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Autumn on the Superior Hiking Trail
Destination: North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota
| Activities: Hiking
Backpacker Magazine calls the Superior Hiking Trail one of the ten best trails in America - and we agree! This trail combines a true sense of remoteness with an incredible diversity of terrain and dramatic scenery. Offering outstanding views of Lake Superior and diverse ecosystems, it winds along the ridge-tops of the Sawtooth Mountain Range for 200 miles from Two Harbors to the Canadian Border. The fall foliage is truly spectacular with the oranges and reds of the sugar maples, and the bright yellow of birch and aspen. Each day you'll have a choice of a more moderate (3 to 5 miles) or a longer (6 to 10 miles) hike, and every evening we'll relax in lodging on the shores of Lake Superior. Maximum group size: 12
Highlights
- Hiking through the colorful Minnesota woods of golden aspen and red sugar maples
- Gazing down from seven overlooks on Oberg Mountain
- Sampling North Shore restaurants, particularly the Angry Trout
- Having a choice of two hikes of different lengths each day
- Visiting the totally charming town of Grand Marais
Departures and Prices
| September 17 to September 22, 2022 |
| $2095.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Five nights lodging. Three nights are in single occupancy rooms, the first and last night are double occupancy
- All meals from breakfast on Sunday through our farewell lunch Thursday
- Round-trip transportation from Duluth, MN
- Luggage transport
Trip Documents
Trip Intro
We have rated this trip as both a 2 and a 3 because of the different choices of hikes each day, one longer and one shorter. Each night the guides will describe the trails and you can choose which appeals to you. Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
This is primarily a hiking trip on a wooded trail, full of roots and rocks, that runs along the ridge overlooking Lake Superior. The trail is rolling in nature, with moderate ascents and descents and may be muddy/slippery depending on recent rainfall. This is an excellent trip for both novice and experienced hikers and everyone who loves hiking in crisp fall air. Check out the HIKER GLOSSARY developed by longtime AGC guide Anne Flueckiger for more details. We spend the last night in the beautiful small town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, where there are interesting small shops and bookstores.
The first night is spent in a local hotel in Duluth, double occupancy. The next three nights will be spent at a premiere resort of the North Country, BlueFin Bay, a collection of condos, townhomes and lodge rooms located right on the shore of Lake Superior. We will stay in their shoreline condos with single occupancy bedrooms. Some bedrooms will have their own bathroom and others will share a bathroom (maximum 2), rooms will be assigned randomly. Our last night will be spent in Grand Marais where we'll stay at Superior Inn and Suites, a well-located hotel close to the lake and to shops. Accommodations here will be double occupancy. Single supplements are available for the first night of the trip (hotel in Duluth) and the last night of the trip (hotel in Grand Marais) for an additional cost.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
For those wanting the longer hike, today we travel the section from Lutsen to the Caribou Trail (6.4 miles), a very pleasant and diverse section of the Trail. We return to our stopping point yesterday and continue North through a mature and colorful maple canopy. After a short break at a spectacular vista of the Poplar River valley, we continue on through a mix of birch/aspen/pine and spruce forest. Stretches parallel the Poplar river and along the shores of Lake Agnes. After lunch we hike through a cedar "fairyland", even down a tree-notched staircase. For those who want a bit more hiking, shortly before the end there is a short, but steep spur trail up to White Sky Rock, with a scenic view of Caribou Lake and its residents. Meeting back up at the van, we drive to Grand Marais to check into our hotel and have free time to explore this quaint lake-side town. Tonight we eat at the Angry Trout in Grand Marais, undoubtedly the best restaurant in the area and always a huge hit.
It seems fitting to take our final hike here, and we will hike to the highlight of the Park: the Devil's Kettle. The hike alongside the Brule River is magnificent just on its own, but the Falls of Devil's Kettle is the true destination. Here the river splits in two to flow around a mass of rhyolite rock. The eastern flow goes over a two-step, 50 foot waterfall and continues downstream. The western flow surges into a pothole, falling at least 10 feet, and disappears underground. It is believed the water rejoins the main channel of the river or has a separate outlet into Lake Superior, but it has never been located!
