Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Booklet of Natural History and Geology of the

Superior Hiking Trail in Duluth, Minnesota

Dr. John Green, Superior Hiking Trail Association

April, 2007

Project No. 306-04-07

Contract No. A78677

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota’s
Lake Superior Coastal Program.
Introduction
Until now, there has never been any sort of general or overall description, guide,
or interpretation of the highly diverse natural history of the Duluth area – especially one
aimed at the general public. Thanks largely to the foresight of its “city fathers” many
years ago, the city contains a wealth of parks and other public land, and Duluthians have
consistently expressed their desire to protect these areas and to maintain their enjoyment
of their natural environment as a high priority for land-use planning.
In the last few years, the Superior Hiking Trail Association has constructed a 39­
mile footpath from one end of the city to the other, taking maximum advantage of these
public lands and providing new access to much of this fascinating and diverse natural
environment. This new trail was the inspiration for producing an illustrated synthesis, for
the interested layperson and recreationist, of the natural history (including geology and
some human history) of the city, focused on the route of the Superior Hiking Trail in
Duluth, all of which is in the Lake Superior watershed. This was the basis for this
project, the booklet “Natural History and Geology along the Superior Hiking Trail
through Duluth, Minnesota.” The booklet fills a major gap in available, lay-accessible
information and should prove to be a useful educational resource.

Work Completed
The author of the 48-page booklet, John C. Green, performed the following tasks:
1. Researched previous published and non-published reports and maps on the geology
and natural history of the area.
2. Researched historical documents on certain aspects of the human history relevant to
the trail route.
3. Consulted other citizens with knowledge of certain sites or historical incidents.
4. Surveyed the entire length of the trail in at least two different seasons, taking notes and
photographs.
5. Conceptually designed maps and consulted with the map contractor, Diane Desotelle
of Desotelle Consulting, until the final product was agreed upon.
6. Wrote the draft of the text, submitted it to readers, and revised it to the final version.
7. Selected photographs from the author’s own archives as well as from recent trail
surveys.
8. Solicited certain photos from other sources.
9. Developed captions for photos.
10. Delivered text and photos to design/layout contractor, Sally Rauschenfels of Sally
Rauschenfels Creative, and arrived at final version/product through many reviews and
consultations.
11. Delivered electronic text to printer and picked up printed booklets.
12. With the assistance of Superior Hiking Trail Association staff, delivered 500 copies
of the booklet gratis to a wide variety of schools, colleges, libraries, non-profits, natural
resource-related agencies and commissions, etc.
Results

The deliverables consist of a 48-page, 5 ½ x 8 ½”, full-color booklet, which is

intended and designed as an educational resource for people interested in the diverse
natural resources of the Duluth area. Along with public libraries, one major group of
recipients is local educational institutions such as public and private schools and colleges
and natural-resource-based nonprofits. The booklet will be used as a resource for
curriculum and field activities focused on local natural history. It will enhance students’
awareness and appreciation, and positive attitudes toward conservation and preservation,
of this natural environment in the Lake Superior watershed.
Another major group of recipients is city, county, and state commissions and
agencies that have management and regulatory functions for public lands. The booklet
will underscore the value of preserving and protecting the special natural features of our
local public lands.
Another very important group of people who will use this product comprises the
general recreating public, who will be encouraged to use the special access that the
Superior Hiking Trail provides to the city’s wilder environments. In drawing their
attention to the diverse natural features along the trail, their appreciation will be enhanced
along with their desire and commitment to protect and conserve them. The booklet’s
section on Duluth’s streams stresses the importance of keeping them clean and their
influence on the water quality of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River estuary.

Conclusions

Any description of the natural history/ecology of an area such as this must

consider the continuously-evolving phenology during the year. Although surveys all
along the trail were done in this case at least twice at different seasons during more than a
year, more would have been better, in order to catch more of the bloomings, fruitings,
and other natural phenomena in this highly diverse environment. However, for the 39­
mile distance involved in this case, this would add considerably to the time requirements
to complete the surveys.
Good working relationships between the Project Manager and the contractors
greatly assisted in achieving a successful product.
In the initial grant proposal, a 36-page booklet was planned, but during execution
of the project it became evident that, in order to include both adequate text and an
attractive and well-illustrated booklet, the size should be increased to 48 pages (limited
by the printer’s binding options). A supplemental Star Grant was applied for and
received, making this enhancement possible.
This project’s success could be a model for others focused on various areas along
the North Shore or elsewhere around the State.

