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The first loop, about three miles in length, begins as the trail branches to the right at the gravel pit, circling a large Tamarack/Spruce bog. The special birds of the bog are Connecticut Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Black-backed Woodpecker. Wood warblers abound in migration with many staying around to breed. Canada Warbler, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and the above-mentioned warblers sing from the trail. At the first junction, continue left along an esker ridge overlooking a small pond. Orchids bloom in the late spring around this bog lake. Beaver have a house in the lake and signs of their tree-cutting prowess abound. The next junction is at a beaver dam where an Osprey nests and it is possible to hear the eerie call of the Pied-billed Grebe. Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Yellowthroat and Belted Kingfisher make this place home. Barred and Great Horned Owls call from the woodlands. The trail to the left completes the circle back to the parking lot, complete with a boardwalk through the bog. Orchids and bog flowers bloom along the boardwalk.
Continuing up hill at the first junction by the pond, the trail traverses hardwood forests past Remote Lake and loops back to the beaver dam by the boardwalk. Another loop goes further north through a bog and around to the west parking lot. Just north of the lake a trail to the right joins up with the Savanna Portage State Park trail to Loon Lake. Remote Lake has a carry-in canoe access at the end of the Remote Lake Forest Road. The trail from the forest road takes hikers back to the Savanna Portage trail. The Remote Lake road is located on County Road 36 – five miles from County Road 14. The hardwood forests along the road are home to many bird species. Look for spring ephemeral wildflowers, birds and animals along the trails and roads. Fall colors are spectacular along the forest road and the Solitude Area trails. This is certainly an area for all seasons.
Maps of the Solitude Area are available at Savanna Portage State Park or the Sandy Lake Forestry Station or on-line from the Minnesota DNR. Other uses of this area include logging and hunting – this area is heavily used during White-tailed Deer and Ruffed Grouse seasons.
Directions: From McGregor, go seven miles north on State Highway 65, right on County Road 14, 9.5 miles. Turn left to parking area. To access the west side of the Solitude Area, where there is another parking area, turn west on County Road 36 (Loon Ave) from County Road 14. The parking is located on the right about four miles from County Road 14.
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