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Superior Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is a 244-mile long-distance hiking trail along the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior in Minnesota. The trail is located on both public and private lands, is privately maintained, and a large portion of the trail is located within the Superior National Forest.
Two primary sections of the trail exist. A southern section of the trail winding through the city of Duluth, Minnesota starts at Jay Cooke State Park and extends to the northeast through Spirit Mountain Recreation area, continues through the city and traverses such places as Brewer Park, Enger Park, the Historic Downtown Area, Canal Park, the Lakewalk, and Hartley Nature Center, before it ends at a trailhead located on Martin Road.
The northern portion of the trail is 205 contiguous miles and begins north of Two Harbors, Minnesota at a trailhead on Lake County 301. From there, this portion of the trail extends to the northeast along Lake Superior through seven state parks, including Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Tettegouche State Parks. This section of the SHT passes near the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, includes a two-mile stretch on the gravel beaches of Superior, and ends just before the Canadian border.
Work is in progress to tie the southern and northern sections together to create a contiguous Superior Hiking Trail path. Other plans for extending the trail include connecting the northern section with the Border Route Trail, which passes through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and lengthening the southern section to connect with the North Country National Scenic Trail.
The Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) promotes and maintains the trail. It is a Minnesota non-profit corporation with more than 3200 members. The association produces a quarterly newsletter called The Ridgeline for its members which contains noteworthy news of the trail, trail maintainer bios, and association financial information. The most visible activities of the SHTA are the popular organized hikes featuring leaders with interpretive skills, such as naturalists, geologists, photographers, and historians and ranging from day hikes to backpacking trips of several days' duration. The association also operates the SHTA store in Two Harbors Minnesota where hikers can find maps and information on trail conditions.
Most of the trail was built by crews hired from the local communities and from the Minnesota Conservation Corps. Much trail maintenance is provided through a system of volunteers; some have taken responsibility for the upkeep of particular sections, others participate in scheduled maintenance hikes.
In December, 2000, Backpacker Magazine named the Superior Hiking Trail the trail with the "Best Trail/Camp/Shelter conditions," the trail with the "Best Signage" in the country, and one of the most scenic trails in the nation. Hikers enjoy views of boreal forests, the Sawtooth Mountains, babbling brooks, rushing waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
External Links
- Superior Hiking Trail Association
- SHTA Store and Office Hours
- Superior Hiking Trail from Minnesota Department of Tourism
- A Superior Hiking Trail Thru Hiker's Trail Journal and Itinerary
- Walking Guide To The Superior Hiking Trail, Trail Maps, and Trail GPS Paths
Categories: Trails | USA | Minnesota
