MN North Shore climbing and park closures

Just wanted to post up a bit of info for people regaruding the climbing access on the North Shore as it relates to the goverment shutdown here in Minnesota.

North Shore climbing updates (July 5, 2011):

With the government shutdown all the MN state parks are closed but day use areas areas open (aka climbing) just be out of the park by sundown. I saw a lot of people parking on the side of the highway around the state parks but I plead with people not to do this as it’s creating very congested and dangerous pedestrian vs. cars moving at 60mph. Also Below is a list of the climbing areas up on the Shore and what’s open.

Shovel Point: Basically closed as the main parking lot at Tettegouche State Park is closed and the main entrance is gated off. There is no legal parking available. If you’re caught parking on the side of the highway it is a $150 fine per car.

Palisade Head: Open for day use but the main road is gated off at the base. You can try and park in the mall lot at the base and hike up the road.

Carlton Peak: Open, hike in on the SHT.

Sawmill Dome: Open, hike in on the SHT

Section 14: Open, hike in on the SHT

Mystical Mountain: Open, hike in on Wolf Ridge trails

Ely’s Peak: Open, hike in on the climbers trail

Govt. sucks, really. With everyone out of work and having financial crisis, seems like the last place to close would be state and national parks where you could go to get at least a bit of relaxation and composure for your fuKD up jobless life. I say shut down the IRS, cut them back about 80% on needless audits of those making less than 50,000! Go after the big fish for the cash, so we can open everything up again.
... and thanks for the update; should be helpful to those headed up that way to climb.

Oh trust me, I know.

Because of the government shutdown the MN state parks lost something like $3million in revenue over the 4th of July weekend.

Woodchuck ATC wrote:...seems like the last place to close would be state and national parks.... I say shut down the IRS.... Go after the big fish for the cash....

Somehow I think shutting down the IRS runs counter to keeping parks open and going after big fish!

Thanks for the info on the day use areas, Chad.

Yeah I meant to clarify that they should just be checkin' on the fat cats and let the rest of us little guys slide by in these tough times. Industry has been crying that the taxes are too high, thus the laid off workers. Well they've already screwed the worker, so lets go after them for the taxes they got out of all these years and open up the parks!!

Although the shutdown is a joke, I must say that Palisaid Head was a better experience with the 5 min walk up the road. I think I would prefer it over the drive to the top and start climbing. Shovel point was about the same walk as parking on the road is obviously allowed.

EB wrote:Although the shutdown is a joke, I must say that Palisaid Head was a better experience with the 5 min walk up the road. I think I would prefer it over the drive to the top and start climbing. Shovel point was about the same walk as parking on the road is obviously allowed.

No it's not allowed, it's tolerated. I had both DNR and the cops tell me that they will be ticketing people who park on the road outside Tettegouche if they see them.

Wow. thats crazy, there were at least 20 vehicles parked there last weekend. I wonder if they are going to ticket after the holiday weekend?

EB wrote:Wow. thats crazy, there were at least 20 vehicles parked there last weekend. I wonder if they are going to ticket after the holiday weekend?

You know for 'wondering' so much you where sure quick to make statements about what is 'obviously' allowed.

The DNR and the cops where being lenient since the government shutdown pretty much screwed over many peoples 4th of July plans.

Now that the holiday weekend is over expect much more strict enforcement of the laws and expect ticketing and eventually towing if you park on the side of a the highway outside the state parks.

Don't park on the side of the road to gain access to the stat parks. I know it sucks but it would suck even more to come out and find your car with a $150 ticket or worse discover you've been towed.

Just so everyone is aware DNR peace officers are patrolling the main gates of the state parks and are actively turning people away who try and park on the sides of the road. If you don't move your car from the side of the highway when asked they will ticket you and or have your car towed.

This only affects people trying to climb at Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park.

What can you tell me about camping at the north shore? near tettegouche state park.

Charlie there is only camping at privately owned campgrounds. There are a few campgrounds like that around Finland MN which is right next to Tettegouche State Park.

Just do a Google search and I'm sure you'll come up with more than enough options to fit your trip and pocket book.

There is also camping at the national forest campgrounds in the area. I met a number of climbers at Palisade Head who were staying at those; they seemed fairly close by and affordable(not free).

Just so everyone is aware it appears that a state budget has been agreed upon but the government is still shut down.

As such the state park closures and climbing access restrictions are still in effect. I'll let you know as soon as the state parks open and climbing access is restored.

The state parks on the North Shore are now open. This means the parking lots for Shovel Point and Palisade Head are now open.