SHTA director shares update on trail use and camping amid wildfire outbreak

Wildfires burning in Cook and Lake counties continue to dominate the local news thread in the WTIP listening area. The complete closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Aug. 21 led to speculation that other popular outdoor destinations in the region could also face similar closures or restrictions.

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff checked in with Superior Hiking Trail Association Director Lisa Luokkala for an update on conditions and advisories for those using the trail that stretches more than 300 miles up the North Shore (audio below).

The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is not closed at this time. However, the state’s DNR Parks and Trails Division announced Aug. 24 they were closing the backcountry campsites at George Crosby Manitou State Park.

The SHTA is now advising against any overnight camping in this same region, which extends from Horseshoe Ridge on the eastern edge of the state park. This would include eight campsites from the Horseshoe Ridge site on the eastern edge of the state park and west/south to the sites at Egge Lake. Campsites include are Horseshoe Ridge, Aspen Knob, Blesner Creek, East Branch Baptism River, North Sonju Lake, South Sonju Lake, North Egge Lake, South Egge Lake and Leskinen Creek.

While the trail remains open, the SHTA asks that trail users check on current conditions before making any travel plans in the area.
The audio below is the interview with the SHTA director from Aug. 25.