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Sitting in traffic on our ride home Sunday evening, Andy said to me, “I need to be back at our campsite chopping wood.” Backpacking is a break away from the regular grinds of life. That’s why we like to Hike Thru Life sharing our stories and hoping to inspire you to go out on the trails.
Our most recent hike took us for 3 days on The Superior Hiking Trail in early October. We’ve been following the Minnesota DNR website for fall color peaks. Where we went hiking it showed 50-75% of the leaves changed color. It was proven true when we hit the trail. Hiking thru orange, yellow, red and some green leaves grounded me with nature. We are blessed to live in a state where nature is ever changing through the seasons and reflects beauty every step of the way.
Here’s a look at a view from the trail a little over 1.5 miles in from the trailhead. A popular area in the fall, we saw families with kids hiking in. An easy day hike and perfect photo spot.
We began our hike at the County Rd 6 trailhead. Our planned destination for the day took us for a 5-mile hike. The hike was adorned with autumn colors, I thought I might have tripped on the trail looking up at all these colors surrounding me.
On the hike, we passed a campsite called ‘Section 13’. An uneasy feeling sat upon me as it reminded me of paranormal beings.
When we arrived at Lesiken Creek campsite I was feeling good, I wanted to keep going another 5 miles but that wasn’t in the plans. Andy already was scoping out the best trees to hang the hammock from! The moment we get to a campsite the first thing we do, sometimes before setting our packs down, is scan the area for the best hammock hanging trees. It’s important to get trees that are a good enough distance apart, with minimal sap. There were plenty of trees for our hammock. If you read about this site in the Superior Hiking Trail Guide book, it’ll note 8 tent pads available. A great site for large groups!
I set my pack down and treated myself to a backpacker’s best friend: beer. One perk to fall camping… food/beer will stay cold without a cooler! The cool crisp fall air turns the nature around us into our refrigerator.
As I sat there sipping a Castle Danger Summer Crush Ale, a light sun shower came down from the sky along with autumn leaves trickling down from the trees. Fall was in the air and I was happy, content and felt peace.
We gathered firewood for the evening, going off trail to find the driest wood. Any fallen wood on/off the trail is free for burning in designated fire rings on the Superior Trail. Be aware of burn restrictions in the area before lighting your fire.
As the day went on, the weather got colder. By dusk, I had on 4 layers up top, 3 layers on the legs and 2 pairs of wool socks. We sat by the fire for the whole evening to stay warm. Andy tended to the fire while I prepared the spaghetti dinner. It was a challenge preparing dinner and keeping my fingers warm. I slid my hands back into my gloves for a warm up in between preparing dinner.
Saturday was the day to take it easy and move slowly. We were just hiking 5 miles to our next campsite, South Egge Lake.
This campsite was on a lake and even further off the path than Lesiken Creek site. We prefer this because it gives more of a private camp feeling, and you don’t get hikers strolling by your site. Also better for our dog, who doesn’t like strangers approaching her ‘territory’. Daisy is our watchdog on the trails.
It was a popular weekend so we did get some hikers walking into our site to check if it was available. We were thankful we arrived early enough Saturday to claim the popular site. Andy found us a tree of firewood to burn for the evening and chopped it up that afternoon. Truly, a whole tree this time!
I spent the afternoon peacefully gazing at the autumn colors and appreciating nature’s gifts of rain showers.
Sunday morning I woke up and the water in my CamelBak had begun freezing. We woke up much colder than the night before. Andy got out of the hammock around 5:30 am to realize the under quilt had pulled out from under us and was off to the side of the hammock. I had just thought it was colder by the lake. Turns out, we didn’t have the extra layer to keep us warm! We broke out the hand warmers that night too. From experience, these slightly work but I wouldn’t rely on them as your main source of heat.
Getting out of the hammock throughout the night to pee is never pleasant especially when it’s 30 degrees. But I do remind you, moving those muscles helps warm up the body! I found myself doing jumping jacks at camp a few times to warm up.
Our wake up Sunday morning was 7:45 am. Took down camp, made a quick oatmeal and coffee breakfast and hit the trail at 8:45 am.
We had 10 miles that day. I began hiking in all 4 top layers with gloves and hat on. By 3 miles I had only 2 layers on, no extra coverings, and sweat dripping down my face. If only we could sleep walk, we’d be warm all night camping.
By the end of 10 miles my feet, mostly toes, were feeling the hike. Blisters, weak toenails, chapped lips, sunburn on the face and sore muscles are all signs that our bodies accomplished the goal. We are a hiking team with a goal: a 5+ day backpacking trip next summer, in addition to a Boundary Waters canoeing trip!
We treated ourselves to our favorite tradition…burgers after backpacking! Eating a Culver’s butter burger, custard, root beer and fries never tasted so rewarding.
A backpack trip gives a person the opportunity to connect with nature and really ‘disconnect’ from day to day life. If you’re unable to get on the trails for a backpacking trip, I challenge you to disconnect from life for a day in your own way. Find your passion and immerse yourself in it, get lost in the bliss. Turn your phone off, do what YOU love! Tell me how you feel after. Refreshed and rejuvenated should be a feeling on your mind. Going to work on Monday morning after a weekend of peace might not be so bad. So go ahead, treat yourself. You deserve peace.
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Peace, love, and hike thru life!
Looks like the area around Sawmill Dome and Section 13… I love fall hiking up there, although you caught some chilly temps! Brrr!
The fall colors in MN are nothing but fabulous! Oh hammock camping is great! We use tents when it’s colder.
Our dog is an awesome camping and adventure dog….always on the look out!
Nice pictures! I just love fall colors, they make me swoon. As for the hammocks at the campsite, I do the same thing. It’s my first priority. I’ve even gone so far as to look up pictures of sites before I book them if it’s possible. By the way, your dog is absolutely beautiful!