Enjoying Time as an Iron Range Engineering Student

Bailey Lake- a few blocks away from IRE

If you are an outdoor lover, one of the many benefits of being a student at Iron Range Engineering is having the outdoors in your front yard.  There is something for everyone when it comes to outdoor activities.  Get a healthy dose of fresh air by taking a relaxing walk, jog, or bike ride around Bailey Lake, Silver Lake, and Olcott Park; as you can see, all three are just a few blocks away from IRE.

Spend a weekend camping, fishing, and hiking in peaceful solitude at the Whiteface Reservoir located just 37 miles southeast of Virginia.     

Bailey Lake

In the winter, grab your skis or snowshoes and hit the hundreds of kilometers of trails and explore the wonderful wilderness of northeastern Minnesota.  

In late spring to early autumn, head west to Hill Annex State Park near Calumet and hunt for fossils while you tour the old mine. 

Load up your fat tire or mountain bike and head north to hammer out the Big Aspen Trial. 

There is so much to do if you are looking for a little adventure!  A short get-away is a great way to get exercise and recharge your batteries.  

Other outdoor options include: golfing, fishing, ice fishing, hiking, off-roading, biking, rock-picking, boating, kayaking, camping, down-hill skiing,  cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, sight-seeing, birding, swimming, diving, snowmobiling and more. 

Here is an incomplete list of more options for enjoying the outdoors:

·         The Mesabi Trail http://www.mesabitrail.com/

·         Giant’s Ridge http://www.giantsridge.com/

·         The Virginia Golf Course www.virginiamngolf.com

·         Gilbert’s Off-Highway Vehicle park http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail_detail.html?id=13/

·         Camping http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/superior/recreation

·         Diving http://www.sdtn.com/dive_resources/travel_articles/minnesotas-mines-unexpected-treasury-dive-sites#.Uop3zeKJSvk

·         Laurentian Divide http://www.ironrange.org/things-to-do/laurentian-divide-recreation-area

·         Snowmobiling http://www.snowmobiletrail.com/us/mn/city/Virginia

Mineview-in-the-sky http://www.irontrail.org/attractions/mining/mineview-in-the-sky/

Written by Brandy Maki
Proofread by Kate Olafson