DAY10 THE HELLACIOUS OVERLOOK

The Pigeon River, seen from the 270 Overlook was a major waterway used by the Ojibwa and French Voyageurs during the fur trading days of the 1700’s. It led them to western tributaries, and allowed for trading to penetrate to Hudson Bay and beyond. It’s a grand sight to see. Marci and I took it in on our first day on the trail when we hiked the 2.4 mile round trip to sign the Register showing we were starting here.

But today I was making up miles we’d been forced to miss. They’d be out and back, slack packing miles from Jackson Lake Road Trailhead to Arrowhead Road Trailhead and back

Because an agreement wasn’t reached between the SHT Council and the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwa to allow the trail to pass through their lands, the northern section of this trail leading to and past the Hellacious Overlook begins to travel north toward the winding Pigeon River, the natural border between the US and Canada,

rather than east. 

Heading to the Hellacious Overlook I was  hoping for a breathtaking view of Gitchee Gumee. I’d seen the Mediocre Overlook near Carlton Peak and agreed its name was a fitting description. Turned out I got a view to remember. 

The trail started with long board walks through tannin-filled marsh and swampy woods, transitioned to rocks and roots then onto jagged and tumbled rocks especially near the summit. Being alone, with the trail being very narrow, the edge very near and the drop off very sheer, I was especially careful and happy I wasn't lugging my backpack.

Once on top I met the cool lake breeze and just admired Superior’s most fetching version of herself. 

I thought I could see Isle Royale standing like a jewel. When looking at the beauty and drama of the North Shore, Isle Royale and the Keweenaw Peninsula it’s not hard to see these places were cut from the same  geological events cloth; dramatic events of fire and ice millions of years ago. They’re largely “one and the same” which is why this foreign place feels like home to me.

Climbing is always easier than descending for me. I have a knee that will sometimes refuse to be a full paying member. I’d been ignoring it on this long hike, focusing on the parts that felt really good. But it wasn’t doing well today. Coming down off the sheer rock slab I decided to play it safe and sit, scoot and slide. Worked like a charm. I kept my head down and eyes glued to the “trail” picking my way down but when I looked up I was staring into the depths of a ripe and heavily fruited Service Berry tree. I’d hit the jackpot in more than one way today. 

This is a great section with every kind of trail surface often with overgrown, above-your-head, vegetation. It’s perfect moose and beaver habitat and evidence of them is plentiful.