Minnesota’s North Shore is good at hiding a climb inside a short hike. You can leave your car heading toward a river gorge or a Lake Superior overlook and soon find yourself stepping over roots and scrambling over rocks on a trail that keeps going up.
My average hike is four or five miles. Between the elevation changes, bridges, corduroy boardwalks and wet stretches, those miles are more substantial than a stroll on a paved path. I used to set off without water, thinking that water, snacks and an extra layer were too much fuss. Enough hikes changed my mind. Small comforts make the experience better without weighing me down.
What goes in my hiking pack
I carry a small 10-liter REI Co-op Trailmade 10 Hydration Pack with a 1.5-liter hydration reservoir. I added a paracord bungee on the outside to hold a vest, light jacket or packable raincoat. A layer can feel essential when I start and unnecessary once I’m climbing. I like having somewhere easily accessible to put it.
My snack has become a ritual: a Honeycrisp apple, a single serving of Tillamook sharp white cheddar and a little packet of mixed nuts and dried cranberries. I’ve eaten that sweet, crisp, thirst-quenching apple and cheese combination at enough overlooks to know I’ll be disappointed if I leave it behind.
How I keep track of the trail
The map goes on my phone before I drive to the trailhead. I use Avenza for offline maps, but I also check current trail information before heading out. For a Superior Hiking Trail section, I check the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s current maps and trail conditions. Depending on my destination, a section of a Voyageur map also works well. I use the iPhone’s Health app to check my steps and mileage, though the number doesn’t truly capture what’s underfoot in a North Shore mile.
Why I always bring trekking poles
I hike alone almost exclusively, and my Leki poles come every time. If you think poles are only for older hikers, try descending a steep, rooty stretch when your legs are getting tired and there’s scree on the bedrock. That’s when I value the extra points of contact. On more remote stretches, I sometimes clack the poles together to make my presence known. I’d rather give a moose or bear a chance to hear me coming. I also sometimes sing or call out, “Hey, bear.” I picked up this habit years ago while working at Glacier National Park, where making noise to avoid surprising bears is standard hiking advice.
I carry toilet tissue in case nature calls and a zip-top bag for trash and anything else I need to pack out. I also bring a little JOBY tripod for my iPhone. Photos and video are part of how I spend time out there, and an overlook is a good place to set the phone down and stay a while.
There’s an old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I’ve stopped mistaking an empty pack for a simpler day. This small kit is easy to carry. I’m glad to have what’s in it when the trail turns steep, the weather shifts or I find a breathtaking overlook inviting me to stay awhile.
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