Appendices
A. Photo of the Booklet, “Natural History and Geology along the Superior Hiking Trail in
Duluth, Minnesota” (next page)
B. Distribution Report (attached)
C. Short Review by Sam Cook from the Duluth News Tribune (below)

DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE Copyright (c) 2007, Duluth News Tribune

DATE: Sunday, April 15, 2007

RETIRED GEOLOGY PROFESSOR SHARES EXPERTISE IN HIKING BOOK

It seems appropriate that Duluth's John Green has written a guide to the natural history
and geology of the Superior Hiking Trail in Duluth. He also did much of the scouting to
determine the trail's 39-mile route through the city.

The new guide, "Natural History and Geology along the Superior Hiking Trail through
Duluth, Minnesota," was published jointly by Green, the Superior Hiking Trail
Association and Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.

Green is a retired geology professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth as well as a

naturalist and birder.

"I just thought this was a great opportunity, since the trail is opening up this nice part of
wild Duluth to the public, to do a little education and let people in on some of the
wonderful natural history in the area," Green said. "It'll make them enjoy the trail a little
more."

The 45-page, full-color book includes geologic history of Duluth, plus information on the
plants, wildlife and streams that hikers will encounter along the trail. The guide includes
a map and detailed descriptions of 12 hikes along segments of the trail. Color photos and
drawings accompany the descriptions. Historical notes accompany each hike's
description.

"I think readers are really going to enjoy it," said Bill Dryborough of Superior, a member
of the Superior Hiking Trail Association board of directors. "It's the type of thing you can
take with you when you go hiking and enjoy the plant life and the local geology, the birds
and everything else."

The book will be available from the Superior Hiking Trail Association, (218) 834-2700
or www.shta.org, or, after May 1, at bookstores, state parks and other retailers. Suggested
retail price is $6.95.

D. Correspondence from recipients of copies of the booklet:

1. Kristine Aho letter
2. Barbara Coffin and Bill Dryborough e-mails
3. Pete Gravett letter
4. Bob Nesheim, Doug Stevens letters
 Booklet Distribution List March 2007
Superior Hiking Trail Association Project No. 306-04-07

