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, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail

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

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 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 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 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!

wanderingpine Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail, Travel

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 as big as my head by my side.   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 … Continue reading Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!

wanderingpine Backpacking, Gear, Superior Hiking Trail

Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Here it is!   My first shot at writing a dedicated gear review.   I have written quick reviews and recommendations embedded in trip reports that mostly express discovering nifty things or gear I found a good deal on…but wanted to challenge myself to focus on writing a review about ONE piece of gear.  So why not … Continue reading Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

wanderingpine 52 Hike Challenge, Backpacking, Gear, Minnesota Hiking Club, Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail, Training

Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.

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 that 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 … Continue reading Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.

wanderingpine Backpacking, Gear, Minnesota State Parks, Superior Hiking Trail, Training, Winter, Winter Camping

Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!

I'm still mentally and spiritually unpacking my trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior.   It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come.  So, lucky for you, this will be a two part post! One of the first things I did when I decided … Continue reading Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!