By John Keefover of Keefography
SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL
THRU-HIKE ITINERARY
Day-by-day itinerary for a NOBO Thru-Hike of the SHT.
EDIT: After the hike I’ve updated this planned itinerary with how the route actually went. You can use either one or both to plan a trip of your own. See the Revised Itinerary here. If you enjoyed either of these itineraries please go give me a follow on my social medias on Instagram & Facebook @keefography!
While I was preparing for an upcoming Thru-Hike of the Superior Hiking Trail I wanted to share with you all my planned itinerary for the trip. For more information about the trail itself check out my article HIKING & BACKPACKING THE SHT. This itinerary will cover each day from the mileage, lunch break, food resupplies, notable photo opportunities, and campsites I’ll be staying at. You can use this itinerary to plan your own trip on the SHT. If you’re curious about what gear I’ll be bringing along with me for 19 days and 310 miles check out my Superior Hiking Trail Thru-Hike Gear List Summer 2022.
Most Thru-Hikers get their food mailed to post offices in towns along the trail. For my hike though I did not deviate off of the trail at all except when I was able to get a ride into town for food and drinks. I had several food re-supply points set up with friends, family members and other local photographers ready with food I set aside for them for a certain section. They will be meeting me at specific trailheads on a set date unless our plans change. I broke up the trail into 7 sections so based on the itinerary the most food I carried at any point was 3 days worth of food.
I started Northbound on June 12th and finished in 19 days for an average of 16.3 miles per day. Before setting off be sure to check up on latest trail conditions from the Superior Hiking Trail Association or the SHT Group on Facebook. Please consider becoming a member and/or donating to the SHTA as well so that they can continue to build and maintain this wonderful trail! Become a member here: https://superiorhiking.org/join/
Photo Op: Sunrise from along the ridges above Bean & Bear Lakes along the Superior Hiking Trail in Silver Bay, MN.
DAY 1: SUNDAY 6/12/22
Total Mileage: 10 Miles. Southern Terminus - Jay Cooke State Park Campground. Walk in site costs $32.
Lunch spot: along the Saint Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park.
Photo Ops: Southern Terminus Sign, Railroad Bridge Vista, St. Louis River, Sunset at the Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge.
Notes: A big reason why I chose to hike Northbound (NOBO) on the trail is that there are no designated SHT campsites in the Southern section before Duluth, besides right at the Southern Terminus at the Red River Valley campsite. That means you will need to book a campsite at a private campground, get an AIRBNB, or a hotel room. Getting a reservation exactly where you want it to be on a specific starting time is ideal. If you’re hiking Southbound you might end up taking more or less time and might arrive at this area on different dates than you were anticipating. We’ll be staying at the Jay Cooke campground which is 10 miles from the Southern Terminus. It’s actually less than 10 miles away, but the trailhead to park at the Southern Terminus is actually 2 miles before it so to walk to the Terminus and backtrack to the trailhead is 4 miles, then it’s 6 miles to the big campground. You could book one of the more private backpacking sites along the river, but we decided to be closer to the next section of trail for the next day. The big campground is also a nice access point to catch the sunset from the iconic Swinging Bridge! Whichever campsite you’re looking for you will have to book well in advance with popularity of the area. Book your campsite here: https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/
DAY 2: MONDAY 6/13/22
Total Mileage: 17 Miles. Jay Cooke State Park Campground - Spirit Mountain Campground. Walk in site costs $40.02.
Lunch spot: At the Mission Creek Stone Bridge 8 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at Jay Cooke, Mission Creek Stone Bridge, Ely’s Peak, Stewart Creek Stone Bridge, Gogebic Creek Stone Bridge.
Notes: Once again there are no SHT campsites in the Southern section before Duluth and there is no dispersed camping allowed along the trail. We’ll be staying at the Spirit Mountain Campground on the spur trail which connects to the main trail again via a loop trail. Book your “Walkin Tenting” campsite here: https://www.spiritmt.com/campground. If you have time after hiking the campground is close to the Spirit Mountain Adventure Park featuring an Alpine Coaster, Zip-line, mini golf, disc golf, and a big jumping pillow. This section passes over plenty of creeks with impressive stone bridges.
