Sakatah Revisited

 A few years back I took my middle son Super Y,along with his friends and mine,on an overnight bike trip on the Sakatah Trail near Faribault MN. My other two boys wanted "in" on the trip but they would have to wait. Finally it worked out, and the four of us were packed up and rolling toward the campground on a Saturday afternoon.

Got to see someone being airlifted on the ride out to camp 

DIY aluminum trailer built about 15 years ago, used on one trip to Canada, mothballed 15 and half years ago.

The campsite for cyclist at Sakatah State Park 

  Last time, to haul a large amount of gear I took the Burley trailer, this time I used my array of Revelate bags and  my old DIY aluminum single wheeled trailer, coupled to my Surly (1X1) 1X9. Luckily the ride was short,since we got a late start we arrived just before dark with enough time to gather some fire wood and set camp. Dinner was bratwurst, with sugary drinks and treats.

  It rained that night and was done just before we wanted to get up and rolling (9ish). A quick breakfast was had and we were packed and on the trail. Although the ride and camp-out were relaxed and straight forward it's a great to get out and have some fun afield with my boys.

Throwing sticks and logs in the river is a must

 

Stealth

 

Yeah...Corky is such a bad ass he rides two bikes

 Recently the weather here in the twin cites warmed to above normal temps just before going back into the crapper, covering everything in snow. For about a week we saw 60 to 70 degree days and all the snow was gone and things were drying out. I was out for a solo ride in a pretty amazing area when the idea for an over-night camp out began calling my name. Spring and fall seem to be the best times here in Minnesota....basically when the bugs (mosquitoes) are all dead and it's not to cold to enjoy lazing around a campfire in pants and a sweatshirt. A call-out to the Imperial Fat-Bike Riders Group was sen,t and details were set for the following Friday.

fan out

most of you locals know where this is....sssssshhhh

some of you don't know where this is 

  Four of us left my house in the late afternoon and arrived about an hour and a half later at our destination....a large mass of sandstone. I had not camped here before but have been visiting this site for well over twenty years. In those years the area has seen massive changes, mostly for the better, but along with that you can't really just do what you want anymore. Back in the day we used to hunt on this land, drive four wheel trucks, smash things and shoot items like bottles and TVs. Now, that's not accetpable and we were going stealth. Stealth meaning.....we would go into the woods, out of sight, build a small fire after nightfall, clean up all of our trash, and for the most part, leave no trace of our being there.  It was a fantastic night hanging with old friends Corky and ArcFlash as well as getting to know how freakin cool and funny Lizard Man is.

Heck yeah we bring cheese cake

take my word for it....the sunset was spectacular 

meat on a stick

Lizard Man and Corky

  The next morning was chilly, around freezing...a good 30 degrees colder than when we rode in and windy to boot. AF and Lizard Man took off early due to commitments. Corky and I had a little more time to kill and took a longer route home. Our plan to get a nice sit-down breakfast was foiled by my error in the location of a cafe' I had my mind set on. We had to settle for Mc Donalds.....ick, which was just fine for both of us. We were very cold and pretty hungry when we sat down in the warm building. After breakfast we had just a few more miles and we were back at my house.......completely satisfied with a sub 20 hour bicycle inspired camp-out. This is why I love the over-nighter...I get my rejuvenating "fix" and I'm home before most of the family has even had breakfast.  By the way...it snowed that night (Saturday), which sucked, but also made me feel like pulled a fast one on mother nature.

Sunny and beautiful, but cold and windy

Micky D's in  Awful Valley

The Week Before... part 2

That's the new 4 man tent I had to buy on account of someone not returning the 4 man tent I thought I had in my gear room. I don't know who I lent it too, but I'd like it back please 

 Before too much time passes, I wanted to finish my story about our adventure on the north shore the week before school started. On Wednesday morning we awoke to clear skies and warm temps. First on the adventure agenda was to ride our bikes back to the van at Gooseberry Falls SP. We got side tracked on Ellingson Island at Split Rock Light House SP looking for tadpoles and going for a swim. We weren't on a real schedule of any kind so it was a good way to start the day.

Lots of tadpoles to be found here

Frog with a tail

This was cold, I know because I was first

 

Urban exploration on the north shore 

 After finishing the ride, another swim was in order at the mouth of the Gooseberry River to cool off. Heading north, we stopped at another creek I have not had the pleasure exploring. It turned out to be our favorite one of the weekend. The boys were excited to catch frogs, crayfish, and more tadpoles along our route upstream. I was excited to see one waterfall after another and lots of small swimming holes. Usually I like to go upstream until things flatten out and become an average looking creek, just not today. Several hours had already elapsed when I decided leave the mystery of what lay ahead for another time.

  

Turned around here, but not before some swimming

Gene O

 Wednesday night we were camped at Temperance River SP. By strange coincidence our neighbors were none other than Jenifer and Gene O of One on One Bicycle Studio and their three children. Our kids got along great and they all enjoyed searching for tadpoles together as us adults relaxed and talked about the usual bike things. The next morning our two families all headed down to the mouth of the Temperance River for some swimming and cliff jumping for a couple hours before biding farewell. It started raining shortly after so most of the remainder of the day was spent dodging the drops in the van, eating lunch and window shopping in Grand Marais. That night we camped at Devil Track Lake NF campground and endured a major storm with non stop lightning that looked more like a strobe light going off in the tent.

This is Big D . He scares the shit out of me, he didn't even hesitate when he jumped off this. I hesitated when I did it, it's freakin' high. The only thing he had me do is count to three so he knew when to jump, this boy's got some balls. 

Devil Track

Pic is out of order, but this is the trail we took to access the river

 The next day, Friday, was nice and sunny again. My plan for the day would turn out to be one I would regret just a little. We were to hike up the Superior Hiking Trail to the point that it intersects the Devil Track River and then hike up-stream to our bicycles we had cached in the woods the day before. I did this route less than a year before going the other direction. I thought it would be suitable for the boys since we didn't have to rappel the waterfall at the end. The part I was wrong about was the never ending, slippery, boulder  field which makes up the creek bed on the last part of the route. It seemed to go on forever. As an adult it was a bitch, for the kids with shorter legs having to pick their way through the whole mess, it was hell. By the time we reached the bikes G Man was crying and cursing my name, I was carrying Big D for quite some time, and Super Y was way ahead chilling out at the bikes like it was no big deal. I gave them all permission to swear out loud if it would make them feel better. Big D was the only one to take me up on the offer.

Not sure what the mane is on these falls but they are pretty amazing

Hand-line to get up and around the falls on the previous pic

I believe the falls just over their shoulder is called The Admiral

Lets go home

 After the swearing and laughter ceased, we all refueled on water and snacks, consisting mostly of Starburst. Soon spirits were up and we were rolling the last few miles down a large hill to the end of our totally freakin' awesome weekend.

The final decent