Part of a campsite adopter’s job is to make sure directional signs are up and legible.
ABOUT THE WRITER
the trail.” Swanson manages volunteers footprints, that you were there,” and works alongside four full-time and he said, urging hikers to follow Leave two part-time staff, all dedicated to the No Trace principles, which is a list of construction, maintenance, management guidelines helping outdoor enthusiasts and promotion of trail, which stretches minimize their impact on the 326 miles from the Minnesota-Wisconsin environment. border just south of Jay Cooke State Park In addition to its to the Canadian border. strong volunteer base, the “People like to be a part of something SHTA hires contractors bigger than themselves,” said Swanson. to take on larger projects, “This trail is over thirty years old and it’s such as clearing trails, been a group effort to keep it going.” cutting down trees, building Founded in 1986, the SHTA is made new structures or fixing up of more than 4,500 members, and aging ones. The non-profit the number is growing as hikers spread recently received a $10,000 word-of-mouth accounts of grant from the trail’s magnificence and the retail and take captivating images on outdoor recreation the trail and post them to giant REI, as part of its social media. trail renewal program. Campsite adopters “It’s our way of looking number more than 120 at problem sections that people for the trail’s 94 we have, and we will be backcountry campsites. working to renew those These devoted outdoor sections and make them enthusiasts ensure signage as sustainable as possible,” is up and that paths to said Swanson. “We want to the campsite and latrine be good stewards of the land are clear from brush. and water that surround the They empty the fire ring, Superior Hiking Trail.” dismantle unauthorized The SHTA is also fire rings, and pick up working on training new litter and microtrash from volunteer crew leaders the site, such as bits of Over time ashes fill the fire to help them tackle food wrappers, pistachio pit and need to be removed. troublesome sections. shells, or cigarette butts. They report on At times, there’s a waitlist for those how many inches of space are left in the interested in volunteering, so they’re latrine, occasionally dig a new one, and hoping the grant will help them create let the SHTA know of any dead or dying more opportunities to contribute. trees in the area. For information on exploring Peterson’s work primarily consists the trail or volunteering, visit of campsite maintenance related to www.superiorhiking.org frequent use, but at times he observes irresponsible camping practices he finds disheartening. “There should be no evidence, other than
Kelsey Roseth is a freelance journalist and outdoor writer based in Duluth, MN with bylines in Birds & Blooms, Culture Trip, Make It Minnesota, Minnesota Women’s Press, Duluth News Tribune and Fargo Forum, among other publications. When not writing, you may find her hiking on North Shore trails.
The view from the Bear Lake campsite.
Minnesota Trails
Fall 2018 9
