Hiking and Backpacking Bean + Bear Lakes!

Ready to hike to one of Minnesota's most iconic North Shore views? This rugged section of trail boasts steep climbs, expansive views of Lake Superior's north shore, two hidden lakes, thick forest, roaring waterfalls and plenty of rocks and roots to keep your ankles busy. Whether you are backpacking overnight, or day hiking the loop, … Continue reading Hiking and Backpacking Bean + Bear Lakes!

Fall Camping and Hiking at Temperance River State Park

We're back from our last family camping trip of the year and the camper has been a great way to spend time together, extend the season and have some of the comforts of home. Our dog eats tents, so it's also been nice to have a way to bring her along! Temperance River State Park … Continue reading Fall Camping and Hiking at Temperance River State Park

Minnesota North Shore Weekend! Part 2: Tettegouche State Park, Superior Hiking Trail and a BEAR at camp!

Continued from Part 1... Split Rock to Beaver Bay TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 11 miles:  camped at Tettegouche State ParkDIFFICULTY Moderate, elevation and sun exposureDATE August 9, 2020MAIN FEATURES Classic Superior Hiking Trail up and down elevation with spectacular views of Lake Superior.  We parked a car in the rear lot of Cove Point Lodge, which connects directly to a 2 … Continue reading Minnesota North Shore Weekend! Part 2: Tettegouche State Park, Superior Hiking Trail and a BEAR at camp!

The SHT Blooper Video is LIVE – and other things happening this week.

It's been a full week in Wandering Pine World and I wanted to give an update and check in to see how you are all doing.  I was supposed to be backpacking the Kekekabic Trail last weekend and officially cancelled my Memorial Day Sioux Hustler Trail Boundary Waters Trip.  It was a personal decision, but … Continue reading The SHT Blooper Video is LIVE – and other things happening this week.

Simple Act Has Profound Effect | Minneapolis Star Tribune Article

Hey Mom! Im in the Paper!  As a follow up to my last post, I'm sharing this nice article that the Minneapolis Star Tribune published in their Outdoors section last Friday, that highlights the Groundskeepers (and yours truly).  Read more about the work we do, what I've learned along the way and how you too can … Continue reading Simple Act Has Profound Effect | Minneapolis Star Tribune Article

Why I Pick Up Trash and Things I Learned as a Groundskeeper

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” -Maya Angelou What started as a simple challenge of picking up trash while I hike has become a journey to know more, do more and take a hard look at my own habits.  Although there is progress, I will … Continue reading Why I Pick Up Trash and Things I Learned as a Groundskeeper

Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out

"GO OUTSIDE WITH THE REST OF THE WILD ANIMALS!!" -Mom Time to Hike! Last month at our "Unpacking Your Hiking Hesitations"  Clinic at Midwest Mountaineering, Ruth and I were asked a question: “How do you make time for hiking?” I responded almost automatically: “you make time for the things you love”.  But the minute those words … Continue reading Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out

Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 6: East Kennedy Creek to County Rd 1, to the Southern Terminus!

Up at 5:30.  Thats the latest I've slept on this trip, but we went to bed at 10pm after and nice fire with camp friends and the moth incident...which shall now be referred to as "the aftermoth"!   Going to bed at hiker midnight each night hasn't  been helping things, but my energy has been great … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 6: East Kennedy Creek to County Rd 1, to the Southern Terminus!

Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 5: Leskinen to E Kennedy Creek

  42.5 miles down, 12.5 to go! Tomorrow we finish the teal map and then zip down to the southern Terminus for a few more miles to touch the sign—the end is in sight! The fall colors are popping, the mushrooms blooming and we are still glad we avoided the monsoon. Its 43° this morning … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 5: Leskinen to E Kennedy Creek

Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 4: Sonju to Leskinen Creek

  Up at 3:45 for and couldn’t get back to sleep. Finally just got out of bed at 5:30 and started writing. We can’t believe its still raining! We stuck around the hotel for a bit reorganizing food and waiting out the rain. It’s rained for almost 24 hours straight! Hit the sonju trailhead at … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 4: Sonju to Leskinen Creek

Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 2: Fredenberg to West Caribou

  Awake at 10:30, 3:30 & 5:30am. Gentle rain all night. My tarp and bivy pitched low combined with an umbrella for a door worked great. Stayed warm, had to shed a layer-so glad I brought my winter pad.   Its still raining this morning. I don’t want to get out of bed. Snuck out … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 2: Fredenberg to West Caribou