by Melanie McManus | Oct 30, 2021 | Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking
I was excited for my trek into Ely today. First, it would cap off this little jaunt on the Kekekabic Trail. Second, it would be mostly a long road walk, which was a welcome thing for me after the tough Kek. And third, when I finished I’d drive to...
by Melanie McManus | Jul 12, 2023 | By Location, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
I got back on the NCT today, hiking toward Eagle’s Nest in Minnesota. This is a small township west of Ely that also contains a trailhead for the Mesabi Trail. The NCT piggybacks on the paved Mesabi Trail for well over 100 miles (161 km) to showcase the Mesabi...
by Melanie McManus | Jul 13, 2023 | By Location, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Today was a long, but enjoyable, hike to the Pike River Wayside Park. I’d planned to have Jim, the cyclist/police officer I’d met yesterday, shuttle me after his shift, around 7 p.m. But Leah, the manager at the Adventure Inn, had also offered to shuttle me today,...
by Melanie McManus | Jul 14, 2023 | By Location, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Today’s trek to Biwabik (pronounced Buh WAHB ick) was largely uneventful. Not so last night! I’ve been faithfully checking the weather forecast, and was delighted that no rain was predicted for a few days. Not one drop. So imagine my surprise to wake up in the middle...
by Melanie McManus | Jul 15, 2023 | By Location, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
On today’s agenda: hiking from Biwabik to Mountain Iron. Last night, I camped at Lake Vermilion Campground in Biwabik. The manager put me in touch with Dave, a local taxi driver. Dave was driving a bunch of golfers this morning, so we arranged an afternoon shuttle...
by Melanie McManus | Jul 16, 2023 | By Location, Minnesota, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Trail Journals, Uncategorized, United States
Today’s hike was from Mountain Iron to Hibbing. But first, the back story! Last night I stayed at a campground in Chisholm, in between the two towns. The campground was in the middle of town, but this is a tiny town in northern Minnesota. Imagine my surprise to...