Catch a glimpse of a moose on the Moose Viewing Trail
I know what you’re thinking. Name a trail the Moose Viewing trail, but does the name hold up? I was skeptical too. In fact, every time I traveled the Gunflint Trail on Minnesota’s North Shore, I just traveled past the turn off of the trail head. How can a trail be particularly adept at Moose Viewing? The first time I actually pulled off and headed down the trail I didn’t get more than 10, maybe 20 yards down the trail and there he was. A bull moose standing in the trail looking directly at me. He slowly sauntered off into the woods but wow, now I’m a believer. Sadly, the whole event happened in the blink of an eye so no picture, this time.
Where is the Moose Viewing Trail?
The Moose Viewing trail is accessible by heading about 24 miles up the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). The trailhead is on the left hand side of the road.
Hiking the trail
The trail itself is a shared purpose trail. I went in the winter and had to keep an eye out for snow mobiles. Most people hike back to a hidden lake/pond area that creates a perfect moose habitat. Hence the name, Moose Viewing Trail. At this lake is a platform where you can hang out and wait for one of these beauties to wade into the lake for some lunch. The trail itself is about 1/4 mile as a loop.
It’s a wide trail for a majority of the hike back and then a very short, moderate hike through the woods back to the platform.
All in all, it’s a very easy hike.
Interesting Info
If you go, the best time to look for a Moose is at Dawn and Dusk. In general as you travel around Superior National Forest, look in low lying areas to try to spot a Moose.
You Should Know
As I mentioned, the trail is shared use so depending on time of year, keep an eye out.
