TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 50.9 trail miles (potential for several more miles with spurs, overlooks and side trips for ice cream) DIFFICULTY Moderate with a brief flat section along Lake Superior’s Shore. DATE June 5-7, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, trillium and lady slippers, never ending ups and downs and waterfalls through the stunning city parks and … Continue reading The Blue Map | 51 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Wild Valley Road to Martin Road!
The Brown Map | 57 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Duluth to Two Harbors!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 57.5 miles from Duluth to Two Harbors DIFFICULTY Challenging: slight elevation, roots, rocks, and epic mud to the shins DATE May 24-27, 2019 MAIN FEATURES rivers, ponds and wetlands, forests in different growth stages and opportunities to learn a bit about logging on North Shore. This trip marks my completion of 4 out of 6 … Continue reading The Brown Map | 57 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Duluth to Two Harbors!
Hitting the Half Way Mark | 53 miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Tettegouche to Two Harbors!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 53.2 miles Tettegouche State Park to Two Harbors DIFFICULTY Challenging: elevation, roots, rocks, snow and mostly mud DATE May 14-17, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, inland lakes, and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of Minnesota's North Shore. It's about time for a trip report! If you have … Continue reading Hitting the Half Way Mark | 53 miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Tettegouche to Two Harbors!
Tick Prevention on the Trail
I remember finding a wood tick stuck on the hairline of my neck over 30 years ago when I first moved to Minnesota. I was a teenager from Southern California and didn't even know what a tick was! Its the only time I've ever had an attached tick and can still feel it... Today's post … Continue reading Tick Prevention on the Trail
Maplewood State Park and North Country National Scenic Trail
Just back from a trip to Maplewood State Park! We originally planned a large Women Who Hike Minnesota group event focusing on Leave No Trace Principles and cleaning up the trails with our reusable green "Dirt Bags" the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics generously provided. As the landscape thaws each spring, there's trash … Continue reading Maplewood State Park and North Country National Scenic Trail
WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.
Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR/AED certification is 18 hours of intense training packed into two or three days. As a leader of High Adventure Treks with Scouts and as a Women Who Hike Ambassador, I am required to take it every two years. Last weekend was my 4th time going through the course and I … Continue reading WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.
Defend Your Joy! 5 Winter Amusements to Try Before Spring!
“Defending My Joy” is a term I have been using for the last few years whenever I have to take action to keep things positive. Protecting and defending your joy is an act of resistance. This post shares some fun and silly examples of ways I’ve found joy during some of the coldest and snowiest Winters in Minnesota. I hope it will bring you a smile as well!
Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
...Oh girl dancing down those [snowy] and [icy] trails Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness... -Roam, The B-52's Back from a Winter retreat with Thrive Women's Outdoor Adventures! We got close to a foot of snow in parts of Northern Wisconsin, played in single digit temps and had the trails to ourselves. … Continue reading Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
Crescent Moon EVA Foam Snowshoe Gear Review
As a lover of both snowshoeing and design, I have been following the development of the first EVA foam snowshoe for about a year. They have a very different look and construction compared to a traditional metal or plastic snowshoe, and the binding is greatly simplified. In talking to the President and co-founder of Crescent … Continue reading Crescent Moon EVA Foam Snowshoe Gear Review
‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 2 mile Hiking Club Trail DIFFICULTY Easy DATE Dec 28, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Wooded loop through rolling hills, views of a Wildlife Pond You may remember my post from Moose Lake State Park last 4th of July. Back then the park was bursting with happy campers and families celebrating their 4th of July traditions a the … Continue reading ‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
Exploring the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and 5 LNT Tips During the Government Shutdown
Read about our January thaw hike at Minnesota Valley Wildlife refuge! Learn some Leave No Trace Tips to help keep our wild spaces preserved, and check out an initial review of the Kula Cloth: the highly technical, one of a kind, reusable pee cloth!
2018 Year in Review!
On January 1st 2017, I started this blog, as a place to write about my outdoor adventures, learning experiences, failures and encourage others to get outside at any skill level. That first year, I challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, “Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2018 Year in Review!
Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
A couple of weeks ago I flooded the Wandering Pine Instagram page with snowshoeing photos after the Minnesota Monthly Magazine Feature hoping to make it snow before camp! I'm still waiting for a good old fashioned blizzard to kick off Snowshoeing season as I write this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun outside! … Continue reading Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
Snowshoe Basics: And Re-thinking Winter
Winter is here and it's the perfect time to think about staying outside and extending the hiking season! Snowshoeing is my favorite winter activity and has been a game changer when it comes to my attitude during the colder months. So, when Minnesota Monthly Magazine contacted me to do a quick story and photo shoot on the sport, I practically did a cartwheel.
Solo Hiking in West Central MN | Lake Carlos, Glacial Lakes, and Monson Lake State Parks
The last month or so has felt like a shifting of gears....a combination of the seasons changing, and my body aging. It happens every Autumn. November is the longest month of the year... and I feel it setting in. Instead of fighting this slowing down like I usually do, I'm trying to appreciate the transition … Continue reading Solo Hiking in West Central MN | Lake Carlos, Glacial Lakes, and Monson Lake State Parks
Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Im writing this on a gray Minnesota day, with a belly full of coffee and a Tobie's Cinnamon Roll by my side IYKYK. Since returning from our Superior Hiking Trail 100 Mile Hike, I have been working on slowing down a bit and recalibrating. Don't worry, I have some projects coming up that I'm really … Continue reading Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
FUN NEWS! Our Superior hiking Trail adventure is being featured all week as a series on the BSA Instagram page. Volunteering with our son's Boy Scout Troop has provided me with opportunities that have ignited a passion for the outdoors and empowered me to pursue adventure both inside and outside of Scouting activities. I'm grateful … Continue reading Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Guess what came in the mail last Saturday, on National Public Lands Day?! My North Country Trail 100 mile Challenge Patch! The North Country Trail is a footpath that is 4,600 miles(7,400 km) long from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota. Thats almost as long as the … Continue reading Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
We've been home for a week! The blisters are healed, toenails looking normal but the knees are still creaking from coming down Carlton Peak. Here's a video of our adventure and some final thoughts below. If you are not subscribed already, stay tuned for an upcoming post about our route, packing list and how … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early
Last night I decided I was done. We had hiked the 20ish miles between Mystery Mountain And Temperance River State Park in about 8.5 hours minus breaks and had been at camp for about an hour when I told my sister I was out. We were due to head inland the next day and I … Continue reading Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early