Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota

On the southern edge of the massive Canadian Shield, a granite rock formation that runs from Minnesota to Hudson Bay and the Northwest Territories, sits the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) follows the northern shore of the lake from Duluth, Minnesota to Canada covering almost 300 miles along the low-lying Sawtooth Mountain range. The trail meanders through dense boreal forest, sustains across awe-inspiring overlooks, and plunges into pristine river valleys. Well-marked trails, designated campsites, and challenging terrain make the SHT a great introductory backpacking experience.

Near the southern terminus of the Superior Hiking Trail is a rock-climbing location called Shovel Point, which features 80- to120-foot vertical granite cliffs towering above the lake. The dramatic vertical rock face combined with the dazzling, emerald-colored lake ensures a memorable day for the novice and experienced rock climber alike.

Backpacking – The Superior Hiking Trail is a 300+ mile trail located in the densely wooded hills of the Sawtooth Mountain range overlooking Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. From hilltop views, Voyageur Outward Bound School backpacking expedition students look out at what appears to be an ocean - water as far as the eye can see.

On a Voyageur Outward Bound School backpacking expedition, students hike within dense forests, across wide-open ridge-tops and through exquisite canyons, tracing rivers that plummet to Lake Superior. Groups work together to carry everything they need in large backpacks while hiking from campsite to campsite, anywhere from 3 to 10 miles a day, depending on terrain. Groups tend to camp near pristine rivers and lakes each evening to resupply with water. Students learn how to filter and purify their water for drinking and cooking, prepare meals over a fire or stove, set-up shelters and navigate with a map.

Course End – All courses end with a shower, graduation ceremony and celebration dinner. Shower facilities are available at the basecamp or final campground location.

Solo – Weather and time permitting, an Outward Bound Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. Students on a 1-2 week course typically spend 2 hours to half-a-day on Solo. All students receive sufficient food, water, and shelter to keep them safe and healthy during Solo. Instructors choose Solo sites to offer as much solitude as possible while retaining some proximity to the whole group. While students spend the majority of their Solo time alone, Instructors do check on each student as often as needed, usually 1-2 times, to ensure that each student feels safe and comfortable. Instructors work with each student individually to structure a successful, unique Solo experience that meets their specific needs. Solo is purposefully scheduled near the end of the expedition so students have plenty of time to acclimate to their new environments beforehand.

Students often have mixed feelings leading up to Solo. Inevitably, students feel some nervousness and hesitation but are also excited to rest, reflect and test their new skills after spending many days in the wilderness. Students often find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and Solo often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound experience.

Final Expedition – Outward Bound believes that an appropriate amount of independence is a powerful educational tool. In order to deliver that benefit, Outward Bound purposefully and gradually transfers certain leadership responsibilities to the students culminating with our “Final Expedition.” Near the end of course, if you and your group have demonstrated the necessary leadership, team problem-solving and wilderness living skills, you may be given the opportunity to travel without your instructors immediately present. Students on courses designed for ages 16 and older may travel without instructors immediately present (although they will be near the group for safety reasons) for one to five days depending on course length, student age, staff assessment of students’ abilities, and terrain. Many of our students feel this phase of the course is the most rewarding as the group learns to work together, problem solve, and accomplish a goal independently while utilizing all the skills they have acquired.

The following is an example of what your course itinerary may look like. Your actual itinerary will vary according to weather, student skills and abilities, and instructor preferences.

Day 1: Transport to the Superior Hiking Trail. Meet your Outward Bound Instructors, organize your equipment and learn how to pack your backpack. The group will hike a short distance to the first campsite, set-up camp, eat dinner and sleep in tents on the very first night of the course.

Day 2: Wake, have breakfast, learn how to read maps and begin hiking. Travel throughout the day and then continue until it’s time to set-up camp. Learn to set-up camp and cook over a fire. Eat and participate in an evening activity before heading to your tent for the night.

Day 3: Continue backpacking from campsite to campsite as you refine your wilderness skills and get you to know your group. Experience Solo one day in the afternoon. Take time to rest and reflect at a quiet spot along a nearby river.

Day 4-5: Begin the Final Expedition which involves less oversight from your Instructors and more group responsibility.

Day 6: Continue the Final Expedition. Look at all that you have accomplished! Celebrate graduation and transport home.

Wilderness Leadership Expeditions

Theory of Change: 

Learning > Leadership > Responsibility

On Expedition, each participant learns and executes a specific role each day to support safe and successful group wilderness travel and survival, activating peer and personal leadership through trust and vulnerability. Participants develop character and community together-- more resilient and compassionate people, for a more resilient and compassionate world.

The Leadership Expedition develops key social-emotional skills across four Domains of Thriving, leading to vital character outcomes for success. Outward Bound promotes belonging, strength and purpose for developing leaders through hands-on intra and inter-personal skill development. 

