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Superior Hiking Trail, MN

Sep 22 - Sep 29, 2018 -- $1300 ★★★


Description


The Superior Hiking Trail, is a wilderness trail along Lake Superior that goes from Wisconsin to Canada. We will be hiking a 45 mile section of this trail in early Fall when the bugs and humidity have subsided


While a battle rages on between which coast is more beautiful -- the East Coast or the West Coast -- natives of the Upper Midwest smile demurely and remain silent, knowing as they do that the most beautiful coast in the US is the little-known North Coast. The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on planet Earth and contain over 20% of the world's fresh water. Lake Superior is the largest of these, and indeed the largest-area freshwater lake in the world. Weaving along the ridgeline of Lake Superior's north shore, the 296-mile long Superior Hiking Trail offers a breathtaking opportunity to experience this natural wonder firsthand.


The Superior Hiking Trail was conceptualized in the 1980s and inspired by the Appalachian Trail and other long-distance hiking trails. It winds along the Sawtooth Mountain Range overlooking Lake Superior from just south of Duluth all the way to the Canadian border, meandering between the lakeshore at 602 feet of elevation up to 1829 feet at its highest. Rated in the top 10 hiking trails by Backpacker magazine, the SHT abounds in diversity of wildlife, geological wonders, and leaves! Join us for the beginnings of Fall color on the North Coast, the best-kept secret in the US.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical September weather is much drier than even a month earlier and averages in the high-60s / low-70s during the day and 40s/50s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 80s and freezing temperatures at night, with the threat of rain on any day. But overall, expect a warm, dry end of September treat.



Trip Leaders

Dan Shafto
Danielle Piscatelli

Cost

$1300 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Minneapolis, MN (MSP) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
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Itinerary


Saturday, September 22, 2018

Fly or drive into Minneapolis St. Paul Airport (MSP)

Take free airport shuttle to La Quinta Inn Minneapolis Airport/Bloomington 7815 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420, 952-881-7311

Equipment shakedown

Distribution of trail mix / Make-your-own trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Trip to REI Bloomington flagship store, 750 W American Blvd (Previously 750 W 79th St), Bloomington, MN 55420, (952) 884-4315 for forgotten or last minute equipment. Closes at 6PM

Go to local restaurant for welcome dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Sunday, September 23, 2018

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Your spare bag(s) will be stored either at the hotel or in a storage unit for safekeeping

Leave hotel by 7:30 and drive to Penn Blvd, Silver Bay, to meet shuttle at 11:30. Shuttle 30 mins to SHT crossing on Sonju Lake Forest Rd

Hike Southbound 3.9 miles to North Sonju Lake campsite

Camp at North Sonju Lake campsite, elevation 1600'. 4 tent pads and reliable water here.

Miles today: 3.9 miles. Total to date: 3.9 miles

Possible Bailout: Sonju Lake Rd


Monday, September 24, 2018

Hike 3.2 miles to a dilapidated trapper's cabin

Hike 1.9 miles to the juncture with the North Shore State Trail

Hike 3.5 miles to Leskinen Creek campsite

Camp at Leskinen Creek campsite, elevation 1350'. 8 tent pads and water from creek (unreliable in dry conditions)

Miles today: 8.6 miles. Total to date: 13.3 miles

Possible Bailout: County Rd 7


Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Hike 4 miles to "Section 13," a popular rock climbing area with spectacular views

Hike 5.6 miles past the spur trail to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center to East Kennedy Creek campsite

Camp at East Kennedy Creek campsite, elevation 1150'. 4 tent pads, water from creek or Raven Lake

Miles Today: 9.6. Total to Date: 22.9

Possible Bailout: County Rd 6


Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Hike 4.4 miles to Tettegouche State Park

Set up camp at Tettegouche SP Lake Superior cart-in campsites N and M.

Tour Tettegouche SP. Options include visiting the...well, the visitor center, day-hiking 1.6 mls round-trip to Cascade Falls, day-hiking about 2 mls round-trip past Lake Superior Beach and the Sea Stack to the end of Shovel Point, and swimming in Lake Superior

Camp at Tettegouche State Park cart-in campsites N and M near the shore of Lake Superior, elevation 620'. vault toilets, picnic tables, water from big lake!

Miles Today: 4.4. Total to Date: 27.3

Possible Bailout: Route 1, Route 61


Thursday, September 27, 2018

Hike 1.3 miles to High Falls, the highest falls completely in Minnesota, and cross the Baptism River on the "Swinging Bridge"

Hike 7 miles to Bear Lake campsite

Camp at Bear Lake campsite, elevation 1140'. 4 tent pads, water 150 yards down steep spur in Bear Lake

Miles today: 8.3 miles. Total to date: 35.6 miles

Possible bailout: Tettegouche SP, Silver Bay


Friday, September 28, 2018

Hike 3.4 miles to County Rd. 5/Penn Blvd, elevation 1000'

End of Hiking

Miles today: 3.4 miles. Total to date: 39 miles (plus optional day-hiking)

Possible Bailout: County Rd. 5/Penn Blvd

Shuttle 10 min to Palisade Head, a bluff with a sheer rock face descending rising 200 feet to Lake Superior, to enjoy stunning views

Shuttle 40 mins to Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors for lunch

Shuttle 2.5 hours back to La Quinta Inn Minneapolis Airport/Bloomington 7815 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420, 952-881-7311

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at local restaurant (dinner not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, September 29, 2018

Free breakfast in Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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