Minnesota Hiking Club #48 - Lake Bronson State Park

 

Minnesota Hiking Club

#48 - Lake Bronson State Park

Date Hiked: March 10th, 2025

Other Hikes That Day: Red River State Recreation Area, Old Mill State Park, Hayes Lake State Park

Wanderloon Ranking System Score: 2.58

Of the four Northwest Corner parks I did on March 10th, this one ranks the highest, and we're not even halfway through the list. So, it's safe to say that this was, indeed, not my favorite portion of what the state has to offer. But, I imagine for those who live up this way, this has to be the preferred destination of the bunch, because even with its extinct planet vibes, the potential is obvious. 

Hell, I'll bet that when things are green, this even looks like a lake and not what an intergalactic explorer finds upon landing in order to conclude the universe is no longer populated. 

Reaching this far-north remote park on the day of wind gusts that would've either aided or inhibited Phileas Fogg depending on the direction, Waze took me toward a bridge that was out. That, of course, was not marked on Waze, because who the hell else was traveling this way in early March? Unfortunately, that meant a 15-mile diversion on mostly dirt roads before finally snaking my way in. 

Along the way though, a deer challenged me to a race. Several of a considerably-sized herd were running in my direction, but one of them banked about twenty feet away, sprinting alongside my car. Though I was on a dirt road and thus not pushing the speed, the fact that the aggressive deer running full tilt kept up for a solid five or six seconds was really impressive. That was the closest thing I had to something that could be considered an interaction on this day's journey.

The Hiking Club trail itself starts near an area with buildings that are likely overflowing with people when the temperature isn't the dark side of Saturn. The shape of the trail is technically a loop, but more accurately resembles a second grader drawing Lakes Huron and Michigan with one line. While the beginning/end, or the Lake Michigan side if you will, is mostly an uneventful walk over ice through the woods, the Huron half takes you down by the lake and then loops around to savanna, so the land diversity within the park itself is rather impressive. 

I honestly spent more time debating with myself whether or not I should even bother hiking this trail, due to how hard the wind was blowing the trees that would soon be above me, than I spent actually hiking the trail. As I'm sure you've gathered from my previous posts, having only a hoodie to block out the now-below 20 degree weather didn't do much for my motivation or enjoyment, but that's once again only on me.

The trail is unique in its shape and diversity of landforms within its mid-range distance. In the winter, it's indeed the epitome of solitude, and that's entirely understandable, given its geographic location and proximity to... anything. If deer who want to race you wouldn't be a highlight of any day's travels, I don't know what would be. NASCAR Bambi don't mess around.