Fall Color Photo Contest

The North Shore has been showing peaks of changing leaves and it is only a matter of time before the yellow birches and red maples light up the hillsides. No matter the vantage point, the North Shore offers stunning backdrops of the Minnesota northwoods and Lake Superior coming alive in the cool autumn breeze. To mark this change of the season, we are hosting a photo contest to highlight some of the best views along Lake Superior’s North Shore.

Contest Details:

We will accept photos from September 16th through October 25th, 2019. Post your photo on Instagram or Facebook, tag @Trailfitters, and use #tftreechallenge so we can see your work. After photos have been submitted, we will select six of our favorites and share them on our social channels to be voted on by the public. Vote for photos by “liking” your favorite picture, and we will award prizes as follows:

• Most likes: $100 Trailfitters gift card
• Second most likes: $50 Trailfitters gift card
• Third most likes: Free pair of socks!

The contest is open to any part of the North Shore, but if you need a little more inspiration, these five hikes are some of our top picks:

1. Oberg Mt http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=766024

The farther up the shore you get, the earlier the leaves will be changing. Oberg offers a mix of views as you navigate around the “lollipop” section on top of the hill. Lake Superior views stretch up and down the shore, but you are also rewarded with wooded traverses and inland lakes carved out of Superior National Forest.

2. Britton Peak https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=766019

Experience a newly built trail as you ascend through a magnificent maple stand on your short hike to Britton Peak. If you’re looking for a longer hike, continue past the Britton Peak spur trail into the heart of the Sugarbush Trail system. This area is a treat in every season!

3. Fantasia Overlook http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=766025

Escape the crowds at Tettegouche and make your way north across Hwy 1 to Fantasia Point. While the lookout at Fantasia puts you high above the inland lakes below, much of the beauty is to be had along the spur trail as it traverses the open hillside above Lake Superior.

4. Blueberry Hill http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=766028

While the maple trees get much of the fall glory with their red hued leaves, this hike will have you seeing yellow as the leaves dance in the breeze. The views from Blueberry Hill look south over Gooseberry Falls State Park and will peak later than the hikes farther north.

5. Silver Creek Trail at Jay Cooke http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=766752

Save this hike for last as it will be the final hike to hit peak colors. This moderate trail brings you across the beautiful swinging bridge at Jay Cooke State Park to a wide, grassy trail that will lead you away from the busy visitor’s center. The trail rolls through hills and forests before following the rocky shores of the St. Louis River back up to the starting point.