|
The
call of a loon. The howl of a Timberwolf. Rumbling waterfalls
and cool flowing streams. Ridgewalks among pines and ledge
rock. The sparkle and waves of the vast Gitche Gumee (Lake
Superior) below and beyond, to the ends of the earth. These
are the essence of life in the North Woods, and of the Superior
Hiking Trail.
Stretching
more than 200 miles from Two Harbors, Minnesota to the Canadian
Border, the Superior Hiking Trail is one of America's premiere
hiking trails. Ranging through Minnesota's wild Northland,
the trail offers a hiking experience like no other. The trail
follows the ridge along the north shore of Lake Superior,
the largest freshwater lake in the world. Bear, moose, and
timberwolves roam freely. Rock ridges make challenging climbs
and offer expansive views. If you come to hike once, you'll
be back again and again - the North Woods become a part of
your heart.
This
summer of 2004, the Superior Hiking Trail Association and
volunteers are beginning construction of a 40 mile section
of trail that will eventually connect Two Harbors, Minnesota
(the current trailhead) and the North Country Trail in Jay
Cooke State Park, MN. There is hope of eventually rerouting
the North Country Trail onto the Superior Hiking Trail and
through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern
Minnesota. Those with experience have said the Appalachian
Trail's "100 Mile Wilderness" in Maine can hardly
compare to the true solitude and wonder of the BWCAW.
This
summer, more than 8 miles of trail have been completed near
Spirit Mountain, the Magney ski trail, and Ely's Peak. Trail
has been cleared & defined, walkways, bridges, and stone
stairs have taken shape. The support of volunteers and members
is allowing a vision to become reality. Imagine a long distance
through-hike with the luxury of a detour through the city
of Duluth, with its conveniences and possibilities for urban
discovery. Imagine on the other hand, the joy of living in
a city while having a wilderness hiking trail only a few miles
out of downtown.
 |
Loony
and SvenSaw try their hand at trail construction. After
passing so many trail crews while hiking the AT, they
were happy to get involved in the nitty gritty for themselves
in their home state of Minnesota. |
The
Superior Hiking Trail Association works hard to keep the Trail,
and to let it grow. By becoming
a member of the SHTA, you can help preserve a piece of
Minnesota's great North Woods, and an important resource for
all.
YOU
can help build the Trail from Jay Cooke State Park to Two
Harbors. A detailed work schedule was sent out by organizer
Judy Gibbs, and is re-posted here. Your help on the following
dates would be tremendously appreciated!
Monday,
August 30, 10-3 pm.
Meet at the parking area at Magney-Snively. This day, we
are going to go quickly up and over Bardon's Peak, through
Magney-Snively Natural Area, and, if time permits, down the
hill towards Spirit Mountain to do final checks on the trail.
There's a bit of work here and there.
Friday,
September 10, 10-3 pm
Meet at the parking area at Magney-Snively. This day, we
will be heading down the hill towards Spirit Mountain, to
do final checks on the trail. If we have time, we will build
trail near the paintball area at the base.
**
Saturday, September 11th
First official hike on the "new" Superior Hiking
Trail!
Meet at 10:00 at the parking lot at the base of Spirit
Mountain (Grand Avenue at 86th Ave. W., Duluth). There will
be a two mile and a five mile hike.
Monday,
September 13, 10-3 pm
Meet at the parking area at the base of Spirit Mountain.
From the north, take Grand Avenue about one mile past the
Zoo and take a right turn into "Spirit Mountain Soccer
Field". Coming from the South: Take the Cody Street exit
off I-35 and follow it to the bottom of the hill at Grand
Avenue. Take a right on Grand Avenue and go about two miles
to the "Spirit Mountain Soccer Field". This day,
we will finish the trail at the bottom of the ski hill and
then work our way up Knowlton Creek.
Monday,
September 20, 10-3 pm
Meet at the Parking Area near the Spirit Mountain Chalet.
Use the I-35 and follow signs to Spirit Mountain to arrive
here. This day, we will be working down the hill, creating
a spur trail from this trailhead to the main trail at Knowlton
Creek.
Tuesday,
September 21, 10-3 pm
Meet at 80th Ave. West and Grand Avenue. From the north,
take Grand Avenue about 8 blocks past the Zoo and take a right
turn onto 80th Avenue West. Coming from the South: Take the
Cody Street exit off I-35 and follow it to the bottom of the
hill at Grand Avenue. Take a right on Grand Avenue and go
about one and a half miles and take a right turn onto 80th
Avenue West. We will be heading up 80th Avenue West about
four blocks to where it turns onto a Service Road for Spirit
Mountain. We will drive about 1/2 mile up that gravel road
and will be working on Knowlton Creek above the abandoned
railroad grade.
Contact
Judy Gibbs at (218)728-9827 to sign up, for other dates, or
for more Superior Hiking Trail information.
More
Information on the Superior Hiking Trail
Superior
Hiking Trail Association
North
Country Trail Association
Search
the Web for More Info on the Superior Hiking Trail
Books
on the Superior Hiking Trail
Back
to HikeMore
|
