{"id":3490,"date":"2018-04-18T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T14:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=3490"},"modified":"2023-07-22T15:52:42","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T20:52:42","slug":"gooseberry-falls-hiking-fifth-falls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/gooseberry-falls-hiking-fifth-falls\/","title":{"rendered":"Gooseberry Falls Trails | Hiking to Fifth Falls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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I\u2019ve gone up to Gooseberry Falls<\/a> State Park a couple of times now. It seems like every time, I never make it to Fifth Falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I usually have a couple of little people with tinny legs following behind me that insist that it\u2019s just TOO HARD. You know the ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are often cute and convince you they need a piggyback ride back up the entire height of the falls. And you enviably get sucked into their cuteness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time, I would not let that happen again! We were going to do all the Gooseberry Falls Hiking Trails!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My sister had reserved a camping spot<\/a> in early spring for us to go, just the two of us to do some Gooseberry Falls Camping. We both left our kids behind with some responsible adults and took off for Minnesota\u2019s North Shore<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We planned out the trip a month in advance and just crossed our fingers that the weather would cooperate. It ended up being 50 degrees out and rainy the whole time. We didn\u2019t let that stop us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gooseberry Falls Hiking the Fifth Falls Trail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Gooseberry Falls Hiking trip would be different. To make sure we saw Fifth Falls this time, we skipped Middle falls and Lower falls altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We blew past upper falls, knowing at any moment the clouds could open and unleash buckets of water on us. The trail is 2.5 miles long and does a loop around the falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We started on what we thought was the Fifth Falls Trail and headed north. We were on a snowmobile trail but soon met up with Fifth Falls trail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our mistake was we took the North fork from the visitor\u2019s center. We should have stayed on the trail that said \u2018To the Falls!\u201d, Oh well.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Under<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Since everyone was at the \u201ceasier to access\u201d Middle and Lower Falls, we didn\u2019t see too many people on the hike. Middle and Lower falls are easier to access but include a LOT of stairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing the two treks, it\u2019s equivalent in workload. The falls were a short walk and didn\u2019t have as much of an elevation change as I expected for a waterfall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It only took us 20 minutes to get there at most. They have a bridge that crosses the river at the top of the falls. If you want to get a good look at the falls, you have to be on the Fifth Falls Trail. It curves around too much to see it on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"Gooseberry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My sister and I found a few trails that would lead down to the water. We brought out our food and had a picnic. There were also some bald eagles hanging out overhead.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being out on the riverbank brought me back to my teenage years when we would go up the BWCA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the way back we hooked up with the Superior Hiking Trail. This trail system starts just south of Duluth and ends past Grand Marais, following Lake Superior the whole way.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trail was a little more maintained than the Fifth Falls trail on the opposite banks. It included boardwalks on some of the more muddy sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a couple of years, I\u2019m hoping that I can get up there for a week and hike more of the trail. My sister actually went back to complete some of the Superior Hiking Trail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out her experience in\u00a0A First Timers Experience on the Superior Hiking Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tips For Your North Shore Hiking Trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n