All posts tagged as Eagle Mountain MN

24 Aug

Descending with Danger Video

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 24, 2016 / 0 Comments

In my previous post I mentioned a video, but if you are reading this via email you will not be able to see it, unless you visit the Trip Report Page or view it on YouTube.

Below is the original text regarding the video:

Descending with Danger Video 
If you ever wondered what it might be like to hike along with me, this 93 second video will give you a taste. This is the first time I have tried anything like this and I’m not sure it is worth the effort, so I’d like to hear your feedback. I was moving fast so the video is a bit frantic. The entire descent took a little over an hour and a half. There is hiking over rocks, dirt and boardwalks, as well as biking, and all footage is shown at actual speed.

24 Aug

Eagle Mountain Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 24, 2016 / 0 Comments

On Wednesday August 17th, 2016, I stood atop Eagle Mountain, the state highpoint of Minnesota. It was a fun climb, and the drive up from Duluth was enjoyable.

The summit was shrouded by forest, but quiet and peaceful.

The Eagle Mountain summit was shrouded by forest, but quiet and peaceful.

Highpoint Statistics:
Summit Date: Wednesday August 17th, 2016
State: Minnesota
Elevation: 2,301′
US Rank by Height: 37th
Round Trip Hiking Time: 4 Hours

Highpoint Links:
Trip Report (Larger Photos Here)
Posts
Photo Gallery
GPS Track

To view a sortable table of all of the highpoints with completion dates, trip reports, photo galleries, blog entries an GPS tracks, visit the US State Highpoint Progress Page.

Descending with Danger Video 
If you ever wondered what it might be like to hike along with me, this 93 second video will give you a taste. This is the first time I have tried anything like this and I’m not sure it is worth the effort, so I’d like to hear your feedback. I was moving fast so the video is a bit frantic. The entire descent took a little over an hour and a half. There is hiking over rocks, dirt and boardwalks, as well as biking, and all footage is shown at actual speed.

The Story
I had intended on doing this one a day earlier on the 16th, but heavy rains on the 15th, and thunderstorms on the 16th shifted my plans, and I did Wisconsin on the 16th instead. This meant that we needed to stay another day in Duluth, which was problematic because a couple hundred thousand people were coming to Duluth to see some old ships, and a giant rubber duck which I have mentioned in a previous post, so I won’t belabor that story here.

The giant rubber duck that caused all the trouble.

The giant rubber duck that caused all the trouble.

We did manage to find another spot, and so we relocated the coach the morning of the 17th and I took the jeep and headed north to Eagle Mountain. The drive up the shores of Lake Superior was pleasant and offered many scenic views.

The drive along the shores of Lake Superior was pleasant, with many scenic areas along the way.

One of the many scenic views along the shores of Lake Superior.

I also found a number of very beautiful settings deep in the woods along the rural road to the trailhead. I was on a schedule, so I didn’t stop for everyone, but I did stop and snap a few photos along the way.

A serene pond I happened upon, just a few miles from the trailhead.

A serene pond I happened upon, just a few miles from the trailhead.

Bad Decisions Make Great Stories
I had one of our DownTube full suspension folding bikes in the back of the Jeep and I’ve ridden it on rough trails before and while it requires a lot of management, it handles pretty well. I’ve been riding for a long time, and have done crazy stuff on my full size Cannondale Jekyll and am not without some skill. I knew the trail was rocky and thought it might be a fun challenge to see how far up the trail I could ride the folder bike. I spoke to different hikers coming down, inquiring about trail conditions, and they unanimously told me it was not possible, which encouraged me. After all, doing the impossible, is my favorite thing!

In the beginning I made great time, and it was loads of fun to fly through the trails leaping and dodging rocks.

Made great time, until I hit the rocky areas.

Made great time, until I hit the rocky areas.

But then a big drop off at a knarly rock caught the derailer and rendered it inoperable, so I could no longer shift gears. I reluctantly accepted defeat and left the brave little soldier waiting beside the trail to be carried out on my return.

This is as far as the folding bike made it.

This is as far as the brave little folding bike made it.

I continued on foot, which was always the plan. I knew I would not get all the way to the summit, but I had hoped to get further.

