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!
Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 5: Leskinen to E Kennedy Creek
42.5 miles down, 12.5 to go! Tomorrow we finish the teal map and then zip down to the southern Terminus for a few more miles to touch the sign—the end is in sight! The fall colors are popping, the mushrooms blooming and we are still glad we avoided the monsoon. Its 43° this morning … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 5: Leskinen to E Kennedy Creek
Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 4: Sonju to Leskinen Creek
Up at 3:45 for and couldn’t get back to sleep. Finally just got out of bed at 5:30 and started writing. We can’t believe its still raining! We stuck around the hotel for a bit reorganizing food and waiting out the rain. It’s rained for almost 24 hours straight! Hit the sonju trailhead at … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 4: Sonju to Leskinen Creek
Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 3: West Caribou to Sonju
Awake at 3am with a headache. It didn’t rain last night-whew. Im hydrated, but I think my headache is from the wind kicking up stuff. Trying to go back to sleep... we have another 12-13 mile day ahead of us which is plenty on this steep section. The rain started at noon, and we … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 3: West Caribou to Sonju
Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 2: Fredenberg to West Caribou
Awake at 10:30, 3:30 & 5:30am. Gentle rain all night. My tarp and bivy pitched low combined with an umbrella for a door worked great. Stayed warm, had to shed a layer-so glad I brought my winter pad. Its still raining this morning. I don’t want to get out of bed. Snuck out … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 2: Fredenberg to West Caribou
‘What is’ vs. ‘What if’… Self Care at Glendalough State Park
"When you focus on the 'what ifs', you're almost manifesting the thing you are most worried about. By focusing on the 'what is', you are focusing on the good that is occurring in that present moment'-Sharlene Jones Episode 121: She Explores The last couple of weeks have been difficult. Life stuff...hurting for others, internalizing, etc...I … Continue reading ‘What is’ vs. ‘What if’… Self Care at Glendalough State Park
North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH +/- 5 miles on the Split Rock River Loop and around Split Rock State Park DIFFICULTY Easy to Moderate: elevation, roots, rocks, bugs at dawn and dusk. DATE August 10, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, the historic Split Rock Lighthouse and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of … Continue reading North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock
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!
The Brown Map | 57 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Duluth to Two Harbors!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 57.5 miles from Duluth to Two Harbors DIFFICULTY Challenging: slight elevation, roots, rocks, and epic mud to the shins DATE May 24-27, 2019 MAIN FEATURES rivers, ponds and wetlands, forests in different growth stages and opportunities to learn a bit about logging on North Shore. This trip marks my completion of 4 out of 6 … Continue reading The Brown Map | 57 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Duluth to Two Harbors!
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!
Tick Prevention on the Trail
I remember finding a wood tick stuck on the hairline of my neck over 30 years ago when I first moved to Minnesota. I was a teenager from Southern California and didn't even know what a tick was! Its the only time I've ever had an attached tick and can still feel it... Today's post … Continue reading Tick Prevention on the Trail
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
2018 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. That first year, I challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, “Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2018 Year in Review!
Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Guess what came in the mail last Saturday, on National Public Lands Day?! My North Country Trail 100 mile Challenge Patch! The North Country Trail is a footpath that is 4,600 miles(7,400 km) long from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota. Thats almost as long as the … Continue reading Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
We've been home for a week! The blisters are healed, toenails looking normal but the knees are still creaking from coming down Carlton Peak. Here's a video of our adventure and some final thoughts below. If you are not subscribed already, stay tuned for an upcoming post about our route, packing list and how … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early
Last night I decided I was done. We had hiked the 20ish miles between Mystery Mountain And Temperance River State Park in about 8.5 hours minus breaks and had been at camp for about an hour when I told my sister I was out. We were due to head inland the next day and I … Continue reading Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early
Day 6: The Sawtooths! 6 Mountains in 20 Miles
The Trail is characterized by ascents to rock outcroppings and cliffs, and descents into numerous river and creek valleys. Most rivers and streams are crossed by bridges. Overlooks of Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains and inland woodlands, lakes and rivers are abundant. The Trail follows rivers and creeks, often for distances of a mile or … Continue reading Day 6: The Sawtooths! 6 Mountains in 20 Miles
Field Trip to Winona, MN | Home of Enlightened Equipment and Whitewater State Park
Most of my hikes in May started early with the sunrise. When people ask me how I have time to hike, I tell them, you make time for the things you love to do...this means going to bed early and getting up before the sun sometimes. Setting goals for myself such as the … Continue reading Field Trip to Winona, MN | Home of Enlightened Equipment and Whitewater State Park
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
Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Have you ever thought about making your own backpacking gear? This week's post is about my experience sewing an ultralight backpack. There are lots of reasons to do it yourself, including: financial, weight savings, customization and just learning something new! If you have been reading in the last 6 months, you already know that … Continue reading Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!