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Caitlin Miller

As the description says, you can park your car on the streets of downtown Grand Marais, and after a short walk feel like it's just you and Lake Superior, hanging out! The rocky point has some trees/forest in the middle so once you are out by the lake, you feel like you're further away from town than you actually are. This spot is a must-see if you're staying in town or just driving thru!

My husband and I ventured to Piestewa Peak on a Sunday morning and had a hard time finding a parking spot, even though we arrived at 6am. So, getting there EARLY really is key for this popular hike! This hike is somewhat short but relatively difficult if you aren't in decent shape. However, there are many wide spots on the trail and a few benches along the way to stop at for rests. The views of the city are spectacular, so it's worth the sweat!

The first part of the trail (the road for off-road vehicles) wasn't that exciting, but was fairly flat and made for a quick walk. After reaching the "real" trailhead parking lot and continuing on the trail, things get exciting! This hike isn't too intensely uphill until you almost reach the bridge. My husband (who is a little scared of heights) was definitely pushed out of his comfort zone as we climbed the "staircase". The view at the top was amazing and walking out onto the bridge made for a super cool photo! There were quite a few other folks out on the trail but it wasn't too crowded. Worth the hike even with the not-so-exciting road walk at the start!