Minnesota Hiking Club #35 - Bear Head Lake State Park

 

Minnesota Hiking Club

#35 - Bear Head Lake State Park

Date Hiked: March 9th, 2025

Other Hikes That Day: McCarthy Beach State Park

Wanderloon Ranking System Score: 2.92

Any drive that takes me near Ely is already set up to have positive association with it. 

Despite previous temptations of proximity, I did wait until this one's W-code was lifted. That said, this hike still involved walking on top of (and occasionally sinking into) considerable levels of packed snow. It's good to consider when factoring in speed, not to mention effort output, as every step that requires lifting out of heavy, melting snow saps more energy than the ones that don't. 

Towering white pines are also always a positive attribute when spending time in Minnesota nature, for reasons I've detailed in previous posts but it's still always important for me to mention. 

Though I am a long-term transplant to the state, there's an aura of pure awe, even I might say, correctness when hiking a trail in Minnesota and being surrounded by the skinny woodsy towers that they are. The state deserves credit for revitalizing this treasure of nature when so many others, especially in this day and age, wouldn't bother with something that doesn't involve increasing stockholder share values or encouraging the addiction of gambling on sports events. That's neither here nor there, but this is my blog and I'll bitch about what I want to, dammit. 

The infrastructure of this park is a fine medium between the ones where there's a tiny office with no one present for a considerable portion of the year and places like Gooseberry or Grand Portage where they are literal rest stops that double as state park headquarters. A visitor's center next to the trailhead provides meeting rooms, loos that don't have a wind sheer factor, and, most necessarily in these northern parts, an opportunity to thaw. 

Admittedly, the name itself leaves a bit to be desired in the creativity department, considering that even in the immediate area, there is also Bear Island, Bear Island Lake, another Bear Island, etc., though I suppose even the repeated usage of the ursa nomenclature is more creative than one I saw on the map while driving up named "Lake No. 2." 

The loop trail itself takes some twists and turns that do require paying attention, since there are quite a few trails that intersect and diverge along the route. There's a little stem at the beginning and end before the actual loop that somewhat resembles the Horn of Gondor. At 3 miles, it's right in the middle of Hiking Club trail distances. There is some elevation gain, but nothing too drastic, steep, or jarring, though with ice spikes and snow cover, the difficulty does increase somewhat. 

The weather was immaculate for a hike on this day, contrasting with the snow remaining on the path. Eight years in Minnesota and I'm still not over the odd sensation of being in short sleeves while also traversing snow and ice, so I suppose it will never not be weird for me. I'll take that without the worry of mosquitos or bluetooth speakers playing with no headphones any day.