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!
2022 Year in Review
Happy 6th Birthday to Wandering Pine! S I X . Y E A R S 🎉 Break out the party tooters and root beer, it's time to celebrate! Thanks for being here, from Wandering Pine's very first post to the 203rd post! It's time to look back on another year of adventure: from Art Hikes … Continue reading 2022 Year in Review
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
2021 Year in Review
Happy 5th Birthday to Wandering Pine! F I V E . Y E A R S 🎉 Break out the party tooters and root beer, it's time to celebrate! Thanks for being here, from Wandering Pine's very first post to the 190th post! 'Tis is the season that I find myself reflecting on the year, … Continue reading 2021 Year in Review
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
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
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!
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
Superior Hiking Trail |Part 3: My Hike
I mean really....there was literally no good reason to wait, except my own fear and common sense. And it was fun to have a dream. Welcome to Part 3 of the adventure! If you missed the first 310 miles, start here. Feel free to hit subscribe or check back for updates on new content regarding things … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail |Part 3: My Hike
Superior Hiking Trail |Part 2: Section Hike
I started to feel light and frolicsome...as though I had wings... Welcome to Part 2! If you are new to the series, here's a handy link to Part 1.   If you would like more detail on each section of the Superior Hiking Trail, check out their page and feel free to visit my trip reports … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail |Part 2: Section Hike
Superior Hiking Trail | Part 1: Thru Hike
Starting at the 280º overlook: N. Terminus of the Superior Hiking Trail I remember when I felt it. We were a little over 5 miles into our hike, climbing up Rosebush Ridge, to the highest point on the Superior Hiking Trail. I had already done a face plant and tweaked my knee at mile 2 … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail | Part 1: Thru Hike
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!
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!
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!
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
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.
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. Â It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come. Â 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!