Some Gunflint Outfitters History...

The Gunflint Trail offers lots of outdoor activities for youth groups.

Finding Magnetic Rock

One of the most popular hiking trails in this area is the trail to Magnetic Rock. It is a gradual uphill walk from the Trail for about 1 ¾ miles to the rock. We have all hiked the trail many times without thinking about how the rock’s location was found. During her recent research into the history of the Gunflint Trail, Sue Kerfoot reviewed back copies of the Cook County News Herald. In the July 9, 1936 edition of the paper, Sue discovered a story entitled, “Magnetic Rock Found in County.” Imagine Sue’s surprise when she read the article and found out that Justine was the person who discovered Magnetic Rock. It was a story she had never heard from Justine. In fact, Sue found out that Bruce had never heard it either!

Sue’s earlier research already revealed that Native Americans had used the rock as a landmark when they hiked from Saganaga Lake to Gunflint Lake before the Trail existed. During those years a forest fire had left the rock visible for some distance. Eventually trees grew up around it, and the rock’s exact location was lost. But, of course, the local Native Americans never forgot the rock’s existence.

According to the newspaper, locals told Justine about the rock. It was probably a member of the Cook or Plummer families who lived across the lake. The article also said that Justine looked for it for several years. Finding the rock’s location was just the kind of puzzle Justine loved to solve. Late fall or early spring, when there were no leaves on the trees, would have been the best time to look. Bruce and Sue can imagine Justine taking an hour or so off to go looking. It must have been very gratifying to eventually find Magnetic Rock.

The newspaper reported that the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) men planned to build a trail into the rock. Today, hikers have enjoyed the trail for over 70 years. It winds over bedrock formations, past scenic overviews and through the forest on its way to Magnetic Rock. Tourists and locals pick blueberries alongside the trail. After the Blowdown of 1999, the Forestry did a controlled burn over parts of it to help open up spaces for new growth. The next spring, the burned areas were filled with wild morel mushrooms – a special treat. Today’s hikers can watch the growth of a new forest. So, our thanks go out to Justine and the CCC’s for giving us this wonderful recreational trail.