Trip Date: Friday, July 3rd, 2015 Itasca State Park's Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center Several connecting trails allow hikers to make shorter loops. Since the advent of forest fire prevention, it has been required to ignite fires in red pine forests on purpose (known as controlled burnings) to clear shrubs and open the tree canopy so that sunlight may reach the ground. On their way to the top, they learn about the land, its history, and the importance of preventing unplanned forest fires. When dry, peat ignites easily and can burn for days, weeks, even years if smoldering underground. An Osborne Fire Finder, a type of alidade tool used to locate fires, inside the cab of the fire tower at the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota. While the exact beginning place was a source of contention in the past, the 2,552-mile-long Mississippi River starts its trip from Lake Itasca. Over the decades, policies surrounding fire suppression and land management have been greatly debated. Yes, I may or may not have paid attention, and I may or may not have ended up in the Mississippi River. Errol Sleeper, 7, takes in the view from the cab of the Aiton Heights Fire Tower in northern Minnesota's Itasca State Park. Sarah Stacke Its a short walk from the large parking lot, crossing over the young river on the way. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Edition: BikingThe 16-mile bicycle route may be the most enjoyable and peaceful way to experience Itasca. Daily narrated commercial boat tours of Lake Itasca run throughout the summer. For a less rustic experience you can stay at the year-round historic Douglas Lodge, the Mississippi Headwaters Hostel, or one of several cabins and guest houses. Aiton Heights Fire Tower - Wilderness Dr See all 26 photos Aiton Heights Fire Tower Scenic Lookout, Historic Site, and Trail Park Rapids Save Share Tips 2 Photos 26 See what your friends are saying about Aiton Heights Fire Tower. Information provided by lookouts in each tower is used to triangulate the exact location of a fire. 2021Outdoor Project. When the road ends at a T intersection, turn right onto Park Rd. The 32,000-acre park is the states most developed park yet also one of its most pristine. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again. I didnt want to get wet, but I got saturated anyhow (and fortunately no serious injuries other than a couple of bruises). "The tower can be a quicker way to spot smoke," MN DNR Forester Jordan Griffing told me. Snowshoers like to explore the Wilderness Sanctuary and the point of land between the arms of Lake Itasca. Beautiful autumn colors. Big Bog park was established in part to create a sustainable tourist attraction is Waskish, Minnesota, after the local economy was devastated when the walleye population of the lake crashed in the 1990s. Channel your ice cream energy toward tackling all 11 of these unique and yumtastic creations. Though typically wet and spongy, when dry, peat ignites easily and often burns unnoticed for days, weeks, and even years. The park swimming beach, on Lake Itasca, is up the shore from the boat landing. The bog's ecosystem benefits from periodic fires, but uncontrolled fires can be devastating to the bog's animals and nearby humans. The Wilderness Sanctuary is a 2,000-acre tract of undisturbed forest bordering the western arm of Lake Itasca. All structured data from the main, Property, Lexeme, and EntitySchema namespaces is available under the. Itasca State Park, approximately four hours north-west of the Twin Cities, is home to the Mississippi River Headwaters, 45 miles of hiking trails, 200-year-old pine trees, a 100-foot fire tower to climb, historical sites, camping, fishing, boating, and so much more. Prior to the fire suppression efforts that began in the 1900s, the park would have had a natural fire every 22 years on average. MN Northwest Minnesota Itasca State Park " Part singletrack and part maintenance road, this wooded trail leads up to a 100 foot tall fire tower. Originally erected by the MN Division of Forestry in the 1920s, it was moved to Itasca State Park in 1937 and assigned dual roles: visitor education and fire detection. An airplane is also deployed to monitor the forests, but is tasked with covering a large area. Now I have to say I have a small fear of heights and this really tested my manliness. Hiking and bicycling routes include self-guided tours of the parks historic buildings, and a boardwalk connects one of the parks lodges to the Old Timers cottage. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? They probably didnt know that the lake was the source of the Mississippi River. They were later used to detect fires. hide caption. While Lake Itasca is well-known as the Mississippi Rivers source (a subject with a lot of discussion that Ill keep for another time), the park really has over 150 lakes, the majority of which are hidden under the deep forest. there was a small walk to the tower, and then climbing up it. 2023 Minnesota DNR | Equal opportunity employer |. Sarah Stacke McMullen and his companion Nelson Rust were unlawfully deer hunting in Itasca State Park, according to the Pioneer Cemetery interpretive plaque. Aiton Heights Fire Tower: US 548, MN 8: Ash River Lookout: US 1286, MN 12: Badoura Lookout Tower: US 120, MN 4: Bemidji Fire Tower: US 710, MN 9: Ben Draper Lookout: US 156, MN 5: Birchdale Lookout: US 1483, MN 18: Black Bay Lookout Tower: US 1304, MN 14: Bois Forte Lookout: US 1484, MN 19: Boulder Hill Fire Tower: US 270, MN 7: Elba Fire Tower . Sarah Stacke is a freelance photographer and archive investigator based in Brooklyn, N.Y. She is also one of the founders for the 400 Years Projects. The bog has long been a source of medicinal plants to the land's original inhabitants, the Ojibwe. Mississippi Headwaters is the marque stop, but this one should not be overlooked. The 100-foot fire tower in Big Bog State Recreation Area offers views of Upper Red Lake and portions of the Red Lake Peatlands. Soak in the scenery by climbing the 100-foot tall retired fire tower to survey nearly 50 miles of trails winding through the park. Fire creates favorable conditions for the growth and survival of pines and they depend on it for reproduction. Fire scars remain on red pines in Preacher's Grove from a fire that burned through the park in the 1860s. The 500-square-mile Big Bog State Recreation Area is the largest in the lower 48 states. