So excited that today’s hike to Elbow Lake Road was pretty darn good! We got up early, broke camp and tried to leave Itasca State Park. My Apple Maps couldn’t figure out what to do, though, and kept looping us through the campground. But eventually we got out!
After dropping the cars, we hit the trail at 9:30 a.m. That’s late, but thank goodness the highs today were only projected to be about 78 F (25.6 C) and not in the 80s or 90s.
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Our trek began with some big climbs, but the bulk of the day was a hike along a gently undulating path. And it was recently maintained, so no bushwhacking!
Heading to Elbow Lake Road
A few highlights of our day: Once again crossing the Laurentian Divide, a north-south continental divide. Following an old railroad bed from around 1910, plus a corduroy road. (Corduroy roads are roads created using logs that you place 
perpendicular to the direction of the road. These roads allowed people, wagons, horses, etc. to more easily traverse muddy or swampy areas.) Eating loads of wild raspberries. Lunching at a campsite where there were no mosquitoes.
Yes, there were still some pretty nasty stretches with mosquitoes. But mostly it was pretty good. And it’s so nice to hike without needing to bushwhack.
Tonight we’re camping at The Wilds. We’re right across from the bathrooms/showers/laundry, which is quite handy. We have A LOT of stinky duds, thanks to the extreme heat of late. And rain.
Snowshoe
P.S. Last night Ed and I totally forgot about the bears and raccoons that frequent this state park. We left our cooler out, and Ed heard an animal lifting the lid in the middle of the night. He thought he chased it away, but it/they made off with our good sourdough bread, hamburger buns and sliced turkey – without leaving any trace. No sandwiches for us for lunch today.
MN NCT miles today: 16 (25.8 km)
MN NCT miles to date: 740.4 (1,191.6 km)
Total NCT miles to date: 2,758.9 (4,440 km)
Total NCT miles to go: 1,841.1 (2,963 km)
Biggest help today: My bug net and Deep Woods OFF! spray. The latter is no miracle cure, but it helps.
