Heading West

2019-09-06
WI, MN

Most of my days are travel, hike, blog, sleep or hike, travel, blog, sleep. Today is pretty much a relocation day, and includes my first down time of the trip as both the hikes and travel are short today. But it started with rain from about 2:00 AM until 6:00 AM. I waited a bit to make sure it had stopped before clambering out of the tent and getting everything packed up.

The reason I stayed at Copper Falls State Park was for the hike to the namesake waterfall. It was only about 2 miles, but it did not disappoint. The hike is actually around a gorge where several rivers meet, and there are multiple waterfalls. The park was originally developed by the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC), but many of their improvements were wiped out by subsequent flooding of the Bad River. This is actually noteworthy because I have been on many trails and bridges built by the CCC that are in magnificent shape today. Regardless, the Doughboy Trail is beautiful and well-maintained and I'm sure they'd be proud.

After the early morning hike where I was the first on the trail, I headed off to Minnesota where I stopped at a trailhead and picnic area in Superior National Forest. Here I hung my tent out to dry, and then hiked a mile because it was still too early to check into the hotel. I haven't been in a hotel room in a while, and honestly I was looking forward to flush toilets. However, this one is badly situated next to railroad tracks. I'm reminded of that scene in My Cousin Vinny:

Vinny: Does that freight train come through here at 5:00 A.M. every morning?

Hotel Clerk: No, sir, it's very unusual.

...

Vinny: [the next day, after Vinny was awakened by the train] Yesterday you told me that freight train hardly ever comes through here at 5:00 A.M. in the morning.

Hotel Clerk: I know. She's supposed to come through at ten after 4:00.

We'll see how it goes.

Hiking distance: 3 miles