In the last few waning weeks of summer, we decided to stuff our packs one more time and tackle a couple of sections of the Superior Hiking Trail from Silver Bay to Lake County Road 6. This would be our first backcountry hiking experience of more than a few miles with our boys; ages seven and ten. We prepared for this trip by doing several smaller day hikes in Minnesota State Parks in the weeks leading up to the trek. Trip preparations also included purchasing a few new pieces of gear.
Earlier this summer, we did a short backcountry trip a Myer-Big Island State Park. This experience taught us that we needed to get a hiking backpack for our youngest son. We also learned that while in remote campsites, we’d have to carry two smaller hiking tents instead of our car camping tent. Purchases made and tested we made the three-hour drive north to begin our three-day adventure on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Our introduction to the trail started with a lot of uphill hiking. We stepped onto the trail in Silver Bay at the Penn Boulevard Trailhead. This section of the Superior Hiking Trail gains just over 1000 feet of elevation from the trailhead to the Bear Lake Overlook. Our goal for day one on the trail was to traverse about 3.5 miles to make camp at the Bear Lake campsite. We walked in on a Wednesday afternoon, hoping that the very popular site would be available. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at Bear Lake to open campsites.
Day 1: Penn Boulevard to Bear Lake
The moderately strenuous hike from the trailhead to Bear Lake was so worth it. There were lots of boulders and rocks to navigate. The blue-painted markers along the trail reassured us we were headed in the right direction. This section of the Superior Hiking Trail can also be done as a 6.5-mile loop from Silver Bay. As you approach Bear Lake, the teaser is amazing views of Bean Lake. Just beyond Bean is a spur trail down to the water and the Bear Lake campsites. The Bear Lake campsite offers superb views of the lake. Our tents were set up just feet for the water’s edge. We spent our afternoon on the lake, climbing rocks near the shoreline and enjoyed the night air by the campfire.
Day 2: Bear Lake to Kennedy Creek
Our second day on the trail started out wet. It had rained overnight. Thankfully, our gear stayed dry and we were able to enjoy hot coffee and oatmeal before heading out for a long day of hiking. We planned to cover ten miles, from Bear Lake through Tettegouche State Park to a group campsite at Kennedy Creek. Carrying about 25-30 pounds of gear and traveling with two kids meant we were able to move about 1.25 miles per hour. This included several stops for water and Sour Patch Kids.
Early in the day we were in good spirits as we made our way from Bear Lake up to Mt. Trudee. We’ve found that letting our youngest lead offers him opportunity to set the pace and he tires less easily. We also allow the boys to carry a couple of smallish stuffed animals. When the going is tough and there are thoughts of wanting to stop, I often ask for a status update from the stuffed animals. This allows the boys to express concerns about feeling tired/hungry/hot/etc. We give the animals a pep talk and encourage everyone to keep going.
Bear Lake Overlook with Bean Lake in the background
Around lunchtime, we had walked about 7 miles and stopped to eat at High Falls in Tettegouche State Park. A break to soak our feet in the Baptism River and some food fueled us for the three remaining miles we would hike until we reached Kennedy Creek. It was fun to walk the same stretch of trail in Tettegouche we had few years earlier when we did a cart in campsite in the park.
High Falls
Though the Kennedy Creek campsites don’t offer much in the way of views and the water source is a small, shallow and often dirty creek we were so very happy to set up camp. We had hiked for about 9 hours. All those miles meant little energy to do anything other than making our evening dehydrated meal. We were snugged up in our sleeping bags and were lights out before it was dark.
Day 3: Kennedy Creek to Lake County Road 6
Our last day on the Superior Hiking Trail started early as we needed to hike just under 5 miles to reach Lake County Road 6. We had scheduled a shuttle to arrive at 1 o’clock to take us back to our truck in Silver Bay. A smarter method would be to park at the endpoint and take a shuttle to where you plan to put in. Lesson learned.
I guess we wear our hats sideways on the ‘rally miles’ out of the wilderness.
Other than a section near Sawmill Dome, this portion of the trail leaving Kennedy Creek towards County Road 6 is fairly flat. There were many sections of boardwalk, so I assume in the spring this section is notoriously wet. The only really challenging part of the last few miles were the steep descents over jagged rocks from Sawmill Dome to the trailhead parking lot.
Our time on the Superior Hiking Trail was a great family memory. We got to spend time together, exploring our beautiful state as we closed out summer. Our boys, though they had moments of whining and complaining, are already asking about the next section of trail we’ll hike. We hope to go back sometime soon.
Happy Adventuring, Rochelle
That looks amazing! So much fun for you and your fam – great memories made by all, I’m sure!
We loved it and are already planning to go back!