Candles & snow

• Ruby and Kate Walsberg

Ruby and Kate Walsberg bask in the glow of the candlelight ski, snowshoe, and hike event at Gooseberry Falls State Park Saturday. A similar event will take place at Split Rock Lighthouse State park beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Top, Abby Langlols of Two Harbors hangs a candleholder. Paul Sundberg
• Jessie Van Kekerix

Jessie Van Kekerix of Two Harbors lights an ice candle at the event Saturday. Paul Sundberg
• A Fire

An evergreen canopy and a fire kept skiers and snowshoers warm. Paul Sundberg

Talk about it

Paul Sundberg, the manager at Gooseberry Falls State Park, was accused of manufacturing the wolf howls heard on the upper loop trail for nearly an hour Saturday in the middle of the candlelight snowshoe, ski and hike.

It was that perfect of a night, Sundberg said. The weather was temperate, the Two Harbors Jazz Combo warmed the visitors center, and many families took advantage of the candle-lit trails. There were a lot more snowshoes that in years past, Sundberg said.

He suspects its easier to keep track of children on shoes rather than skis. “it was anice family event,” he said. The counter at the entrance of the park counted 2,100 entries for the day Saturday.

Missed it? There will be a repeat candlelight trails performance up Highway 61 at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. It’s a hike and snowshoe event only and a limited amount of shoes are available at the park. Call 226-6377 for more information.

Tags: two harbors, community, gooseberry falls