Conditions

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

January 24, 2012: Here's what we know of snow on the trail. In the southern half of the trail 3 to 5 inches of snow. From about Tofte north, about 6-12 inches of snow on the trail (Grand Marais has about 12). Time to think about snowshoes. It could be really icy in areas with all the melting and freezing so use caution, but a fine time to be out on the trail!
December 2, 2011: There is about 2-4 inches of snow on the trail in most places. Still good for hiking but there may be ice in spots so use caution.
December 2, 2011: BRIDGE ISSUE: The bridge on Carlson Creek (north of Hovland in the section Co Rd 70 to Arrowhead Trail) just south of the South Carlson Pond campsite has been flooded out by beavers damming up the creek downstream (we think). There is a distance of 25 feet of two feet of standing water on either side of the bridge. It may be possible to cross on the old dam above the bridge.
December 1, 2011: Winter Trailhead Plowing: Here is a list of the Superior Hiking Trail trailhead parking lots that are plowed in winter. Use "The Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail" for directions to these trailheads. **** Duluth Section: Jay Cooke State Park Headquarters, Munger Trail at 123rd Ave West, Magney-Snively Park, Spirit Mountain, Rose Garden, Hartley Nature Center, Martin Road *** North Shore Section: Fox Farm Road, Lake Co Demonstration Forest, Castle Danger, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock River Wayside, Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Tettegouche State Park, Finland Recreation Center, Crosby-Manitou State Park, Caribou River Wayside (possibly), Temperance River Wayside, Britton Peak, Oberg Mountain, Lutsent Mountains Recreation Area, Caribou Trail, Cascade River State Park, Bally Creek Road (northern parking lot only), Pincushion Mtn. (but no hiking on ski trails), Kadunce River Wayside, Judge Magney State Park (the big parking lot isn't plowed but there is room to park cars right by the contact station.
August 4, 2011: Following are the 2011 hunting seasons. There is not a lot of hunting from the SHT but you should be aware of hunting seasons in progress. Bear, Sept 1 - Oct 16; grouse, Sept 17-Jan 1; archery deer season, Sept 17-Dec 31; moose, Oct 1-16; firearms deer season Nov 5-20 (trail closed during firearms deer season only).
May 12, 2011: The Sixth Edition of the "Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail," published by the Superior Hiking Trail Association in 2010, 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 (42 miles)(no SHT backcountry campsites in this section), then there is a gap where SHTA is currently building trail, then the trail continues again west of Two Harbors at the Sucker River Trailhead and goes to Otter Lake Road near the Canadian border (240 miles)(86 backcountry campsites). The Guide price is $15.95. ****The Guide does not include the new 5.1 mile section that will be opened in the spring of 2011 from the Sucker River Trailhead to the Fox Farm Road Trailhead. The route for this section is available on the new Map A. ***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.

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