Chicago Attorney Follows His Dreams of Backpacking
Like many could-be backpackers, Chicago attorney, Pedro, covered countless miles with his friends on numerous day hikes. He’d often see backpackers glide past, wondering what it would be like to actually backpack. He knew he wanted to learn the skills required for getting out on the trail for more than just a day, so decided to follow his dreams of backpacking.
He wanted it bad enough that he was willing to drive the 10 hours from Chicago to stunning Grand Marais in Northern Minnesota, where we launched his First-Time Backpacking Trip.
Adventures Should Start with Donuts
Our very first stop was to do some carbo loading at the infamous World’s Best Donuts, a little shop that has been in business for decades. They’ve definitely perfected the art of donut-making, which is why they sell out every day. Grand Marais is also known for its music scene, and this musician’s melodies made waiting in line that much sweeter.
Like all our trips, we established Pedro’s goals for the trip, before we headed into the wilderness. Pedro wanted to focus on getting comfortable with the basics rather than on logging big miles. We planned to cover anywhere from 5 to 6 miles a day, which was plenty for a first time out.
Our first day out was a little rainy, but with the right gear and attitude, it’s helpful to realize that rain is often to be expected while spending days out in the wilderness. Plus, learning how to backpack in those conditions means that Pedro has an even wider skill set. He knows what to expect in rain and how his gear will perform, so he has more confidence in his skills and gear on future trips.
Thankfully, we knew the rest of the weekend’s forecast called for perfect backpacking weather. Pedro rode it out with aplomb!
Day 1: A Soggy Start
There are only a handful of hiker log books along the entire 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail. Within our first mile onto the trail, I was so happy to see Pedro flip through some of the earlier entries and then put pen to paper, leaving his own inspiration for others, “Happy Trails! Always Follow Your Dreams.”
Even though it was only late August, Autumn was definitely making clear its inevitable arrival. The North Shore is beautiful in all seasons, but Autumn is a particular favorite. It’s an amazing place to chase vibrant Fall colors.
Pedro handled the rain like a pro and found the campsites comfortable, taking no time at all to get settled in quickly. He looked like he’d been backpacking for years; a newbie in perfect disguise.
Our timing was impeccable!
On our first evening, we got our food hang up in the tree (which took several attempts before we felt it was perfect) and within minutes, it began pouring rain. Once the deluge stopped in the middle of the night, stiff winds kicked in, with gusts up to 32 mph. Good thing we got the food hang up when we did!
The Perfect Food Hang
Day 2: Enjoying The Immersion and Making New Friends
Our second morning, we woke up to a bluebird day: Sunny skies, perfect backpacking temperatures, and just enough breeze to fend off the bugs and the sweat.
Wildflower Hill, a favorite spot on the Superior Hiking Trail, is known for its amazing views of Lake Superior. This morning was incredibly pristine, clear enough that we could see the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, over 60 miles away, jutting straight out of the water of Isle Royale’s south shore.
Pedro learned how to set up a solo MSR Hubba tent and to filter water using the Katadyn BeFree. He also learned how to make his own backcountry meals using a SnowPeak GigaPower stove and was particularly fond of the zesty lasagna our first night out on the trail.
It’s always a great sense of accomplishment when learning how much trail you’ve already covered. We crossed gravel Lindskog Road when Pedro expressed with satisfied surprise that we had easily logged 9.2 miles since the start of our trip at the Kadunce River Wayside.
It made those remaining 3 miles to our second campsite look pretty easy. We’d soon be to one of the lovely Devil Track River campsites, sleeping right next to the rushing river, eating dinner with our legs dangling off of the sturdy bridge.
Pedro has a creative mind, keen eyes, and a laid-back attitude, matched only by his great sense of humor. He spotted several colorful Tussok Moth Caterpillars as well as an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar, earning the trail name The Caterpillar Whisperer.
He also thought these mushrooms would make a great foil as toasted hamburger buns (Don’t Do This! At home or on the trail. They could be poisonous.) At this point, I got the impression that maybe he was getting hungry.
Throughout our hike, we were scolded by at least 40 scrappy Red Squirrels eating furiously, protecting their turf, and preparing for winter.
A denizen of the Superior Hiking Trail - the ubiquitous Red Squirrel.
One of the bigger adjustments on trail is to get used to deciphering night sounds, especially when camped by waterfalls, and whether a person is imagining the sounds or whether the sounds are a cause for alarm. It can be confusing and unsettling.
Just a few minutes after Pedro mentioned this, David hiked past our campsite and I was so happy that these two could meet.
While Pedro was filtering water, David told me that he had hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail. Here they are, two really wonderful men, a newbie and a PCTer, meeting at an absolutely perfect moment. I could not have planned it any better, ESPECIALLY when David said about two minutes into the conversation between the two of them that night noises can be the hardest part of learning to backpack!
Both men agreed that night noises are one of the most difficult things to handle as a new backpacker.
I always have faith that we will meet great people on the trail. They become what’s called your Trail Family. Israel and Brad were also camped at W. Devil Track River and were pretty excited when we built a fire that night. It’s exactly what they needed to put the perfecting touch on the hot dogs they’d brought along.
Israel and Brad roast hot dogs
Day 3: The Trail Leads Ever On
The viewpoints on this stretch of trail are remarkably sweeping and beautiful at any time of year. I absolutely relish everyone’s expression the first time they experience Pincushion Mountain, a short day-hike from the trailhead parking lot just up the hill from the cute town of Grand Marais.
Grand Marais Harbor is visible from Pincushion Mountain.
We made our way through many heavily-scented Spruce groves. Up on the rim of Devil Track Canyon, Minnesota’s deepest canyon, the Superior Hiking Trail winds through a another stunning grove, this one filled with majestic Red Pines.
I think backpacking suits Pedro really well. He mentioned that he would like to sign up for my Grand Canyon trip next year, which I am very excited to share with people. He’s never been to the Grand Canyon and I would be immensely honored to show him one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.
This backpacker’s story isn’t over, yet!
Group selfie at Pincushion Mountain