Trip Report Display
Linking people with nature by footpath along Lake Superior's North Shore.
Description: Day 1 - Ready to go.Started my trip at Judge Magney on a Tuesday afternoon. I skipped the Canada to Magney part due to the flooding that occurred a few days earlier and the prediction that more rain was coming the next couple days. The ranger was very helpful in arranging to have my truck parked and registered with them. Since it was only 42 > degrees I asked how cold tonight might be. She thought about 32. I quickly added a sweatshirt from the back seat of my truck. Hated the weight, but loved the warmth. Hiked a few miles to South little Brule campsite and set up for the night. Wanted some time to go through my stuff and make sure I had everything I needed. Coffee/measuring cup and watch were the only missing items. Lesson learned - use that check list that was lying next to all of the equipment when packing. Camp site was nice and had an early evening fire. Day 2 - Mud, more mud and water.I got up early and was ready to hike all day. Made it to the lake walk which is very pretty, but very hard with 40 pounds on your back. I took my time and soon find out that walking in mud isn't much easier. I did a lot of rock to rock and root to root hopping. My first mishap happened in the late morning when I was crossing a creek bridge. It wobbled, my 40 pound pack went to the right and the rest of me followed. Hitting the boulders/rocks hurt but I walked away with skinned up shin, a few bruises and two boots full of water. Lesson learned, test the bridge. Hiked about fifteen miles to Woods creek campsite. Very tired and could see the rain was coming soon. Had a quick dinner and headed in the tent as the rain started about 7:00. Woke up sometime in the middle of the night to a very loud river running much harder than when I went to bed. I was on the highest part of the campsite but could quickly tell that it might not be high enough. As I laid there putting together a flash flood plan, it came to me that moving to higher ground, even if it was pouring, might be the better way to go. I packed up my backpack, put on the raingear and headlamp, picked up the tent and walked up the stairs to very safe/high grounds. Didn't take long before I was back to sleep to the rain drops and waking up to the morning birds. The rain stopped completely at 7:00am and it was coffee (from the pan) and breakfast time. Day 3 - Jack rabbit day. After a 12 hour rain the trails were even wetter and muddier than yesterday. My second pair of socks were soon wet and would be that way for a while. Walked with a young man in the morning who started at the top last week. Due to water/rain he was only making 5-6 miles a day and seemed pretty tired. It was slow and hard walking in many areas but we were making progress. When we hit a road in the early afternoon he made a call on his cell and that's the last I saw of him. Made it about 9 miles to the Sundling campsite and had to stop. I was tired. Had a somewhat friendly jack rabbit outside the tent. Think I was in his space because he would look in and than go around back of the tent to make strange noises. Day 4 - Blister day.Only made about 9 miles today. After a few days of walking in wet socks and boots, the skin gave out and the blisters showed up. Stopped at the Indian camp creek campsite. The 8 or 9 college kids were very nice about me squeezing in for the night. After a creek side dinner and foot soaking, I headed to bed early. Day 5 - Bird bath, black flies and sunset. Hiked about 11 miles today to the West Poplar river campsite. Wrapped the blisters pretty good, so they weren't much of a problem. After setting up camp, I decided it was bath and wash day. I took a good bird bath and put on the rain gear. I washed the clothes the best you can do with river water and hung them to dry. A while before sunset a nice couple (Joe and Sue) showed up and made camp and started a nice fire. This drove away the black flies and we had a good chat as we watched the sunset. A good nights sleep and wonderful weather were just what I needed. Even the latrine had wonderful wild flowers around it. Day 6 - Rolled ankle. Walked with Joe & Sue in the morning. Rolled my ankle in the late morning and slowed me down for a while. I do it a lot so I knew it would be just a couple days of discomfort. After about 13 miles, I ended the day at a nice camp site called Springdale. Had a nice meal which left me one energy bar for the morning. My food pick up stop was only a couple miles down the trail. Day 7 Food Day. Did my food pick up at Britton peak and headed down the trail. Food weighs a lot, but it was good to know it was there and I could continue on my adventure. 13 miles later, after great weather and hiking day I set up camp at Fredenberg Creek. Did a lot of foot and ankle soaking and listened to the birds sing. Day 8 - Bear day. Great weather and the trails were starting to dry up. As I was walking along by the Caribou River, I saw a jet black large bear walking through the woods towards the trail. Taking quick note that we might bump into each other, I stopped. He didn't see me right away and the wind must have been blowing towards me. As it got to the trail, it stopped and looked down the trail where I was standing. We looked at each other for a few seconds. I slowly lifted my arm (wanted to look big) and cleared my throat very loudly. He turned and ran back into the woods. I chose to use my higher hiking gear for the next half mile. He/she was very pretty. After about 20 miles I stopped at the Aspen Knob campsite. Shortly after setting up camp, two guys (Zell & John) showed up. I had seen them earlier that day and Zell was moving along slow with a knee sprain of some type. We ate diner together and headed to bed. 20 miles was a lot for these older bones. Day 9 - Porcupine Day. Another great weather day and my blisters were healing up a little. In the late morning I came across a porcupine walking the trail. For some reason he/she seemed meaner and more to deal with than the bear. After many attempts at making loud noises and discussing my need to move a little faster than him/her, it moved off the trail. In the early evening I chatted with a guy doing a through hike to the north that was from England and is now living in Texas. After a 15 mile hike I settled into the Leskinen Creek campsite. Had a good night's sleep and a very nice long morning fire. Drank lots of coffee and relaxed to the max. Day 10 Last full day. Had a good 10 mile hike to my last site. The wild roses popped out today and so did a few more bugs. With the cool nights the first 8 days, I didn't have any bug problems.Finished the day at the West Kennedy campsite lying right next to a babbling creek. Day 11 Ride day. Up early and walked the 2 miles to my pick up stop at Highway 1. Met a nice couple there and we compared hiking stories for a while. Superior shuttle service showed up and transported me back to Judge Magney Park. This shuttle service worked very well.Great trip with the best part being the time that the trail gave me to think and just walk and enjoy the wonders of nature.P.S. To jumping Joe and Smiling Sue. I read your note at the bog. It was my pleasure sharing a campsite and the trails together. As I was reading the next day I thought of you guys and your work when I read Proverbs 16:9.Thanks to everybody that makes this wonderful trail happen.> |
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