FANTASIA

We returned to the car by mid-afternoon. I wanted to do another hike, but Christy was more interested in checking out a beach along Lake Superior. I came up with an easy solution. I would do the hike I had planned for the previous afternoon with Jackson. Christy could check out a beach with sea caves a mile or so away.

Christy dropped me off at a small parking area along Highway 1 between Lake Superior and Finland. From the parking area, a spur trail ascends a rock face / small cliff to meet the Superior Hiking Trail. The trail runs south from there down to the Baptism River, where we had just been. My plan was to go north. I’d follow the main trail for a mile or so before turning off on a spur that leads to the Fantasia Overlook.

Climbing that rock face with Jackson on my back looked unpleasant, if not impossible. Instead, I walked out to the road and followed the shoulder. I joined the trail a short distance from the parking lot, crossed the road, and headed into the woods. The first mile of the hike was pleasant but uneventful.

The spur trail to the Fantasia Overlook was a little tougher. There were a couple of big rocky steps that I had to ascend. They would be easy on a normal dayhike, but having Jackson on my back challenged my strength and balance. It was worth it though. A few minutes later we arrived at the top of a rocky ledge featuring expansive views of Lake Superior. I assumed that I was at the Fantasia Overlook, but the trail continued. I followed it back into the woods and over a minor knob. After a short descent I arrived at the brink of a cliff. There are more cliffs to the south and north, and 100’ below was a marshy pond. It looked like a good place for a moose, but of course I didn’t see anything.

That cliff was a little too sketchy to get Jackson out of the pack. After taking in the view I backtracked until I found a good place to change his diaper and feed him. I texted Christy with an ETA and headed back down by the same route. Christy picked us up at the parking area and we headed back to the campground.

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