Name: Cascade River Loop
Rating: 4.0

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The office is staffed daily during the spring, fall, and summer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; it is minimally staffed in the winter. A vehicle permit ($7/day, $35/year) is required to enter and park in the park. Parts of this trail may be inaccessible during Spring high water.

Overview

This hike follows a spur trail (white blazes) of the Superior Hiking Trail north along the east bank of the Cascade River, crosses the river on the County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road) bridge, then goes south along the river on the main Superior Hiking Trail (blue blazes). It is a challenging and varied hike which gives you access to waterfalls, cascades, and pools in the upper Cascade River.

Description

From the west end of the main parking lot, go west toward the bridge over the river (but do not cross it) and look for signs and white blazes indicating a spur trail of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT).

The spur trail is on the east side of the river, while the main trail (blue blazes) runs along the river's west side. Follow the spur trail north to County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road). This trail brings you close to cascades in the river about 2.5 miles from the parking lot.

Go west on County Road 45 for 0.25 miles and look for the main Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) (blue blazes) behind a pile of large rocks. Follow this trail south as it up and down through gullies before finally leveling out near the river about 1.5 miles from the parking lot. Climb the 96 Steps, leave the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) here, head for the lower bridge, cross it, and make your way back to the parking lot.