Fall backpacking on the Superior Hiking Trail
I haven't been out hiking or backpacking much this year. I've been sad about that. The main reason is Susan and I do this together most of the time. This year she's been told to stay off her feet due to some foot pain. She's been doing stretching and exercises to correct this issue. It will take time.
Fall really is my favorite time to get out and backpack. With an incredible forecast and peak colors up the shore (Lake Superior), I had to get out. Susan gave me her blessings to take her car and go. This would be an overnight on the Superior Hiking Trail. Although we've hiked and backpacked in many states, as well as a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail is still our favorite long distance trail.
This trip for me would be a mind clearing, care free outing in the wilderness. Nothing like walking through the woods to clear out all the cobwebs. I know this trail well. So I left with no maps, no compass, and no watch or anyway to tell exactly what time it was. I would go with the flow and rhythms of the woods. Warning: There are a lot of pictures.
I drove 100 miles, up the north shore of Lake Superior. I parked at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort. The Superior Shuttle runs on a schedule up and down the shore. You can park at one trailhead, take the shuttle as far as you want and then hike back to your car. I took the shuttle up the shore 18 trail miles for my overnight trip. (Bonus: as a former driver of the shuttle I got to ride free. YES!) The temps were in the mid-50's both days and down to 30F overnight. My kind of weather. With zero percent chance of rain.
I got dropped off at Cascade River on a wayside along Hwy 61. A short spur trail along the river leads to the SHT (Superior Hiking Trail). The Cascade River drops dramatically towards the lake in the park.
The hike started with a 900 foot climb up and away from the big lake to Lookout Mtn. That's a monster size midwestern climb. I picked this section for it's many overlooks. Both inland and of Lake Superior. It has many streams, rivers, and lakes along it's route as well as some of the best hardwood sections of forest. The colors along the lake were at their peak, while the inland woods were a week or so past peak.
Looking back from where I had climbed up from Cascade River and Lake Superior.
My first snack break of the day. A sunny log on a narrow ridge. The stress was already leaving my body.
I"ll let the pictures tell the story from here. This section on the first day followed some narrow ridges which alternated between walks in the woods and spectacular views. Occasionally it would drop down into a drainage and then climb back out.
I stopped at the second campground, Spruce Creek. There I ran into Mary and Brian. A couple in there 70's from Wisconsin on their first long backpacking trip. They mentioned they were hoping to do the whole Appalachian Trail some day soon. I told them I had done it in 2001. They just lit up. They had read practically everything there was to read about the AT, but had never actually met someone that had thru-hiked it. Long story short.....we agreed to move on and meet up at the next campsite for the night so they could talk to me about hiking the AT.
Here is Jovnick Creek beaver pond. A very active beaver pond. A campsite is adjacent to the pond. That's where we spent the night.
The beaver pond was beautiful in the late day light.
The fire ring at the campsite. I used what fire making skills I have to make a pretty successful camp fire for the three of us. I couldn't resist a whole pile of wood gathered by a previous camper.
Brian and Mary. They asked some of the best questions I've ever been asked about the AT. Really made me think. Plus, it's been 9 years since my AT experience and I don't get a chance to talk about it much anymore. It was fun reliving the trail memories and sharing it with someone that was interested in hearing the stories.
With the gorgeous forecast I didn't bother bringing along a tent. Only my bivy sack. The moon came up late. I was able to see some amazing stars from my sleeping bag.
The next morning frost covered most everything. I walked over to the beaver pond. All the grasses and bushes were covered in frost. There was steam rising off the still pond. It was a wonderful, peaceful sight. By time I left the pond later in the morning the sun was melting the frost and water was dripping everywhere.
The hike Sunday was just as spectacular as the previous day.
Caribou Lake.
I started this blog to document our trail marker blazing we did in 2006 and 2007. We painted blue blazes every 10th of mile for 200 miles in both directions. The Superior Hiking Trail Association hired us for this project. I spent a lot of this hike enjoying looking at our work. The above tree was young and has grown the past three years. You can see how the painted blaze has grown with the tree.
This tree hasn't grown. Big difference.
One of the gems on this trail...Lake Agnes. This photo is taken from a campsite situated right on the water. It's a highly sought after spot to camp.
All the campsites on the trail have a latrine. This one happened to be perfect timing....I won't go into details.
More views of Lake Agnes.
It's one thing to be in a car and drive along looking at the colors. It's another to be in the woods on a narrow footpath completely bathed in the colors from the canopy overhead.
Colors and another Blue Blaze. We did darn good work on those blazes. I can see why they hired us. (Tooting my own horn)
One of my favorite overlooks. Looking out over the Poplar River valley with the River winding it's way through it.
Another overlook. This one has views of the valley on the right (above), and Lake Superior on the left (below). From this overlook the trail drops down into the valley and eventually brings you alongside the river for a mile or two.
Poplar River.
A climb back out brings you to another overlook, looking back from where you came. The ridge in the distance is where the previous two overlooks were located.
Something about walking through leaves piled on a trail that brings back childhood memories. Brings a smile to my face. All the sounds and smells combine to take me back.
The last part is a descent back down towards Lutsen Mountains. These Sawtooth Mountains that run along the shore of Lake Superior really do feel like mountains even though they only reach 1000-1200 feet above the lake.
