NORTH SHORE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
JULY 29 – JULY 31, 2011

The 8th Annual North Shore Dragon Boat Festival

You’ve heard of the seven summits, the highest point on each of the seven continents of the world. Well, forget about those summits and hike the seven summits of the Superior Hiking Trail during 2011. It’s the 25th anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail and they want to challenge our members and friends to celebrate the trail by getting out and hiking on it.

SHTA has chosen seven summits spread out along the entire length of the trail from Duluth to Grand Marais for the challenge. You can find directions to each of the summits in the 6th Edition Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail or visit www.shta.org

The summits are:

Ely’s Peak- Located in the west part of Duluth in the 123rd Ave West to Magney-Snively

Park section. The 1,219 ft. summit of Ely’s Peak provides magnificent views of the forested St Louis River Valley.

Mount Trudee- Located in Tettegouche State Park, in the Silver Bay to Tettagouche State Park and Hwy 1 section of the SHT. One of the SHT’s best examples of a large, weather resistant anorthosite dome. The summit is pituresque, studded with pines, with great views.

Carlton Peak- Located in Temperance River State Park on the Temperance River State Park to Britton Peak section. A climb to the top of Carlton Peak reveals some tremendous views, which is why this was the site of a fire tower up until the 1950′s.

Oberg Mountain – Near Tofte located in the Oberg Moutain to Lutsen Recreation Area section of the trail. Oberg Mountain is covered by a rich maple forest. Work your way counterclockwise around the summit for about eight different overlooks in all directions.

Moose Mountain- Located in the same trail section as Oberg, at Lutsen Recreation Area. Moose Mountain rises 1,688 ft above sea level and 1,086 feet above Lake Superior.

Lookout Mountain- In Cascade River State Park, south of Grand Marais in the Caribou Trail to Cascade River State Park. Great views from the overlook above the Cascade River. Be sure to sign the trail register!

Pincushion Mountain- In the Grand Marais to Cook County Road 58 section of the trail. Sweeping vistas of Grand Marais, Sawtooth Mountains, Lake Superior, and Devil Track River.

Do you like to hike but want a  comfortable bed, a good breakfast and a shuttle to the Superior Hiking Trailhead? Stay at Pincushion Mountain Bed and Breakfast! We will shuttle your party to the trailhead and you can hike during the day, come back to the B&B for a shower and head out to  your favorite restaurant at night. Popular destinations are JC Magne State Park to Kimble Creek and Kimble Creek to Pincushion Mountain Trail. It’s a great two day hiking experience with all the comforts of a wilderness retreat.

]]> http://pincushionbb.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=24 0 http://pincushionbb.com/blog/?p=9 http://pincushionbb.com/blog/?p=9#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 15:57:22 +0000 admin http://pincushionbb.com/blog/?p=9 Continue reading →]]>  

     Black Throated Blue Warbler

 http://www.northhouse.org/programs/events/birdingfestival.htm

Cook County is blessed with birds! A total of 155 species (give or take a few) breed in Superior National Forest. In 2001, those three million acres were designated a Globally Important Bird Area. The variety of forest and terrain, including deciduous and conifer forest, bogs, streams and lakes, create a huge range in habitat. Add the very large body of water represented by Lake Superior to the mix, and you can understand why spring and fall migrations are times of especially rewarding birding.

In spring, you may spot Tundra Swan, Sandhill Crane, Rusty Blackbird along the shore; Boreal Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls begin nesting in the forest. The summer breeding season, late May through early August, lures birders inland…twenty species of warblers, Evening Grosbeak, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers…that’s just the beginning of the list. The fall migration is larger than the one in spring, beginning with the sight of thousands of Common Nighthawks in late August. The sheer quantity of birds moving down the shore makes this a world-class migration route. Songbirds in August and September, raptors in September and October…actually, October is the biggest month for rarities of any kind. But the remaining species in winter (often begins in November and extends into March or April) are considered to be the most sought-after. Forest specialties include a variety of owls, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Red and White-winged Crossbills – to name just a few. Bald Eagles are a real success story in conservation, and they are seen year-round, near lakes in summer, and around the Grand Marais Harbor in winter, as long as there is open water.

 Enjoy your stay at Pincushion Mountain Bed and Breakfast  for the Boreal Bird Festival June 2-5, 2011.

]]> http://pincushionbb.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=9 0