Last weekend we drove "up north" for a long weekend of hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The big lake has an absolutely mesmerizing effect; it is so clear and clean it seems almost alive. Bluefin Bay, our base, overlooks the Lake and allows pets - so the dogs were able to come along and enjoy the trails with us. We also had the company of my sister Sue and her husband Bruce, coming all the way from Arizona; and Tom flew out for the weekend to join us.
The first day meant our favorite hike, up to Carlton Peak for lunch and an unparalleled view of the Lake and the Sawtooth Mountains:
 |
| Lake Superior from Carlton Peak |
|
Carlton peak is a granite block from around which the softer land eroded leaving this unique feature behind, similar to a mineature Devil's Tower. We reached it through Temperence River State Park, so we enjoyed the waterfalls, cascades and gorges carved by the Temperence River along the way.
 |
| River Gorge |
|
|
 |
| Temperance River above falls |
|
 |
| Woodpecker! |
A beautiful sunny day it was, and despite missing the height of the fall colors, this was hard to beat. Cyndi's lamb shank stew for dinner made it a perfect day.
Next day we drove down to the best hiking park on the shore - Tettegouche State Park. We hiked the Superior Hiking Trail (up the cleft in a ridge called The Drainpipe) and around the isolated lakes which were the reason for the old, former camp of the Tettagouche Club.
 |
| Tom on the trail |
|
 |
| Lake Michimac and the Cathedral Pines |
|
|
 |
| Another lake view |
|
The trail led over to the waterfalls and gorge of the Baptism River:
We then crossed the road to hike over to Shovel Point. This is a rocky point with sheer cliffs (a rock climber destination) that juts out into the Lake. Sadly, the stone arch - a feature that had lasted for ages just west of Shovel Point - had collapsed over the winter and is nothing more than remnants, a small island off another small point.
 |
| Shovel Point |
 |
| Sunset from Shovel Point |
|
 |
| Stone Arch, fallen |
|
Another great dinner from Cyndi - beef braised in wine sauce - awaited our return to the condo.
Sunday we checked out, then drove down to Split Rock State Park for a few hours hike along the shoreline. We were able to get on the little island just west of the lighthouse (OK this time of year) and take our share of photos:
 |
| Oh boy, let's play in the water! |
 |
| Split Rock Lighthouse from above |
|
 |
| And from the island |
The rocky beach, Day's Hill, and more hiking completed the trip. Now it was time to get in the car and drive back home, tired but happy. Sue and Bruce were off to see friends; Tom spent the evening with his old friend Collin before flying back to Missoula, while Cyndi & I were back at work.
