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
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
SHT Trail-a-versary and Hiking Southern Minnesota Video!
Read about my one year trail-a-versary of completing the Superior Hiking Trail and more about hiking Southern Minnesota State Parks. New video on the Wandering Pine Youtube channel.
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: “Jester” Section Hiker Podcast
Earlier this Spring, I had the opportunity to talk to Julie from the "Jester" Section Hikers Podcast about my Superior Hiking Trail LASH. We had recorded an earlier session in the winter, but something happened to the audio, so we got to do it again! She was a joy to talk to and I left … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail: “Jester” Section Hiker Podcast
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.
The North Country Trail 100 Mile Challenge
Look what came in the mail yesterday! If you have been following along here, you will know that after finishing the Superior Hiking Trail in long sections last year, I was looking for a new adventure. 2020 was going to be all about the North Country Trail and exploring Minnesota's most remote and rugged trails … Continue reading The North Country Trail 100 Mile Challenge
Superior Hiking Trail Databook Review
Review of the brand new Superior Hiking Trail Databook and the tools that I used to plan my Superior Hiking Trail Thru Hike, turned Long Amazing Section Hike
The SHT LASH episodes are LIVE!
Ever wanted to know what hiking 310 miles in Northern MN carrying all of your stuff on your back is like? Grab your popcorn, because all of the SHT LASH episodes officially posted on YouTube this weekend! Are you dreaming of or planning a trip on the SHT? Or looking for a new series … Continue reading The SHT LASH episodes are LIVE!
2019 Year in Review!
Happy 3rd Birthday to Wandering Pine! Its fun to see how things have changed and to look back on the adventures from the previous years. Here's a throwback to my very first post! This year, I've hiked twice as much (104 hikes) and written half as much (30 posts). The Saturday mornings that I used … Continue reading 2019 Year in Review!
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
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
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
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
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!