{"id":353,"date":"2015-01-06T17:21:21","date_gmt":"2015-01-07T00:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samh.net\/backpacking\/blog\/?p=353"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:55:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:55:41","slug":"superior-hiking-trail-thru-hike-2005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samh.net\/backpacking\/blog\/2015\/01\/superior-hiking-trail-thru-hike-2005.html","title":{"rendered":"Thru Hike of the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota – Spring 2005 in an Ultralight Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is the account of my 2005 thru hike of the Superior Hiking trail as told through photos and the daily journal I kept along the way. I did the trip in lightweight, but not ultralight backpacking style (gear list<\/a>). I hiked the SHT end-to-end between May 1st and May 15th, 2005. The first eleven days I was solo and had no resupply, the remaining days I was joined (and resupplied) by my girlfriend at the time and her two dogs. <\/i><\/p>\n

If you are planning a Superior Hiking Trail thru-hike I highly suggest using trip reports like this as well as others to help plan your trip. Also join the Superior Hiking Trail mailing list<\/a> as it is frequented by dedicated SHT<\/span> hikers willing to impart copious wisdom regarding conditions, camping, water availability, re-supply, and more.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

\"sht-trail-sign\"<\/p>\n

I grew up in Minnesota in a camping family but fell in love with backpacking in my late-twenties. I became quite a hiker and backpacker while working on a trail-maintenance crew in Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana. Spending so many days and nights in the backcountry gave me the realization that I could, without too much difficulty do an average length thru-hike.<\/p>\n

I’d heard tell of the Superior Hiking Trail and had set my mind to hike it some time previous to my undertaking. I ordered an ancient copy of the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s guide to the trail from a used bookseller over the internet. I also ordered the official set of four maps from the SHTA<\/span> themselves at the http:\/\/shta.org<\/a> website. Gayle and the staff there are very helpful and willing to answer your questions over the phone.<\/p>\n

Next I set out to create my itinerary so that my trip fell within the dates I had free to hike and so that my daily mileage would be within the bounds of my hiking abilities. I also had to tweak my usual gear list to be as lightweight as possible: leaving out all but the absolute essentials. Well, I admit I took a camera, a book and a pipe with me as well.<\/p>\n

I planned my original itinerary and gave copies to my family and girlfriend so that they would have an idea of where I was each night. This was a basic template which I intended to follow, however, if I was feeling up to more hiking on a particular day then I allowed myself flexibility to change the itinerary as the trip went along. This did in fact happen. If you look at the original itinerary and compare it with the itinerary listed below you’ll see my trip went from the scheduled seventeen days down to an actual fifteen days. In my post evaluation of the hike I believe completion is possible in ten or eleven days. I guess it’s something to shoot for the next time I thru-hike the SHT<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n

Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day One – South Carlson Pond
\nDay Two – Little Brule
\nDay Three – Woods Creek
\nDay Four – Cascade North
\nDay Five – Poplar East
\nDay Six – Springdale Creek
\nDay Seven – Sugar Loaf Pond
\nDay Eight – Sonju Lake
\nDay Nine – Section 13
\nDay Ten – Bear Lake
\nDay Eleven – Beaver River
\nDay Twelve – ???
\nDay Thirteen – Blueberry Hill
\nDay Fourteen – Crow Valley<\/p>\n

\n

\"shit-trail-register\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Signing the entry trail register as my mom looks on.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sunday May 1st<\/strong><\/p>\n

10:00
\nHad hugs with Mom and Dad as well as some photos. Signed trail register and read some past entries including one by Andrew Skurka (hiking from the Atlantic to Pacific).<\/p>\n

12:01
\nLooking over Jackson Lake. Stopped for first rest. First 2.5 mi of trail was mucky but still very hikeable. Spotty snow just past Andy Lake Rd on way up to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Highest Point on SHT”. So far very happy w\/ trail signage and elements (i.e. bridges, corduroy, etc).<\/p>\n

12:35
\nMet Scott and Al from Duluth and Burnsville doing clearing w\/ their 21″ Husqvarna.<\/p>\n

\"sht-hellacious\"<\/p>\n

13:49
\nPhoto: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hellacious Overlook”. <\/em><\/p>\n

Exquisite first view of the lake. Weather can’t decide sun or snow. It’s graupelling but I’m warm. This view\/weather combined is georgeous.<\/p>\n

14:37
\nCan see a couple homes below me as I look over the lake. Would love to live there.<\/p>\n

\"sht-beaver-dam\"<\/p>\n

16:06
\nPhoto:Beaver Dam at South Carlson Pond<\/em><\/p>\n

10:11: 17:20
\nStep Count: 32272<\/p>\n

\n

Monday, May 2nd<\/strong><\/p>\n

06:01
\nWoke up to a light dusting of snow and pretty chilly temps. Slept well, not too cold. Think it’s time to break camp and get some blood pumpin’ though.<\/p>\n

07:05
\nGear is packed, my clothes\/boots have some warmth in them. I think I’ll hike an hour or two then stop and eat.<\/p>\n

