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Minnesota News
MPR News Staff

Popular trail on Minnesota’s North Shore reopens in time for fall color season

A view of a lake from a rock outcropping
A view of Bean Lake along the Superior Hiking Trail near Silver Bay in May 2014. That section of the trail reopened Friday after being closed for maintenance over the summer.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News file

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Just in time for fall color season, a popular hiking trail on Minnesota’s North Shore is back open after a summer-long closure for maintenance.

A rock staircase along a hiking trail
Trail work along the popular Bean and Bear Lakes Loop trail near Silver Bay this summer included using natural materials for structures like this rock staircase.
Courtesy Superior Hiking Trail Association

The Bean and Bear Lakes Loop near Silver Bay — including all of the scenic overlooks from rock outcroppings high above the two lakes — had been closed for trail work since mid-May as crews worked to address severe erosion and other issues from years of heavy use.

This summer’s project, led by contractor Trail Source, also included updating the trail to modern design standards. Contractors used natural materials to build structures like rock staircases.

The Superior Hiking Trail Association reported Thursday that the trail would reopen Friday, Sept. 6 — though work will continue next year on part of the loop, including improvements to the Bear Lake campsite.

Meanwhile — another popular North Shore trail remains closed for maintenance. The eastern half of the Split Rock River Loop — a scenic hike that follows the twists and turns of the river upstream from Highway 61 — closed last weekend. There’s no estimate on when it will reopen.