DAY 3: TUESDAY 6/14/22
Total Mileage: 18 Miles. Spirit Mountain Campground - My House
Lunch spot: At Enger Park overlooking the harbor & Lake Superior 12 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Knowlton Creek, Kingsbury Creek, Oneota Creek, Enger Park, Canal Park, Rose Garden at Leif Erickson Park.
Notes: This will be the last stretch of trail without a SHT campsite. However there is one paid campground on the University of Duluth campus at the Bagley Nature Area. From the Spirit Mountain Campground to the Bagley Nature Area campground it would be around 20 miles. There are 6 campsites there for $25 a night. 4 are reservable ahead of time, and 2 are walk-in only. Reserve your site here or try your luck with a walk-in only: https://umdrsop.d.umn.edu/programs/rental-center/campground.
Luckily for me though I live on the Hillside of Duluth not far from Leif Erickson Park around 18 miles from Spirit Mountain Campground along the SHT. We’ll be able to shower, charge all of our electronics, eat some real food, and re-supply for the next section. It’ll also be a nice morning the next day not having to tear down camp and just get going right away.
This section of trail goes right through the heart of Duluth! The creeks in the early section are beautiful, especially Kingsbury Creek which flows right into the Lake Superior Zoo. There are not many other trails where you can hear the roar of a lion when you’re Thru-Hiking! Enger Park has an amazing view of Lake Superior and Canal Park, where you’ll be heading next. There you’ll see the iconic Lift Bridge, and the Lighthouses and walk along the newly re-built lake walk section. For food options in town close to the trail my recommendations would be these local businesses:
Northern Waters Smokehaus: Amazing smoked fish & meats, deli sandwiches and togo grocery items.
Vitta Pizza: Woodfired Neapolitan pizza.
Hoops Brewing: Head over to their beerhall and order food delivery to your table from nearby restaurants.
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake: Sir Ben’s is a local hangout with a huge rotating tap list and really good sandwiches. They also have one of the best patios in town with live music every night.
Burrito Union: Burritos & Mexican cuisine right at the trailhead going into Chester Park.
A lot of people often choose to skip the Southern section of the trail including Duluth and start at the Martin Road Trailhead, but i’d suggest doing the whole thing for the whole experience! Even the trails through town are surprisingly great!
A foggy scene along Knowlton Creek at Spirit Mountain.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 6/15/22
Total Mileage: 24 Miles. M House - Heron Pond Campsite. 4 tent pads. Water from Beaver Pond.
Lunch spot: Bald Eagle Campsite 12 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Chester Park, Bagley Nature Area, Hartley Park, Rock Knob spur trail, Downer Park Vista.
Notes: Though this is a big mile day, the trail outside of Duluth all the way through and past Two Harbors is all relatively flat and easy going. The first part of this day in town will actually have the most scenery. Chester Creek flows through Chester Park with many waterfalls. At Hartley Park I won’t be taking the spur trail to Rock Knob as I’ve been there many times before living in Duluth here. It can be worth a quick stop though if you’re planning a trip and not from the area. Hartley Pond is beautiful though and the trail goes right over it actually! Past Downer Park and the outskirts of Duluth we finally leave the urban jungle behind for hundreds of miles!
DAY 5: THURSDAY 6/16/22
Total Mileage: 20.1 Miles. Heron Pond Campsite - McCarthy Creek Campsite. 2 tent pads. Water from Creek.
Lunch spot: Big Bend Campsite 13 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Fox Farm Pond, Beaver Pond, 12 Mile View, small waterfall by camp.
Notes: Another flat section of trail. There are a couple other campsites not far after McCarthy Creek that we may opt for depending on how we’re feeling. The next day will be 24+ miles so if we can split some miles that may work out better. I mostly just thought it would be nice to stay near the small waterfall. I’ve camped at the Fox Farm Pond campsite a few times and that spot had some of the worst mosquitoes I’ve ever experienced, including deep in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! I’ve already coated all of my clothes in permethrin to help keep the bugs off and the bug head net and wind/rain pants & jacket will prevent them from biting even more.
DAY 6: FRIDAY 6/17/22
Total Mileage: 24.7 Miles. McCarthy Creek Campsite - Crow Valley Campsite. 6 tent pads. Water from small stream.
