Superior Hiking Trail gets extension

• Bear Lake

Hikers enjoy a view at Bear Lake on the Superior Hiking Trail. Submitted photo

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The 270-mile long Superior Hiking Trail will gain 22 miles of new trail west of Two Harbors Sept. 1.

The new portion, which will run through the Lake County Demonstration Forest, will be paid for by donations and grants.

Future plans include a 20-mile extension to Duluth which is slated to be a part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The new 22-mile stretch, along with the rest of the trail, is maintained mostly by the 300 volunteers involved with the trail. There are some paid staff members.

These people, along with visitors, plus many locals enjoy the trail.

“There’s a certain amount of local use,” said Gayle Coyer, executive director of the Superior Hiking Trail Association. “It would be great to get more.”

Coyer went on to say that use of the trail is up a bit this year, thinking people are probably using it more because they choose to stay a little closer to home because of the economy.

The trail, which consists of a lot ascent and descent, is palpable to day hikers and those of the backpack variety.

Coyer said there are trail parking lots every five to eight miles.

If you are one who would like to go the distance, it goes all the way to the Canadian border. And you wouldn’t get lost either. Trees are labeled with blue rectangles so you don’t lose your path.

About 50,000 people hike a portion of the trail each year. In the winter, its enjoyed by snowshoers.

Superior Hiking Trail events:

There are guided hikes throughout the year. They are free and open to the public. For more information, call (218) 834-2700. Call the same number if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

There is also a shuttle bus to the trail that runs through Oct. 18. For more, visit www.superiorshuttle.com.

For more about the association, visit www.shta.org.

Tags: two harbors, superior hiking trail, lake county, silver bay, outdoors, northland, outdoors, rec, sports