Superior Hiking Trail, MN 100 Miles Solo Woman Backpacking Temperance River to Two Harbors
My quest to continue solo backpacking on the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. I completed an additional 100 miles this year. I went from Temperance River to Two Harbors. September, 2019
You can find Part One from Sept, 2018 here:
Superior Hiking Trail - Video 1 of the Superior Hiking Trail - Lake County 301 to Castle Danger
Superior Hiking Trail - The Lake County 301 to Castle Danger Section of the Superior Hiking Trail
In this 6 mile section (the first section of the main trail until the Duluth section was added), the trail travels through river valleys and rocky ridge lines with great views of Lake Superior. Other highlights of this section of the Superior Hiking Trail include Red Pine Overlook and Crow Creek. The two nearest towns to this section of the Superior Hiking Trail are Two Harbors and Beaver Bay.
Links -
Superior Hiking Trail Association
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce
Beaver Bay Chamber of Commerce
Superior Hiking Trail Association website for this section
camping videos 036 superior hiking trail two harbors mn
Superior Hiking Trail June2017
Music by the okee dokee brothers
Superior Hiking Trail Episode 2: The Purple Map - Cty Rd 1 to Penn Creek
On May 14-17, 2019 the “Blister Sisters” set out to backpack 50+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail from Tettegouche State Park to Two Harbors. Otherwise known as the Purple Map. This was my first trip back on the SHT since ending our thru hike 8 months earlier with the hopes of finishing the remaining 210 miles in a LASH (Long Amazing Section Hike). I’m grateful to have been able to hop right back on the trail with this amazing group of women.
Day 1: Cty Rd 1 to Penn Creek – 9 miles
Our hike started slow and muddy with a big climb right away. This area had close to a foot of snow a week before, rain in between, and left us with the gift of ankle deep mud. We stayed on the trail, trying not to widen it, looking for roots and rocks to hop along, but eventually we all just embraced it and walked right through it. I put on my waterproof socks and they worked great at keeping my feet dry for 2 days! I knew I had to take care of my feet on this trip if I planned on hiking 150 miles in the next 3 weeks.
Main features: Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, plenty of mud, a clear view of Bean and Bear Lake, and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of Minnesota’s North Shore.
The full trail report can be found on wanderingpine.com
Thanks for watching!
~WP
Superior Hiking Trail - Video 2 of the Superior Hiking Trail - Castle Danger to Gooseberry
Superior Hiking Trail - Castle Danger to Gooseberry Falls State Park Section of the Superior Hiking Trail
This 9 mile section of the trail takes you from rocky cliffs at Wolf Rock, along the Gooseberry River and down a series of waterfalls leading into Gooseberry Falls State Park. My favorite section of this trail was the overlook of Crow Creek valley, Highway 61 and Lake Superior. The series of waterfalls on the way to Gooseberry Falls State Park are also well worth the hike.
Superior Hiking Trail Association
SHTA site for this section
MN DNR Site for Gooseberry Falls
In Our Pack: Superior Hiking Trail
What's In Our Packs: Superior Hiking Trail 5 day trip
Superior Hiking Trail (Fox Farm Pond Camp) - MN - April 2017
In continuation of my 12 nights a year challenge I did a quick overnighter up on the Superior Hiking Trail near Two Harbors MN. The temps got as high as 65ºF during the day and low 40ºs at night.
It was a short hike in over a few fallen trees. There was no real difficult part of the trail, some slight elevation change. The pond was filled with geese, wood ducks, beavers and muskrats. I spent the afternoon just watching the wildlife.I also got a chance to test out my Tarp Pole Mod for my Warbonnet Superfly Tarp. Giving me more room under the tarp. During the night the pond was very active and even into the morning. I didn't need an alarm system with all the geese and ducks.
The Fox Farm Pond Camp is a great site not too far from the trail heads with plenty of spots for hammocks or tents. Thanks for watching!
Superior Hiking Trail Episode 3: The Purple Map - Penn Creek to Chapins Ridge
On May 14-17, 2019 the “Blister Sisters” set out to backpack 50+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail from Tettegouche State Park to Two Harbors. Otherwise known as the Purple Map. This was my first trip back on the SHT since ending our thru hike 8 months earlier with the hopes of finishing the remaining 210 miles in a LASH (Long Amazing Section Hike). I’m grateful to have been able to hop right back on the trail with this amazing group of women.
Day 2: Penn Creek to Chapins Ridge – 14+ miles
We rolled out of camp at around 8:30 and found more mud. Our climbs took us to overlooks of Silver Bay and Beaver Bay. The trees are just starting to show a tiny bit of green and the openness of the forest in the spring is a wonderful experience. We can see for miles! We stopped for lunch at the Beaver River Campsite. The river was roaring and spraying an icy mist that cooled us all off quick!
