Monday, September 18, 2023

Sep 18, 2023 - Day 20 on the SHT (The Wisconsin Border - Southern Terminus of the SHT)

It was a surprisingly long 0.3 miles to the southern terminus from camp.   I think they lied.  And some ups and downs but a pretty woods walk.   After a few pictures I headed back the few miles north to a major road and walked a few miles before getting a ride north to a local bus stop that got me all the way to the central bus station in Duluth.   My bus back to the church-cabin in the Upper Peninsula didn't leave till late, so I got to spend the day around Canal park enjoying the sunshine along the lake and enjoying a beer, lunch, and dinner.   The bus got me back to Wakefield MI around 10pm.  A few mile walk to the church-cabin turned into another sort of adventure as the night sky lite up with the glowing northern lights.  A fitting end to my Superior Hiking Trail Thru-hike Adventure!

PaPa Smurf (SoBo SHT)





Sunday, September 17, 2023

Sep 17, 2023 - Day 19 on the SHT (Ely's Peak, the St. Louis River and Jay Cooke State Park)

Another great day on the trail as I come close to the end of my thru-hike.  Started out early hiking down off Spirit mountain where many many mountain bike trails threading back and forth across the SHT.   First up was Magney/Snively Park and views back toward Lake Superior. 



I took the loop trail out to Larry's Lookout & Ely's Peak





The trail then drops down to the Grand Portage of the St. Louis River where it follows along the bank of this amazing riverway.



The grand feature of the day was hiking into Jay Cooke State Park where you cross the St. Louis River on the famous swinging Bridge.  Views of spectacular waterfalls, cascades, and rocks and potholes abound as I followed along the river.






My original plan was to camp at Jay Cooke State Park but I got there with extra time and it was so exciting walking along the St Louis riverway.  I decided to hike on past the backcountry campsite to camp at Red River Valley.  The last campsite on the SHT and 0.3 miles from the Wisconsin border and the Southern Terminus.





Saturday, September 16, 2023

Sep 16, 2023 - Day 18 on the SHT (Canal Park Duluth and the lots of park trails all the way to Spirit Mountain)

Amazing day.  They say don't miss the urban Duluth section of the SHT and they are right.  Absolutely wonderful trail through central and western Duluth.  It was a little early to get a beer but the trail drops down to the shoreline at Leif Erickson Park and the Rose Garden where it follows the Lake Walk.










Canal Park and past the famous Aerial Lift Bridge

At Bay Front Park there was an on foot and skating race with music and an Oktoberfest Beer Garden.  No luck getting them to give me a breakfast beer.   


As you leave the waterfront you cross the railway tracks and interstate on this major footbridge before climbing steeply up the rocky escarpments onto the ridge above Duluth.  You end up hiking right through a hobo encampment but they were friendly enough.   




Next you pass through an number of parks via different trails and rural roads including:
Enger Park, Lincoln Park, Lyman Park, Brewer Park and the Peace Ridge and Oneota Park.

A steep climb leads to the The Peace Bell in the Japanese Garden. 

 


Overview of the port in Duluth and loaded ore barges.



Hiking the trails down to the Superior Zoo




Spirit Mountain Ski Area Ski Hut and top of the chair lift.  Followed along the ridgeline trail to the Spirit Mountain Campground north of the SHT where a refreshing shower was had tonight!  The SHT did an amazing job threading the trail through the town of Duluth on park trails and backways.  Just fantastic!




Friday, September 15, 2023

Sep 15, 2023 - Day 17 on the SHT (North of Duluth to Bagley Nature Area)

Heading toward Duluth the trail skipped on/off the North Shore State Trail.  Another lunch at one of the Snowmobile shelters.  At the Hartley Nature Center I took a side trail up to the Rock Knob above Hartley Lake.  Lots of mountain bike use trails criss-crossing the SHT in this area.   Took a little over a mile side trail out to Bagley Nature Area Pay Camping Field that is part of the University of Minnesota in Duluth.  My first pay for use site.   Not much for $30.  Just a field with a picnic table, water pump and portapotty.   I teamed up with another camper so we could get two tents for one site and split the cost.   There are no campsites within the last 50 miles through Duluth so you need to exit the trail to find paid accommodations at hotels or public campgrounds.