Superior Hiking Trail

[stranger]

Was hoping to hear from some folks who have experience with this trail. From what I've heard over the years it's supposed to be pretty amazing. The website doesn't give all that much detail in terms of thru-hiking information so I will get around to ordering the guidebook in the coming weeks.

Anyhow, would like to know more about:

- Public transportation to the beginning of the trail near Duluth
- Resupply points along the way
- Weather information for a hike starting end of September
- Condition of trail, blazes, signs, etc...
- Wildlife, bears, etc...
- Terrain
- Lake effect in terms of weather, snow

Any information would be appreciated.

[eyewall]

There is usually a shuttle service that runs along the trail. Call the SHT office for more info on that. I usually hike in late August into September. It's about perfect then, practically bug free, not too hot or too cold, and fairly dry weather. Terrain is rolling timber with some great rocky overlooks interspersed with a few deep river ravines. It is a very picturesqe trail IMO. The climbs are nothing like the AT in Georgia for example. Resupply will be your biggest headache as there are fewer towns the farther north along the trail. Water maybe a problem in some locations if the summer is dry too. All that info can be gottem from the SHT office. Trail is easy to follow, good signage. I have not had any animal problems. Good Luck!

[Lyle]

Received this email a couple of days ago. I'll be hiking the northern part of the trail, the Border Route and the KEK starting Saturday. Looks like it will be interesting...

"Back from the SHTA annual meeting. The Superior Hiking Trail is a
mess from a March ice storm that deposited 2" of ice on the trees and
brought down countless aspen and birch. Spent yesterday clearing
trail. It will take months for crews to complete the clearing.

I hope Ed Morse does OK on his hike (I am going to try and join him
for the Kek). Nimblewill (NCT thru-hiker) appears to have gotten some
frostbitten feet from hiking in the deep snow still remaining on the
Kek. The ice storm was mostly south of Grand Marais, so Ed won't have
to deal with tree falls, but the amount of remaining snow is daunting.
A crew headed to Eagle Mountain in the BWCAW called off their trail
maintenance this weekend as the snow was impassable on foot.

This will not be a normal hiking year for backpackers in the North Country."

--Kurt

[windy city]

trail conditions
http://shta.org/Conditions.php?PHPSESSID=11243e0db0bb80b6f737e7800 7f9d1a6
shuttle
http://www.superiorshuttle.com/
guide book
http://shta.org/store/product.php?productid=16134&cat=0&page=1&featured