A highly experienced civil engineering technician, Scott Schwieder is a graduate of the Minnesota State College civil engineering program. Following the conclusion of a four-decade career, Scott Schwieder has focused his time on outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.
Whether you are visiting the state or a longtime resident, Minnesota is sure to meet the needs of hikers at every skill level. Often referred to as “the land of 10,000 things to explore,” Minnesota is home to a number of state parks and iconic trails, including the Silver Creek Trail at Jay Cooke State Park. The Silver Creek Trail itself is a 3.5-mile loop offering beautiful vistas of the St. Louis River and a surrounding landscape of slanted bedrock (though it should be noted that every trail at the park provides stunning panoramas). The hike can easily be extended by doubling back to the river and continuing on through the 50 miles of trails at Jay Cooke State Park, namely the Summer and Lost Lake trails. More experienced hikers may be interested in using the Silver Creek Trail as an access point to the extensive Superior Hiking Trail. Itasca State Park provides a unique hiking challenge in the form of the Aiton Heights Fire Tower, a 100-foot-tall landmark at the center of the park, which consists of 49 miles of trails. The steps up to the tower are a fine challenge, though hikers can extend the route by bypassing the half-mile hike from the nearby parking area and instead taking a three-mile loop made up of the Ozawindib and Deer Park trails before taking on the tower. Additional trails to consider in the state of Minnesota include Little Two Harbors Trail at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and the aforementioned Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), which encompasses 260 miles from the Canadian border down to Duluth, hitting numerous parks and trails along the way.
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Scott Schwieder served as a civil engineering technician for the City of Rochester, Minnesota, for 32 years before retiring in 2018. Pursuing a variety of hobbies and interests, Scott Schwieder enjoys spending time outdoors, including fishing, hunting, and hiking.
The City of Rochester has multiple hikes both within the city limits and a short drive away. Here are three popular places to consider taking a hike. Chimney Rock Trail Located 25 miles away in Whitewater State Park, the Chimney Rock Trail comes with views of the Whitewater River as well as the hike's namesake, a 40-foot-high limestone rock formation. The rock was created when the sea covered the area, creating sedimentary rock, and its unique shape was carved by glaciers during an ice age. Douglas Trail Centrally located, the Douglas Trail is 12.5 miles of paved trail traversing the Douglas community, Pine Island, and Northwestern Rochester. Hikers get to experience a mix of fields, forest, and pastureland. Dam Overlook Trail to South Sand Prairie Trail Loop Hikers only need to drive about seven miles from Rochester to find Chester Woods Park, where the Dam Overlook Trail features river views, wildflowers, and meadows. |