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. MSPJr 2022, OverDrive Magazine The Nimrod tower, built in 1928, is staffed regularly during Minnesota's fire season. We went with our 5 year old son. The trail is a 2.2-mile in-and-out route. Hubbard County is located in the Heartland Lakes region of northern Minnesota. 48 "That's why we keep our fire tower open," Cox told me. These burial mounds, 500 to 900 years old, were built by Woodland Indians who lived here before the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The line can get a little long and this is not for those with a fear of heights but there are spots to sit in the shade to wait if you dont want to climb and there is a replica of the top of the tower that has the same pictures pointing out landmarks. " Kevin Hiker OpenMapTiles OSM 1.0 Miles Point to Point 1,663' High 1,557' Low 150' Up Read more An airplane is also deployed to monitor the forests, but is tasked with covering a large area. Search the DNR Website Search Many people are shocked to find that the Mississippi Rivers beginnings are at Itasca State Park in Minnesota. Save the scream for the last lick. Have a card? Headwaters of the Mississippi River Itasca State Park is located in the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Two of the top three deadliest fires in U.S history were in Minnesota. Fishing dock on the south end of Lake Itasca. The rich pine forest surrounding Pine Lake Forest Road in Hubbard County, Minnesota. You can find all of your Itasca State Park information and maps here, as well as browse the educational and historical displays. Oh, Happy Days Your mama may have told you thered be days like thisbut she likely didnt mean this kind of day. Before following the short route to the Mississippi Headwaters the #1 thing to do at Itasca State Park youll want to spend some time at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. Because Wilderness Drive, the road connecting to this trailhead, is one-way, you will have to follow the main park road in a long circle before finding the turnoff on the right hand side -- it's easy to miss, so slow down and pay close attention once you're on the one-way road. The hike is straightforward since this is the only trail leaving from this particular parking lot, so follow the trail south. Small cities, year-round locations for outdoor lovers, and attractions for travelers who prefer their adventure inside may all be found in the surrounding region. THESE AQUATIC PARKS ARE JUST RIGHT FOR A SPLASHING GOOD TIME. The park also contains cottages, RV spaces, and backpacking campsites in addition to the lodge. . Tom Hintgen, Otter Tail County Correspondent. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Itasca State Park is Minnesotas oldest state park, with 32,000 acres around the Mississippi Rivers 2,552-mile headwaters. Discover this 2.2-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Alice, Minnesota. I only made it 2 platforms from the top! A gift store, vending machines, and bathrooms are also available. Book the best deals of hotels to stay close to Aiton Heights Fire Tower with the lowest price guaranteed by Trip.com! Another thing to consider before you start to climb the many steps to various levels is the possibility that the tower will wobble in the wind or when people are walking up or down. But Brower, appointed the first park commissioner, received no pay and no funds or support to make the park a reality. MADE IN MINNESOTA How well do you know the noteworthy names, teams, and creations that hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes? To inspire you to explore the Outdoors by telling the story of Minnesotas parks and trails and the people who love them. Walk across the Mississippi River as it spills out of Lake Itasca, A family photo at the Mississippi headwaters is a must for many visitors, A paved 6-mile trail connects Douglas Lodge to the Mississippi headwaters. Make a point of visiting the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center first. In a clever twist, the bog's inhospitable moss and peat-covered landscape accommodates several rare and endangered fauna and flora, as well as moose, deer, bears, foxes, wolves, and an abundance of birds. This 100 foot observation tower is a perfect stop to see fall colors. Squaw, Elk and Mary lakes also have boat landings. They usually build their large nests in tall red or white pines. The only difficult part is the many stairs to climb to the top of this 100 foot tall tower. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Lets take a look at some of the most prominent historical sites that you can discover within the Itasca State Park. Interpretive signs at the base of the tower educate visitors about fire prevention and the history of the region's forests. hide caption. Fire creates favorable conditions for the growth and survival of pines and they depend on it for reproduction. All rights reserved. On Lake Itasca, Itasca State Park (dnr.state.mn.us) features a public fishing pier, playground, and swimming beach, as well as boat and bike rentals. hide caption. hide caption. About 100,000 people come to the park annually and the majority climb the tower, according to the park's staff. TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION Land, air, track, or seaits moving fun, guaranteed. This is a curving, rolling delight of a trail that is a treat for bicyclists and hikers. