CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST
DEER RIVER - MINNESOTA
The Lost Forty is a must see for anyone living anywhere near Minnesota. The Lost Forty offers close up views of the oldest and biggest pines in Minnesota and probably for miles around. Deep in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest is an area that was missed by loggers as a surveying crew mistakenly plotted this area underwater. Granted it was November and they were probably cold, tired, and miserable. But then if you spend too much time outdoors up north in Minnesota that time of the year things like that will
happen. The Superior National Forest is an area which garners much more star power in the hearts of visitors but I guarantee you if the Lost Forty was located off of Lake Superior's North Shore Drive this would be by far the most visited site in Minnesota. A north shore Lost Forty visitor center would dwarf the Gooseberry Falls visitor center which exists now. But then thats all speculation as it doesnt reside anywhere near a populace or well driven road. In actuality you need to do some driving to get here and its in an isolated area of the forest also. The good news is the roads are in great condition with little to no washboard.
The Lost Forty is actually 144 acres. There are two hiking loops with the closest loop containing almost all of the old growth pines. In the old growth area you will find the biggest trees and the oldest. They say the oldest trees in here are 300-400 years old.
For those who are not interested in long day hike this trail wont make you work too hard to get the prize. The trail starts right next to the road and has plenty of signs to read along the way.
The trail was quiet when we walked thru. There were a couple of cars in the parking lot when we showed up but they moved on rather quickly. The trail is a carpet of pine covered needles.
Not far into the trail you come across your first large pine. The bark on these creatures are amazing. Look at how thick it is! I'm not sure I could pound a nail into it if I tried. I'm actually sort of glad that this place is so isolated so as to keep vandals away.
This was about the biggest tree on the trail and we tried to ring our arms around it. It took three people and they just barely were able to touch!
Walking along the trail you'll find a big pine sitting right next to the trail. They truly are an amazing sight. I had seen pictures of this area but had not thought I would be impressed. These pictures do no justice to what you will see.
I found myself gazing thru the woods looking for other big ones. There are plenty of smaller pines that as far younger than the time that the loggers came thru this area over a hundred years ago which tells me there has been a lot of changes in this forest and always will be.
There are dead and down trees along the way too. Some of them rather big. Not as big as the ones standing.
We hiked thru on a Saturday. The weather was decent and plesant enough. I was surprised how few people made their way onto the trail. For almost our entire time here we had the trail to ourselves and we spent almost two hours here.
About the time you wonder if there are anymore really big pines you come face to face with one that dazzles and awes. I've seen some pretty big oaks but nothing like this in terms of a pine. To really get an idea as to how big these are you need to stand next to them.
The woods are filled with newer pines as well. These all have to be sixty years old or less. I am gauging that on some other stumps and downed trees we had seen and counted the rings on.
There was plenty of growth under the canopy. This is not like out west where we will be able to see thru the trees with nothing to block our sight. I enjoy each in their own right.
I found myself hanging behind and listened to the whisper as a gentle breeze periodically moved its way thru. There are a few small hills but generally the trail is pretty flat as the whole area in the Chippewa is relatively flat.
I cant express the amazing solitude one can get out here. I wondered what wildlife makes its home in here. Here is one of the few descents on the trail. Nothing too strenuous but a change in pace to keep things interesting.
So many pines along the path. I decided to include as many pictures as possible here just because I can.
Here was a big one laying next to the trail. Was a good place to stop and get up and walk.
This sign says that fire will travel thru these forests every 30-50 years and its good for the overall health of the forest. That heavy bark on those trees will be resistant to those flames. Some will show signs of there being a fire however.
This tree was able to withstand a fire and has left its mark of survival. This V is the sign that the fire came from the other side of the tree.
I wonder how many other trees I have passed in the woods that I have mistakenly took as being damage from people or critters. This tree is 100% alive and still growing!
If you hike the entire far loop and get to the end you are rewarded with views of Moose Brook.
The summer of 1967 was the summer of love. 2014 is mightily turning out to be the summer of bugs. There is a bench here and had it not been for the extreme presence of deer flies, mosquitoes, and black flies we would not have moved on so quickly. Before hitting the trail we lathered up heavily with bug spray too.
This is the parking area when we arrived. There was one other car and these people did not stay long. They were in and out rather quickly. You can actually see them ahead on the trail in the third picture. We heard them for a few minutes and then they were gone. They probably only took the short trail as it takes maybe 5-10 minutes to walk thru that part of the trail unless you are like us and make many stops to take in the experience.
If you do take a long time there is a fancy toilet in the parking area. It was clean and smelled fantastic. Fantastic for a vault toilet in the woods. It is cleaned regularly otherwise it would be a mess. Be sure to put this on your itinerary if you live anywhere in Minnesota. If you live or cabin up north in Minnesota you have no excuse not to have been here. This was one of those places I thought would disappoint but that was far from what happened. I am going back and hope to do so soon.