Lunch spot: Reeves Falls 11 miles into the hike. We’ll actually be going a little farther to the Highway 2 Trailhead where we will have a food re-supply waiting for us from a family member.
Photo Ops: Epic Tree Stand, Mining Test Pit, Railroad Underpass, Reeves Falls, Silver Creek, Pine Ridge Overlook, Wolf Rock, sunset at Crow Valley overlook by camp.
Notes: One more big mile day to get through the flats. Just about out of that green tunnel section of trail now! Starting to get a bit more elevation changes now as well. I haven’t hiked most of this section before so it will be nice to see this stretch. I have hiked to Wolf Rock overlook before though which is a great view! If you’re feeling ambitious and have a hungering for pie, you can take a short detour from the Castle Danger trailhead to Rustic Inn Cafe! The pie is amazing but so is all of their other food! We’ll be getting a food re-supply from one of our family members on this day so we won’t be too concerned about food, at least not enough to make the 4.5 mile detour roundtrip to Rustic Inn.
DAY 7: SATURDAY 6/18/22
Total Mileage: 15.9 Miles. Crow Valley Campsite - South East Split Rock River Campsite. 2 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Along the shores of Lake Superior and the Gitchi-Gami Trail 10 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at the Crow Valley overlook, Mike’s Rock, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Blueberry Hill, Breadloaf Ridge, Split Rock River falls, Split Rock River Pillars, the big rock island at the campsite.
Notes: On this day we’ll be walking through one of the busiest State Parks along the shore. Gooseberry Falls State Park is where all of the tourists go, especially on a Saturday. It’s popular for a reason with many beautiful waterfalls and the shore along Lake Superior. We’ll pass through quickly and get over to another State Park. Before we get there though we have to take the reroute from Gooseberry State Park and take the Gitchi-Gami bike trail along Lake Superior where we will stop for lunch.
Then we’ll head to Split Rock River in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The campsites along the river here are some of my absolute favorite! There used to be 2 different pedestrian bridge over the river but they were both destroyed many years ago in different floods and the SHTA has said they will not be replacing them due to cost to build and maintain on this mighty river. Now it is a water crossing and the best place to do so is right where the bridge used to be. Depending on water levels and time of year it’s usually not that deep around thigh height and it’s a short crossing. It does keep most day hikers away from the Eastern side though which is where we’ll be staying. The SE site is the best in my opinion. There’s waterfalls all around you and a giant rock island you can walk out to and climb to the top. From the campsite you also have a view of the Pillars of the Split Rock River as well that may be the origination of the area.
The Milky Way rises over the Split Rock River from the SE campsite.
DAY 8: SUNDAY 6/19/22
Total Mileage: 12.4 Miles. South East Split Rock River Campsite - East Beaver River Campsite. 3 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Christmas Tree Ridge Overlook 6 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Split Rock River, Chappins Ridge, Christmas Tree Ridge, Fault Line Valley Vista, sunset at waterfall at camp. Astrophotography possibility: Milky Way at bend in river near campsite depending on time of year and moon phase.
Notes: This is a section I haven’t personally hiked through besides both of the campsites on either end during previous overnighters. I know there are quite a few great overlooks on this part though. This day will be nice because we’ll be meeting my mom at the Beaver Bay Trailhead where she will have our next food supply drop. She will also join us for the short hike to our campsite at E Beaver River and then head back to her car after seeing us off. This campsite is right on the river with a set of cascades through giant rocks. If you have a small enough tent you can even set up right on a clearing on the rocks next to the river. A two person tent will be too big for it though. I should note that there is an active railroad track directly behind the campsites. Might want a set of ear plugs with you if you’re a light sleeper, though the sound of the river might drown out a lot of it for you. A backpacking YouTuber friend of mine will also be joining us sometime during this hike. I’m sure he’ll put up a video of us while we’re still out on the trail even! Go check out John Schwager’s channel at SwagOnTheTrail82. Hoping to be joined by many other friends, photographers, and backpackers throughout this trip, and meet some new ones along the way!
DAY 9: MONDAY 6/20/22
Total Mileage: 7.7 Miles. East Beaver River Campsite - Round Mountain Campsite. 6 tent pads. Water from beaver pond.
