Superior Hiking Trail: Castle Danger to Gooseberry Falls State Park

Trail Review

Superior Hiking Trail (SHT)

Castle Danger to Gooseberry Falls State Park

9.1 Miles

Section Description: Lake Co. Rd. 106 to Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center

Access and Parking: Trail head 2.4 miles off West Castle Danger Rd. parking lot on right. Overnight parking okay. (We parked for 4 nights here)

Facilities at Starting Trailhead: none

Designated Campsites on this Section: five
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We hiked this section in late August of 2014. Weather was great on this day with clear skies and warm weather around 65° - 73°. We drove from the twin cities in the morning so we weren't on the actual trail until 11:30 a.m. We didn't see another hiker for the first 8 miles of this section until we were close to Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Mile-by-Mile Description

For true and full descriptions of the trails, maps and all information relating to the Superior Hiking Trail please purchase the trail guide at the SHT store here. This is our experience on the trail.

0.0 (9.1 miles to go) Trail Head Parking Lot

Trail starts from right side of parking lot following a foot path and begins a short but very steep climb to the top of the ridge. You'll be using rocks and tree roots as stepping stones to get up on the cliff face. You will be out of breath after this climb. When you get to the top you can see the parking lot below as well as beautiful views of Lake Superior. Keep going for better views.

Packing up 

Trail head sign at Castle Danger parking lot

Path at bottom of cliff

Climbing the switchbacks to get to the top of the cliff

Path levels off and parallels ridge

Watch for blue paint to mark the trail

First glimpse of Lake Superior 

0.5 (8.6 miles to go) Wolf Rock

You will now be 1,200 feet up and will have great views in all directions. Pause at Wolf Rock for the best views of the lake. You may even see some barges leaving Two Harbors and heading out across to the north. Continue along the ridge until you see signs for the spur trail.

Wolf Rock and perfect views of Lake Superior

Ridge follow lake before path turns into forest

A few climbs with rocks for footing

Another view of the lake

1.1 (8.0) Spur trail to overlook

The spur trail winds through low hanging trees to a overlook of Crow Creek valley. We took this spur and didn't think the views were worth the struggle of getting through the forest and downed trees but it's your adventure! Main SHT continues and you will pass a small stream with a few steep ups and downs. You will go through open forest which will turn to dense undergrowth. 

Descend on other side of ridge

Path will level off as you go into thick forest

Wide path offers great tread

Mosquito heaven in the thick underbrush 

Beautiful mixed forests as the trail winds on a steady slope

A few climbs offer variety 

2.9 (6.2 miles to go) Mike's Rock

We don't know Mike but the rock is hollow underneath so we think he lives there. Great spot for pictures of the lake. You will descend stone steps to bottom of valley and will cross a stream.

Follow trail markers

Mike's Rock - can view the lake - say hi to Mike!

View from Mike's Rock

Large stone steps that lead into the valley

4.0 (5.1 miles to go) Nestor Grade Crossing

You will cross an old logging railroad and the trail will head right back up into a ridge line. The SHT will cross a few streams until you reach the river. The forest is mixed with a lot of pine. The trail is fairly wide and easy tread when it's flat.

Nice path through mixed forest

The SHT passes over a few streams

4.7 (4.4 miles to go) Gooseberry River and campsite

The SHT follows right along the river with many views and access to fill up with water. There are many places where trees are down because of beavers. Look for dams and signs of beavers near water. This is also a nice place to camp - you will pass 4 campsites that offer a combined 16 tent pads. Reminder that campsites also have a back woods latrine if you find yourself in need of a restroom.

Gooseberry River - Beaver dam

Where we filled up with water for the first time - water had a lot of iron in it but tasted great!

More of those beavers

Path winding right next to river

6.8 (2.3 miles left) Junction with park trail

Trail continues to follow river and then takes a sharp turn at an intersection and descends into river. Make sure to look at the signs. They turn into state park signage and the "SHT" markers become less visible. We had to physically run for over 3/4 a mile because of the mosquitos before we hit the state park. They actually swarmed us and we came out with 20 + bites in under a few minutes. We encountered our first person before we entered the mosquito woods and he warned us of how bad it was. We would suggest running if you can!

Run baby run! Mosquitos were the size of birds through this mile

Don't miss where the trail turns

8.0 (1.1 miles to go) Fifth Falls Bridge

SHT crosses bridge at Fifth Falls and will follow river as it cascades downstream. Many chances for pictures and photo ops. Trail is well hiked and easy to follow. You will encounter people since this is a very popular place to visit in the summer months. The trail winds with the river with a few ups and downs. There are many places to climb down right next to the river and falls.

View off Fifth Falls bridge 

High cliffs offer great views 

Looking at the river below 

We climbed down right by the falls

Gooseberry Falls

Gooseberry Falls 

Trail following river in Gooseberry Falls State Park

8.9 (0.2 miles to go) Junction with spur trail

Main SHT turns to the left before the old stone building and heads to Split Rock River on a wide and grassy ski trail. You have an opportunity to turn right and cross a long bridge to get beautiful shots of Gooseberry Falls and on the other side you can see Lake Superior in the distance.

Continue on grassy trail to hit full 9.1 miles.

Gooseberry Falls

Gooseberry Falls

View to the lake from bridge

We would rate this section 8 out of 10: 

It had everything a hiker could want. Multiple views of Lake Superior, challenging cliff climbs, level forest with nice cover, walk along Gooseberry River, plenty of campsites, and Gooseberry Falls with excellent views of the waterfalls and river.  This section was beautiful and had plenty of challenges from steep cliff climbs to deep woods filled with mosquitos. We kept moving after this section and camped 3 miles up the trail toward Split Rock. We hiked the 9.1 miles in a little over 4.5 hours - we took many photo breaks which slowed us down.

We rated it an 8 because of the intense mosquitos (we know these can't be helped but running uphill for almost a mile with full pack weight sucked) and also because of the vistas. We saw a few on this section and they were well worth the climb but further down the trail we experienced more.

This segment is perfect for a day hike and easy enough to do with a dog or with kids 10+ - we say 10 years old + because of the first cliff climb and a few of the steep descents. Easy parking at Castle Danger and Gooseberry Falls allow for travel back and forth. We would highly recommend doing this section in the early fall when the leaves change. Much of the trail crosses through a birch forest that would be in full blaze orange that time of year.

See you on the trail!

Go breathe the wild air

-FCFP