Howdy folks,

Myself and 2 of my buddies are going to hike the Sioux Histler Trail this fall. 1st week of October to be exact.

Anyone have any tips as far as campsite ratings? Fishing from camp? Cool sites?

Anyone done it recently to give report on trail conditions?

Really looking forward to see the BWCA thru a different view.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Mr. B

I hiked it in the fall a few years back...it's a *beautiful* time to hike it. The trail is good and easy to follow -- or at least it was. I haven't heard anything different since I did it.

I like the sites on Pageant and Range Line. I didn't bring fishing stuff on my trip, and I'd expect the shallow shoreline bite to be pretty slow in October. Could be wrong, though.

I plan to be there the week before.
Counterclockwise -
Forego the site on Shell, off the end of the portage from L. Pauness because of the water trap along the portage.
Camp site 46 on the west side - there is a vague spur going to this site, though not on most maps - look for a cairn in the trail. I doubt the fishing is very good off this site, though I haven't tried it. Camp site only gets a 2 * rating by canoeists standards.
Camp site 45 near the L. Shell portage - again, low rating, but by a hikers perspective - better than most. Don't know about the fishing.
Camp site on Augwato - Small, pretty spot, 1-2 tent pads (not level as I recall), longer spur trail. Don't know about the fishing.
Camp site 76, Emerald - Nicer site with more room, longer spur trail. Don't know about the fishing.
Camp site 69, Hustler - Have never checked it out but it gets a 4 by canoeists standards. Don't know about the fishing.
Camp site 72, Hustler, north arm - Short spur, small site but worth staying at. Fishing unlikely.
Camp site 109, Range-Line - 2-3 tent pads, great view, short spur. Can cast while sitting at fire pit and catch northerns. Site has seen heavy winds.
Camp site 97, Pageant - Pretty site, unique in that it faces north, on a north slope so lots of moss in camp. Latrine located up the spur and across the hiking trail. No handy place to get water. No fish.
Camp site 1994, Devils Cascade - Large site on portage trail, great view but a ways to get water. A must stop if you've never been there. Latrine located up the S-H trail and on the right. Possible fishing at each end of portage.

You folks always have the best intel.


Thanks!!!

Have you watched Shug's video ? It may give you some info

It shows some of the campsites

cowdoc: "Have you watched Shug's video ? It may give you some info"

+1

Yep, seen the Shug video. Helped seal the deal on the trip.

cowdoc: "Have you watched Shug's video ? It may give you some info"

+++1

I found these two websites useful last year.

More of a trip report: http://reidster.net/trips/2005-sioux-hustler/

And this one appears to have disappeared in June of 2017, but the wayback machine might get it for us, has pictures of pretty much every campsite:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170618113744/http://pemmican.tannerpages.com/wiki/Sioux_Hustler_Hiking_Trail