Tag Archives: minnesota

Biggest Outdoor Adventure Stories of 2011; Part 1

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The end of 2011 draws closer and the popular thing to do is put out lists summarizing the year previous. Well, here I am sucked into the trend, hand-picking and choosing the stories that stick out in my mind as memorable ones. Please enjoy the first four of my eight biggest, outdoor adventure stories of 2011.

8. Surfing the World’s Tallest Wave • Rumor has it that Garrett McNamara has surfed a 90-foot wave off of Portugal during the ZON North Canyon show of 2011. Buddies surfing with him confirm they all rode waves in the 60+ range. Then McNamara got on a wave that was reported by his surfing partners as 30 feet larger. We will keep you updated as we confirm this amazing ride.

7. Minnesotan Attempts to Solo Climb Denali • In January of 2011 Lonnie Dupre, winner of the Rolex Award for Enterprise attempted a solo summit of Denali. Dupre, from Grand Marais, Minnesota was hoping to be the first to reach the top of Denali solo in January. He reached the height of 17,200 feet before being pinned down for six days by a storm bearing 100 mph winds. In addition to the storm an earthquake of 5.4 magnitude just 30 miles away. Rumor has it that he will try the solo summit again in the January of 2012.

6. 881-Pound Tuna Seized by Federal Authorities • While I realize a very similar story was reported in 2010, these giant fish stories fascinate me. Seems Carlos Rafael and his crew were fishing off Massachusetts and snagged the massive fish in their nets. Only problem is: tuna are only legally caught on rod and reel so the Feds took control of the giant Bluefin, and left Mr. Rafael high and dry.

5. Hudson Bay Bound • Two recent graduates of St. Olaf College are the first women to trace the 2250 mile route made famous by Eric Severeid in the book Canoeing with the Cree. Ann Raiho and Natalie Warren left Fort Snelling on June 2nd and arrived at York Factory on Hudson Bay 85 days later, one week ahead of schedule.

There you have it, part one of the biggest outdoor adventure stories of 2011. What have I missed? What was the biggest story of the year in your memory? Maybe your story will make part two of my list, or leave me a comment below and tell me what you think.

Duluth Pack at the Minnesota State Fair

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It’s that time of year again; the Minnesota State Fair starts today, and runs through Labor Day. Almost two million of our closest friends will visit the fair during the 12 day run. Duluth Pack will be there in the Dairy Building with the “World’s Largest Duluth Pack” to be a part of the action and take it all in.

Food is the first thing I think of when somebody mentions the Minnesota State Fair. What else is there? My favorites are mini-donuts, cheese curds, and gator on a stick, but during my four-day visit to the fair I will not limit my menu. Thinking I am going to have to swing through the North Woods area on Cooper Street and check out the Campfire Grill. The name alone is right up our alley.

One stop at the fair you might want to think about is the National Park Service in the Education Building on Cosgrove Street. We are so lucky here in our state to have all this wonderful water and woods in which to go play. In Minnesota we have one National Park, two National Forests, two National Monuments, a Scenic River Way, a National Recreation Area, and a Wilderness Area. Can you name any of them for me?

No trip to the state fair is complete without a stop in the animal buildings at the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. Every animal from horses to cows to chickens to sheep and maybe even a llama or two can be found. And of course the granddaddy of them all the “Super-Boar” in the swine building must be seen.

The DNR building just south of the grandstand on Carnes Street has always been one of my favorites. It is fun to see all the animals native to our state and learn about what is going on in regards to our natural resources. But for me the fish pond out back is the real draw, all those Minnesota fish in one place makes an angler drool. However, a conservation officer has warned me that noodling for paddlefish will not be allowed.

Come see us in the Dairy Building, at the corner of Underwood and Judson, we will be there every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. We love to talk canoe packs, backpacks, and the BWCAW, but no subject is out of bounds. Our experts have a broad base of knowledge and really enjoy sharing stories and adventures with everyone.

 

Northern Minnesota Bike Trails

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While summer might be winding down, and you could be thinking: “hang up the canoe packs,” there is still some great bicycling weather yet to come. Riding the bike through the Minnesota woods in fall is one of my favorite activities, and a very scenic time to enjoy our state. Let me share with you five trails that I think are worth rolling over.

The Willard Munger State Trail goes from Hinckley to Duluth for a total of 63 miles. If you just like downhill let me recommend starting in Carlton just behind the Wells Fargo Bank. Take the trail through Jay Cooke State Park and then downhill all the way to Duluth.  You will peddle right through the State Forest and when you pop out of the woods a very scenic vista of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior will lie before you. Park a second car in Canal Park, hit the Duluth Pack store, grab something to eat and drink, and shuttle back to the top.

