WHY ATTEND?
Are you interested in hiking through the stunning natural beauty of the north shore and Superior Hiking Trail, past high granite cliffs and scenic gorges with towering waterfalls, through dense northern boreal forests? Perhaps you have a goal to hike the entire SHT and are looking to knock off another section? Or maybe you are looking to meet and learn from fellow friendly knowledgeable backpackers? Then this trip is for you!
THE HIKE:
- Cascade River State Park to Britton Peek Trailhead
- 32.3 miles over 3 days
HIKE SUMMARY:
Thursday night:
- Meet and camp at Cascade River State Park, group campsite Basic A GC1. Park in the Group Camp parking lot.
- Vault toilets and drinking water are near the group camp. Showers, flush toilets are available in the main campground.
- Vehicles entering MN state parks need a MN State Parks Permit ($7 daily, $35 annual)
Friday:
- 7:30am: Break camp, shuttle cars to Britton Peak, return to Cascade SP
- ~8:30am: Hit the trail, backpack at a fast pace 13 miles southwest to East Lake Agnes multi-group campsite. This is a remote campsites with water nearby and field latrines but no other services.
Saturday:
- 8:30a Break camp and hit the trail.
- Backpack 12.2 miles to Onion River multi-group campsite
Sunday:
- 8:30a Break camp and hit the trail.
- Backpack 7.1 miles to Britton Peak trailhead
- Retrieve vehicles from Cascade River SP
- Return to the Twin Cities by ~7 pm.
HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate.
- You must have a strong level of fitness to attend this trip, and must be able to keep up with the group pace.
- We will be hiking rain or shine. Come prepared for rain. We will be hiking one way and camping in the back country. You need to carry all your gear in your backpack.
- Interest has been high for these trips. Attendance must be capped due to limited space on remote campsites. Please do not take a spot if you may cancel due to a bad weather forecast.
CARPOOLING
I'll start a carpooling conversation a few weeks before the trip date.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE ISSUES ON THE TRAIL?
The leaders and your fellow hikers are a helpful, friendly bunch. Should you have issues on the trail we will try to help as much as possible. If it’s not an emergency and you decide to end your hike early, we will help you get to the next road crossing where you can exit or wait for carpool pickup Sunday afternoon.
Cell phone coverage is spotty and unreliable along most of the SHT.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Bring at minimum:
- backpack
- comfortable and broken in trail runners or hiking boots (1 size larger than normal)
- waterproof tent or shelter
- sleeping bag
- sleeping pad
- food
- water bottle
- A rain suit is highly recommended along the north shore this time of year.
- Watch the weather forecast and be prepared for cold temperatures.
Reach out in event chat if you'd like to share cook stoves or water filters.
If you need gear, REI and the University of MN rent quality backpacking equipment at reasonable rates.
ANTICIPATED COSTS
Please pay me $10 Thursday night for your share of the group campsite fee.
Work out carpooling cost with your driver.
PRE-TRIP MEETING
I will host a meet-n-greet prior to the trip. These are mandatory if you haven't backpacked with me.
ATTENDEE RULES
- No +1s, no pets, no minors (<18), and no illegal substances
- All attendees must be a registered member of this backpacking meetup group with a recognizable profile picture
- We hike at minimum in pairs with a designated sweeper pulling up the rear so we don't lose anyone
### By signing up for this event, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release the Minneapolis/St Paul Backpacking Meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####
