The Superior Trail

Great Northwoods: The Superior Trail

Dates: (6 days, 5 nights; Sun-Fri)
Sept. 21-26

Assembly Point:
Duluth
(airline service to Duluth; Timberline van transfers to and from airport)

Tour Cost: $1,895
(includes all lodging, all meals, park entrance fees, leaders, transfers, tour maps & narratives)

We’ve had our eye on Minnesota’s Superior Trail likely from the first moment that we became aware of its existence. In the course of our 26 years of doing these sort of things, we’ve had numerous flirtations with the Great Northwoods, including Lake Superior’s North Shore and the Arrowhead region of northern Minnesota. Many years ago, we cycled the North Shore to Grand Marais, climbed to the crest of the Sawtooth Ridge above the lake and beyond, and added a wilderness canoe adventure in the adjacent Boundary Waters. We ultimately mothballed that program but our passion for the raw and pristine beauty of Minnesota’s Arrowhead never wavered.

Forever in search of a new adventure, could there be any doubt that, sooner rather than later, Timberline would return to the Arrowhead to hike the remarkable Superior Trail. That goal became a reality in 2007.

Conceived in the mid-1980’s as a through hiking trail extending from Duluth to the Canadian border, often along the ridgeline overlooking Superior’s North Shore, the trail is complete and continuous from Two Harbors to the border, a distance of 205 miles. No, we’re not hiking the entire length of the Superior Trail. For the season ahead, our 6-day program will focus on selected segments, capturing much, though certainly not all of the trail’s scenic excitement. We’ll also strive to convey a significant sense of hiking an extended through trail that many believe rivals, if not surpasses in quality of experience, the better-known Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails.

We’ll assemble in Duluth early morning of Day 1 and van shuttle to Gooseberry Falls State Park, where we’ll join the Superior Trail. We’ll spend the better part of the day hiking along the meandering course of the Gooseberry River within the park with outstanding views of several dramatic waterfalls as the river plunges toward the lake (8 miles). We’ll spend our first of two overnights at the Grand Superior Lodge and return to the park and rejoin the trail the following morning. We’ll climb initially to the crest of Bread Loaf Ridge and continue along the ridge with its stunning views of Superior, descend to Split Rock River and spend the afternoon hiking along the river as it cascades over sheer red rock on its way to Superior (11 miles).

Early morning of Day 3, we’ll shuttle to Silver Bay and rejoin the trail in time to enjoy one of its most challenging sections. Lots of up and down on this day, but count on some of the best views of Superior, adjacent bluffs and the dramatic High Falls of the Baptism River. We’ll hike Into and through Tettegouche State Park and spend the night in Little Marais.

On Day 4, we’ll hike from Cross River in Temperance River State Park, walk along the deep chasm through which the Temperance flows, and then scramble to the top of Carleton Peak, with its astounding views of Britton Peak and Raven’s Ridge above Tofte (11 miles). We’ll shuttle to Tofte and an overnight at the beautiful Bluefin Resort on the shores of Superior.

From the Bluefin early on Day 5, we’ll shuttle east to Cascade River State Park and hike from the park along the cascading waterfalls of Cascade River. We’ll complete the river loop that returns to the park and settle into the Cascade Lodge within the park for our final night (8 miles).

No early flights home on this final day because we just can’t resist one last adventure. We’re headed a few miles east of Grand Marais where we’ll rendezvous with the Devil Track River Trail. We’ll hike initially to the bridge that spans awesome Devil Track River Canyon, Minnesota’s deepest gorge, and beyond to the summit of Pincushion Mountain. The awesome views of Superior from Pincushion’s crest are an appropriate finale to an extraordinary week (10 miles). We’ll have a late lunch (early dinner?) in Grand Marais and return to Duluth.

E-Mail: timber@earthnet.net