A .4 mile spur trail leads me back to the ski area and the car. What an incredible weekend to be out on the trail. I feel renewed and refreshed.
Fall really is my favorite time to get out and backpack. With an incredible forecast and peak colors up the shore (Lake Superior), I had to get out. Susan gave me her blessings to take her car and go. This would be an overnight on the Superior Hiking Trail. Although we've hiked and backpacked in many states, as well as a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail is still our favorite long distance trail.
This trip for me would be a mind clearing, care free outing in the wilderness. Nothing like walking through the woods to clear out all the cobwebs. I know this trail well. So I left with no maps, no compass, and no watch or anyway to tell exactly what time it was. I would go with the flow and rhythms of the woods. Warning: There are a lot of pictures.
I drove 100 miles, up the north shore of Lake Superior. I parked at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort. The Superior Shuttle runs on a schedule up and down the shore. You can park at one trailhead, take the shuttle as far as you want and then hike back to your car. I took the shuttle up the shore 18 trail miles for my overnight trip. (Bonus: as a former driver of the shuttle I got to ride free. YES!) The temps were in the mid-50's both days and down to 30F overnight. My kind of weather. With zero percent chance of rain.
I got dropped off at Cascade River on a wayside along Hwy 61. A short spur trail along the river leads to the SHT (Superior Hiking Trail). The Cascade River drops dramatically towards the lake in the park.
The hike started with a 900 foot climb up and away from the big lake to Lookout Mtn. That's a monster size midwestern climb. I picked this section for it's many overlooks. Both inland and of Lake Superior. It has many streams, rivers, and lakes along it's route as well as some of the best hardwood sections of forest. The colors along the lake were at their peak, while the inland woods were a week or so past peak.
Looking back from where I had climbed up from Cascade River and Lake Superior.
My first snack break of the day. A sunny log on a narrow ridge. The stress was already leaving my body.
I"ll let the pictures tell the story from here. This section on the first day followed some narrow ridges which alternated between walks in the woods and spectacular views. Occasionally it would drop down into a drainage and then climb back out.
I stopped at the second campground, Spruce Creek. There I ran into Mary and Brian. A couple in there 70's from Wisconsin on their first long backpacking trip. They mentioned they were hoping to do the whole Appalachian Trail some day soon. I told them I had done it in 2001. They just lit up. They had read practically everything there was to read about the AT, but had never actually met someone that had thru-hiked it. Long story short.....we agreed to move on and meet up at the next campsite for the night so they could talk to me about hiking the AT.
Here is Jovnick Creek beaver pond. A very active beaver pond. A campsite is adjacent to the pond. That's where we spent the night.
The beaver pond was beautiful in the late day light.
The fire ring at the campsite. I used what fire making skills I have to make a pretty successful camp fire for the three of us. I couldn't resist a whole pile of wood gathered by a previous camper.
Brian and Mary. They asked some of the best questions I've ever been asked about the AT. Really made me think. Plus, it's been 9 years since my AT experience and I don't get a chance to talk about it much anymore. It was fun reliving the trail memories and sharing it with someone that was interested in hearing the stories.
With the gorgeous forecast I didn't bother bringing along a tent. Only my bivy sack. The moon came up late. I was able to see some amazing stars from my sleeping bag.
The next morning frost covered most everything. I walked over to the beaver pond. All the grasses and bushes were covered in frost. There was steam rising off the still pond. It was a wonderful, peaceful sight. By time I left the pond later in the morning the sun was melting the frost and water was dripping everywhere.
The hike Sunday was just as spectacular as the previous day.
Caribou Lake.
I started this blog to document our trail marker blazing we did in 2006 and 2007. We painted blue blazes every 10th of mile for 200 miles in both directions. The Superior Hiking Trail Association hired us for this project. I spent a lot of this hike enjoying looking at our work. The above tree was young and has grown the past three years. You can see how the painted blaze has grown with the tree.
This tree hasn't grown. Big difference.
One of the gems on this trail...Lake Agnes. This photo is taken from a campsite situated right on the water. It's a highly sought after spot to camp.
All the campsites on the trail have a latrine. This one happened to be perfect timing....I won't go into details.
More views of Lake Agnes.
It's one thing to be in a car and drive along looking at the colors. It's another to be in the woods on a narrow footpath completely bathed in the colors from the canopy overhead.
Colors and another Blue Blaze. We did darn good work on those blazes. I can see why they hired us. (Tooting my own horn)
One of my favorite overlooks. Looking out over the Poplar River valley with the River winding it's way through it.
Another overlook. This one has views of the valley on the right (above), and Lake Superior on the left (below). From this overlook the trail drops down into the valley and eventually brings you alongside the river for a mile or two.
Poplar River.
A climb back out brings you to another overlook, looking back from where you came. The ridge in the distance is where the previous two overlooks were located.
Something about walking through leaves piled on a trail that brings back childhood memories. Brings a smile to my face. All the sounds and smells combine to take me back.
The last part is a descent back down towards Lutsen Mountains. These Sawtooth Mountains that run along the shore of Lake Superior really do feel like mountains even though they only reach 1000-1200 feet above the lake.
A .4 mile spur trail leads me back to the ski area and the car. What an incredible weekend to be out on the trail. I feel renewed and refreshed.posted by Doug at
6:27 PM
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