The Minneapolis/St. Paul Backpackers Meetup Group

Let's meet to hike the Luce Line State trail for a total of ~7 miles.

After the hike we will dine at Blackwater coffee and cafe (Maple Plain).
https://order.blackwatercc.com/order/blackwater-coffee-cafe

Depending on the weather, trails could be icy/slippery.

Where to meet: Meet us at the Luce Line State Trail parking lot off of Stubbs Bay Road S.

Time/distance: This hike will cover 7 miles and take 2-2.5 hours.

Parking: There is plenty of free parking in this area.

Recommend to bring: Water, high-energy snack, dress according to weather. Ice-grippers and hiking poles are needed for snowy days.

The usual: No Kids, No Dogs, No +1's: Only registered members may attend.

This event is jointly hosted by Minneapolis/Saint-Paul backpackers meetup and Hardy hikers meetup group so there will be more attendees than what you see here. Please signup on only one event.

Important: ### By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release Minneapolis/Saint-Paul backpackers, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

Let us meet up for a hike from Lone Lake Park to the Bryant Lake Park and back. Total distance ~ 6+ miles. For those interested in getting additional workout - the hike will include an optional stairs climb.

Optional coffee after.

We will meet at the parking lot of the Lone Lake Park. As you turn off of Shady Oak Rd to Lone Lake Park, take the first right and meet in that parking lot. Do not drive down the hill to the lower parking lot.

Depending on the weather, the trail could be icy/muddy and slipperry.
The terrain is mostly flat, combination of paved and non-paved trails
Recommended to bring: water, high-energy snack, dress according to weather. Backpacks optional.
No Kids, No Dogs, No +1's: Only registered members may attend.
Note: This event is jointly hosted with the Hardy Hikers meetup so there will more people than what you see here.
### By signing up for this hike, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release The Minneapolis/St. Paul Backpackers meetup organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

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 section 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!

PARK OVERVIEW (From DNR site)

Come to Tettegouche for a great sense of the North Shore: the spectacular overlooks at Shovel Point; rocky, steep cliffs and inland bluffs; the cascading 60 ft. High Falls of the Baptism River; and the historic Tettegouche Camp where visitors can stay the night. This is a hiker's paradise with miles of trails that overlook the Sawtooth Mountains and wind down to inland lakes accessible only by foot.
The Palisade Valley Unit features broad scenic vistas coupled with an expanse of multi-use, four-season trails. Two more trout lakes complement the fishing opportunities within the rest of the park.
The park is also known for rock climbing opportunities and quality birdwatching in the spring, summer, and especially the fall.

CAMPING

• We will car camp all weekend at the Group Camp - Group Area - Basic-A - Tettegouche state park
• Showers, flush and vault toilets are available in the campground
• Vehicles entering MN state parks need a MN State Parks Permit ($7 daily, $35 annual)

HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: All levels welcome

THE HIKES

• Day hiking near Tettegouche State Park Saturday and Sunday
• We will split up into slower and faster hiking groups, take your pick
• We will be hiking rain or shine. Come prepared for rain.

SCHEDULE
Friday night:

• Meet at Tettegouche State Park at the Group Camp - Group Area - Basic-A. If you will be coming late, please text/email one of the organizers.

Saturday and Sunday:

• breakfast 8-9a
• hiking 9a+

CARPOOLING
I'll start a carpooling conversation in the meetup event chat a few weeks before the trip date.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

• hiking daypack
• comfortable and broken in trail runners or hiking boots (1 size larger than normal)
• waterproof tent or shelter
• sleeping bag (rated 20 degrees or colder)
• 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.

We can share cook stoves if you don't have one.

If you need gear, REI and the University of MN rent quality backpacking equipment at reasonable rates.

COST:
Please pay me $15 when you arrive for your share of the camp site fee.

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
• If I can't get a response from you to repeated messages to your meetup account, I may cancel your RSVP

### 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 and Minnesota Hardy hikers meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

WHY ATTEND?
Are you interested in hiking through the stunning natural beauty of the driftless region of southern Minnesota that was carved by advancing glaciers? Or maybe, you want to visit the Mystery Cave with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools. Or maybe you are looking to meet and learn from fellow friendly knowledgeable backpackers. Then this trip is for you!

PARK OVERVIEW (From DNR site)

Visit Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park to see natural wonders above and below ground. In the summer, beat the heat with a visit below ground. Explore the world of Mystery Cave with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools. Park naturalists provide tours of the cave throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. The temperature stays at a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Above ground, stop by Historic Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). Fish three blue-ribbon trout streams for brown trout. Take in the soft pastels of wildflowers in spring or listen to ruffed grouse drumming and wild turkeys gobbling. Hike or bring your horse to ride the ridge tops and stream valleys. Observe interesting geologic features along the way including sinkholes and dramatic Big Spring. In the fall, don't miss the bold colors of the forest. Winter invites visitors to ski or snowmobile the Bluff Country.

CAMPING

• We will car camp all weekend at the Group Camp - Group Area - Basic-A - Forestville Mystery cave state park
• Showers, flush and vault toilets are available in the campground
• Vehicles entering MN state parks need a MN State Parks Permit ($7 daily, $35 annual)

HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: All levels welcome

THE HIKES

• Day hiking near Tettegouche State Park Saturday and Sunday
• We will split up into slower and faster hiking groups, take your pick
• We will be hiking rain or shine. Come prepared for rain.

SCHEDULE
Friday night:

• Meet at the Group Camp - Group Area - Basic-A. If you will be coming late, please text/email one of the organizers. We may have a small hike depending on what time hikers show up.

Saturday and Sunday:

• breakfast 8-9a
• hiking 9a+

CARPOOLING
I'll start a carpooling conversation in the meetup event chat a few weeks before the trip date.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

• hiking daypack
• comfortable and broken in trail runners or hiking boots (1 size larger than normal)
• waterproof tent or shelter
• sleeping bag (rated 20 degrees or colder)
• 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.

We can share cook stoves if you don't have one.

If you need gear, REI and the University of MN rent quality backpacking equipment at reasonable rates.

COST:
Please pay me $15 when you arrive for your share of the camp site fee.

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
• If I can't get a response from you to repeated messages to your meetup account, I may cancel your RSVP

### 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 and Minnesota Hardy hikers meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####