Hike Blind Ash Bay Trail

Blind Ash Bay starts tight and closed-in, threading through dense boreal forest where spruce and birch crowd the trail like they're trying to eavesdrop. The path is narrow, rocky, and roots grab at your ankles — this isn't a stroll, it's a conversation with the terrain. As you work through the lollipop loop, the forest gradually opens up and delivers the kind of Kabetogama Lake views that make you stop mid-sentence. The overlook is the real reward: a wide-open panorama across the water that feels earned even on a sub-three-mile hike. Birders will want to linger in the forest sections where warblers and woodpeckers work the canopy. Deer sightings are common enough that you should keep your camera accessible, not buried in your pack. This trail is perfect for hikers who want a real woods experience without committing to an all-day death march.