The Superior Hiking Trail Association, a Two Harbors nonprofit committed to appreciation, stewardship, and promotion of the Superior Hiking Trail, encourages participation in programming efforts like the Hike 50 Challenge. This annual motivational opportunity acknowledges users who finish 50 miles of the trail during a calendar year, according to the Association’s website. The challenge was established as a “fun way to engage the community to get out on the trails,” says Lisa Luokkala, executive director.
According to Luokkala, the challenge emphasizes promotion of lesser-known trail attributes, plus opportunities for all ages and skill abilities. “This is an opportunity to get people on new sections of the trail,” she says.
Participants can “accomplish the challenge over the entire trail-hiking season,” says Luokkala. “With such a broad demographic of users, some folks may be able to accomplish it over a number of days and others during a weekend walk in the woods,” she says.
Another critical aspect of the Hike 50 Challenge is its dedication to involving youth. “We try to make this kid-focused.” says Luokkala. Miles on the trail become more family-friendly with Birchy the Beaver (the Association’s mascot), championing challenge activities. “Beavers are the North Shore’s original landscape architect,” says Luokkala. And they remain an integral part of the Association’s messaging. In 2023, the challenge’s engagement theme explored beaver ponds, while this year’s engagement piece involves a Birchy nature photo scavenger hunt—a chance to take one photo for each mile completed on the trail, according to Luokkala.
The challenge’s draw for some is the simple pleasure of a patch. Every year, the Association unveils a new version of the patch, and staff encourages participation year after year to create a collection. The patch for 2024 features, you guessed it, Birchy the Beaver! The critter is shown with a camera in its paws, in an effort to take only pictures while exploring the Superior Hiking Trail.
Zach Johns from Hibbing completed the challenge in 2023. “I am a sucker for patches. My kids and I have hiked the Hiking Club Trail in every Minnesota state park. I do the Trailfitters Trail Challenge every year. If it comes with a patch, I’m in!” says Johns.
There are multiple ways to approach the challenge. Some might choose to explore the trail by section. Some may set goals for the whole family, others with a group of friends, according to Luokkala. Johns took the section-by-section approach, and ended up not only hiking the 50 miles needed for the challenge, but also the entire rest of the trail. “I celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first time I did a calendar year section hike of the entire trail by doing that again,” he says. “Every weekend, July through October, I hiked different sections, either day hiking or backpacking with many of the friends I have made on the trail over the years,” says Johns.
Johns’ experience demonstrates the community that is built on the trails. “One nice part of trail engagement is that it makes people feel part of the trail. The trail doesn’t exist unless the community is there to support it, and this is one way we can strengthen and build community,” says Luokkala.
The Superior Hiking Trail Association offers resources for planning trail experiences. “The section hikes that we provide are really great examples of things you can see and do in new ways,” says Luokkala. She shares her favorite recommendation: “Section B: Martin Road to Lake County 301 is quiet. It’s more of a meandering walk through the woods, good for someone transitioning from pavement or sidewalks.”
Whether or not the Association’s recommendations are part of your overall plan, after you finish 50 miles and submit a completion form you are awarded an official Certificate of Completion (signed by Birchy) and the latest patch. Then it is time to pat yourself on the back. “These challenges are cause for celebration,” says Luokkala.
Miles you accrue can be used for other area hiking programs, such as the North Country Trail Association’s Hike 100 Challenge. In 2019, the Superior Hiking Trail officially became part of the North Country National Scenic Trail’s route (4,800 miles of trail from North Dakota to Vermont), according to Luokkala.
Having complimentary challenges has nurtured opportunities for the two associations to learn and grow together. This has strengthened the trail community in the state of Minnesota and beyond, according to Luokkala. “Trail communication is not just connected to one trail,” she adds, “but to a love of hiking, to a love of being on the trail,” she says.
The Superior Hiking Trail is under 40 years old, but it has already greatly impacted the region’s identity, according to Luokkala. The final connection for trail completion at the southern-most terminus was made in 2017, not that long ago. Yet the sense for how much folks connect to the trail has already left a lasting impression. “The trail has had a really meaningful impact, is free to users, and has low barriers for access,” says Luokkala.
“We always hope users feel a greater connection to nature and in turn think about how these public lands and trails are protected and maintained. We need to build the next generation of stewards. We need to protect these very special public spaces for the next generation to enjoy,” says Luokkala. The Hike 50 Challenge educates users about trail culture, such as how to recreate responsibly on trails (leave no trace), according to Luokkala.
Consider supporting the Association’s stewardship through membership and volunteer opportunities. To learn more about the Superior Hiking Trail Association and the Hike 50 Challege, visit: superiorhiking.org.