Domains of Thriving:

Belonging,  Courage,  Physical Engagement,  Reflection

Character Outcomes:

• Teamwork
• Self-Awareness
• Social Responsibility
• Assertiveness
• Perseverance
• Physical Confidence
• Self-Regulation
• Group Relationships

Minnesota’s weather can be unpredictable with a wide range of temperatures.  In the summer the temperature tends to stay between 60 and 85 degrees. Summer brings occasional thunderstorms and rain showers. Expect cooler evenings, misty mornings, occasional rainstorms, and hot days perfect for swimming.

Click here for more information about Preventing Illness on Your Expedition 

Please utilize the resource below to physically and mentally prepare for your course. The more preparation you do, the better your experience will be! 

VOBS Course Preparation Guide

Camp & Shelter Setup for Spring, Summer, and Fall Courses:

Campsites in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the St. Croix River, and on the Superior Hiking Trail contain tent sites, fire grates, and pit toilets. After arriving at your campsite in the evening, you'll care for your feet, gather lots of firewood, and set up tents for sleeping in and tarps for sheltering gear and yourselves in inclement weather. You'll cook your food over an open fire and gather for evening meetings. On St. Croix courses you may cook over a camp stove instead of a fire.  

Preparing and eating tasty meals in the backcountry is part of the Outward Bound experience.  

Under your instructors' supervision, you and your crew will prepare group meals in a camp setting over an open fire on a US Forest Service firegrate. Meals are eaten as a group and may start off with group announcements, appreciations, or an inspirational quote. We use this time together to reflect on the successes and challenges of the day and to plan what is to come for the following day.   

Your group will travel with all the food you need for your expedition. For some longer courses, our support staff meet up with your group in the wilderness to restock your food. This meet up is called a “re-supply.” 

Our courses are physically rigorous, and our meals emphasize protein and carbohydrates to re-fuel your body. All course food is packable and non-perishable. We use a mix of dehydrated foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Our goal is to provide meals that are familiar. However, we ask that you be open to trying foods that may be new to you. 

Participants should not bring their own food or snacks unless authorized to do so by your Course Advisor.   

Our Food Pack Out Process  

All meals at Outward Bound are cooked outdoors in remote camp settings. We work diligently to provide familiar and tasty foods, and we acknowledge that our food options are limited while we are on expedition, away from our supply facilities.  

We depend on clear and accurate food allergy and dietary restrictions disclosed during the admission process to adequately plan and pack your group’s meals and snacks before your course start. Our processes are not designed to accommodate last minute dietary requests or to loosen dietary restrictions originally disclosed.  

Dietary Restriction Options

• We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and various other dietary restrictions
• Soy Milk (Oat milk for those with soy allergies)
• Sunflower butter and nut-free trail mix for those with nut allergies
• Beans and hummus for vegetarians and dairy-free/vegan options
• Gluten-free noodles and oats (all our granola is gluten-free)

MEALS AT OUTWARD BOUND

The following list represents common meals at Voyageur Outward Bound (this is not a menu)

Breakfasts

• Granola (locally made in Ely, MN) with milk (powder)
• Oatmeal with fixins’ (raisins, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, sugar)
• Cheesy Grits
• Grape Nuts cereal with Milk (optional: add honey or vanilla pudding powder)

Lunch

• Bagels and cream cheese
• Pepperoni or Summer Sausage with cheese on tortillas
• PB&J Tortillas
• Hummus & Tuna & Crackers
• Bean and Cheese Burrito
• Extras: Trail mix (GORP)/ Dried Fruit

Dinner

• Refried Beans and Rice with peppers and fresh salsa
• Spaghetti: Noodles with tomato sauce and veggies
• Pesto Pasta
• Peanut Noodle Stir Fry
• Voyageur Stew: lentils, rice, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage with a side of biscuits
• Chili and Cornbread
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chili Mac
• Curry with potatoes, lentils, and carrots

Snacks & Extras

• Apples
• Dried Fruits
• Trail Mixes 
• Flappers (homemade “granola bars”)
• Chocolate Cake
• Brownies
• Cornbread
• Biscuits
• Bread

Drinks

• Tea (both bags and house-made chai mix)
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Drink Mixes (Lemon-Lime and Orange)

Maintaining personal hygiene in the wilderness is important and is taught on every course. You will be outside while on course and won't have access to a shower or bath. You will be able to do basic cleanup every day: brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair. At the end of your course, you will be able to do a more thorough cleanup.

As the Voyageur Outward Bound School is an outdoor program, you can expect to learn and use Leave No Trace camping techniques. Know that it is natural to have questions regarding sanitation in an outdoor setting. Your instructors will answer your questions and will teach you the hygienic and environmentally safe way to dispose of waste as well as techniques for basic cleanliness - don't hesitate to approach them with any questions or concerns.

During your canoe expedition, you will draw water directly from the pristine lakes and rivers of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. To treat for possible parasites, you will use 2 drops of a 5% bleach solution per quart of water. 

If you are hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail, water will come from the pristine lakes, streams, and rivers along the trail. You will use MSR water filters to filter and treat your water.