Spring Slackpacking Weekend on the SHT, Castle Danger to Split Rock SP

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 want to complete another section? Or maybe you are looking to meet and learn from fellow friendly knowledgeable backpackers? Then this trip is for you!

THE HIKE:
SHT Castle Danger TH to Split Rock SP. Total approximately 20 miles.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Aspen, Birch, Maple, and White Pine forests
• Scenic Waterfalls
• Gooseberry River
• Historic Lighthouse
• Gitchi-Gami State Trail
• Numerous steep climbs/descents, and seasonal views

See http://www.shta.org/ for more information on this hike.

Covid 19: Please read the "About section" for this group.

HIKE DIFFICULTY:
This will be an intermediate level hike defined as 5-12 miles per day with 1000'-2000' elevation gain per day. Please read the "About section" of this group for a more thorough description. You should have a good level of fitness to make this trip and be able to keep up with the group.

• We will be hiking rain or shine. Come prepared for rain or snow.
• This will be a slackpacking trip, meaning we will be base camping at one location. You will only need to carry your food, water and essentials with you while hiking.

SCHEDULE AND TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
Note - The meetup event will be from Thursday evening to Sunday noon, but if you can't get off work Friday or need to leave early Sunday you are still welcome, just let me know your schedule.

Thursday evening:

• Meet at Gooseberry State Park where we will tent camp
• I've reserved Nester Grade group camp site for us, which will be our base camp
• Water spigots and vault toilets are available. Each afternoon we will visit many of the park's numerous features and have a campfire each evening.
  Friday:
• Leave camp at 9:00am
• Shuttle car(s) east to the Castle Danger TH parking lot
• Hike NW ~10 miles back to the Gooseberry Falls Group camp
  Saturday:
• Shuttle car(s) north to Split Rock SP parking lot
• Leave camp at 9:00am
• Hike SE ~10 miles back to the Gooseberry Falls Group camp
  Sunday:
• Hike 4-6 miles on scenic Gooseberry Falls State Park trail system
• Pack up, leave about 12 pm

CARPOOLING:
If you want to carpool up from the Twin Cities, or are willing to drive your vehicle as a carpool, reply to this meetup event. Park stickers are required inside the State parks. I will start a carpooling conversation a few weeks before the trip date. We will need at least a couple more vehicles for carpooling to leave at the trailheads.

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.
Cell phone coverage is spotty in that area, so don't rely on being able to use your cell phone.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
You should bring at minimum: comfortable and broken in hiking boots or trail runners, waterproof tent or shelter, sleeping bag (rated to 20 degrees), sleeping pad, food, water bottle, and rain suit. Watch the weather forecast and be prepared for cold temperatures (temps below freezing are common).
We can share cook stoves and water filters/purifiers if you like.

PRE-TRIP MEETING:
I will host a meet-n-greet prior to the trip. Mandatory for those I have not met and optional for those that have hiked with me in the past.

COST:
Cost will be roughly $15 per person. I will re-calculate the per person cost based on how many attend. Please pay me your share by Friday morning of our trip.

ATTENDEE RULES:
No +1s, no pets, no minors (<18), and no illegal substances
All attendees must be register member of this backpack meetup group and have 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 anyone after repeated inquiries to your meetup account, I will cancel your RSVP