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My daughter Elena and I did this trip in May, 2009. We were training for our Rae Lakes Loop trip that was scheduled for July 2009. We decided that we should do a shakedown trip to get familiar with our gear and see how we fared physically. I tried to find something comparable to the physical challenge we would face in the Sierras. Searching every trail in FLAT Minnesota, it looked like this section of the Superior Hiking trail was about the most challenging I was going to find in the state.
This was a fun trip, and was worthwile to get familiar with all of our new gear. It was not even close to being comparable physically to the Rae Lakes trail in Kings Canyon. Even though we covered comparable miles each day, and did some decent elevation changes on the SHT, the terrain on the SHT was MUCH easier.I did enjoy this trip however. It was nice to visit with Elena and spend some time together! This was my first backpacking trip with Elena. I knew she was young and in good shape, but I had no idea she would naturally have such a blistering pace! I was able to keep up with her on this trip, but I knew that on more difficult trails I would not be able to hike at that pace.
We did this as an in and out trip over two days. There are spots in the hike that were challenging. In particular the "Drainpipe" was interesting! It is appropriately named. It is like crawling up a drainpipe. There were sections where I was on my hands and knees it is so steep. I would NOT want to do this one in the rain. I wouldn't let it scare you off though. Go slow and most folks in reasonable shape will have no problems.