Were I on my full size Cannondale, I could have taken it all the way to the summit, although I would have had to carry it up a few steep and rocky spots. The ride down would have been spirited, but manageable.

The trail was rocky most of the way, with some fairly smooth sections and a few boardwalks crossing over streams, bogs and especially muddy sections.

There are a few boardwalks passing over boggy areas, but the trail was solid.

There are a few boardwalks passing over boggy areas, but the trail was otherwise solid.

From there I made my way to Whale Lake where I found an inspiring view. After that I began to gain elevation in earnest.

A view from the edge of Whale Lake.

A view from the edge of the becalmed Whale Lake, reflecting the forested hills and skies above like God’s own perfect mirror.

The hike from Whale Lake to the summit, was pleasant although rocky. The trail wound through heavily wooded terrain, with 2 points overlooking the valleys and lakes below. The highpoint itself, was deep in the woods in a small clearing, and was quiet and peaceful, but offered no views.

Danger, reading the summit plaque.

Danger reading the summit plaque.

 

The summit USGS marker

The summit marker, that officially denotes the highpoint.

I stayed at the highpoint long enough to take it in and snap the requisite photos, but I had in mind to spend some time at the higher of the two scenic overlooks I had passed on the way up. There I took my only break of the day and enjoyed the peanut butter and honey sandwich Susan had prepared for me.

A Classic Mountain Scene
The skies were blue, with just enough clouds to provide some drama. The valley was a carpet of green, punctuated by glimmering lakes. The wind was lazy and the sun was warm on my skin. I spent half an hour soaking in this classic mountain scene. Glorious places like this make it all worthwhile.

A secnic overlook just below the summit

A scenic overlook just below the summit afforded magnificent views of the lakes and sprawling forest below.

Wounded Warrior
On the way back down, I began hoping someone had stolen the folding bike so I would not have to carry it out like a wounded soldier. But alas it was still there, waiting beside the trail in silent mockery of my folly.

I managed to repair the bike with a pocket knife, duct tape and a stick. I then rode it out helmeted head held high reclaiming my dignity and restoring my id to its typical state of composed overconfidence.

I decided to give the folding bike a try!

The folding bike doing what it does best; folded and stowed back in the Jeep.

This concludes highpoint #48 of 50, next stop Michigan!

24 Aug

Homeward Bound

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 24, 2016 / 0 Comments

We are 2,900 miles into the trip, and are currently headed home with 500 to go. After leaving Chicago a few days back, we spent a couple of very unproductive days in St Peters Missouri at a beautiful lakeside spot where we whiled away the hours hiking, biking and playing XBOX video games. Hey, you are never too old to be a geek.

Great Lakes Return Trip

Day 14 sees BigByrd 500 miles from home

Chicago Adventures
Chicago was fun as always, and remains one of our favorite cities. We boondocked (this means running fully self contained) a few miles from downtown in a truck marshaling lot that gave us easy access to the heart of the city. As we were pulling in, we saw the cast and filming crew of the Amazon series “Patriot” filming for the show.

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17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Managed to repair the bike with a pocket knife, duck tape and a stick. Rode it out with my head held high! Back at the trailhead and mission accomplished!

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

I was hoping someone might steal the bike so I wouldn’t have to schlep it out. Alas, it is still here, lounging by the trail, mocking me in my folly.

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Taking break on a cliff just below the summit with sweeping views of the forested valley below, punctuated by glimmering lakes. Its a classic mountain scene

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

On Eagle Mountain summit, it’s heavily wooded, & peaceful. Clear skies above w gentle winds. Perfect day to stand on a mountaintop, beat my chest & yodel.

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Skirting the lake now, it’s as smooth as glass reflecting the forested hills like a perfect mirror. It’s the sort of scene that makes it all worth it

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

In some cultures, being stubborn is actually considered divine. Like the ones where they CLIMB MOUNTAINS!