The Heartland State trail runs from Park Rapids east to Walker, 29 miles, and then north to Cass Lake for another 20 miles. The prettiest part of this trail is cut through the trees on an old railroad grade from Akeley to Walker. As you ride the Heartland check out Long Lake, Lake May, and big, old Leech Lake at the end of the trail. A stop at the Historic Chase Hotel in Walker might suit a thirsty rider as well.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail runs from Brainerd to Bemidji for a distance of 110 miles. The portion of the trail I recommend is from Backus to north of Portage Lake, for a nice ride of about 15 miles one way. The linking “C” trail to the Heartland is something to see.

The “C” Trail links the Paul Bunyan State Trail and the Heartland State Trail. The first thing you will notice about this trail is that is doesn’t follow an old railroad grade. The trail is up and down from just north of Portage Lake to just north east of Akeley, but paved for the entire 12-mile length. In my opinion this is the most scenic trail in Minnesota and really should be experienced in late September with leaves in full color.

The North Shore State Trail, also known as the C.J. Ramstad Trail runs from Duluth along the north shore of Lake Superior to Finland for a total of 146 miles. Along this trail you are going to see some of the most beautifully rugged scenery Minnesota has to offer. This ride will have you passing by or through multiple state parks including Gooseberry, Tettegouche, and Cascade River. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what has to be the most iconic landmark in the state; Splitrock Lighthouse.

This is by no means an all-inclusive list so for more information and more trails check out the link here; Minnesota Bike Trails, and enjoy.

Strap on your panniers, sling the messenger bag over your shoulder, and revel in those fall colors, which are sure to be brilliant this season.

 

Superior Hiking Trail experts at Duluth Pack

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The Duluth, Minnesota area has several crown jewels of recreation. The lakes, the rivers, the state & national parks, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, to name just a few, are priceless. One of these up and coming masterpieces in our own backyard is the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT).

When fully complete, the Superior Hiking Trail will be a 277-mile footpath in northern Minnesota. Created in 1986, the trail follows a rocky ridgeline that roughly parallels the north shore of Lake Superior. As the SHT climbs and descends you can’t help but be awed by the many magnificent vistas and overlooks.

The trail begins south of Duluth near the town of Carlton, and winds its way north toward Canada. The trail ends with a link to the Border Route Trail north of Hovland, MN near the U.S. and Canadian border. The Border Route trail continues to the west linking with the Kekakabic trail and ending near Ely, MN.

Along the way you will find 82 wilderness campsites and a trailhead about every five to 10 miles. Hikers may enjoy adventures all the way from a variety of day-hikes to complete trail through-hikes with everything in between. Neither permits nor reservations are required on the SHT, and dogs are allowed on leash only.

The trail was built with blood, sweat and volunteers. They are the ones who originally cut the trail and the ones that keep it open. Present volunteer opportunities can be found up and down the trail, including work to close a gap in the Duluth area. If you or your hiking group would like to help on the trail check into the Superior Hiking Trail’s Association website at SHTA.org.

The Duluth Pack store at 365 Canal Park Dr. is the go-to source for all information pertaining to the SHT. Not only are there experts on staff to help you learn more, but many have hiked the trail around Duluth and up the North Shore. They can also help you find trailheads in the city and ones nearest the store. The SHT Association sells a complete set of maps and the book “Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail.” All the above, in addition to special edition t-shirts, can be found at the Duluth Pack Store.

And the most important thing to remember is that the Superior Hiking Trail is open for business. While the Minnesota State Parks are shut down during the budget impasse, the SHT remains open.

Go grab your Wanderer or your Rambler pack and get out on the trail!

Hike me on back to DuluthPack.com

Superior Hiking Trail and the new Bushcrafter Pack

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Bean Lake Overlook

The Superior Hiking Trail is a trail modeled after the Appalachian Trail and follows the ridge-line along Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian Border. For this hike, we chose a popular and scenic section, called the Twin Lakes Trail outside of Silver Bay, MN.

 

Trailhead

This section is a rugged up and down but the vista’s are beautiful.  After a hot hike, with plenty of mosquitoes, the two highlights were a much needed refreshing swim in Bear Lake and the luscious ripe June berries and Blueberries to snack on.  A warning, that in the Summer and Fall, this section is extremely popular, so if you plan on getting a campsite, get there early.

Swim in Bear Lake

Another unexpected pleasure was running into a couple on the trail out for a day hike. They noticed the new Bushcrafter pack and asked how it was holding up on the hiking trail. It was comfortable and carried all our gear. After they swapped stories about the history of all their Duluth Packs in the family it made me realize, when you buy a Duluth Pack, you become part of a community that supports the local economy and appreciates handmade lifetime gear. Thanks Scott and Cindy! It was great to meet new DP fans!