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Sugarloaf Cove
The North Shore of Lake Superior is filled with many popular tourist destinations, including state parks, countless waterfalls and stretches of incredible hiking trails. It is also lined with many beautiful areas that are often overlooked by travelers zooming by on Highway 61. One of those hidden treasures (though we do believe it is an up and coming North Shore destination for many) is the Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center near Schroeder, MN (just 10 miles from our store). Sugarloaf Cove is more than a beautiful Lake Superior cove to skip rocks in or have a picnic by, though it is most certainly that. The surrounding plot of land is home to a short interpretive hiking trail and nature center that comes alive in the summer months with informative displays. The center also offers classes throughout the spring, summer and fall months that vary from Boreal Botany to North Shore Geology. Be sure to visit their website and check out their event calendar this spring. Bird banding is also a popular event at Sugarloaf Cove. In September and October, trained volunteers band birds that live in and travel through the area (the large size of Lake Superior funnels high concentrations of birds along...
Hiking Eagle Mountain: Minnesota’s Highest Point
If you’re looking for a unique and challenging hike that takes you deep into the northwoods of Minnesota, you’ll want to make sure you add hiking to Eagle Mountain to your list of things to do. Eagle Mountain (or at least one of them… there’s also an Eagle Mountain located in the Lutsen Mountains ski area) is home to the highest point in Minnesota (2,301 feet in elevation) and the trail to get there cuts through Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, so you’ll be able to escape the constant and familiar hum of motors. The hike to the top is a challenging one. It is rated as a difficult trail since traversing over rocks and tree roots requires hikers to pay close attention to their footing. The trail extends from the trail head for 3.5 miles to the peak of Eagle Mountain. However, if taken slowly and/or aided with hiking poles, most hikers will find the challenge rewarding and the work worthwhile when they reach the top. Though there is a relatively steep grade to the trail within the last half mile or so towards the peak, most of the trail flows over rolling and manageable hill climbs. The trail travels through...
The Right Stove For Your Adventure
Know Your Options A few helpful things to consider when buying a stove is where and how you will use it and how much you can spend. In Northern Minnesota, you are likely either car camping in a campground, backpacking part of the North Country Trail, or canoeing camping in the wilderness. Different stoves will be more or less ideal for each of these experiences. The first consideration is weight. Since a backpacker is literally carrying everything on their back, they tend to go as small and light as possible. On the other end of the weight continuum are the car campers with the freedom to travel with a stove of considerable size and weight. In between are the canoe campers, with some preferring to go small and light while others willingly take on the extra weight of a stove with more bells and whistles. All-In-One Stove System The stove that garnishes the most attention for its unique design and twin burner cook system is the Genesis from Jetboil, an excellent choice for either car camping or for canoe country. By far, it's most compelling advantage is the ability to utilize two burners simultaneously while being compact enough to fold in half for easy...
Unique Ski Experiences You Can’t Miss
There are many options for skiing beyond basic alpine and cross country. Groomed trails are great but so are frozen rivers, powder covered ridges, and crust covered lakes. Check out these three twists to traditional alpine and nordic skiing. 1. Backcountry Hok Skiing: Break trail and go your own way with the Altai Hok Ski. Cruise the woods, bomb the hills or take to the frozen rivers. With a partial climbing skin integrated into the base, the ski climbs with ease. The skin also makes the ski slower and easier to control than traditional skis. The ski’s shorter, wider design make it incredibly maneuverable, ideal for any ungroomed terrain. This is truly an all-purpose backcountry tool. This skis requires no groomed areas, no lifts, no tickets. Stop in the shop to try and pair or buy your own before the winter is over. 2. Skijoring: Do you want to get outside with your furry friend. You both can get a high speed work out with this exciting ski sport. Skijoring is a sport in which a dog (or dogs) assist a cross-country skier. One to three dogs are commonly used. The cross-country skier provides power with skis and poles, and the dog adds additional...
Set up a Snowtrekker Hot Tent and Stove
Sawtooth Outfitters' wilderness guide provides instruction on setting up the Snowtreckker canvas wall tent for winter camping. From start to finish, this video has everything you need to know before picking up your tent for your winter camping experience.
