Zippel Bay State Park: September 3, 2012

Joe and I planned our Canada Trip so that we could hit two out-of-the-way Minnesota State Parks and do their Hiking Club Trails.  What were the odds that we'd be by Zippel Bay or Franz Jevne State Parks again anytime soon?  Better check them off our lists!

Zippel Bay State Park turned out to be the northernmost point for us on our trip - the furthest north that Joe'd ever been, and the furthest north in the USA that I've ever been.  Interestingly enough, it was a very warm day and we spent it at the beach.

A beautiful day at the beach

The Hiking Club Trail at Zippel Bay is pretty laid-back: start at the parking lot and then walk along the beach to the jetty and back.  Lake of the Woods wasn't exactly the South Pacific, but it was so beautiful.  Cool breeze, warm sun, gently lapping waves and birds flying overhead.  Ahh!

Joe in the woods

After a mile or so the path turned from beach to woods.  We found ourselves in this pretty little avenue of greenery - and frogs!  Frogs everywhere!  I'm glad that Thunderdog wasn't there - she had a puppyhood habit of eating frogs and toads.  I tell ya, nothing smells worse than an amphibian that has gone through the digestive tract of a dog.  Anyway!

Sandy beach, and the jetty

We emerged from the woods to see two jetties and about a zillion gulls, terns, and cormorants.  We walked out to the near jetty and enjoyed watching gulls and terns fly straight into the water and come up with small fish.  You can see the entrance to Lake of the Woods in the picture above...

Boat on its way into Zippel Bay

...which leads into Zippel Bay.  The bay itself seems to be the real star of this park.  All along Lake of the Woods are fancy cabins and resorts.  I thought it was pretty neat that Everyman's Country Estate included a place where Jane and Joe Everyman can camp out and enjoy a great location on one of the best fishing lakes in MN.  Yet another unique park in Minnesota!  I continue to marvel at the great variety of parks we have here.

Someday, when we have a boat, we'll come back to Zippel Bay State Park.  I think that we saw just about all there was for a pair of hikers to see...although I would have been just fine sitting on the beach with a book, or skipping stones on the lake.



Total miles hiked today: (this park) 2
Total miles hiked (in 2012): 118.7

Total ticks today: Joe - 0; Thunderdog - n/a; Elly - 0
Total ticks (in 2012): 48