See the maps
See the Course Photo Tour
Course Description
Runner directions for 50K:
From the race start at Oldenburg Point Picnic Area in Jay Cooke State Park, leave the parking lot and cross directly across Hwy 210 onto a spur trail to the White Pine/Superior Hiking Trail. You will be running on a relatively wide, grassy cross-country ski trail for the first mile, so you should be able to pass and spread out in this early section. Take a RIGHT onto the White Pine/Superior Hiking Trail. You will now be following the Superior Hiking Trail and its blue blazes and markers for the entire route to the finish line at Bayfront Park. Stay RIGHT on the White Pine Trail/SHT going up a grassy slope on the wide trail until you come to Forbay Dam. Go RIGHT at the top of the hill toward the dam. Cross the dam, go around the gate and CROSS Jay Cooke Road. Enter the Greely Creek Trail on the other side of the road, going around the gate. Follow the Greely Creek Trail to the paved Willard Munger Trail, passing some nice views of Hemlock Ravine, and turn RIGHT onto the paved Willard Munger Trail. Veer RIGHT off the paved Willard Munger Trail, staying on the Greely Creek Trail. Follow the Greely Creek Trail to where it comes back out to the paved Willard Munger Trail and immediately veer back RIGHT staying on the grassy Greely Creek Trail. Follow the Greely Creek trail through the woods for a bit until it comes out to the Willard Munger Trail again, take a RIGHT on Willard Munnger. After a short bit on the Willard Munger Trail, turn RIGHT onto the Triangle Trail. Follow the Triangle Trail to a fork and take the LEFT fork. Turn LEFT on the Gill Creek Trail. Follow the Gill Creek Trail down to Gill Creek and back up after crossing the creek. Take a RIGHT onto the Oak Trail where Gill Creek Trail ends. Follow the Oak Trail for a bit and take the next RIGHT onto the Grand Portage Trail. Follow the Grand Portage Trail steeply down to cross Hwy 210. CROSS Hwy 210 at an angle and go around the gate staying on the Grand Portage Trail. Stay on the Grand Portage Trail passing beneath some nice white pines and alongside a lovely reservoir of the St. Louis River. Parallel the reservoir until you come out on Hwy 210. Take a RIGHT on Hwy 210 staying on the far right shoulder into the Grand Portage parking lot and to the GRAND PORTAGE AID STATION located within the parking lot.
Continue out of the Grand Portage Aid Station and parking lot on the trail, taking a LEFT to stay on the SHT and eventually CROSSING HWY 210 and onto the Grand Portage Trail/Superior Hiking Trail and continue on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Continue out of the Grand Portage Aid Station and parking lot on the trail, taking a LEFT to stay on the SHT and eventually CROSSING HWY 210 and onto the Grand Portage Trail/Superior Hiking Trail and continue on the Superior Hiking Trail.
300 feet after leaving Hwy 210, SHT turns right at a junction, and
goes along ridge with large pine trees. Trail crosses under power line and
follows old road in predominantly maple forest.
After crossing state park boundary marked by sign, SHT continues
over high ridge. Trail descends ridge and continues through forest crossing
branch of Mission Creek. Trail continues through woods passing an overlook
before descending steeply to Mission Creek and historic bridge.
SHT turns left on old Mission Creek Parkway, crosses historic
bridge and after 150 feet, turns right into the woods and crosses Mission Creek
Parkway again before climbing hill. After descending ridge, SHT crosses
two more branches of Mission Creek, then climbs to long bluff with nice pines.
Trail reaches overlook of Mission Creek valley and then descends to Duluth’s
Mission Creek Trail. CROSS the Mission Creek Trail and continue on the
SHT.
After crossing the Mission Creek Trail, the SHT crosses a bridge
and ascends steep hill. SHT continues along pine ridge and then through
maple-oak forest. Trail comes to towering white pine grove and then
continues along bluff before descending steeply to Sargent Creek on a narrow
trail with switchbacks and some nice exposure (Andy’s Switchbacks). Trail
crosses Sargent Creek on 50-foot bridge.
After Sargent Creek Bridge, SHT
continues along creek, climbs steep hill, crosses Beck's Road, and continues to
trailhead sign. Follow a short spur trail to the
right to trailhead parking lot and Aid Station #2.