Lunch spot: Cliffs above Bean Lake 5 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at camp on the Beaver River, Penn Creek falls, Bean & Bear, sunset at the Round Mountain spur. Astrophotography possibility: Milky Way over the beaver pond by campsite depending on time of year and moon phase. If the Northern Lights are out Round Mountain would be a good spot to hike to in the dark.
Notes: This is the shortest mileage day of the trip by far. It’s not completely accurate though as there are a couple spur trails that we will definitely check out along the way. It’s also one of the most scenic sections of the whole trail so it will be nice to take our time and take it in. Having said that it’s also probably the most rugged area with lots of elevation changes. The Superior Hiking Trail Association actually used one of my photos from this section on the cover of their Trail Atlas!
There’s a lot to see here. You’ll be blown away by the ridge-line views and the impressive main overlook of Bean & Bear Lakes, as well as a little waterfall inside of a small lush slot canyon at Penn Creek. The campsite at Bean & Bear is one of the most popular campsites on the whole trail. So much so that an overflow campsite popped up nearby as well. It’s not an official SHT campsite but it seems to have been adopted by many. The main campsite is down a short trail to the shores of Bear Lake. There really isn’t much room or tent pads down there but it’s an incredible spot. If you’re planning on staying there you will need to get there very early in the day or it will be full, possibly even the overflow one as well. Especially so if you’re going on a weekend or holiday. Since I’ve stayed at the Bean & Bear before I wanted to camp somewhere new. We will be going past these sites and on to Round Mountain or the Palisade Creek Sites depending on which one we like most. I wanted to be close to the Round Mountain spur to the overlook there for best light at sunset and sunrise for photography.
Standing a top the cliffs overlooking Bean & Bear Lakes. This photo was used on the cover of the SHTA Trail Atlas.
DAY 10: TUESDAY 6/21/22
Total Mileage: 14.7 Miles. Round Mountain Campsite - Section 13 Campsite. 4 tent pads. No water source. Carry water from Sawmill Creek 1/2 mile before camp.
Lunch spot: “Superior View” overlook on the Wolf Ridge ELC campus 10 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at the Round Mountain spur, Mount Trudee, The Drainpipe, Tettegouche State Park Swinging Bridge & High Falls, Fantasia Overlook, Wolf Lake Overlook, Lime Squeezer, Sawmill Dome, Picnic Rock, Sawmill Creek, sunset at Section 13. Astrophotography possibility: If the Northern Lights are out Section 13 is a fantastic campsite to see them.
Notes: There are so many sweeping views and awe-inspiring cliffs on this section through Tettegouche State Park. You’ll also go through “The Drainpipe” which was once a challenging scramble over rocks but recently had a wooden staircase built in to help with erosion and difficulty. You’ll also get to cross the mighty Baptism River over a really unique Swinging Bridge! Definitely take the time to go get a closer look along the bank of the river looking at High Falls. High Falls is the highest waterfall that’s entirely in Minnesota. That clarification is needed as High Falls in Grand Portage State Park is actually bigger but is partially in Canada right on the border.
After Tettegouche and Highway 1 you head towards Wolf Ridge Environmentally Learning Center. Before you get there though take the detour on the spur to Fantasia Overlook. It’s a cool cliffside spot looking at a boggy area below. I’ve been there before so will likely skip that on this hike. Once you get back to the main trail you’ll come to another big cliff overlooking Wolf Lake and the Wolf Ridge ELC campus. It’s a great place to stop for lunch. We’re going to continue past that though and have lunch at the “Superior View” vista. That’s where Wolf Ridge ELC brings kids on their “Superior View Hike Class” where they teach them Ecology, Stewardship & Outdoor Education to teach them how and why we should protect this area for everyone to enjoy in the future! I turned this Thru-Hike into a fundraising opportunity for Wolf Ridge and this class! You can learn more about it here: www.arrowheadexpeditions.com/fundraiser. We’ll be meeting Joe Walewski, Wolf Ridge Interim Program Director & Naturalist, at the overlook where he will be giving us our next food supply drop. We’ll probably learn quite a bit about the area from him as well!
