Knife River Trail

Location: Knife River, MN

This week’s trek takes us a bit farther from home, but still in the same state – the popular destination of Lake Superior’s north shore between Duluth and Two Harbors, MN.

With dramatic seasonal displays and varied geography in the exhilarating North Shore region, the possibilities for a grand adventure are as endless as a ‘Minnesota goodbye.’
Real good, then. Let’s get after it!

NOTE: Since there are many significant geological sites to explore in this area, this week’s blog will focus on the Knife River area along trails and shorelines that most anyone could navigate. Additional trips to the north realm will be highlighted in future blogs.The sojourners on this trip are a steady, strong and gracefully-aging group of friends who have been making these treks for years. It’s a good-looking bunch. Most of us are high school besties who have bonded together like dried yolk on Melmac as we venture to various places throughout the US and the world to broaden our horizons and waistlines.

Figure 1: Knife River scenery

Our north shore adventures are usually multi-day affairs that straddle over the weekends, depending on everyone’s work schedule – and now retirement schedule. YAY!!

We’ve stayed in hotels, resorts and rentals up and down the shore. For this weekend, we stayed with friends. So no room service but way better storytelling and BS opportunities. Plus, midnight forays to the fridge are acceptable and encouraged.

Never mind that now, though. Winter winds were starting to swirl. We needed to get to the Big Lake before ice and snow encased the rocks and soil. Also – had to burn rubber to Hinckley before Tobie’s bakery jammed up for the lunch rush. (Coming for you, big-ass caramel pecan rolls!!)

TRANSPORTATION

Automobile from Twin Cities to Knife River. Depending on who’s driving it’s about a 2.5-hour trip; more if extended time is spent at Tobie’s, Holiday or any of the casinos.
Hiking on the Knife River trails and Lake Superior shoreline (some trails accessible by chairs, walkers and canes). It’s always good to check trail information for accessibility and any seasonal closures before heading out.

For our Oct-November forays we’ve had a number of memorable treks. The next two blogs will highlight trails and geology along the lower Knife River and the Lake Superior shoreline. And…we’ll see what we can make of it!

An interesting Wikipedia note: “The Knife River’s name is an accurate preservation of its native Ojibwe name, Mookomani-Ziibi. Its original name was probably given on account of the long, sharp stones near the mouth of the river.”

GEOLOGY

The geology of the Knife River, MN area is mainly influenced by the Midcontinent Rift, a large-scale tectonic feature that formed about 1.1 billion years ago. The rift produced volcanic and intrusive rocks that are exposed along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

There are specific volcanic formations within the Knife River quadrangle including the Larsmont basalts, the Sucker River basalts, and the Lakewood lavas. It’s interesting (incredible!) to note that the Lakewood formation is up to 3500 feet thick! Over one mile thick. That’s a lotta lava.

The Knife River area contains several types of these rocks, such as diabase, gabbro, granophyre, and basalt.

The Knife River also has a history of glacial and fluvial erosion and deposition. The river valley was carved by the Superior lobe of the Laurentide Ice Sheet during the Wisconsin glaciation about 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. The ice sheet left behind various types of glacial sediments, such as clay, silt, and gravel. Some of these sediments form terraces and deltas along the river and the lake shore. The river itself carries sediment from the streambanks and the bluffs, which are mostly forested and undeveloped.

Available Rocks and Minerals in and around the Knife River and Lake Superior’s north shore

Basalt [Igneous]
Jasper [Sedimentary, aspers are a type of chalcedony formed in sedimentary rocks]
Rhyolite [Igneous]
Granite [Igneous]
Gabbro [Igneous]
Lake Superior agate [a type of chalcedony, usually formed in igneous rock]]
Chalcedony [Microcrystalline variety of quartz; translucent = agate, opaque = jasper]
Chert and flint [Sedimentary]
Fossilized coral [found in sedimentary rock]

TREK PREP

This outing didn’t require much preparation other than consideration of the terrain, local trails and weather. In fact, because we were walking on state trails, no collecting was allowed. But the temperature required that we dress for winter-ish conditions.

REMINDER: Many parks and trails are protected by law, and collecting natural items (rocks, plants, soil, etc.) from these areas is not allowed. Always check requirements and get permission for the land you’re on before digging, collecting or disturbing the natural environment.

I used the Rock Identifier app on my phone to photograph and identify notable minerals, rocks or other earthen elements.

Like the backyard hunt, this hike is great for a couple or a group. Don’t go it alone.

PREP NOTES

We’ve found that gloves or mittens are a necessity in late fall through spring.
Hats, hoods, and face coverings were very helpful for winds coming off the water.
Eye protection is helpful as sunlight off the lake is intense. If there’s snow and ice, it can be blinding.
Snacks – although not required, it never hurts to bring them along. Water too.

TREK 1 – Knife River Trail

Our initial outing included five of us hiking a short (30-minute), relatively easy trail along the Knife River just off Cty Rd. 61/Scenic Drive. There are trails on either side of the river and we embarked on a south-side trail.

This was a beautiful hike along the water and through forested land sparked with late fall colors. The trail was fairly even, with an easy grade, but still invigorating. Great for families, kids, and those with an aversion to steep inclines, which was pretty much our whole group.

