Backpacking the BWCA: Sioux-Hustler Trail
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- A last minute backpacking trip to the the Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA), a part of the Superior National Forest in NE Minnesota, in late September provided spectacular fall colors.
Specifically we drove 5 hours north to about 1 hour north west of the city of Ely, to walk the Sioux-Hustler Trail, a 31 mile loop. A rugged trail, beaver dams, rain, and occupied campsites cause some challenges, but my buddy Stephen and I really enjoyed the trip. I think you will too.
This trail is relatively flat, however it is more rugged than most long backpacking trails like the SHT, AT, Ice Age Trail, and CT. Beaver Dams, mud, over growth, and slippery. Its not miserable, but your hiking pace will be slower than other trails. Spur trails to lakes and campsites are longer but worth the diversion since that is where the views are. Campers can stay at campsites up to 14 days and campsites are not shared. In fact, walking into occupied campsites is frowned upon (my bad).
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Stephen's Video of this trip on his youtube:
• Fall 2020 Sioux Hustle...
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The paddlers in the BWCA not only pursue isolation from others but I think have also grown accustomed to this through regulation. You need a permit to be in the BWCA overnight and only ONE permit is allowed per campsite. This is to limit and distribute the impact of people in a reserve that sees 250,000+ visitors per year. This fall, the BWCA was unusually packed. If hikers and paddlers started stacking in various site, this would undermine impact & management efforts. Since the permit system was introduced (in the 70's?) the number of sites and permits have only been reduced.
BTW...Your outtakes were hilarious!
Thanks for sharing your trip Jeremy. That's a beautiful part of the BWCA and one of the busier ones in the fall. As a former canoest, I mostly backpack now, let me say that the two individuals who weren't very friendly are not really representative of most canoe trippers. It is true that canoers typically don't share campsites, but the ones I know would never turn away someone who really needed a place to camp. Too bad they soured what was otherwise a great trip. Thanks for having a good attitude about it.
Love the Fall colors. That spot on night 2 where you got water was really beautiful. The River was gorgeous. Cool video
Great video, Jeremy!! Loved your Luke Bryan connection to the rain haha. I really want to come visit the BWCA sometime!!
Great video. I like hearing your thoughts on the trail and area so people know what to expect. They should really have designated sites setup that are forced shared sites so people like that guy won't have a reason to complain. I mean, you've gotta have a place to sleep.
That campsite on devils cascade I wouldn't consider using if I was canoing unless absolutely necessary. It should probably just be hikers only. It was extremely busy up there this year so not surprising you ran into lots of people. Thanks for the video.
Awesome video Jeremy! (I finally got around to looking it up. Dreaming of the trail) It was great to camp with you and Steven on Emerald Lake, I had a blast meeting you and have gotten a lot of mileage off of my joke about sleeping between two strange guys - lol. Great job explaining to others the nuances of getting a site. I hope to go back this fall and am going to make it a longer trip to be able to get to sites early! Happy Camping! Fancy Nancy
Your edits are tight! Nice job!
Nice hike ! Beautiful scenery! Good quality even w an iPhone. I’m curious though.... does a person need to ask SHUG if it’s alright to hike there before one hikes there? He’s sort of the spokesman for that area.
Looks like you had a good time . Good job thanks for sharing!
Just found and subbed. I look forward to support the content.
Great video. Looks like a lot of fun. But about the site. They didn't wanna share so you camped right next to them and then wandered back into camp at sunrise? I guess I understand why they might be upset.
So polite of you to cut off slices of sausage with your lunch. I’m just a Neanderthal and bite off hunks when I bring sausage like that.
LOL
Just went back and revisited this episode-Cody and I are planning on doing this loop in 2021. We are trying to gauge what month would be best. We have gear for all seasons, really. Any advice?
Get to your campsite early in the day and plan for where you are going if your planned site is already occupied. Have fun!
Do you have advice on a month to visit? We were thinking potentially early November. I was thinking it would decrease the amount of other people we would see on the trail later in the season, Plus it would free up views when the leaves are off the trees. I worry spring would get so wet and sloppy vs late fall.
Avoid summer due to being over grown and bugs. October is probably best. Might be a foot of snow in November. Which isn’t bad if you are
Ok with that.
Don’t mind snow, we have the gear for it :-)
You might avoid competing with canoes for campsites more in November as well.
Great trip none the less, was just up in that area and have done it many times thru out the years, pretty shitty on them canoeist, if they did there research they’d know there’s a hiking trail in the area and they might come across this situation. I know it’s there right but me, I’m helping a fellow brother or sister out! Especially out in the bush.
I believe in sharing a site. I think those people were rather rude based on your explanation of the situation. Lets hope you have a better time next time.
Same, regarding sharing. You don’t have to do it, but it’s a nice thing to do. Esp. when it’s later in the evening.
I came across the same beaver pond you hit on day 1 on my first solo through that area. Pretty annoying. Ending up repacking the canoe to paddle about 100’. I might have walked it if not for the leaches and other things that tend to be more prevalent in small beaver ponds.
Looked like a pretty cool trail and trip. Looks like the trail is a little tough to navigate. Is it easy to get lost on it? Happy trails
Yeah. I would recommend a map app with gps or a good detailed map.
I’m “lichen” your video Almost! 😂🤣😉. Too bad about your camera. Dan Becker to the rescue!!
Doesn't sound like very friendly folks up there? But that's about how it is in the upper lower peninsula of Michigan. A mixed bag actually just dont ask to share a campsite.
I understand the 'wanna get away' thing....but at the same time.....share and share alike. I have to say I lack some respect for people 'staking out a site' and then keeping it and not sharing it for days at a time...Not cool.
Sucks about the campsite. Luckily hikers are allowed to dispersed camp when needed, 200 ft away from trail etc.
Losing a camera on such a gorgeous hike seems fitting for 2020, doesn't it? 😒🤬 Other than that and the quicksand, it looked like a pretty good time. Take care.
Such an enjoyable video ... and then Joe Biden cuts in for an ad... lol my Lord.