After lunch we’ll move on and get to another impressive overlook: Sawmill Dome. After that we’ll cross County Road 6 and head up to Section 13. Before you get to the top of the climb and the campsite up there, be sure to stock up on water at Sawmill Creek. This is 1/2 a mile before camp but there is no water up there. Once you get to the top more amazing views await. I've been there before but I haven’t camped there, so I’m excited to be in a great location for sunset & sunrise right there on the cliffs.
Sunset from the cliffs overlooking Wolf Lake and the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center Campus.
DAY 11: WEDNESDAY 6/22/22
Total Mileage: 11.5 Miles. Section 13 Campsite - Sonju Lake Campsite. 6 tent pads. Water from Sonju Lake.
Lunch spot: Leskinen Creek Campsite 4 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at Section 13, boardwalks through Sawmill Creek, Glacial Erratic, Egge Lake, sunset at Lilly’s Island near the Sonju Lake Campsite. Astrophotography possibility: Milky Way from tip of Lilly’s Island also a great camp if northern lights are out.
Notes: It’s going to be amazing waking up for sunrise on the cliffs at Section 13! Though the sun actually rises behind where we’ll be it will light up the whole landscape in front of us and maybe there will be some fog rolling through as well. Once we come down from the cliffs we’ll be walking through Sawmill Creek on the newly built boardwalk. They replaced the old boardwalk that was falling apart and in much need of repair. I’m looking forward to seeing it now. We’ll also come across the Glacial Erratic which is a giant boulder that was once moved by ice and deposited elsewhere away from the cliffs above.
Eventually we’ll move onto two beautiful inland lakes with campsites on each. We’ll be staying at Sonju Lake to be near Lilly’s Island. Lilly’s Island is a beautiful little island connected by a boardwalk, and according to the SHTA guidebook was named after a dog who used to love it out there as much as I do too. This spot can be good for wildlife and stargazing as well.
Telephoto shot of Sawmill Creek in the Fall from the cliffs of Section 13.
DAY 12: THURSDAY 6/23/22
Total Mileage: 19.6 Miles. Sonju Lake Campsite - Dyer’s Creek Campsite. 4 tent pads. Water from creek.
Lunch spot: George Crosby Manitou State Park along the Manitou River 7 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise at Lilly’s Island, many boardwalks, Manitou River bridge, Caribou River bridge, Caribou Falls, Crystal Creek bridge.
Notes: Sunrise & Sunset both line up perfectly from Lilly’s Island! Catching the sunrise reflecting in perfectly calm water is the perfect way to start the day. After breakfast we’ll make out way over to George Crosby Manitou State Park. There are a few campsites, rivers and creeks along the way. Blesner Creek Campsite is a really interested campsite with water seemingly flowing all around the site. As you get into George Crosby you’ll have a little bit of a road walk on the dirt road into this rugged State Park. This spring the road into the park was washed out, but it’s back open again. Once you get back on trail I would suggest taking the detour over to the waterfalls upstream. Definitely worth checking out and it’s a great spot for lunch. After lunch we’ll continue on and eventually cross a bridge over the river. This bridge was also flooded out this spring with water over it. Water levels have dropped since then so it’s safe to cross once again.
Now we’re getting into some tough terrain. Lots of elevation changes and climbing rocks to get up onto Horseshoe Ridge. This section combined with the 20 miles were doing today is going to kick our butts. Once you get past the Caribou River though it flattens out into a green tunnel and we’ll be able to crank out miles no problem. Before you leave the Caribou River though I would also suggest taking the spur trail to Caribou Falls. It’s a bit out of the way but it’s so worth it! You take stairs down to the river at the base of the falls that cascades through an impressive gorge. One of my favorite falls up north. I’ve been many times though so we’ll probably pass it up on this trip.
Soon after Caribou River you’ll come across the photogenic Crystal Creek Covered Bridge. The campsite there is worth checking out too in the spring. There’s an abandoned mine shaft back there with a neat little waterfall. Later on in the season though it’ll barely be running. The latrine here at this campsite also has one of the best bathroom views of Lake Superior! We’re not going to stay at Crystal Creek though instead we’ll crank out a few more miles passing pretty ponds and unique vegetation on our way to Dyer’s Creek Campsite.
