There are often fire restrictions or prescribed burns occuring in the Superior National Forest.
For more information on prescribed burning on the Superior National
Forest, contact Kris Reichenbach, Superior National Forest 218-626-4393, or visit the Superior National Forest
MN- Nov 12, 2005- Lower Jay Cooke SP, Bayfield and Douglas Co., Wisconsin, WI-02 West Segment, WI03 all (this map still in production):
In October I hiked 102 miles through Jay Cooke SP (in MN) from the bridge over the St. Louis River, through to County Road A at the Lake Ruth Trailhead at the west side of the Chequamegon. A little over half of this is still road walk, but there is trail in place in Jay Cooke, Pattison State Park, and from County Rd. M south of Solon Springs, through to the end (with a small roadwalk in Solon Springs).
The Brule-St. Croix Roving Trail Crew has done a great job with their new trail (see entry July 26 on Wisconsin page). Thanks!
My entire report is long and detailed for those who truly want all the info to hike through here, so it's linked as a Word Document. Western Wisconsin Hiker Report
Contact Joan Young, hiker
MN- October 23, 2007- No NCTA map- Superior Hiking Trail
BRIDGES OUT -- Due to the 5-8 inches of rain we've had past week there are bridges out on the trail. Here are the ones we know about: 1. Wilson Creek (100 yards from start of trail north of Two Harbors) -- bridge crooked but still usable with great care 2. Along the Cross River (by Schroeder) between the two sets of campsites: 2 small bridges out 3. Carlson Creek, 50 yards from the trailhead parking lot off the Arrowhead Trail (Co Rd 16)(north of Hovland). We'll keep updating this as we get information or as bridges are repaired or replaced. If you know of any other bridges out, please let us know.
For more information contact Gayle Coyer, Executive Director, SHTA, or see Superior Hiking Trail
MN- May 11, 2006- No NCTA map- Superior Hiking Trail: Encampment River
The Encampment River bridge is back in!
Ken Oelkers, his assistant Han Taylor, a volunteer from Indiana, and 4 MCC crew members went into the Encampment River bridge site today to rebuild the crib for one end of the bridge that was out. After building the crib, they decided to go for it and try and see if they could use come-a-longs to swing the bridge back onto the crib and back onto 6x6 posts on the other end that are lodged into the bank and cabled to trees. Ken said it was the MCC crew in waders that did the trick.
Submitted by Gayle Coyer, SHTA
MN- October 21, 2004- No NCTA map- Superior Hiking Trail:
As is true every year, the southern portion of the Superior Hiking Trail will be closed during the firearms deer season, usually most of November (starting the 1st Saturday, and continuing for 15 days). The trail will be closed in all of Lake County and just a small portion of Cook County from the Cook County line by the Caribou River Wayside to Sugarloaf Rd. (about milepost 73). SHTA closes the trail in these areas because some private landowners make it a condition of allowing the trail on their property. All trailheads will be marked with closure signs.
Gooseberry, Split Rock and Tettagouche State Parks will have firearms deer hunting seasons. You can still hike at Gooseberry and Tettagouche on the lake side of Highway 61, and in Split Rock State Park from the lighthouse to Split Rock Creek on the lake side of Highway 61.
Submitted by Gayle Coyer, SHTA
MN- Oct 15, 2002 No NCTA map- Superior Hiking Trail:
The southwestern portion of the Superior Hiking Trail in Lake County travels across many private land ownerships. Many of these land owners have requested that the trail not be open to hikers during deer hunting season, which this year is November 9th through 24th: For this reason, the trail in Lake County and a part of Cook County-- from Knife River to the Sugarloaf Road-- will be closed. Signs will be posted at all trailheads notifying hikers about the closure.
We will not close the entire trail in Cook County since much of the trail runs through the Superior National Forest and the forest will remain open. However, some of the state park trails will be closed due to hunting. Make sure you check before starting out on the trail. If you do hike on the trail in areas that are open, make sure to wear blaze orange clothing. From the Ridgeline published by the SHTA--
Superior Hiking Trail Assocition
MN- August 11, 2005 No NCTA map- Kekekabic Trail:
I just hiked the Kek with some
other women July 30- Aug.6th. It took us an extra day
because we lost the trail a mile or 2 after we started
thanks to the distraction of logging roads and other
paths. Once we bushwacked a little we were okay. The
trail is sparsely marked with blue diamonds on trees -
which may be on the ground - and the occasional blue
ribbon, which may also be on the ground. The tread is
about 12-16 inches wide usually obstructed by
overgrown ferns, raspberry bushes, wild rose bushes
(wear long pants) and the like. We could've use a
machetti to clear the path. One must pay close
attention to the tread so you do not trip over rocks,
stumps, and roots, or step in a hole which could twist
an ankle or worse. One must also pay attention to
fallen trees that you could hit your head on cuz
you're so busy looking down. Lots to climb over or
under. It was exrememly hot so we were very glad to
reach our campsite or a portage where we could cool
off. I would NOT recommend hiking this trail alone.
While we found the trail fairly easily (I was imagining
we'd go for an hour or two scouting to find it) it was
sure nice to have more than one pair of eyes to look
for signs of the trail. It's been a dry year so beaver
dam and stream crossings were not bad at all, although
we all fell in holes in beaver dams at some point.
Much of the trail is in the blowdown area which makes
it hard to hang your food. I had bear bells on my
food bag and we tied it to the fire grate for a little
resistance when we couldn't hang it. We were
fortunate nothing got at our food and we completed the
whole trail without any major problems (except the
first day).
Definitely need compass and map - GPS was
helpful, too.
Trudy Dahl
MN- Sept 28- Oct4, 2004- MN-10, MN-11, MN-12 (11 and 12 are still in planning stage):
Hiker report of the NCT from the ND border to Gardner Lake, 121 miles a Word Document. Mostly road walk, but there are many enjoyable portions. Detailed report linked, hopefully helpful to anyone else attempting to hike this section.
Maplewood State Park, Tamarac Wildlife Refuge, the final few miles of trail created by the Itasca-Moraine Chapter, and the city of Pelican Rapids were highlights. The hike began in the Minnesota prairie but soon reached the "Lakes District," thus providing a variety of scenery and learning experiences.
Submitted by Joan Young, hiker
