Alright folks, the countdown is on and the pre-adventure hustle is in full swing!
Right now, it’s all the less-than-glamorous-but-totally-necessary stuff—washing out the backpack bladder, airing out the hiking and camping gear that still smells like last summer (and other stuff), and saying goodbye to socks with more holes than fabric… you get the idea. I also got Kenobi up to date on his annual vaccinations—trail safety applies to all species—and gave the car a little love with a tire rotation. Gotta make sure the ride (and the pup) are trail-ready! Oh—and one more big thing: this trip marks 11 whole years of hiking adventures with Kenobi. Eleven! We’ve been chasing trails and muddy footprints together for over a decade, and I couldn’t ask for a better hiking buddy.
Now for the good stuff—the weather forecast is looking amazing for most of our time on the North Shore! Woohoo! ☀️ There’s a tiny chance of rain on Thursday, but I’ll be obsessively checking that because trail days > wet boots. Speaking of which, I’m packing two pairs of hiking boots this time, because nothing ruins a day faster than soggy feet. Learned that one the hard way.
As for our go-to trails? You know we’re making our regular pilgrimage up Eagle Mountain. It’s a classic. Sure, it’s well-traveled and the wildlife knows to steer clear, but the hike is somehow addictive, and the views from the top? Jaw-dropping every. single. time.
Cascade Falls and the Cascade River Loop are also getting their usual love—YES to that waterfall energy! And while the Magnetic Rock Trail isn’t my forever favorite, it’s a short three-miler and I’m really curious to see how the area is bouncing back after the fires. Also, let’s be honest—the rock itself is just so cool. If you’ve never seen a compass freak out in real life, you’re missing out.
Of course, no trip is complete without a slow morning stroll around Artist’s Point—where we sip the best coffee, bite into the best donuts, and stare out at the best views. That combo never gets old.
Now for the new and shiny part of this trip—we’re heading way up to explore the northernmost stretches of the Superior Hiking Trail! We’ve got our eyes on:
- The highest point along the trail (heck yes, summit selfies incoming!)
- The stunning 270-degree overlook (yes, we will be spinning in circles with glee)
- The Pincushion Mountain loop, because who could resist a trail with that name?
- And the Lookout Mountain loop, because we clearly need more jaw-dropping views in our lives.
There will be some spontaneous trail-hopping too—because that’s how we roll—but these are definitely on the must-do list.
Stay tuned, trail friends—it’s going to be a good one! 🥾🌲☕
On the Trails with Kenobi 
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