The Crystal Creek Covered Bridge surrounded by vibrant spring greens.
DAY 13: FRIDAY 6/24/22
Total Mileage: 18.6 Miles. Dyer’s Creek Campsite - Onion River Campsite. 8 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Temperance River State Park 9 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Tower Overlook, Boney’s Meadow, Cross River rapids, Temperance River, Carlton Peak, Ted Tofte Overlook, Britton Peak, Cedar Overlook, E Leveaux Pond, Onion River, sunset at Leveaux Mountain Overlook.
Notes: On this day we’ll pass through Temperance River State Park and start getting to some of the more pronounced peaks of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The Temperance River and the impressive gorge it flows through is incredible and shows the sheer power of water. This will be a perfect spot for lunch along the river after hiking 9 miles to the park from Dyer’s Creek Campsite.
After leaving the river we’ll come to another landlocked section of Temperance River State Park that includes Carlton & Britton Peaks. They offer some stunning views of Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest. We’ll also be getting a food resupply drop at the Britton Peak Trailhead from another local photographer: Chuck Olsen.
After stopping for the Resupply we’ll continue on to cross a few more creeks and pass by Leveaux Mountain. I would highly recommend taking the spur trail loop to explore the mountain, but we will most likely skip it as we’ve been before. Though the Onion River Campsite where we’ll be staying isn’t too far away so depending on how we’re feeling I might head back to the Leveaux Overlook for sunset.
DAY 14: SATURDAY 6/25/22
Total Mileage: 12.2 Miles. Onion River Campsite - Lake Agnes East Campsite. 4 tent pads. Water from lake.
Lunch spot: Poplar River bridge 7 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Moose Mountain Overlooks, Poplar Bridge, Poplar River Overlook, Hunters Rock, sunset Lake Agnes. Astrophotography possibility: Milky Way along the shores of Lake Agnes depending on the moon phase.
Notes: More marvelous mountains await on this section! If we’re feeling ambitious we may wake up really early to break down camp and catch the sunrise at one the many Oberg Mountain Overlooks. I highly suggest this spur trail loop as well and even more so than the Leveaux loop. There’s around 6 incredible overlooks along this loop and all of them are unique.
After leaving Oberg Mountain we’ll get to the back part of Moose Mountain in Lutsen Mountains Resort. This area is the best place to see the fall colors in mid to late September. There’s a high concentration of Maple Trees and the elevation changes create a beautiful array of oranges, reds and yellows. Eventually on Moose Mountain the trail comes to a fork. The SHT continues to the left towards Mystery Mountain, but the spur trail to the right leads to the Summit Chalet where you can grab a drink and some food on the patio overlooking Lake Superior. I think we’ll be skipping that on this trip though as our destination is Lake Agnes, which is a very popular and busy campsite. Staying there on a Saturday we’ll need to get there early to get a spot. It’s always been full every time I’ve passed through before and I had to go West Lake Agnes Campsite instead which isn’t as nice since it’s up on a hill in the woods.
Before we get to Lake Agnes though we’ll get a few glimpses of the Poplar River. The first one is up close and personal over a big bridge with an amazing view downstream. The next view of the river is at the East and West Poplar River Campsites that are on a much calmer section of river. Finally we’ll get an even more impressive view of the river from far away on top of a cliff where you can see a perfect S Curve in the river.
If we do get to E Lake Agnes and the campsite is full we’ll double back to W Lake Agnes. Capturing sunrise & sunset over Lake Agnes is special.
A Telephoto shot of the winding Poplar River from a cliffside overlook.
DAY 15: SUNDAY 6/26/22
Total Mileage: 13.6 Miles. Lake Agnes East Campsite - North Cascade River Campsite. 6 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Camp Creek Campsite 7 miles into the hike, or get real food at the Cascade Restaurant & Pub.
Photo Ops: Sunrise Lake Agnes, Jerry Evjens overlook, Lookout Mountain, Cascade River waterfalls, Hidden Falls.
