Aborted overnight on SHT

Stuart –

I never tire of seeing pictures of Bean and Bear Lakes. In my two years living in Duluth I've been up the shore countless times (and numerous before that) and even though I've walked every inch of the SHT there is still a mysticism and wildness about it.

– Sam

We're heading up to GM this weekend. Sounds like we picked a crappy weekend….weather wise….but we're committed.

Last trip up we did a day-hike up to Bean and Bear lakes from Silver Bay and made a loop out of it on the side lolly-pop trail. What a beautiful part of the SHT.

This weekend he're hoping it's not too sloppy so we can try another day-hike. This time from Tettegouche up to Mt. Trudee and them some stuff up closer to GM.

Here is a photo from last year…Labor Day weekend.

Any suggestions of favorite sections?

Steve

If you are going to be in grand marais I would hike the devil track river segment if you have not already done it. The river is really pretty and goes through a 80 foot deep canyon in some places. The cascade river loop would also be a good day hike.

In terms of the best day hike in close proximity to Grand Marais I'm in agreement with Stuart and also suggest the Devil Track river.

Ditto the Devil's Track Rvr and Cascade Rvr loop suggestions. Also the Lutsen to Caribou Trail segment, although that's 20 miles west of G.M. Use the Superior Shuttle to stage your car at the end.

Jim Colten: Also the Lutsen to Caribou Trail segment

My girlfriend, her parents and I did a very short overnight trip from Lutsen in May. Here’s some photos if anyone is interested.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sam.haraldson/UltralightBackpackingLakeAgnes

Nice pics Sam. I've never hiked the trail in the spring, I really need to try that. I'll be somewhere on the SHT with our scouts the 3rd weekend of this month, I'm REALLY hoping to steer them into choosing the Lutsen-Cascade stretch.

Sam, how do you like the TG Vertex? I really like the design but it looked like overkill for a one person.

Thanks for the comments, Jim. I'm so much a fan of the SHT that hiking just about anywhere along it usually makes me happy. Taking the scouts out in late October should be cool – – in more ways than one. Ha.

Steve – I only bring the Vertex out when there's going to be two of us. I like the roominess of it in terms of floor space for bodies and gear. Having the pole in the center of the tent does give issue if you want to cuddle with the other person in the tent however. If I was to bring up any complaint with the Vertex it would be a similar complaint to many single-wall structures, and that is condensation. The design of the version I have doesn't have a cap over the top hole so when it's raining you either have to zip the top shut and have no top-ventilation or leave it open and have rain coming in. TIGoat has alleviated this in their new designs I believe.

Taking the scouts out in late October should be cool – – in more ways than one. Ha.

The date is chosen due to them having a 3 day weekend from school, it's too far for us to want to travel for a normal weekend. The weather varies, we've had some warm trips, one with 40*F fog the entire weekend , one with continuous thunder lightning storms at night, snow, 35*F rain/snow mix (that's the toughest), mainly just cool/cloudy but as a good friend is fond of saying, whatever the weather is, it is always perfect!.

Oh how I long for the Mid-West… Fall in that area is probably the best time of year… *sigh*

Matt –

It has been gorgeous up here the past weeks. I've done a couple hikes and the trees along Lake Superior are luscious with color. The maples two weeks ago were red as apples and last weekend the aspens and birch were afire with a yellow glow.

– Sam