As I mentioned in the previous post, over Memorial Day weekend the Husband and I hiked 8.7 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail from the Otter River Rd (near the Canadian Border) down to Jackson lake. This was an interesting segment of trail, as it doesn't really follow the shore of Lake Superior like most of the other segments do.
Which can be disappointing if you want "Lake Views". But since the Husband and I are foresters, we certainly didn't mind the woodsy transitions. The trail starts out in a 3-5 year old aspen clearcut. And at 70*, ground temp feels much warmer. Ben-dog was thrilled with this bit as he was allowed to run off leash. At about the twp mile mark, the cut transitioned to a 'natural plantation' that looked to be about two growing seasons old. The pine regeneration was already putting on its first growth spurt and if they get some rain up there, it should really take off this year.
After three miles you leave the forest management and move into sugar maple forest. I really liked this part of the trail - up up up! we climbed to the highest point on the Superior Hiking Trail at 1800' above sea level. This part of the trail is definitely up and down as it moves through sugar maple, aspen-balsam-spruce and back to sugar maple. This would be an amazing fall hike with the golden glow of maple leaves surrounding you.
The last bit of the trail comes off the ridges and makes its way around a drainage and cedar-spruce bog before climbing gently upward into a 20 year old aspen regeneration stand and back to the road. This part of the trail was nicely shaded and a welcome respite from the heat.
The white blob in the middle of the pond is a Tundra Swan. I think.Two of us did this in about 4 - 4.5 hours; miles 1-5 were without Ben-assist, after mile five (the highest point) we put Ben on the leash again as I was concerned the goofy dog would give himself heat stroke with all the running he was doing. Thus the term - "Ben-assist" (or as the Husband calls it Ben-joring after the term ski-joring). Kia-dog knew to pace herself and was in quite fine form.
I think I have only one more trail segment north of Grand Marais to finish. For anyone in the area who might be interested in picking up some of these northern segments, the Superior Hiking Trail Association is doing two back to back day hikes on the upper two segments September 18 and 19. Accomodations can be found in Grand Marais.
I thought this was a good segment for dogs, and pack additional water (for humans and dogs) if hiking during dry conditions.
2 comments:
Beautiful photos.
It is nice to see such clean hiking trails.
Ben looks very much in his element.
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