Notes: Hunter’s Rock is an amazing spot to see the sunrise over Lake Agnes! After sunrise we’ll pack up and head out. If you haven’t been I would suggest the 2 mile total spur trail to White Sky Rock and back. White Sky Rock is near the trailhead and boat launch and has an incredible view of Caribou Lake and the strip of land that juts out into the water. That’s quite a bit out of the way though and we’ve been a few times before. Instead we’ll continue on crossing many streams before we get to the mighty Cascade River.
Cascade River State Park is very similar to Temperance River State Park with an impressive gorge creating many beautiful waterfalls. You can take the trail North on either side of the river. We’ll likely take the East side so we’ll have easier access to Hidden Falls along the way towards North Cascade River Campsite. Take your time and enjoy this area. The forest is full of beautiful Cedar Trees. If you’re looking to get some real food you can hop off the trail and follow to highway to Southeast to the Cascade Restaurant & Pub. Breakfast is 8-11, and they’re open until 8 PM.
The cascades of Cascade River State Park flowing through the gorge.
DAY 16: MONDAY 6/27/22
Total Mileage: 15.5 Miles. North Cascade River Campsite - Devil Track East Campsite. 2 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Pincushion Mountain Trailhead 13 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Bally Pond, Sundling Creek Boardwalk, Pincushion Mountain Trailhead Overlook, Pincushion Overlook, Devil Track River. Astrophotography possibility: Milky Way to the east of camp at the bend in the river depending on time of year and moon phase.
Notes: In the morning we’ll leave the Cascade River behind us. Around 5 miles into the hike we’ll come to Bally Pond and Sundling Creek. Bally Creek has a couple campsites and both of them are good for Astrophotography for different reasons. The North Bally Pond site has a nice view for the Milky Way, and the South Bally Pond Campsite has a nice view north of the pond which would be great if the Northern Lights are out. We’ll cruise past though and soon get to Sundling Creek. There is a really neat boardwalk hugging the creek, pictured below. The SHTA will soon be rebuilding it using the same design as the newly constructed Sawmill Creek boardwalk.
Eventually we will get to Grand Marais after 7 or so miles from Sundling Creek. This is a great town to get a resupply or real food at a restaurant. For food options I would personally recommend these local businesses:
Hungry Hippie Tacos: Known for their frybread taco shell and Northern style ingredients.
My Sister’s Place: Hearty American food. Was even featured on The Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman.
Gunflint Tavern: Local hangout where you can catch some live music and a beer on their rooftop deck with a great view of the Lake.
Voyageur Brewing Company: Check out the beautiful taproom and get a bite to eat from their kitchen. They also have a rooftop patio.
Blue Water Cafe: If you’re looking for a big ole breakfast this is it. After our trip to Isle Royale last year we ate a whole table’s worth of food.
Java Moose: Go-to for coffee in Grand Marais especially if you’re craving something other than insta coffee on trail. They have good sandwiches as well.
World’s Best Donuts: You decide but if you go be prepared to wait in line for these coveted donuts. They’re open until they sell out.
Once you are full head on back to the trail. The parking lot for the Pincushion Mountain trailhead provides a nice view of Grand Marais and Lake Superior below. Here we’ll be getting a resupply from local Photographer Emily Running. After stocking up on our supplies for our final stretch of the trip we’ll continue on to our nearby campsite at the Devil Track River. Devil Track River is an incredible gorge with towering rock walls, rapids and waterfalls. This area is popular in the winter time as well with people ice climbing the walls and exploring the frozen river.
Hiking across the Sundling Creek Boardwalk.
DAY 17: TUESDAY 6/28/22
Total Mileage: 16.1 Miles. Devil Track East Campsite - North Little Brule River Campsite. 4 tent pads. Water from river.
Lunch spot: Kadunce River 11 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Devil Track falls/overlook, Wildflower Hill, Creeks and the Kadunce river, The Tombolo along the lake walk section.
Notes: We’ll start the days adventure with an immediate climb out of the Devil Track River Gorge and then follow along the cliffs above until we get to an overlook into the river. It’s pretty grown in, but still gives some scale of the area. Leaving the river behind we’ll then follow along with Woods Creek for a mile and a half. After that we’ll be crossing many more little creeks and streams until we come to another amazing gorge at the Kadunce River. Take your time to enjoy this magical place! It’s a lush green canyon filled with waterfalls.
