Ely MN Area Hiking Trails
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If spending the day walking and absobing the beautiful scenery is your idea of a great way to spend a day, then you'll find just what you're looking for on one of the hiking trails in the Ely, MN area. Among the most popular include include the Bass Lake Trail, the Angleworm Trail, Trezona Trail, Hidden Valley, Secret/Blackstone Trail and the Snowbank Lake Trail. Depending on the experience you're seeking, these Ely area hiking trails can lead you either on a short jaunt, a vigorous day trip, or an extended wilderness trek. |
Bass Lake Trail:
This hiking trail is 5.6 miles around Bass Lake. Backpacking campsites. Historically and ecologically unique. Requires at least 4-6 hours. Located on the Echo Trail - six miles north of Ely. Bass and Low Lakes are located in a basin gouged out of pre-Cambrian
rock. Prior to 1925 the two lakes were separated by a ridge of glacial
gravel which acted as a natural dam. Logging operation led to the
construction of a sluiceway to move logs through the gravel ridge - a
drop of 60 feet. Seepage soon weakened the sluiceway as water moved
through the gravel adjacent to the structure. The sluiceway and glacial
ridge washed out in the spring of 1925 leaving a gorge over 250 feet
wide. Bass Lake was lowered 55 feet in 10 hours, reduced to 1/2 its
original size and two small lakes, Dry and Little Dry, became isolated
in the old lake bed. Approximate 250 acres of land was then exposed and
available to the establishment of pioneer plant species.
Angleworm Trail:
This is a 14 mile hiking trail, with 11 miles forming a loop around Angleworm, Home and Whiskey Jack lakes. There are 9 designated campsites along the trail, and is located on the Echo Trail - six miles north of Ely. This is a rugged trail through stands of red and white pine with many high ridges with scenic overlooks. Moose love to frequent the north end of the trail in the Home Lake area. Pink ladyslippers demurely display themselves along the trail in the spring.
North Arm and North Junction Trails:
Along the Echo Trail, there are many hiking trails which are popular destinations for berry picking in season, nature studies, bird-watching and wildlife photography. The North Arm and North Junction hiking trail systems are highly recommended and are close to Fenske Lake.
Trezona Trail:
Located just 3 blocks north of Sheridan Street in Ely, this hiking trail is just over 5 miles in length and goes around Miners Lake, a former iron ore mining pit. History abounds in the area providing a glimpse into the economic lifeblood of the past. The south side of the trail is flat to gently folling, following old railroad grades and mine haul roads. The north side of the trail is rolling to hilly, passing through white pine stands, residential areas, and the historic Pioneer Mine buildings and headframe.
Hidden Valley Trail:
This hiking trail is located just one mile east of Ely on the Hidden Valley Road, and is actually multiple trails. The trails pass through rolling hills, paper birch and pine stands and newly planted red and white pine plantations.