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Bike was officially a bad idea. Big drop off a boulder tore off the shift derailer. Bike is down, but I soldier on. Yes, I know I’m stubborn, what of it…

17 Aug

inReach message from Danger Beacon

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Pretty drive up the Lake Superior coast & no sinkholes today. At trailhead & I’m going to ride the bike. I’ve been told it’s not possible, which is appealing

17 Aug

The Trouble with Ducks

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 17, 2016 / 0 Comments
The schedule change yesterday meant that we needed to stay in Duluth another day for me to do  Eagle Mountain the Minnesota highpoint. 
The problem is that a couple hundred thousand people are now flooding into Duluth and every RV park within a hundred miles is booked. We heard from a local that the convention center allowed RV parking, and managed to get the only spot large enough to accommodate our 41′ coach. So the coach is parked, and I’m headed north now for Eagle Mountain. This will be a long day as I expect 6+ hours of driving and around 5 hours of climbing. 
And why are people flooding into Duluth? To see some old boats and "DuckZilla", a giant rubber duck. I’m not kidding, it’s an 11 ton duckie they pull with a tugboat. Really, I don’t make this stuff up, take a look for yourself. http://www.twincities.com/2016/01/30/worlds-largest-rubber-duck-coming-to-duluth-in-august

15 Aug

Hawkeye Point Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 15, 2016 / 2 Comments

Today finds us in Duluth, camped by Lake Superior at the Lakehead Boat Basin, and we are taking a lazy day here. Tomorrow I plan to take the jeep and make the 3 hour drive up to Eagle Mountain the highpoint of Minnesota, and expect that climb to take about 5 hours. Susan will stay in Duluth, and as always, I’ll be blogging along the way.

The Hawkeye Trip report is posted below in its entirety. For a richer experience with larger photos see the Hawkeye Point Trip Report Page.

Hawkeye Trip Report
Yesterday morning, Sunday August 14th, 2016 Susan and I stood on Hawkeye Point, the Iowa state highpoint enjoying fresh gourmet coffee with warm blueberry muffins as we watched the sunrise over gently rolling farmland. Iowa makes 46 states, and the first of our Great Lakes 4 state trip.

When is the last time you had blueberry muffins on a highpoint? Well that's too log...

When’s the last time you had blueberry muffins on a highpoint? Well that’s too long…

Highpoint Statistics:

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13 Aug

Great Lakes Highpoint Trip Day 3

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 13, 2016 / 2 Comments

We are 1’173 miles, 145 gallons of water, 2 Walmarts, and one audiobook into the trip. Tonight finds us in Iowa, camped in a completely empty RV park, next to Hawkeye Point.

Day 3, in the Great Lakes Trip.

Day 3, in the Great Lakes Trip.

Today had us driving through idealistic rolling farmland, with stolid granaries, presiding over neatly fields of cultivated fields stretching into the horizon. Finding ourselves in such remarkable scenery, is one of the great rewards of this highpointing journey. Being in places, so utterly American that you just want to lift your hands to God in praise for the purple spacious skies.

An Iowa sunset, across a field of ripe corn.

A very American sunset, across a field of ripe corn, taken from the highest point in Iowa.

Today was a very good day, I drove the 8 hours from Topeka where we stayed in our second Walmart of the trip to the Iowa highpoint. The Topeka Walmart was built on the site of a the Chief Drive Inn Theater, and as a nod to that bit of history, they left the Chief Drive In Theater neon sign intact. You can read more about that tidbit of history here.

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12 Aug

Great Lakes Highpoint Trip Underway!

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 12, 2016 / 0 Comments

Times are hard for the Byrd family, last night we slept in a Walmart parking lot in Ennis Texas. OK, so its not as dire as it sounds, Walmart is a pretty swell place to stop with your RV on long trips. This morning I even brought Susan coffee in bed, which makes her feel loved, and more inclined to drive 😉

As you read this, Susan and I are in BigByrd making our way across America in pursuit of 4 more state highpoints located in the Great Lakes area. My coffee ploy having worked, Susan is at the wheel, and I’m at the desk.

 

The plan is to catch Hawkeye Point Iowa on our way north, and then continue to the  Great Lakes to complete Eagle Mountain Minnesota, Mount Arvon Michigan and Timm’s Hill Wisconsin. As always, you will be able to follow along real time here on The Danger Map 

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