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 Backpacking, BWCA

Fall Backpacking in the BWCA | Sioux Hustler Trail: Part 2

Part two of our Fall Backpacking trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) on the Sioux Hustler Trail! The trail is muddy, rocky, re-routed by several beaver dams and does not include any navigational signing. Water is plentiful, as the trail circumvents numeroous lakes. Moose are common in the area, and if you listen closely, you may hear wolves or coyotes howling at night. Check out our Youtube video for more on campsite conditions and tales from the trail! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MRNWESgUg&t=82s

wanderingpine Backpacking, BWCA

Fall Backpacking in the BWCA | Sioux Hustler Trail: Part 1

Part one of our Fall Backpacking trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) on the Sioux Hustler Trail! The Sioux–Hustler Trail is a rugged hiking loop in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota, near the Canadian border. This area is mostly known for its paddling trips, and traveling in the Fall was an optimal time to visit due to lack of bugs, cool weather and pristine views of the forest changing color. Check out our Youtube video for more on campsite conditions and tales from the trail! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MRNWESgUg&t=82s

wanderingpine Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails, Scouts

Hiking Merit Badge 20 Miler | Minneapolis Parks

HIKE DETAILS LENGTH 20 milesDIFFICULTY mostly flat and paved, with dirt options and a few hillsDATE HIKED October 4, 2020MAIN FEATURES Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, Theodore Wirth Park, Chain of Lakes. Start location - 2601 Theodore Wirth Parkway:  Sunset Park Last week, some friends and I backpacked the 35ish mile Sioux Hustler Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It … Continue reading Hiking Merit Badge 20 Miler | Minneapolis Parks

wanderingpine Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks

Family Glamping at Lake Bemidji State Park

This post highlights our family trip to Lake Bemidji State Park and its Hiking Club Trail, Itasca State Park, the iconic Paul & Babe Statue and some musings on glamping in a sweet little camper we rented through Outdoorsy. Hope you enjoy! Glamping glamp·ing/ˈɡlampiNG/nouna form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those … Continue reading Family Glamping at Lake Bemidji State Park

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 Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail

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!

wanderingpine Minnesota State Parks

Lake Superior North Shore Weekend! Part 1: Temperance River State Park

Last weekend's garden harvest This has been a year of adjusting and re-adjusting, and there are days that I'd rather just turn this into a page about gardening. In many ways, this shift has been good for me... causing me to find ways to enjoy a deeper and more intentional life close to home. My … Continue reading Lake Superior North Shore Weekend! Part 1: Temperance River State Park

wanderingpine BWCA, Gear, Superior Hiking Trail

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.

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Gear, Leave No Trace, Scouts, Skills

How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?

This week, a friend asked "what's the difference between a walk and a hike?" I've heard this question before, but even now...when things seem to be changing on the daily...the answer is still the same "Well, that's up to you..." When I signed up for my first 52 Hike Challenge, in 2017, my personal definition … Continue reading How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?