Superior Hiking Trail
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The Superior Hiking Trail is a 310 mile long distance trail in Minnesota. It parallels the shore of Lake Superior.
Contents
Overview
Length:310 miles
Standard direction(s) of travel: nobo
Trail Association: Superior Hiking Trail Association [3]
Permits and Regulations
No permits are required to hike the trail. There are 94 campsites[4] along the trail that are free to stay at and first come first serve. The trail passes through many state parks that have campgrounds but these require reservations.[5] The trail crosses both public and private land so adherence to Leave No Trace principles is required on all sections.
Maps
Online Maps
The official online map for the SHT is available for purchase through Avenza Maps[6] Unofficial maps can be found publicly on Caltopo[7]
Printed Maps
The SHTA (Superior Hiking Trail Association) sells printed maps, as well as a comprehensive guidebook with maps[8]
Information Resources
Websites
- Superior Hiking Trail guide on BackpackingRoutes.com
- The Superior Hiking Trail: Section by Section, by Alison Young
- Superior Hiking Trail Association
Apps
Avenza Maps provides the exclusive maps for the SHT[6] Although the SHT is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, the FarOut maps for the North Country Trail do not include the SHT due to an exclusivity agreement the SHT has with Avenza.
Guidebooks
The SHTA sells a guidebook of the entire trail [8]. The book include detailed descriptions of each segment of trail, water sources, side trails, resources, and historical information.
Other
Sections
The trail is divided into six sections labeled A through F [9] from south to north with a corresponding paper map for each section.
Water
Water is plentiful across the entire trail during Spring and Summer due to the abundance of rivers that flow into Lake Superior. Each established backcountry campsite also has access to a water source. Water must be treated before consumption.[4]
Weather
The north shore of Lake Superior is known for it's fierce storms in the fall [10] but weather in the Summer and early Fall is not frequently hazardous. In the Summer expect hot and humid conditions during the day and pleasant nighttime conditions.[11] The more concerning hazard is the mosquitoes in the summertime which can be fierce. Early Fall is mild and pleasant, and is the most popular time of year to travel the trail.
Resupply Locations
There are numerous resupply options along the trail, with the larger towns of Grand Marais, Two Harbors, and Duluth serving as spots for zero days and full resupplies. Post offices along the trail can hold packages[12]
Geographic Features
The SHT runs along the ridgeline on the North Shore of lake Superior. Expect short but rocky climbs up to high stretches of trail paralleling the lakeshore, river gorges cut into the rock, all while dipping in and out of forests. There are many segments that will feel like a "green tunnel" but the trail changes often enough that they are rarely monotonous.
Administrative Territories
Online Communities
References
- ↑ https://thetrek.co/the-best-time-of-year-to-hike-these-23-popular-long-trails/
- ↑ https://superiorhiking.org/plan-your-adventure/
- ↑ https://superiorhiking.org/shta-staff/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://superiorhiking.org/know-before-you-go/
- ↑ https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://store.avenza.com/products/trail-atlas-of-the-superior-hiking-trail-superior-hiking-trail-association-map-1
- ↑ https://caltopo.com/m/Q9AHF
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 https://superiorhiking.org/shta-offers-variety-of-guides-and-maps/
- ↑ https://superiorhiking.org/trail-sections/
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wreck_of_the_Edmund_Fitzgerald
- ↑ https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/two-harbors/minnesota/united-states/usmn0745
- ↑ https://superiorhiking.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Services-in-Town-for-SHT-Users.pdf