It took us about 20-25 minutes to get to a stopping point at the abandoned…thing. Bridge washed out? Stalled project? Not sure, we stopped and looked around. It was all so jumbled that it didn’t make any sense. Since the path was wiped out, we couldn’t go any further on this trail. We grabbed some group pictures before turning around to head back.

After doing more research, I discovered that in June of 2012 heavy rainstorms on already saturated grounds caused massive flooding in the area. The flooding wiped out several bridges on the Knife River along with embankments and private properties. The results were devastating. The bridge where we took our group photo was one of the casualties.

Pictures and videos of the event show the impact during and after the floods. The sediment influx to Lake Superior was enormous along much of the north shore, and Duluth was particularly hard hit by the floods.

Ongoing efforts toward cleanup and restoration since 2012 have restored some of the damaged areas.

The return hike was on a path that split from the original. It was just as beautiful, but we encountered more tree roots, so careful footing was necessary.

Overall it required a bit more physical stamina (and sobriety) than the initial trail.

There were more trails that branched off the main trail, but we stayed the course until we got back to the trailhead clearing. Again, this was about a 20-minute hike back. Well worth the time. Seeing the last of the fall colors and gleaming birches in the sunlight was a joy. Listening to the river rush by our side kept the group fairly quiet as we hiked along.

Sometimes no words are the best sound.

Stepping out of the sheltering woods, the wind cold-cocked us with a gusty thrust up our nostrils. Rude. It was an abrupt reminder that winter was coming.

The sun would be setting soon and it was time to get a move on.

We walked briskly – because it was so brisk out – back to our safe haven.

Our shelter from the storm. Our very lifeline: the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen!

This charming candy store is beyond description. They make and sell delicious,old fashioned goodies of all kinds.The atmosphere is convivial and the staff is delighted to see you walk through the door.

Our group has many favorites here, including their handmade chocolates, anything with caramel, the almond barks (love the blueberry!), the cinnamon coins and bears, and the dipped pretzels, just to name a few. There are also some good books and souvenirs to pick up, including some rockhounding guides. There is so much to enjoy! You can’t go wrong with whatever treat you choose.

By the way – if you’re a grandparent, neighbor or babysitter taking care of kids, make sure to stop by and load up the little ones before dropping them back off with mom or dad. You’ll garner ‘favorite person’ status from the youngsters, and the parents will never forget you. Ever.

This place is the goods! It’s perfect for a delicious energy boost after a day outdoors. Don’t miss it!

There are also many artisans in the area who create beautiful, one-of-a-kind works that make great gifts or souvenirs. In the Knife River area, you get plenty of bang for your buck and time.

FINDINGS – Trek 1

A beautiful trail system linked to the Superior Hiking Trail
River sediment based in long-ago carved volcanic beds of basalt and other rock
Evidence of the incredible – sometimes destructive – power of nature
Candy!

And… Basalt.

Colors: Generally black to dark gray
Uses: Geography, Construction, Manufacturing, Cultural heritage
Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale of 1-10 (meaning it is durable)

As we saw in the ‘My Own Backyard’ blog, basalt exhibits unique properties and characteristics.

Formation and Composition:

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock, formed from the solidification of molten lava.
It is one of the most common rock types on Earth and can be found both on land and under the ocean floor.
Basalt is known for its dark color, typically ranging from black to dark gray, and its fine-grained texture.
It is composed mostly of minerals such as pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, and sometimes olivine.
Basalt can have varying compositions, but it is typically rich in iron and magnesium and low in silica.

Textures and Structures:

Basalt can exhibit different textures:
- Aphanitic: Fine-grained with mineral grains too small to see individually.
- Porphyritic: Contains large crystals (phenocrysts) embedded in a fine-grained matrix.
- Vesicular: Contains holes or bubbles due to gas escaping during solidification.
Basalt often has a dense, compact structure.

Uses and Applications:

Basalt is durable, strong, and resistant to wear and erosion, making it ideal for construction materials such as road aggregates, concrete, and building stones.
It is used for manufacturing basalt fiber, used in automotive parts, aerospace components, and sporting goods.
Basaltic lava flows create extensive plateaus, impacting local landscapes and geology.

Geological Significance:

Basalt is associated with volcanic activity, including eruptions and lava flows.
Large basalt plateaus have significant geological impacts worldwide, and certainly in the Knife River, MN, area.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

Basalt has been used by various civilizations throughout history for tools, weapons, and artistic purposes.
It holds cultural significance in folklore and mythology worldwide.

FUN FACT: Basalt ‘tubes’ are a geological wonder and a prized spectacle for hikers, like those in Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA (below)

WHAT D’YA MAKE OF IT?

We experienced a virtual field of finds.

While they’re all beautiful, I decided to work with Jasper, Agate, Unakite and petrified wood with copper in a way that would represent our trek along the flowing Knife River and the ancient foundation of this land.

The pictures show the fluid, curving necklace representing the river, while the jasper, agate and unakite depict some common rocks found in the area.

The focal bead is a gorgeous piece of sliced and polished petrified wood that – if you look closely – resembles river water rushing to the mouth of the lake. The hand-worked copper scroll the surrounds the wood is reminiscent of the bridges and small waterfalls that adorn the river.

The ensemble is completed with a pair of stone and copper earrings graced with some red jasper (very common to the area) and agates. It’s a well grounded collection. 🙂