Top 5 Winter Wilderness Camping Tips
#1 Travel on Back Country Skis When breaking new trail in the back country, snowshoes will get the job done, but Hok skis will make the job fun and fluid. These innovative skis from the Altai Company are a ski/snowshoe hybrid. With a wide base, permanent skins, and enough length to achieve glide, these skis are the best way to flow across our frozen lakes, rivers and streams. Try a Rental Pair #2 Set Up a Base Camp Since breaking trail in the back country is slow and tedious, don’t plan on changing locations every night like you may be accustomed to doing in the summer time. Pick a scenic yet sensible base camp site and launch day trips to explore the surrounding area. #3 Stay Warm and Dry Sounds Obvious, Right? But it can be easier said than done. First and foremost, plan to “hot-tent camp”. Being able to generate heat with a wood stove in a canvas wall tent is worth the extra weight. With that in mind, consider that foot travel in the winter leads to heat and perspiration while pulling a sled or breaking trail. When stopping to set up camp, that heat will dissipate quickly. Be prepared to set up your tent...
Fall Camping in the Northwoods
Fall is an amazing time to camp on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Whether you are paddling in the Boundary Waters, Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, or hammock camping in the State Parks, you are sure to encounter beautiful forest canopies of red, orange, yellow, green and gold. Just as likely on any October trip are high winds, rain, and even snow. Thus the bold must endure the elements in order to camp under the majestic canopy of color. In this month’s blog post we feature the top pro tips to stay warm and dry in any camping conditions so that you don’t have to suffer while savoring the beauty. The key to staying comfortable is in the tools you take in the wilderness and how you use them. From tarps to tinder it takes extra time to get it right. Warmth: Your first and most important source or warmth is your self-generated body heat. Make sure to bring all the necessary layers. A wool base layer is ideal to trap heat against your skin and wick moisture away from the skin when you sweat. A high quality fleece can be worn over the base layer as an additional insulating...
Fishing in Canoe Country
When fishing lakes both within and around the BWCAW, versatility, and stability are of utmost importance. In this month’s blog post, we are sharing our favorite spots for catching a wide variety of fish species in northern Minnesota as well as the canoes that we recommend. As we are located on Highway 61 in Tofte, MN, we are on the way to wherever you may be heading into the wilderness. From lakes 15 minutes away to an hour and a half at the end of the Gunflint Trail, we have plenty of recommendations for where to explore, fish, and relax. In terms of fishing, here are a few of our picks for different fish species. Outside the BWCAW: Crescent – Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskellunge Wilson – Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch Silver Island – Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie Two Island – Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass Toohey Lake – Walley, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, White Sucker Inside the BWCAW: North Temperance – Northern Pike, Walleye South Temperance – Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass Winchell – Lake Trout, Northern Pike Alton – Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike Kawishiwi – Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch Malberg – Walleye, Northern Pike Brule – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike Koma – Walleye, Northern Pike The...
Staff Picks: Daytrips, Destinations and Detours
There are so many beautiful places here on the north shore and so many different ways to visit them. You likely have a spot you make sure to visit and explore every time you venture north. Each member of the team here also has a favorite spot we love to visit when time allows. We want to share those favorite places with you. Keep reading to discover the beautiful places that call us into the wild. You may just feel the same call we do. Sarah - Lake Paddling/Camping: Silver Island Lake is a special wilderness lake in Superior National Forest. It has eight FREE first come, first served camp sites on the shore with four other sites only accessible via canoe or kayak. Travel further on the Portage from Silver Island Lake into T Lake to enhance the wilderness feel at three more campsites with increased solitude. I love how quiet and out of the way this lake is. It’s so pretty with numerous nooks and crannies to explore. The lack of traffic on this lake makes it a perfect getaway whether just a day-paddle or an overnight break from the business of life. Jeff - Mountain Biking: Britton Peak hosts some of...
Weekend Warriors
Summer is a busy time for everyone and many of us can’t take weeks off of life and work to adventure in the north-country, hence the need for the weekend warrior. The weekend warrior is a master of making the most of a 48-hour explore-cation. How can you learn the warrior way? Keep reading for some suggestions on how to begin right here on the north shore of Lake Superior. Friday: Start the weekend right by stopping at Tettegouche State Park on your way up the shore. A quick 15 minute hike out to shovel point will land you the perfect vantage for taking in the sunset over the Big Lake with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background. If you need to kill a few hours before sunset, stay in the park and head to the 70ft high falls on the Baptism River and rock on the suspension bridge. Follow all that up with Dinner at Northern Lights Road House and Pub for an Elk burger, glass of wine, or a pint of craft beer. Want to sleep under the stars? Then crash for the night in Superior National Forest at one of the many inland campgrounds. Many of them are free! Saturday: Take...