- Estimated Cost: $25
- Deposit: $15
- Max Trip Size: 6 people
New to backpacking? Join us for a beginner trip on the Superior Hiking Trail and Crosby-Manitou State Park! Crosby-Manitou is different than most Minnesota State Parks. Despite its stunning beauty, it is one of the least visited parks because it is designed for backpackers with rugged trails and remote, rustic campsites. It is truly a gem of the Minnesota State Park system.
This trip is designed for beginners:
• Once the trip is full, we’ll schedule at least one pre-trip meeting and one overnight trip to the backpack campground at Afton State Park. There we’ll learn about gear, packing, and some basic skills like using a backpacking stove, filtering water, planning meals, and hanging a bear bag.
• Don’t let a lack of equipment hold you back! We’ll figure out what each hiker needs, get it from the gear locker, and try it out at Afton first.
• We’ll also spend time hiking with our packs at Afton and talk about how to get ready for the trip.
• An additional 3 hikes with a pack and the boots/shoes you plan to hike in will be required to make sure you’re in shape for this trip. For details please contact either Alison or Adam.
You must have little or no backpacking experience to sign up. You must be willing to share a tent. Max 4 tents.
North Shore Itinerary – September 16-19, 2016
Maps: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdwuiza84r5pyxm/Beginner%20Backpacking%20Maps.pdf?dl=0
Friday – Meet in Twin Cities @ 9:00. Drive to Crosby-Manitou. Leave a car at Finland Rec Center Trailhead. Hike about 1/2 mile to campsite on Bensen Lake.
Saturday – Hike Yellow Birch, Cedar Ridge, and West Manitou River Trails to site #4 on Manitou River. The route follows a relatively flat ridgeline with beautiful views of the valley, then descends sharply to the Manitou River and follows the river upstream. We will have a couple of challenging ascents and descents as we make our way up the river. About 5 miles. On this short but challenging day we’ll have time to lounge in camp, play in the river, or hike the SHT to Horseshoe Ridge without packs.
Sunday – After a steep, but short, ascent out of the river valley, we’ll hike a relatively flat section of the SHT. The trail often follows the East Branch of the Baptism River to Sonju Lake where we will camp. About 7 miles.
Monday – Hike to Finland Rec Center Trailhead over another relatively flat wooded section with views of Egge Lake. About 6 miles. Return home.
North Shore Cost: $10 (state park campsites) + $3 (cooking fuel) + food + gas
Afton State Park Overnight Details: To be determined
Afton Cost: $10 (state park campsites) + food