wanderingpine Leave No Trace, Stewardship, Superior Hiking Trail

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

wanderingpine Leave No Trace, Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails, Stewardship, Superior Hiking Trail, Women Who Hike

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

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, Scouts, Skills, Superior Hiking Trail, Women Who Hike

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

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

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!

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

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

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

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

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

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

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 1: Temperance River to Fredenberg Creek

  We hit the road at 7:30am, and three of us stopped in Two harbors at SpokenGear Bike Shop and Coffee for an early lunch. 1:30 Drop a car at Sonju 2:00 Temperance River State Park, we picked up where my sister and I ended our thru hike at 100 miles last year! ❤️. Ive … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 1: Temperance River to Fredenberg Creek

wanderingpine Backpacking, Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail

North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH +/- 5 miles on the Split Rock River Loop and around Split Rock State Park DIFFICULTY Easy to Moderate: elevation, roots, rocks, bugs at dawn and dusk. DATE  August 10, 2019 MAIN FEATURES  Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, the historic Split Rock Lighthouse and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of … Continue reading North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock

wanderingpine Backpacking, Gear, Leave No Trace, Scouts, Skills

Backcountry Hygiene: How to Pee, Poop and Period Like a Pro!

Now that I've got you with that fantastic title, it's time to talk facts about bodily functions on the trail and how you can keep yourself and the outdoors sparkling clean! I am asked about this topic often (usually in private messages, whispered conversations and in the cover of darkness), so I'm bringing it out … Continue reading Backcountry Hygiene: How to Pee, Poop and Period Like a Pro!

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

The Blue Map | 51 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Wild Valley Road to Martin Road!

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!

wanderingpine Superior Hiking Trail

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!

wanderingpine Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail

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!