explored everything else in the area. It wasn’t really worth the drive from the Twin Cities, though.

We did have lunch in the picnic area along the river, which was lovely. There are a lot of picnic tables spread out and big open spaces to sit on the ground.