Leave the aid station on the gravel road and turn right onto
Munger Trail and follow it for 0.4 miles to just before rock cut. SHT
turns LEFT at SHT signs and climbs rocky ridge to Ely’s Peak with great views.
SHT reaches ridge top just past Ely’s Peak. Follow the main
trail to the right on rocky outcrops through mixed forest and overlooking
faultline valley. SHT enters maple-oak forest, crosses U.S. Steel Creek,
passes two scenic overlooks, and then climbs gradually to Skyline Parkway.
SHT crosses Skyline Parkway and travels through forest in Bardon’s
Peak area. SHT enters Magney-Snively old growth forest crossing
Magney-Snively ski trail twice.
SHT crosses Skyline Parkway for second time and travels through
pine grove coming to nice overlook. Trail continues through forest,
crosses Snively Creek, and then comes to 350-foot spur trail to Magney-Snively
parking lot and Aid Station #3.
Leave Aid Station #3 and take a right
onto Skyline Parkway. Continue on Skyline Parkway for 0.25 mile roadwalk
crossing Stewart Creek on stone bridge. 325 feet past 99th Ave W, SHT
turns RIGHT off road and enters maple-oak-pine forest. Do not miss this righthand turn
off of road. It will be marked.
After Stewart Knob overlook, SHT continues through forest, crosses old road and passes historic stone-walled section of north branch of Stewart Creek and old house foundation.
After Stewart Knob overlook, SHT continues through forest, crosses old road and passes historic stone-walled section of north branch of Stewart Creek and old house foundation.
SHT crosses power line and enters Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.
SHT gradually descends through forest crossing Lenroot Street Creek and
the south and north branches of Gogebic Street Creek. Stay on main SHT.
Close to base of Spirit Mountain ski hill, trail reaches old DWP railroad bed, crosses
the DWP and descends through forest to base of ski hill.
SHT comes into opening at base of ski hill near lower Chalet.
Find water only aid station near
chalet where SHT goes back into woods.
Leaving the aid station, the trail continues through the woods,
comes out of woods and follows gravel maintenance roads to a sharp left turn
back onto the SHT. SHT turns left and climbs upstream along Knowlton
Creek. Watch carefully for signs and
blazing in this area. SHT continues uphill along Knowlton Creek for
another 0.5 miles, then climbs away from creek, makes sharp right turn onto old
roadbed and continues to Knowlton Creek Bridge.
(Harder n' He!! Half Marathon runners will come down the
hill from the Spirit Mtn. Parking lot and enter the course HERE)
Main SHT continues across Knowlton
Creek Bridge. Main SHT crosses bridge, turns right, and follows old road
downhill for 0.1 miles. SHT turns LEFT and ascends steep hill on 138
steps. Do not miss this sharp
left turn off of gravel road. After passing through nice
maple grove, SHT continues through forest mixed with open meadows and rock
outcrops.
SHT comes to Kingsbury Creek and turns right following Duluth’s
Kingsbury Creek Trail 0.2 miles downstream. Trail reaches old road and
turns left and crosses Kingsbury Creek on bridge. Main trail continues
straight across old road and enters woods again, going through mixed forest
with rocky outcrops.
SHT crosses snowmobile bridge with
metal guard rails at 68th Ave W Creek and then enters aspen-birch forest
alternating with open fields. Trail crosses 62nd Ave W Creek and then the West
Branch of Keene Creek. Trail turns left onto short stretch of paved
trail, crosses bridge and then turns LEFT off of paved trail and goes under
elevated I-35 on old road (make sure to turn off of paved trail before going
under I-35 bridge), turns left (don’t
miss this left hand turn) and climbs hillside and travels
through woods to Cody Street. Trail crosses Cody Street (be careful crossing this street, cars are
moving fast here!) and follows N 66th Ave W for one block, then turns left
and follows Westgate Blvd for two blocks. SHT turns right uphill
following snowmobile trail for 200 feet, turns right, crosses powerline and
heads into alder woods.
SHT reaches main branch of Keene Creek and follows creek upstream.
Trail climbs steeply to cross UNDER new bridge following creek and continues to
parking lot and right down and into Aid Station #5 which is located on old
historic bridge over Keene Creek.
