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By Robin Sauerwein When things just seem a little too ordinary, try looking at them from a different angle. Minnesota has quite a few places to explore that will give you a whole new perspective. This summer climb up some of the peaks or scamper down underground and find a whole new world waiting and maybe a different viewpoint as well. The View From on Top – Peaks to Climb We may not have real mountains in Minnesota but there are some places with spectacular views. Here are a few worth the journey. Palisade Head www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tettegouche/index.html On clear days, you can see the Split Rock Lighthouse, the Bayfield Peninsula and Apostle Islands of Wisconsin. Watch the ship traffic on the lake or gaze up at the Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and hawks that are often seen soaring around the cliffs. Rock climbers are usually scampering below on the lakeshore cliffs. This is a perfect place to come in mid-summer to enjoy some wild blueberries and even some gooseberries. With all that sky and water, vertigo may set in for some. And keep an eye on young feet moving too close to the all too real edge. Enger Tower www.superiortrails.com/duluth-engerpark.html The land for Enger Park was donated by a Norwegian immigrant, Bert Enger and the tower was dedicated in 1939 by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway. Before climbing up the tower spend some time enjoying the beautiful garden and park. A variety of flowers greet strollers along its path throughout the growing season. The park also has a Japanese garden including a pavilion and a peace bell from Duluth’s sister city in Japan. Over 4000 daffodils decorate the park in the spring. This is a family friendly and relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Tofte Area Carlton Peak and Britton Peak are two places to check out for their incredible views. To get to the peaks from Hwy 61 in Tofte, go north on the Sawbill Trail (co. Rd. 2) to the parking area on the east/right. Carlton Peak, part of the Superior Hiking Trail, is a favorite place to visit especially in the fall when the leaves are at their peak. Hike between 3 -5 miles round-trip to the peak or overlook and you will encounter an array of scenic beauty ranging from grasslands, a forest and overlooks of Lake Superior, and the Temperance River. Britton Peak is a more difficult hike but is only about .5 miles in length. Britton Peak will give you panoramas of Lake Superior, Carlton Peak and Temperance River. For more information go to www.northshorevisitor.com /hiking-trails/tofte.html Great River Bluffs State Park www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html Blue Mounds State Park www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html The cliff appeared blue to settlers going west during the 1860s and 1870s. They named the landmark, the Blue Mound. Also at the Mound’s southern end is a 1,250 foot long line of rocks aligned in an east-west direction. It is a mystery as to its origin but interesting enough, on the first day of spring and fall; the sunrise and sunset are lined up on this stone alignment. Located in the southwest corner of the state, Blue Mounds is a bit of a drive from the cities (4 hours), but the trip is worth it for the prairie landscape, from the prairie grasses and flowers to the cacti that blooms in June & July. Hundreds of different wildflowers bloom and grasses grow here. The state park is also a favorite for birdwatchers who want to see nesting blue grosbeaks and other birds. Blue Mounds State Park also maintains more than 100 bison. Down Under – Caves to Explore This summer go spelunking with the kids! Caves are fascinating wonderlands waiting for both young and old. Check out these that are all within driving distance of the Twin Cities. Wabasha Street Caves www.wabashastreetcaves.com Open year round, the historic tours are offered Thursdays at 5 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am, with an added Saturday noon tour from May 23 to September 5. Note: $5 tickets go on sale 10 minutes before the tour start time ~ cash only. Soudan Underground Mine reservations www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/index.html Directions: take U.S. Highway 169 towards Ely and follow the signs. Soudan is located 2 miles east of Tower, MN. The Soudan Mine is an unforgettable place to visit and one your children will enjoy as well. You will travel back in time as you don a hard hat and journey down 2,341 feet via a “cage.” Visitors then move to a rail car for a ride into the mine while listening to the stories of the mining days of over a century ago. Above ground you can explore the dry house, drill shop, crusher house and engine house. Walk the boardwalk past one of the deepest open mine pits. Spend the rest of the day hiking the trails in the park through the forest, past the famous Soudan Iron Formation. Admission: Adult: (ages 13 & up) $10.00 per tour; Youth (ages 5 to 12): $6.00 per tour; children under 5: free. Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html The Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park has enough interesting stalactites, stalagmites and underground pools to be a hit with your family. Park naturalists provide tours of the cave throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. When you’re done underground step above and stop by Historic Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). Daily tours begin Memorial Day weekend. Admission: Adults 13 and over: $10, Children 5 12 years: $6, Children under 5 years: free. A state park vehicle permit is required. Cost is either $5 for a daily permit or $25 for an annual permit. Niagara Cave www.niagaracave.com Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Niagara Cave is another place not to miss. One of the most fascinating and unique geological attractions in the United States, it has been rated as one of the “Top Ten in the U.S.” by Gorp.com. A one hour guided tour will take your family by a waterfall nearly 60 feet high, various sizes of stalactites both small and massive and fossils that date back to over 400 million years ago. There is even a wedding chapel in which over 400 weddings have been performed. Niagara Cave is open Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend with tours running seven days a week: 9:30 am-5:30 pm, including Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. No reservations needed. Admission: ages 4-12: $6, ages 13-17: $9, ages 18-64: $10.50, ages 65 and over: $9, ages 3 and under: free. Crystal Cave http://acoolcave.com Above ground, visitors can take in the self-guided nature trail, Lodge Gift Shop and a hands-on gem panning experience. Tours leave often throughout the day, with the last tour leaving 15 minutes before closing. The cave is not stroller or wheelchair accessible and while baby front packs are allowed, back carriers are not. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day – daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm; September-October – daily 10 am-4:30 pm. Children under age 3 are free. Note: remember all caves are cool with an average temperature of 48-50 degrees year round so be prepared by bringing a light jacket or sweatshirt. Walking shoes are also recommended.
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