Going to hike SHT from June 8th - 15th (Tofte down to Palisade Head) wanted to see if others have taken this route, and what their favorite parts were. Any thoughts/hints? Have taken many BWCA trips via canoe and one hiking trip on Isle Royale.

Thanks!

I’ve just taken day hikes on the trail there between Oberg and Leveaux Mountains and around Carlton Peak, including associated spurs. Also I’ve camped at Crosby-Manitou State Park and hiked most of the trail within its borders. Of those sections, I’ve enjoyed the views from Oberg, Leveaux, and Carlton Peaks enough that I’ve had to share those hikes with anyone willing to go again with me. Since the peaks mentioned are easily accessible by close trail heads, you should expect a lot of other hikers in that area, especially on the weekends.

Carlton peak is pretty cool - I've used that as a stargazing / meteor watching site before. Walking along the Temperance River is always fun, and on a warm day you can take a dip in Lake Superior at its mouth. The campsites on the Cross River are some of the best on the trail IMO - lovely places to stay. Fredenberg Creek is a cute little more out-of-the-way spot - I've lunched there. Alfred's Pond has a short dock that allows you to pump water from it comfortably - needed if you plan to stay at Sugerloaf Pond. I've heard wolves at night when camped at Dyer's Creek. The Crystal Creek campsite is next to an old mine shaft if you can find it. It won't be the same in June with the trees all leafed out, but I stayed there in October once, and the latrine is perched on the edge of the ridge facing the Lake, giving quite the commanding view as you do your business. Just north of that is a cute little covered bridge. The Caribou River is your closest approach to Highway 61, should you need that for meeting up with day trippers or an early bailout point. The Crosby Manitou section skirts around the river gorge, which is nice scenery, at the expense of some effort on your part. Further down, the section through Tettegouche SP is quite rugged, so be prepared for that. The cliffs along Bean and Bear Lakes are pretty spectacular though.

Note that unlike in the BWCA, SHT campsites must be shared with anyone else who comes along. If there are not enough tent pads, you are to low-impact camp as close to the designated campsite as feasible, to avoid upsetting private property owners, as much of the trail is on private land.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated!