All You Have To Do Is Walk by Jan Lasar When Beth and Jason Gary North Country Scenic Trail, stepped out of the forest and onto which crosses the state on the rock outcropping they wanted to its 4,600-mile journey from see Lake Agnes far below them. But a North Dakota to Vermont. heavy fog had settled on the woods like On a Thursday a damp blanket and the scenic views afternoon in late August they’d hoped for were hiding behind a the couple met their shuttle wall of mist. They had two more days driver, Harriet Quarles, to make it to the Cascade River Valley in the parking lot of the and decided to move on. Pincushion Mountain The Garys had lived in Minnesota trailhead north of Grand from 2007 to 2015 as Texas transplants. Marais to get a ride to the “We both love the peace and quiet of Lutsen Mountain trailhead Jason Gary pumps water the outdoors so we tried to spend as near Tofte. “Harriet was from Spruce Creek. much time hiking and camping as we a hoot,” Beth said. By could,” Jason said. They had day-hiked the time they made the Superior Hiking Trail, but decided 24-mile drive they to return to Minnesota last both learned details about opted to make it at least two and a half Camp at September for a four-day Harriet’s life and how miles,” she said. Spruce Creek. They woke up early the next day backpacking trip from she came to be a Lutsen Mountain to shuttle driver late in to find their tent wet from overnight the Cascade River life, working seven rain and a mist hanging over the small Valley. days a week and campsite on the river. On the way The Superior driving hundreds to the lunch spot at Lake Agnes the weather didn’t improve much. “It was Hiking Trail of miles. snakes its way A f t e r misty rain all day and we couldn’t see up Minnesota’s some advice much of anything,” Beth said. After North Shore from from Harriet passing up three scenic overlooks Duluth to the USabout mosquito along the way, they reached the Canada border at repellents, they Agnes Creek Bridge. It was a steep the Pigeon River. shouldered their climb to the Lake Agnes overlook Volunteers of the nonbackpacks and set off from there, but they could barely see profit Superior Hiking Trail for their first campsite on through the fog once they got there. After following the trail down to the Association maintain its 310 the East Poplar River. With a miles of footpath and 96 backcountry long day on the road behind them, this lakeshore, lunch was a quick affair of campsites. Together with the Kekekabic first hike was a short one. “We had a freeze-dried beef stroganoff cooked in and Border Route Trails, it’s part of the few hours to get to a campsite, so we the bag. They quickly moved on. The
Finally, a view: Lookout Mountain at Cascade River State Park. All photos by Jan Lasar 8 Fall 2019
Minnesota Trails