No. Copies Name Address City State Zip

25 Mn's Lake Superior Coastal Council

4 Submitted to Coastal Program
1 Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson City Hall, 411 West First Street, Duluth MN 55802
9 Jeffrey J. Cox, Clerk, Duluth City Council 330 City Hall, 411 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
1 Carl Seehus, Parks and Rec Dept. 12 East Fourth Street Duluth MN 55802
12 Parks and Recreation Commission 12 East Fourth Street Duluth MN 55802
2 Marnie Lonsdale, Todd Carlson, Stormwater Utili 520 Garfield Avenue Duluth MN 55802
1 Bob Bruce, Planning & Development 402 City Hall, 411 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
1 Kyle Deming, Planning & Development 402 City Hall, 411 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
13 Duluth Planning Commission 402 City Hall, 411 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
12 Lynn Ann Hollatz, Envir. Adv. Council 402 City Hall, 411 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
1 St. Louis Co Commissioner Bill Kron Rm 208, 100 No. Fifth Avenue West Duluth MN 55802
1 Commissioner Peg Sweeney Rm 208, 100 No. Fifth Avenue West Duluth MN 55802
1 Commissioner Steve O'Neil Rm 208, 100 No. Fifth Avenue West Duluth MN 55802
1 Commissioner Dennis Fink Rm 208, 100 No. Fifth Avenue West Duluth MN 55802
1 Commissioner Robert Krepps 607 Govt Services Center, 320 West 2nd Street Duluth MN 55802
1 Mark Weber. St. Louis Co Land Dept 607 Govt Services Center, 320 West 2nd Street Duluth MN 55802
5 Duluth Public Library 520 West Superior Street Duluth MN 55802
3 Superior Public Library 1530 Tower Avenue Superior WI 54880
3 Bill Sozansky, Library 465D University of Minnesota Duluth Duluth MN 55812
20 Principal, Central High School 800 Central Entrance Duluth MN 55811
20 Principal, Denfeld High School 4405 West Fourth Street Duluth MN 55807
20 Principal, East High School 2900 East Fourth Street Duluth MN 55812
20 Principal, Lincoln Park Middle School 2424 West Fifth Street Duluth MN 55806
20 Principal, Morgan Park Middle School 1242 88th Avenue West Duluth MN 55808
20 Principal, Woodland Middle School 201 Clover Street Duluth MN 55812
20 Principal, Ordean Middle School 301 No. 40th Ave. East Duluth MN 55804
5 Doug Thompson, The Nature Conservancy 394 South Lake Avenue Duluth MN 55802
3 Sugarloaf, The No. Shore Sustainability Assoc. 6008 London Road Duluth MN 55802
1 Judy Gibbs 5875 North Shore Drive Duluth MN 55804
1 Andy Holak, Duluth Area Trails Alliance 1935 West Kent Road Duluth MN 55812
10 Pete Gravett, Hartley Nature Center 3001 Woodland Avenue Duluth MN 55803
5 Jim Sanders, Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth MN 55808
10 Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3006 Duluth MN 55803
20 Matt Andrews, UMD Biology Department 207 Swenson Science Building, UMD Duluth MN 55812
20 Howard Mooers, UMD Geological Sciences 229 Heller Hall, UMD Duluth MN 55812
1 Scott Freundschuh, Environmental Studies 329 Cina Hall, UMD Duluth MN 55812
3 Ken Gilbertson, HPER 107 Sports and Health Center, UMD Duluth MN 55812
5 Jane Wattrus, Biology Department College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Ave. Duluth MN 55811
5 Biology Department, Lake Superior College 2101 Trinity Road Duluth MN 55811
1 Pat Maus, Northeast MN Historical Center 202 Library Annex, UMD Duluth MN 55812
1 Doug Stevens 4869 First Avenue N. Duluth MN 55803
1 Tom Kasper, Duluth Parks Maintenance 110 No. 42nd Ave. West Duluth MN 55807
1 Diane Desotelle, Desotelle Consulting 3031 Branch Street Duluth MN 55812
1 Sally Rauschenfels 1026 South Lake Avenue Duluth MN 55802
1 Ruth Hiland 1120 Woodlake Lane, Unit 6 Richfield MN 55423
1 Carol Andrews, Wild Ones 332 West Superior Street Duluth MN 55802
1 Gayle Coyer, Superior Hiking Trail Association P. O. Box 4 Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Wendy Ruberg, Superior Hiking Trail AssociationP.O. Box 4 Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Paula Pettit, Superior Hiking Trail Association P.O. Box 4 Two Harbors MN 55616
15 SHTA Board of Directors " Two Harbors MN 55616
5 SHTA Volunteers, Construction and Maintenance" Two Harbors MN 55616
20 B.J. Kohlstedt, No. Shore Community School 5926 Ryan Road Duluth MN 55804
20 Larry Weber, The Marshall School 1215 Rice Lake Road Duluth MN 55811
20 Principal, Holy Rosary School 2802 East 4th Street Duluth MN 55812
20 Principal, Harbor City International School 332 West Michigan Street Duluth MN 55802
5 Harvey Thorleifson, Minn. Geological Survey 2642 University Avenue St. Paul MN 55114
2 Pat Collins, Minnesota's Coastal Program 1568 Highway 2 Two Harbors MN 55616
2 Eunice Luedke, Jay Cooke State Park 500 East Highway 210 Carlton MN 55718
1 Paul Sundberg, Gooseberry Falls State Park 3206 Highway 61 Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Phil Leversedge, Tettegouche State Park 5702 Highway 61 Silver Bay MN 55614
1 Manager, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Manager, Temperance River State Park 7620 W Highway 61 Schroeder MN 55613
1 Manager, Cascade River State Park 3481 W Highway 61 Lutsen MN 55612
1 Manager, Judge Magney State Park 4051 East Highway 61 Grand MaraisMN 55604
1 Chel Anderson 738 Camp 20 Road Grand MaraisMN 55604
1 Tom Peterson, DNR Trails and Waterways 1568 Highway 2 Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Bruce Highland, DNR Trails and Waterways 1568 Highway 2 Two Harbors MN 55616
1 Congressman James L. Oberstar 231 Federal Building Duluth MN 55802
 1 Representative David Dill Room 571, State Office Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Representative Tom Huntley Room 585, State Office Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Representative Mike Jaros Room 583, State Office Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Representative Mary Murphy Room 343, State Office Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon Room 303, Capitol Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Senator Tom Bakk Room 226, Capitol Building St. Paul MN 55155
1 Tim Larson 3816 West Fifth Street Duluth MN 55807
1 Michael Furtman 502 Leicester Ave. Duluth MN 55803
55 Lee Pfannmuller, DNR Ecological Services 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul MN 55155
2 Eco Services, MN DNR Station 4805 Rice Lake Road Duluth MN 55803
1 Steve Wilson, DNR SNA Program 2005 Highway 37 Eveleth MN 55734
1 Shawn Perich, Northern Wilds Box 659 Hovland MN 55606
1 Sam Cook, Duluth News Tribune 424 West First Street Duluth MN 55802
3 Dan Engstrom, St. Croix Watershed Res. Station 16910 152nd Street North Marine on St MN 55047
3 Barbara Coffin, Bell Museum of Nat. History 10 Church Street Minneapolis MN 55455
530
Note: The project was for 500 copies but SHTA
distributed the print overrun copies as well.