We hike back to the trailhead via the same trail, and return to Grand Marais to sadly pack up. Returning along Lake Superior, we'll pass the trails we hiked the last few days to Duluth. We'll stop at one more state park for a final picnic lunch along the way. We will be back in Duluth and to the airport by 3pm and you can plan to fly out anytime after 4pm. For those of you who drove and left your car at the beginning hotel, we will return you to the hotel to pick up your car. B, L
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
4.7
(42 reviews)Knowledgeable guides. Beautifull scenery. Lovely accomodations
Great guides, great group, great hiking!
The guides were very nice
Absolutely beautiful part of the country. Wonderful guides and wonderful travelers.
Exceeded my expectations.
Absolutely!
Beautiful scenery, enjoyable hiking, and flexible options for each day made this a great trip.
I very much appreciated the option for a long or short hike most days (weather permitting). Not being a regular hiker, I was concerned that I would think I could handle a long hike every day, and my body would disagree (which it did).
The trails were absolutely beautiful. I had never been to that area before and had no idea the Superior trail existed. The views from the trail were fantastic and the guides were great. The accommodations were also very nice. Staying right on the water was a real plus.
I loved the trip. Hiking on the SHT was so beautiful, as was Lake Superior. Great lodging at the Bluefin. It was very luxurious!
Beautiful country, trip well organized, great hikes, accommodations comfortable and a good group of women.
The hiking was very challenging! Food was great!
The location and the people.
Beautiful place, perfect weather, hiking with new friends
A group of interesting and intelligent women. Guides were personable and fun. Super accommodations right on Lake Superior! The trails were fun and lovely.
The hikes were beautiful and challenging for me
Wonderful and attentive guides Brenda and Ann. It wasn't an expectation per se, but didn't expect to share a bathroom at Blue Fin Bay
It was my 1st domestic trip with AGC so I was not sure what to expect. I really enjoyed exploring the lake area. I loved the places we stayed. The hikes were lovely. The group was great and so were our guides.
The hiking was wonderful,even in rainy weather. Spectacular fall views. Enjoyed learning about the trees, plants, mushrooms, etc., along the trail. Biggest highlight was spending time with a terrific group of women, including the two guides.
Great trip. As described in itinerary. I was disappointed not to stop at Hawk Ridge either coming or going, as that was a special thing I was anticipating, but weather and timing did not cooperate.
I love it all.
We saw the peak of the fall colours! The trails were excellent.
i was not sure i could keep up on long trips as i walk lots and for long times but at my own pace - i succeeded even though i was always at end i hope Carol who brought up the rear did not miss out on being in the midst of the group the magnificent bubbles formed from foam on Cascade river
Scenery, combination of hike options, guides- all wonderful!
I loved the fall colors and the beautiful lake. I liked the variety of options each day.
The location was just superb... it was and area of the country I had wanted to hike for a long time.. our guides, Anne, and Anna Claire, were very accommodating and knowledgeable..... the group of women on the tour were a very congenial group which made for a pleasant experience,too.....I was just a wonderful trip...
Friendly people.
Vistas, fall foliage and great group of women and guides !
This was my second trip with AGC
I liked the diversity of the trails we hiked. Some were level through woods, some rocky or full of roots, some were muddy/boggy and challenging. The scenery was spectacular once you came on to an open bluff area.
The highlight of the trip for me was finally meeting Deb. And I felt very privileged having her show us that part of the country - essentially her back yard.
- Where do we eat?
The guides will be cooking breakfasts and some dinners at your lodging; other dinners will be at restaurants where you can order off the menu. At breakfast the guides will put out 'fixings' for lunch and you will pack your own lunch and snacks. - What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. - I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room the first and last nights. Otherwise we will stay in condos where everyone has her own bedroom. Some bedrooms will have their own bathroom and others will share a bathroom (maximum 2), rooms will be assigned randomly, unless you request a roommate. - Do you guarantee excellent fall foliage?
We wish we could! We can say that unless it is a highly unusual year, there will be fall foliage. But when the peak occurs and how intense it is varies from year to year.