07:48
\nRounding a slight corner and ascending the top of a knob a crackle of branches and leaves directs my eyes down trail 50 meters where a moose gallops away from me!<\/p>\n

09:45
\nFirst whitetail bounching across an old private clearcut.<\/p>\n

\"privateproperty\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Private land sign just before Camp Road 20<\/em><\/p>\n

\"devilskettle\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Devil’s Kettle Falls. <\/em><\/p>\n

13:30
\nThey say the water that flows into the hole on the left disappears without a trace.<\/p>\n

14:30
\nHad a nice chat on phone with pa. Tried to reach Heather but she wasn’t home : (<\/p>\n

19:12
\nThat was one hell of a day. I woke up very sore and with two bad blisters. I was in pain hiking the whole day. I will survive. I will survive. I will survive.<\/p>\n

\"selfportrait\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Self portrait at North Lil’ Brule River camp after hell hike of day two. <\/em><\/p>\n

I’m relaxed, smoking a pipe and reveling in the beauty all around me: – what I came to see.<\/p>\n

07:15: 17:30
\nStep Count: Unknown<\/p>\n

\n

Tuesday, May 3rd<\/strong><\/p>\n

05:15
\nAwoke an hour or so ago and put my boots into my sleeping bad with me to get them warm. Had done same thing with water earlier. Tight fit and was shivering a bit. Bag is cinched all the way. Laid awake for a little bit and decided to get up.<\/p>\n

06:47
\nCamp is struck and I’m about three minutes from heading out. One more set of stretches and I’m off.<\/p>\n

Photo unavailable<\/p>\n

Sketch: Beautiful bridge over Little Brule<\/em><\/p>\n

08:47
\nI’ve arrived at the lake . . . pause a moment in awe . . . It’s the largest lake in the world, yet it’s ability to be so serene and provide this overwhelming sense of calm is amazing. My photo of the lake as the background, and island as the middle ground and a SHT marker sign in the foreground won’t come close to capturing this sense, this mystical feeling. In the end I hope ma nature wins.<\/p>\n

\"sht-beach-lakewalk\"<\/p>\n

09:39
\nPhoto: Shoreline looking South about .5 miles North of West end of Lake Walk.<\/em><\/p>\n

10:30
\nJust made my first mistake. Saw trail sign but didn’t see second one.<\/p>\n

11:11
\nMake a wish, right? Here’s hoping Heather is safe and happy. I love you. Stoppin’ for a bite to eat and a rest. Kadunce River is probably less than a mile away but I was feelin’ more like stoppin’ in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153faerie” place like this one. As I sat down I heard a large animal crash away through the brush. I wonder what it was?<\/p>\n

12:12
\nSigning registry at Kadunce couldn’t help but notice entry by \u00e2\u20ac\u0153J.V.” about kayaking cascade on 4.23.05. Is this Heather’s friend?<\/p>\n

\"kadunceriver\"<\/p>\n

12:31
\nPhoto: West Fork of Kadunce River<\/em><\/p>\n

14:17
\nHaulin’ ass again. This is the Sam I know. The Sam who loves to hike and can push past a little pain. Yesterday was really hard on my soul. I was in pain from mile one through mile sixteen. Blisters, sore (AS HELL!!!) knees, the works. This morning I fashioned a couple hiking poles out of some medium sized pieces of downed birch and BOY! am I amazed at how much it’s helping: – especially on the downhills.<\/p>\n

\"sht-winter-kill\"<\/p>\n

15:44
\nPhoto: Just bones and hair: winter’s kill on the trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

16:17
\nI’m beat, but only have 1.5 mi to go today. I have reached the prettiest vista thus far. Wildflower Hill affords a 180 degree panorama of the lake in all it’s stunning glory. To witness the sunrise from here would be a cathartic experience to draw pondering from for years to come.<\/p>\n

17:29
\nArrival at Woods Creek camp. I’m fucking spent.<\/p>\n

\"sht-wildflower-hill\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Wildflower Hill.<\/em><\/p>\n

07:15: 17:00
\nStep Count: 33279<\/p>\n

\n

Wednesday, May 4th<\/strong><\/p>\n

Awoke a little before 05:30 this morning thought I was packing fast but still wasn’t out of camp until 06:45. Stopped for a drink and read trail signs \/ consult map at County Road 50 parking area. Eighteen miles to go. Let’s get \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcer done!<\/p>\n

07:38
\nStopping for breakfast. Climbing southwest along Devil’s Track Canyon’s West side. Aside from the lake this is the most imposing natural feature I’ve encountered. The trail balances mere inches alongside hundred plus foot drops to the rocks and water below.<\/p>\n

08:25
\nDevil Track River East camp looks totally stellar. The bridge that follows shortly after is quite a sight also.<\/p>\n

Photo unavailable<\/p>\n

Sketch: A-Frame bridge at Devil’s Track Canyon.<\/em><\/p>\n

09:47
\nI think I should move to Grand Marais someday. While overlooking the town, reading an informational sign I learned:<\/p>\n

Lake Superior:<\/p>\n