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser. The Red Lake Peatlands have been called Minnesota's last true wilderness. Roughly a decade after the park was established in 1891, the Mississippi River Commission built six simple timber platforms above the treeline to map the Lake Itasca Basin. The park immediately realized the platforms served the dual purpose of detecting fires and providing an "opportunity to educate people about the Itasca landscape," added Cox. Dogs are allowed on leash, and given the shortness of this hike, most children should be able to complete it. The fire tower just off Aiton Heights Trail. Sign in to see the full collection. With a fire, a lot can happen in an hour. The Pioneer Cemetery has the graves of 14 early inhabitants. In 2011, an out of service fire tower was refurbished and moved to the visitor center at Big Bog to serve as a tourist attraction and educational resource. North Country Trail, Shingobee Recreational Area, Hideaway Park/Rendezvous Event Center Sledding Hill. The trail is a 2.2-mile in-and-out route. Only six people allowed on the fire tower at a time. The Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center stays open during the winter and has bathrooms, interpretive displays and a fireplace.More about skiing in the Park Rapids area, Ski right up to the source of the Mississippi River, Even a dreary day will bring ice anglers to Lake Itasca. Get Carried Away If a stairway to heaven isnt quite your jam, take to the sky with one of these hot-air balloon outings. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. It was a bit upsetting to find that 800-year-old Native American burial mounds at Itasca State Park were largely excavated in the late 1800s. The tours board at the Douglas Lodge pier in the South Itasca Center. Show Less Snow Flurries -6 - -3 Hubbard County Travel Guide Travel Guide Other Introduction Hubbard County is a city in Minnesota, United States. Red Bridge Inn Bed and Breakfast on the water. Sarah Stacke Numerous mosses and orchids flourish in the Sanctuary, including Bog Adders Mouth, a relatively rare orchid in Minnesota. Sarah Stacke Before the advent of aircraft, fire towers were essential to monitoring forests, especially in the flat environment of the Midwest. Its about protecting what sustains us. The controversy continued until 1889 when Jacob V. Brower studied the topography of the Itasca basin. Scars on this record red pine indicate that it has survived six forest fires in its 300 years. The tower itself is much easier to climb than it looks, and the views are spectacular. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. It ushers an "appreciation of the forestand if you want to protect something you have to develop an appreciation for it. The Red Lake Peatlands have been called Minnesota's last true wilderness. Douglas Lodge is a historic log hotel and restaurant built in 1905. Peat fires, which can smolder underground, are notoriously difficult to extinguish, says Lyle Fenske, a retired forester who lives in the area. The red pine, also called Norway pine, is a species especially adapted to withstand fire. The park now facilitates controlled burns as part of its forestry management techniques. The virgin pine stand here is 100 to 300 years old. Itascas campsites are split into two semi-modern campgrounds. no. The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center is a must-see for anybody interested in learning more about the namesakes involvement in preserving the pine trees of Itasca State Park. Itasca State Park is where the Mississippi River begins. Evergreen Gifts & Fun ParkEvergreen Gifts & Fun Park2Evergreen Gifts & Fun Park "Thanks to the fire tower, we have the opportunity to educate hundreds of children plus adults on forest stewardship and fire prevention," says Dawn Jensen, who works for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at Big Bog State Recreation Area, an over 9,000 acre area located on the shores of Upper Red Lake. There is a pit toilet at this lot. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Brower struggled for years to preserve Itasca. Built in 1928, a 94-foot ladder leads to the tower's cab. Turn left onto U.S. Highway 10 and continue on this highway for about 2.5 hours until you reach Verndale. hide caption. This particular fire tower is strategically located close to the center of this large park, providing astounding views of the surrounding wilderness without the highways and neighboring towns you may see from towers in other locations. He concluded that several creeks do contribute to Lake Itasca, but only at the lakes outlet is a river formed. Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. Itasca State Parks Preachers Grove is a lovely grove of 280-year-old pine trees that grew following a big forest fire in the 1710s. In 1937 the tower was moved to Itasca to aid in fire detection and to provide education for visitors. The Nimrod tower, built in 1928, is staffed regularly during Minnesota's fire season. Inside, a stool is positioned alongside an Osborne Fire Finder, a type of alidade tool developed in the 1920s to enable lookouts to pinpoint the exact location of a fire. Originally erected by the MN Division of Forestry in the 1920s, it was moved to Itasca State Park in 1937 and assigned dual roles: visitor education and fire detection. Hubbard County is located in the Heartland Lakes region of northern Minnesota. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "aitonheightsfiretower" Flickr tag. It is possible to make it a shorter hike if you drive along Wilderness Drive and park in a parking lot nearer to the fire tower. The vistas, though, are well worth the wait and the effort. Today, only a handful of climbable towers exist and they remain on the front lines of fire prevention through education and an innate human desire to perch above the treetops. It is Minnesotas first state park, and one of the oldest in the country. Wade your way over. The Itasca Bison Kill Site is named after the extinct bison fossils discovered in the vicinity. 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