Last July (2022) two of our good friends got hitched in Duluth-at the same location we got married 5 years before in fact-and we took advantage of the drive North to do a little hiking on the SHT. The plan was to use the trip as a shake down mission for our four day trip to Glacier National Park planned for September (which didn’t happen-long story).

This trip had some turns for sure, starting from when we left our plans at home. We used the Guide Book: Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail that we’d used before, writing down our plans and miles for each day-and then left that paper at home. Fortunately we brought the book!

This particular book, lists milage in small increments so that you can add your milage depending on what you are doing, but depending on if you are moving Northbound or Southbound you have to use different numbers. What that means for two people planning their trip the night before and in the reverse direction from the original….is that they make mistakes. Oops.

This is us-brews, guidebook, scratch paper….doing it wrong!

We took advantage of having other people in the area (so what if they were on their Honeymoon-they offered) and got a ride to our start so we could hike back to the car. Since it was midweek, not having to depend on the shuttle or hitch-hiking was nice and loops are tough to create on the SHT.

We also fought with some weather. One reason for reversing the direction of our hike was to allow for a contingency plan. If the weather was bad-we could shorten our milage and take the Gondola from Lutsen to the car. We also waited a day to start, weathered a storm from the comforts of a hotel room and considered scrapping the whole thing!

Our first day of hiking was short and mellow followed by a relaxing evening at camp next to the river. Our 2nd day of hiking was humid with thunder in the distance all day, coming to collect once we got to camp. We set up our tent as fast a possible to stay less wet with no hope of actually being dry. (Night 2 at Leveaux-I have it spelled wrong in the video-cringe)

You might also notice if you watch the video carefully, my trekking poles go through a transformation. I have a pair of Black Diamond poles that I love-with cork handles. Part of why I like these particular poles is the telescoping function, perfect for mountaineering use which is how I primarily used them the first several seasons (where critters are at a minimum). I remember Brandon telling me, “Don’t leave your trekking poles on the ground” without really paying attention since I normally store them upright at night. The second night however, in the midst of the storm, I was not as careful and one of my cork handles was laying very close to the ground and in the morning half the handle was missing-mice. Damn. Don’t be like me.

We did get to see some beautiful rivers, hike through Temperance River State Park and enjoy wonderful lookouts…plus we reignited our love for backpacking-having favored other activities the past few years.

The Superior Hiking Trail is always a place we enjoy spending our time, and these three days were no different. We can’t wait for our next trip, who knows how long that one will be!

Thanks for reading folks-hope you can get out and enjoy some Days Off!