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Superior Hiking Trail, MN

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2017 -- $1275 ★★★, Only 3 Spots Left

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 late Summer 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 August weather is much drier than earlier in the summer and averages in the low-70s during the day and 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-summer treat.



Trip Leaders

Dan Shafto
Julie Quibodeaux

Cost

$1275 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.



Important Note

No important notes at the moment.


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Itinerary


Sunday, August 27, 2017

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

Take free airport shuttle to Hampton Inn Minneapolis Bloomington West 5400 American Blvd. W., Bloomington, MN, 55437, 952-905-2950.

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)



Monday, August 28, 2017

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

Shuttle about 3.5 hours north to the Reeves Rd trailhead near intersection of hwy 2 & 24, elevation 1300'

Hike Northbound 4.3 miles to Silver Creek campsite, elevation 1050'

Note: Although we're hiking Northbound overall on the SHT, the direction we start hiking is actually Southbound

Camp at Silver Creek campsite, elevation 1050'. 6 tent pads and reliable water here.

Miles today: 4.3 miles. Total to date: 4.3 miles

Possible Bailout: Route 24


Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Hike 1.1 miles to County Road 301 (Fors Rd.), elevation 850'

Hike 6.3 miles past the Encampment River and Red Pine Overlook (elevation 1200') to West Castle Danger Road

Hike 1.3 miles to Crow Creek Valley Campsite in Gooseberry State Park, elevation 1150'

Camp at Crow Creek Valley Campsite in Gooseberry State Park, elevation 1150'. 5 tent pads and water from small stream (unreliable in dry conditions)

Miles today: 8.7 miles. Total to date: 13.0 miles

Possible Bailout: West Castle Danger Rd.


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Hike 7.3 miles to Gooseberry Falls State Park, elevation 750'

Gooseberry Falls State Park offers geocaching including free hand-held GPS loaner units

Front-Country camp at Pebble Creek group site, Gooseberry Falls State Park, elevation 750'. Group sites here have a water spigot and pit toilets, no showers or bathhouses.

Miles Today: 7.3. Total to Date: 20.3

Possible Bailout: Stubblefield Campground


Thursday, August 31, 2017

Hike 9.9 miles to Northeast Split Rock River campsite, elevation 690'

Camp at Northeast Split Rock River campsite, elevation 690'. 7 tent pads, reliable water.

Miles Today: 9.9. Total to Date: 30.2

Possible Bailout: Route 61


Friday, September 1, 2017

Hike 8.7 miles to Fault Line Creek campsite, elevation 1320'

Camp at Fault Line Creek campsite, elevation 1320'. 8 tent pads, reliable beaver pond water

Miles today: 8.7 miles. Total to date: 38.9 miles

Possible bailout: Route 61


Saturday, September 2, 2017

Hike 4.0 miles to Lax Lake Rd (Route 4, elevation 850') or 8.5 miles to Penn Blvd. (Route 5, elevation 1100')

We must arrive by 1:44PM to catch the Superior Hiking Shuttle if we plan to go to Penn Blvd. Otherwise we can wait until 1:53PM at Lax Lake Rd (Beaver Bay)

End of Hiking

Take the shuttle back to Reeves Rd.

Miles today: 4.0 or 8.5 miles. Total to date: 42.9 or 47.5 miles

Possible Bailout: Lax Lake Rd.

"After" body composition measurements taken

Shuttle about 1 hour to Duluth

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

Shuttle 2.5 hours back to Hampton Inn Minneapolis Bloomington West 5400 American Blvd. W., Bloomington, MN, 55437, 952-905-2950.

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.


Sunday, September 3, 2017

Free breakfast in Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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