wanderingpine National Parks, Trip Reports

Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 1

We’re back from our 5 day backpacking trip to Grand Canyon National Park! This will be a two part post since there is so much to share! Be check back or hit subscribe to see our upcoming trip & gear videos and a separate gear post. LETS GO! TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 43 trail miles DIFFICULTY rated moderate … Continue reading Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 1

wanderingpine Backpacking, National Parks, Trip Reports

Backpacking Michigan’s UP | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

How do you describe the beauty of a place where heaven and earth join seamlessly?  Or the mind trap of telling yourself over and over again the this massive body is not the ocean or an endless sea?  Or the magnetic-siren-pull of her waters that make you want to jump in and crash like the … Continue reading Backpacking Michigan’s UP | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

wanderingpine Artwork, BWCA, National Parks, Paddling

Painting, Paddling and Hiking on the Gunflint Trail | Part 2

We're picking back up from part 1 where we'll head back up to the Gunflint Trail and venture out on a few hiking trails, paddle in the BWCA and do some more adventure painting! So many of our favorite places are currently burning and are on my heart these days. Isle Royale, the Arrowhead of … Continue reading Painting, Paddling and Hiking on the Gunflint Trail | Part 2

wanderingpine Artwork, BWCA, National Parks

Discovering the Beauty of the Gunflint Trail | Part 1

So many of our favorite places are experiencing active wildfires this summer. The forest has a miraculous ability to regenerate itself after fire, but my heart and prayers are with all of the firefighters, emergency workers, residents, recreationalists, resort owners and animals as the BWCA and Arrowhead of MN burns and is currently closed for … Continue reading Discovering the Beauty of the Gunflint Trail | Part 1

wanderingpine Backpacking, Gear, Gear Reviews, Isle Royale, National Parks

Isle Royale | The Adventure Continues!

We’ve been back on the mainland for a few weeks, but the adventure continues!   Last week, we were invited to be on a podcast based out of Michigan, called "Hike: explore|wander|live"! I have been on the show before talking about my SHT LASH (Superior Hiking Trail Long Amazing Section Hike), and it was so … Continue reading Isle Royale | The Adventure Continues!

wanderingpine Backpacking, Gear, Gear Reviews, Isle Royale, National Parks

Whats In My Pack? 5 Day Comfort Light Gear List!

The Isle Royale trip report is up, so let's talk about gear next! This post covers my 5 day packing list, weights (according to my scale) and some of the conditions I prepared for on this trip. Be sure to also check out the accompanying gear video I shot on our last night of the … Continue reading Whats In My Pack? 5 Day Comfort Light Gear List!

wanderingpine Backpacking, Isle Royale, National Parks

Rock Harbor to Windigo | Backpacking Isle Royale National Park End to End

We're back from our 5 day trip to the Isle and wanted to get this trip report out, in one long segment in case anyone is heading out there soon and needs up to date conditions. We were given a current condition report from friends prior to leaving and it was super helpful. Please check … Continue reading Rock Harbor to Windigo | Backpacking Isle Royale National Park End to End

wanderingpine Gear, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, National Parks

Hiking Southern Minnesota – Part 2: Pipestone National Monument, Split Rock Creek and Lake Shetek State Parks

Continued from part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Parks! The prairie has a unique beauty and history that I am still learning more about. I'm also realizing the importance of knowing our history, in order to learn from it and avoid repeating it. So, if you are like me, and history … Continue reading Hiking Southern Minnesota – Part 2: Pipestone National Monument, Split Rock Creek and Lake Shetek State Parks

wanderingpine Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, National Parks

Hiking Southern Minnesota | Part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Park

Garden Update! The garden is bursting and these late summer days are filled with working at home and in the yard. I'm writing this post on a family trip to another beautiful MN State Park, in a cute little rental camper, early in the morning while everyone is still asleep. No work or chores for … Continue reading Hiking Southern Minnesota | Part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Park

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, National Parks

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

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Gear, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, National Parks

Fort Snelling State Park: 4 miler turned 10 miler

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 4-10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy with a little ice DATE  March 17, 2018 MAIN FEATURES  Historic Fort Snelling and Pike Island My 16th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at Fort Snelling State Park.   It is a park that I have been to many times during all 4 seasons and can easily be modified … Continue reading Fort Snelling State Park: 4 miler turned 10 miler

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, About, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails, Minnesota State Parks, National Parks, Scouts, Superior Hiking Trail, Travel, Winter Camping, Year in Review

2017 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. In 2017, I also challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, "Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2017 Year in Review

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Day Hikes, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails, National Parks, Superior Hiking Trail

Fall Hiking at Interstate Park

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy with some elevation DATE  October 8, 2017 MAIN FEATURES  Glacial Potholes, River Bluffs, St Croix River, Fall Foliage, Climbing Interstate Park is on the Western terminus of the 1,200 mile long Ice Age Trail. It gets it name from being located on both the shores of WI and MN, joined by the St … Continue reading Fall Hiking at Interstate Park

wanderingpine National Parks, Scouts

Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 3 mi + 2 mi DIFFICULTY Easy, with a few blazing hot hills on the way out of the falls. DATE  July 6, 2017 MAIN FEATURES  Two hikes in one day!  The trail to the falls follows the path of a recent forest fire, 3 miles out and back.  Several great spots for lunch and enjoying … Continue reading Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts

wanderingpine National Parks, Scouts

Glacier National Park | Many Glacier

TRIP DETAILS  LENGTH 5-10 mi DIFFICULTY Easy and flat to Grinnell Lake, then hilly on the loop back. DATE  July 5, 2017 MAIN FEATURES  The trail follows the shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake with views of 5 Glaciers from the Many Glacier Hotel area. No synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty. Whether as seen carving … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Many Glacier