Trail crosses bridge, turns left onto singletrack and continues
upstream past old pump house and scenic waterfalls. Trail crosses Skyline
Parkway again and enters forest.
SHT enters Brewer Park and travels through maple-oak forest.
Trail continues along Brewer Ridge for 1.4 miles with great views.
Trail descends from ridge, crosses under powerlines and turns right
following snowmobile trail and reaches Merritt Creek.
After crossing Merritt Creek on two
culverts, SHT crosses UNDER
Haines Road through a culvert, up hill, and turns LEFT off of wide gravel
path and enters predominately maple forest crossing Piedmont Ski Trails twice
and then climbs to Ski Trail Knob with great views. Trail crosses North
Branch of Merritt Creek and climbs to Fire Ring Knob.
After descent from knob SHT climbs to Grassy Knob and then
continues to Piedmont Knob 1,300 feet in elevation with Lake Superior below at
602 feet. Trail descends and crosses Skyline Parkway.
After crossing Skyline Parkway, SHT descends through alder
thicket passing Aspen Knob and continuing through alders. Trail comes to
clearing and turns left following old road by enclosed city water reservoir.
SHT crosses N 27th Ave W and continues straight on W 10th Street for one
block until just past the street sign for Lincoln Parkway. SHT turns sharply
LEFT into woods (don’t miss this turn!). Trail crosses branch of Miller
Creek, crosses N 25th Ave W, crosses Lincoln Park Drive, and
then crosses bridge over Miller Creek. After bridge, SHT turns left
and follows Duluth’s Miller Creek Trail upstream to N 24th Ave W and crosses
street at an angle to the left to parking lot and Aid Station #6.
SHT leaves aid station and follows Skyline Parkway on sidewalk
crossing Piedmont Avenue on bridge. Trail continues along road for 200
feet past bridge and then bears right through wooded field. Trail
continues through field and then enters woods coming to the “Forgotten Park.”
SHT descends hill and crosses Coffee Creek. Trail continues through
pine trees, open meadows with great views, crosses Skyline Parkway,
goes a short distance through woods, and crosses Hank Jensen Drive.
After Hank Jensen Drive, SHT follows left side of Enger
Tower Road for 80 feet. Trail goes along edge of flower bed and then turns
sharply left and follows Duluth’s Enger Park Trail. After passing spur
trail SHT continues through pine woods, passes historic Peace bell (be sure to
ring it!), and follows “Scenic View” trail down to Skyline Parkway. Trail
crosses Skyline Parkway. Cross Skyline Parkway and an angle to the right.
Main SHT goes to right after Skyline Parkway and enters birch woods by
yellow metal post through small boulders. Trail meanders through woods,
crosses W. 5th St, and enters Duluth’s undeveloped Central Park.
Trail continues downhill through woods dotted with rock outcrops and nice
stand of jack pine.
SHT crosses W 3rd Street, continues downhill through woods and
turns left and then left again to follow along rock ledge above old quarry with
views of harbor. Trail comes to N. 14th Ave. W., turns right and follows
avenue downhill for 325 feet crossing W. 1st St. Trail enters woods again
by three small boulders and goes though Duluth’s Point of Rocks Park.
Trail descends series of rock steps through woods, then descends from
rocky ledge turning right onto old asphalt pad. Trail heads diagonally to
right across asphalt pad, enters woods again, turns left, and follows
with good views of harbor.
SHT crosses Glen Place and then crosses W. Michigan St. to bus
stop bench. Trail turns left and travels 0.1 miles to I-35 overpass.
Trail turns right, crosses I-35 on pedestrian overpass, turns left and descends
long concrete ramp, and then travels on asphalt path under elevated I-35 to
Railroad Street.
SHT crosses Railroad St., turns left and follows sidewalk 0.1
miles along Railroad St. Follow the sidewalk around the perimeter of the
playground parking lot going right at S. 5th Avenue W and following the
sidewalk to the end of the parking lot. Turn right onto paved trail
entering Bayfront Park towards large arch for Bayfront Park. Pass under
the arch and finish line of the Wild Duluth 50K. You are now finished!
Please visit the Superior Hiking Trail website for complete
descriptions and maps of the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth from Grand
Portage to Bayfront Park (Railroad Street).
http://www.shta.org/Trail/Duluth.php
