Jay Cooke State Park Snapshot Tour
(Page One)

Welcome to the Jay Cooke State Park virtual tour! In this journey you'll get low at the St. Louis River gorge, see up high from Oldenburg Point, and get a look down the Willard Munger State Trail. We hope it prompts you to visit the park in person sometime soon.

1 of 61	Willard Munger State Trail With more than 50 miles of recreation trails in the park, a visitor could explore the park for days without following the same trail twice.

2 of 61	Oldenburg Point 1 This lookout has one of the best views of the park. Looking west over the Saint Louis River Valley, you can view soaring eagles and powerful river flows.

3 of 61	Oldenburg Point 2 Oldenburg Point is located just down river from the main park headquarters and offers spectacular vistas of the Saint Louis River Valley. Here you can not only enjoy the view, but have your picnic lunch in the pavilion while you read the various memorial plaques and history of the park.

4 of 61	River Gorge 1 One of the first things you notice when hiking the trails are the unusual rock formations. Nowhere else in the state is this type of rock exposed in such a large area. The Thomson formation is made up of slate and greywacke. Long ago, underground movements caused this formation to bulge and break, tilting the rock at 45-degree angles. Glaciers then deposited thick layers of red clay on top of the formation which would later be washed away by the river to expose the bedrock underneath. Wherever the red clay topsoil has not been eroded, it is almost entirely covered with brush and dense forests.

5 of 61	River Gorge 2 The unusual bedrock formations, flowing river, dense forest, and abundant wildlife makes Jay Cooke State Park one of the premier natural attractions throughout the entire Midwest.

6 of 61	River Inn You are standing in front of the park headquarters building, called the River Inn. The building was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps from company 2711 between 1939 and 1942. Most of the raw materials used to construct the buildings were from local sources. The stone was quarried from a site in Gary, Minnesota, approximately 12 miles from the park. It is believed that the buildings supporting beams and rafters were built from local white pine trees. Originally the River Inn was constructed with a kitchen, dining room, enclosed picnic shelter, and restrooms. In the early 1980s the kitchen and dining room area were converted into exhibits and offices today.

7 of 61	Swinging Bridge Most famous of all the landmarks in the park is the Swinging Bridge. The bridge was designed by Oscar Newstrom and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The bridge is a 200-foot-long suspension bridge with a 126-foot span over the Saint Louis River, it is supported by four massive pylons consisting of reinforced concrete piers faced with native stone laid in a rustic design. The suspension cables are anchored in a solid rock ledge on the south side and in concrete anchorage on the north. Stone piers on either side of the bridge support walkways leading to the suspended section. Originally, 8" or 10" peeled cedar logs were used as approach railings and the bridge deck was constructed with 2" white oak flooring laid 1/2" apart.

8 of 61	Upper River Gorge Located on the upper end of the park near Thomson Dam, this gorge was carved into the bedrock by thousands of years of erosion

9 of 61	Jay Cooke State Park Entrance Sign The entrance sign welcomes visitors to Jay Cooke State Park.

10 of 61	Calm Waters Calm waters invite paddlers and fishermen to spend a day on the water.

11 of 61	Autumn Colors Trees and shrubs bursting with oranges, greens, and yellows surround the swirling St. Louis River.

12 of 61	Walking the Bridge Excited visitors hustle across the famous swinging bridge, eager to start hiking the trails.

13 of 61	Swinging Bridge Large boulders line the banks of the St. Louis River, which flows under the bridge. Trees grow between the crevices, and autumn leaves bathe the forest floor in gold.

14 of 61	Roots and Rocks Rugged land formations enhance the beauty of the hardwood forests. Trees roots, unable to go deep underground, twist and turn on the surface, snaking around rocky outcrops.

15 of 61	Swinging Bridge Originally built in 1934, this 200-foot-long suspension bridge is supported by massive pylons faced with native stone. The river below is swift and choppy.

16 of 61	Night Walk The sun sets behind the trees, and the bridge is silhouetted against a sky of blues, pinks, and oranges. Once busy with explorers and visitors, it now sits in silence.

17 of 61	The River Inn The River Inn, built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is constructed mostly of dark, local gabbro.

18 of 61	Water Tower This log-and-stone structure was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

19 of 61	Picnic Pavilion — Oldenburg Point This stone picnic shelter, a short walk from the St. Louis River, includes a fireplace and electricity. Grills are available outside.

20 of 61	Water Tower Another view of the historic log-and-stone water tower.

21 of 61	Grand Portage Trail Grand Portage Trail was used by voyageurs to maneuver around the rocks and rapids of the St. Louis River. The view from the trail on this autumn day includes the reflection of clouds and fall color in a serene stretch of clear, blue water.

22 of 61	Breathtaking view Hikers peer over the treetops for a breathtaking view from one of the scenic overlooks along the trails at Jay Cooke State Park. The St. Louis River is visible in the distance, surrounded by the vibrant green of the north woods.

23 of 61	Oldenburg Overlook Once the leaves have changed colors in autumn, the same overlook showcases a yellow and gold version of the river valley.

24 of 61	Oldenburg Memorial The Oldenburg Memorial, a large granite boulder on a base of basalt stone, is a tribute to the memory of Henry Oldenburg from the people of Carlton County. The plaque mounted to the boulder recognizes Oldenburg as one of the people who made Jay Cooke State Park possible.

25 of 61	Pioneer Cemetery Although some of the writing has eroded over time, names and dates are still legible on the headstones in Pioneer Cemetery. This one dates back to 1887.

26 of 61	High Water Water rushes through the rocky rapids against a backdrop of autumn color.

27 of 61	Autumn Color Trees and shrubs bursting with oranges, greens, and yellows surround the swirling St. Louis River.

28 of 61	Wild River Cola-colored water foams as it pours over ledges, sending up spray and drenching nearby rocks.

29 of 61	Waterfalls Water tumbles over jagged rocks in the river, creating mini-waterfalls.

30 of 61	River Rocks Here and there, water spills over crooked rows of rocks jutting across this shallow stretch of the river.

31 of 61	Willard Munger State Trail The Willard Munger State Trail runs through Jay Cooke State Park, providing a paved surface for biking, in-line skating, and walking. The 70-mile Hinckley - Duluth segment of the trail is now completely paved. More information about this trail.

32 of 61	Explore Jay Cooke State Park has many locations where visitors can hike down to the water's edge.

33 of 61	River Picnic A family of four enjoys a riverside picnic on a sunny day at the park.

34 of 61	Picture This Picturesque Jay Cooke State Park offers countless photo opportunities. Here's a shot of a man snapping a picture of a woman sitting on a rocky slope, with water cascading through a scenic bend in the river behind her

35 of 61	Interpretive Center Visit the Interpretive Center at the River Inn to pick up a trail map and other information when you arrive, and check out the interpretive displays to find out more about the park.

36 of 61	Learning Fun Jay Cooke State Park offers year-round interpretive programs that provide learning fun for all ages. Many of them begin here at the River Inn, where there is a fireplace at one end and plenty of seating at picnic tables and benches.

Page 1 \| Page 2