by Melanie McManus | Jun 19, 2019 | Border Route Trail 2019, Hiking, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
I’m writing this in my tent alongside Clearwater Lake. I’m trying to enjoy the haunting cries of the loons, but there are so many mosquitoes buzzing outside it sounds like a massive hive full of angry bees. Boo. Today was full of adventure as always. We broke camp...
by Melanie McManus | Jun 20, 2019 | Border Route Trail 2019, Hiking, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Today’s destination was Sock Lake. I slept in until 6:30 — yikes! But the guys were in no hurry to head out, so we went about our chores and hit the trail at 8:30. The first several miles were just as the Alaska couple told us they’d be. First, we had lots...
by Melanie McManus | Jun 21, 2019 | Border Route Trail 2019, Hiking, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Friday, June 21, 2019The bulk of the campsites along the Border Route Trail are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). There aren’t many between the Western Terminus, near the popular Magnetic Rock formation, and the western end of the BWCAW. Our...
by Melanie McManus | Oct 27, 2021 | Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking
Today’s inaugural hike on the Kekekabic Trail took me 8.5 miles (13.7 km) to Howard Lake. Before I say more, a quick bit of background. The Kekekabic Trail, or Kek as it’s affectionately known, is part of the North Country Trail. It’s also one of three connecting...
by Melanie McManus | Oct 28, 2021 | Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking
Last night’s sleep before heading to Strup Lake today was great! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (among regular links) to products I own and like, or which I think you might like. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission...
by Melanie McManus | Oct 29, 2021 | Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking
Today’s goal was to camp as near to the western terminus as I could. But first, a recap of last night. Yesterday, I hit two high peaks where I was able to get cell service. I checked the weather forecast and saw there was a 50 percent chance of rain from about 10 p.m....