Back on the trail, we passed several beaver dams and saw trees that had been chewed by the busy critters. The Beaver Pond campsite was totally flooded to the to the point that no one would be able to camp there. We walked on a nice plank bridge around the dam and arrived at Chapins Ridge, our camp for the night.
The campsite is on a big downhill slope in the pines, so finding a spot was a little tricky. After hanging up my wet gear, I went to work on trying to figure out how to stay warm for the night. It was supposed to get close to freezing with a midnight rainstorm. To stay warm, I wrapped my pad in my metallic emergency blanket, duct taping the sides together and borrowed an extra insulating layer from a campmate. It worked!
Main features: Beaver Dams, plenty of mud, overlooks of Silver Bay and Beaver Bay, and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of Minnesota’s North Shore.
The full trail report can be found on wanderingpine.com
Thanks for watching!
~WP
Superior Hiking Trail: Grand Marais to Otter Lake Rd. - Part 1
I start a section hike on the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. This section from Grand Marais to the northern terminus of the trail is 53 miles. I cover this distance in 5 days and 4 nights.
This is the first of a four parts. In Part 1, I leave Grand Marais, I hike along the Devil Track River and make my way to Durfee Creek campsite. I start again the next morning and take in some great views of Lake Superior. I also come across what I think is an old homesteading pasture with grasses and bur oak growing now.
I used Harriet Quarles Transportation and I highly recommend her.
(218) 370-9164 or (218) 387-1801
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Where you can find lots of the gear that I use.
Info on the trail, maps and other resources can be found at at the Superior Hiking Trail Association's website.
This was the itinerary for my trip:
Day 1 - Grand Marais to Durfee Creek ~ 8 miles (started in the early afternoon)
Day 2 - Durfee Creek to Judge Magney State Park ~16 miles
Day 3 - Judge Magney State Park to South Carlson Pond ~11 miles
Day 4 - South Carlson Pond to Andy Creek ~ 15 miles
Day 5 - Andy Creek to Otter Lake Rd and the 270 lookout ~ 4 miles (plus the 1 mile down from the 270)
SHT Trail final
Troop 228 2 week trip to the Superior Hiking trail July 2017
Flight to Two Harbors Castle Danger Edition
On a beautiful Saturday morning Mike and I hit the skies as we head to the shores of Lake Superior and the town of Two Harbors, MN. Two Harbors is the home to a booming micro brewery Castle Danger Brewing. We grab the courtesy car and head into town. We stop off at LOUISE’S PLACE for a quick bite to eat before heading over to Castle Danger's tap room. It turned out that Castle Danger was having an anniversary party that weekend and had live music, food trucks, and yard games set up outside their facility. Mike and I stopped in to grab a couple growlers to bring home. Mike was able to do some tasting, but as I was piloting us back to Orr, I could not.
Superior Hiking Trail 2018 - Hwy 6 to George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park
A quick two days and 20 miles on the Superior Hiking Trail. We started at Hwy 6 and ended at George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park.
Superior Hiking Trail Split Rock Loop
May 18, 2011
Superior Hiking Trail - Castle Danger to Martin Road
A solo, four day, 60 mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail from Castle Danger, MN to the Martin Road Trailhead in Duluth, MN. The southern edge of the traditional through hike, this section of trail is a bit flatter but not as interesting as sections of the trail to the north.
July 21-24, 2017
Video Music Includes:
A Thousand Miles from Nowhere - Dwight Yokam
Miles from Nowhere - Cat Stevens
Dirt Road - Nate Lenz
Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
Check out this awesome footage collected by these 12-13 yr old boys on their SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL WILDERNESS BACKPACKING AND CLIMBING course in June 2014.
To learn more or register for a course, visit:
Hiking Two Harbors Lakewalk
Hiking Two Harbors Lakewalk
Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, MN
I visited the Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Minnesota, which is along the north shore. I went there on November 10, 2016,
which is the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The weather was absolutely gorgeous.
Every year on November 10th, the Split Rock Lighthouse commemorates the sinking of the freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The names of the crew members are read and the bell is rung as each name is read, and then the beacon is lit. This is the only time of year where they allow visitors to go inside the lighthouse when the beacon is lit.
Note: the little green dot floating around is lens flare, and it's annoying. Oh well.
North Shore Lake Superior, Minnesota. High Falls, Pigeon River Falls, Two Harbors, Silver Bay.
This video is the second part of the Duluth North Shore video. This coast is spectacular. At every pull out on the road or hike up a trail is another beautiful place to explore.