Chippewa National Forest: Come Explore During Its Centennial Year
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The Lost 40, Chippewa National Forest
One hundred years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the papers that established the first national forest east of the Mississippi River, the Minnesota National Forest in the heart of the state. In 1928, it was renamed the Chippewa National Forest. This vast area of lakes and woods is about 50 miles wide and 60 miles long.
The largest community within its borders is Walker, a city of about 1,000 near the southeast corner of the forest. There are other small north woods towns scattered through the forest, as well as many secluded lakeside resorts. The Leech Lake Indian Reservation is also within the Chippewa.
The largest of the lakes are Leech, Winnibigoshish and Cass, all big waters popular for fishing and boating, but there are more than 1,000 smaller lakes splashed through throughout the forest, as well.
The Mississippi River winds through the Chippewa, and it’s one of several designated canoe routes. The Mississippi’s 55 miles here offer easy canoeing with excellent eagle viewing. The Chippewa is home to one of the highest concentrations of eagles in the lower 47 states.
Three designated scenic byways offer pleasant drives through the Chippewa National Forest, each with a visitors center and turn-offs leading to lakes, trails and campgrounds.
Ladyslipper Scenic Byway is a 28-mile drive along Hwy. 10 on the western side of the forest between Cass Lake and Blackduck. The Norway Beach Visitors Center at Cass Lake is off this route. (Check for construction in spring-summer 2008.) The byway is named for the wild orchid that blooms along the roadsides in late June. Avenue of the Pines in the center of the forest is a 46-mile route along Hwy. 46 north from Deer River. The Cut Foot Sioux Lake Visitor Center and Lake Winnibigoshish are along this drive.
Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway is a 47-mile drive along Hwy. 38 north from Grand Rapids, on the eastern side of Chippewa National Forest, with a visitors center in Marcell. This beautiful route has also been designated as a National Scenic Byway.
Other Chippewa National Forest highlights:
- Norway Beach on Cass Lake
- The Migizi Trail, a 9-mile paved bike path circling Pike Bay at Cass Lake
- Camp Rabideau, a preserved 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps camp
- The Lost Forty, a remnant of tall pines that escaped logging
- Numerous hiking trails
- 23 lakeside campgrounds
- Naturalist programs at the three visitors centers
For more info:
Chippewa National Forest
218-335-8600
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/chippewa/
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Posted on Mar 19 2008 | Tagged as: Feature Articles, Spring/Summer