From the Kadunce we’ll get to the famous Lake Walk section of the trail. The Lake Walk section of the SHT has a love/hate relationship for many hikers. People love it because it’s unique. Hiking along the shores of Lake Superior is a nice change of pace from walking in the woods. The Tombolo rock island is a perfect place to stop for lunch or take a refreshing dip in the Great Lake. Some people hate it because it’s a mile and a half walk through tiny pebbles which can be very tiring especially on big mile days. No matter how you feel about it’s a beautiful section. There is a campsite on the lake here, but it is not a designated SHT site. It is intended and for the Lake Superior Water Trail paddlers and they have priority over the site. Speaking of sites after the Lake Walk we’ll head back into the woods and make way for the Little Brule River Campsites. There are no campsites for another 12 miles after North Little Brule campsite so we’ll be staying there for the night.
Milky Way selfie on the Lake Walk Section of the SHT.
DAY 18: WEDNESDAY 6/29/22
Total Mileage: 20.3 Miles. North Little Brule River Campsite - Caribou Pond Campsite. 4 tent pads. Water from pond.
Lunch spot: Along the Brule River before leaving Judge C.R. Magney State Park 7 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Judge C.R. Magney bridge, steps and waterfalls including Devil’s Kettle, North Carlson Pond, sunset at Caribou Pond. Astrophotography possibility: Great camp if the northern lights are out.
Notes: Early into the hike we will be arriving at the last State Park of the trip. Judge C.R. Magney State Park features the Brule River and mysterious Devil’s Kettles Falls. These waterfalls split into two chutes where the Eastern side cascades down into the river below below, and the Western side disappears into a hole in the rocks. For a long time no one knew where the water went from there. Scientists now think that the water is re-emerging into the river downstream from the falls based on volume of water levels sampled in the river. Still it’s a neat waterfall. There’s another waterfall right before Devil’s Kettle called Upper Falls. There’s a whole lot of stairs to descend to get down to the waterfalls.
After Devil’s Kettle the the trail follows along the Brule River until it abruptly veers away and leaves State Park land. This section of trail to the Northern Terminus is much less traveled than the rest of the trail. It feels more isolated. We’re planning on staying at the Caribou Pond Campsite. This will be a nice spot to watch the sunset over the pond and if we’re lucky maybe we’ll see the Northern Lights over it as well!
DAY 19: THURSDAY 6/30/22
Total Mileage: 12.5 Miles. Caribou Pond Campsite - Northern Terminus!
Lunch spot: Rosebush Ridge 5 miles into the hike.
Photo Ops: Sunrise Caribou Pond, Hellacious Overlook, Rosebush Ridge, 270 Overlook, Northern Terminus sign.
Notes: If we’re feeling ambitious in the morning maybe we’ll go catch the sunrise at the Hellacious Overlook. It’s about a half mile from the campsite though so we would either need to break down camp really early and be ready to go, or double back to camp after sunrise. Hellacious Overlook has a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the rolling hills below.
Then we’ll cross some more creeks and lakes on our way to another stunning overlook Rosebush Ridge. This is the highest point of elevation on the trail at 1,829 feet. The lowest point is along the shores of Lake Superior at 602 feet. After that high we’ll wrap up this whole trip at the 270 Overlook and the Northern Terminus! There’s a great view into Canada from here. Of course we’ll have to take a picture at the Northern Terminus sign as well. I mean did you really just hike the whole trail if you didn’t take a picture at the sign?
My girlfriend will be joining us for these last few miles and picking us up. I booked a room at the Best Western Plus Superior Inn in Grand Marais for us to clean up and soak in the hot tub. We’ll definitely celebrate by getting some food and drinks at the places I talked about earlier! While in Grand Marais you always have to stop at Artists Point and the lighthouse as well. We’ll have a nice view of Artist’s Point from the window of the Sisu + Löyly Sauna! We have an hour and a half sauna booked right at sunset to relax and celebrate our adventure. That’s it for the trip after 310 + miles later. I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts, plans and past experiences on the trail and hope you tune into the trip reports and photos to come from this upcoming trip!
Trip Report from backpacking the 42 mile long Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail. It follows sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.