Duluth Hiking and Biking Trails

31 years ago the Upper Midwest was subject to a four day winter storm that buried cars in Duluth. By way of contrast, this week we're gearing up for some unusually generous warmth, short sleeve weather for those so inclined. I decided to go for a walk, not a walk to the end of the road as I usually do, but a bit of hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail. 

I don't know what things are like elsewhere but here there's an amazing array of hiking and biking trails. It's a Northland feature that I'd never paid much attention to, but have become increasingly aware of. Hiking is a great way to disconnect from all your devices, and a tradition that goes way, way back in human history.

Here are some stats from that Halloween blizzard in Duluth:

• At the time, the 36.9" of snow that fell at Duluth set the state record for storm total snowfall. That was surpassed in 1994.
• Snow began in Duluth at about 1:00 pm on October 31st, and did not end until 1:00 pm on November 3rd, meaning that snow fell continuously on the city for about 72 hours.
• Moderate to heavy snow fell in Duluth with as much as 2 inches per hour from about 11:00 am on November 1st to about 2:00 am on November 2nd - about 15 hours.
• Blowing snow was reported in Duluth for 33 consecutive hours, starting at 2 PM on November 1st. Winds regularly gusted to between 30 and 40 MPH. Visibilities were frequently near zero across much of the region.

EdNote: Though near 37 inches fell, the gusting wind produced massive drifts. Most cars were buried in our Central Hillside neighborhood.

* * * * 

And here are some photos from my afternoon hike.

I couldn't help but think of Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken as I came to a few places with forking paths. 

Are you a hiker? The bike trails here are phenomenal as well.