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Submission
The Vermilion Gorge trailhead is located in the community of Crane Lake 27 miles northeast of Orr. In Crane Lake, keep left, watch for the Voyageurs National Park office. Trail parking is .1 mile past the Park Service office on the left.
At a leisurely pace, this three mile trail can be easily hiked in three hours. The last portion of the trail parallels the Vermilion River Gorge – a rugged landscape of sheer granite cliffs and rock outcrops.
From Crane Lake to Vermilion River the trail is graveled. Boardwalks cross wet areas. Near the crest of the first hill, the Voyageur’s Snowmobile trail branches to the left. Keep right on the gravel trail.
Thus is a decent and slightly challenging hike (up and down hill). Don't let it scare you. I am out of shape and made it. Great awesome reward at the destination. The gorge is beautiful and worth the trouble. I have made the hike three times to show others.
Nice trailhead with electric pumphouse for spring water, picnic tables, and even some pullouts for starting the night.
The road in is washboard dirt and gravel.
The spring water has a bit of a yellow tinge, but was fine to drink with minimal mineral taste.
Pit toilet.
It could have been such an amazing 3 mile hike—except for the mosquitoes. I have never experienced this many in a single location. And they are enormous. Bring mosquito net hats, bug spray, napalm, whatever you can. I’m not exaggerating.
Otherwise, it was a decent hike. It has several wooden stair locations, a sideways leaning bridge crossing a small puddle, and phenomenal views. Halfway out, there is a dock off the trail if the bugs get too oppressive and you need a quick escape.
There are two spots you can start from, either by the Crane Lake entrance making it three miles or you can cut off a good portion of mileage by taking your boat in the bay next to the Pine Point Resort. The hike was moderate, however, there is some elevation gain. It is pretty well maintained overall. I would suggest bug spray, the mosquitoes were intense. Once you get next to the water, by the breeze the mosquitoes were pretty much non-existent. The view of the gorge was well worth the hike.
