Conditions

Linking people with nature by footpath along Lake Superior's North Shore.

June 15, 2013: The trail is still muddy in places but generally in good hiking condition with the exception of the trail closures in western Duluth and in the section north of Two Harbors from Co Rd 301 to Castle Danger. See the entries below.
June 12, 2013: The trail in Jay Cooke State Park and in western Duluth continues to have closures from the June 2012 flood. The trail is closed from Jay Cooke to the 123rd Avenue West trailhead (the Grand Portage Trailhead parking lot is inaccessible due to the loss of Hwy 210 and Fond du Lac is inaccessible due to the spur trail to the main trail being wiped out). The Magney-Snively Trailhead parking lot remains closed due to a washout on Skyline Parkway. They have started work to repair Skyline and the Stewart Creek Bridge and this will remain closed until September. You can still use the trail following the flagged 0.3 mile detour around Skyline Parkway and this bridge; the detour crosses the creek on rocks. There is also a signed detour through the Spirit Mountain Ski Area (which should be fixed soon!)The rest of the trail in Duluth and on up the North Shore is in good condition except for Co Rd 301 to Castle Danger, which is closed due to the Encampment River Bridge being out (see entry below).
June 14, 2013: We're starting to get reports of the seasonal bug hatch, primarily mosquitoes and black flies (which are actually little black gnats). Be prepared with insection repellant, possibly a headnet and any other items you prefer to use. If it's cool or windy, they are not too much of a problem.
June 10, 2013: We got word that the 1-mile spur trail at Lutsen from the gondola to the main SHT will be closed for June and July while a new chair lift is installed. The main SHT will not be affected by the spur trail closure.
May 1, 2013: ENCAMPMENT RIVER BRIDGE OUT: The Encampment River Bridge, in the trail section from Co Rd 301 to the Encampment River, has gone out due to high water and ice. This section is therefore closed since the water is too high to cross and the bridge is surrounded by private property. Here are the directions for a 6.8 mile roadwalk around this section: From Co Rd 301 (Fors Rd) trailhead parking lot, take the SHT 0.4 miles until it crosses Co Rd 3 (Hwy 3). Turn left (northeast) and go 4.7 miles to West Castle Danger Road. Turn right (east) and go 1.6 miles to where SHT crosses road. Go left on SHT 0.1 miles to Castle Danger Trailhead parking lot.
April 2, 2013: NEW! - The new Seventh Edition of the "Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail," published by the Superior Hiking Trail Association in April 2013, is your best source of detailed information about the Superior Hiking Trail. It includes complete trailhead parking information, maps, campsite information, water sources, and a mile-by-mile description of the trail. The SHT starts at Jay Cooke State Park and continues through Duluth for 42 miles(no SHT backcountry campsites in this section). Then the trail is contiguous from the Martin Road Trailhead to the end of trail at Otter Lake Road Trailhead, close to the Canadian border (255 miles of main trail)(93 backcountry campsites, no fees, permits or reservations required). The Guide price is $15.95. ***SHTA also sells a complete set of five pocket maps to the trail for $2.50. These maps are Map A Sucker River to Two Harbors; Map 1 Two Harbors to Tettegouche; Map 2 Tettegouche to Oberg Mt; Map 3 Oberg Mt. to Woods Creek; and Map 4 Woods Creek to Canada.
August 7, 2012: There is a new trailhead parking lot on Lake County Rd 6 (in the Finland, Little Marais area). Instead of the parking lot in a gravel pit, the parking lot is now 0.2 miles west of the gravel pit on Co Rd 6, where the SHT actually crosses Co Rd 6.
May 11, 2012: Please make sure you camp only at designated campsites. People have been camping illegally on state park and private land! Campsites are required to be shared by parties. There is always room to squeeze another tent in at the site, so be polite. Please use only the main camp fire ring and do not make any additional rings anywhere. The camp fire rings must be dug down to a depth of 18" to get out all roots and they are placed away from trees with overhanging branches.

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