Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Sioux Hustler Trail 2018
by PaulFolsom

Trip Type: Hiking
Entry Date: 09/14/2018
Entry & Exit Point: Other
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 1
Trip Introduction:
Trail is in good condition, SE corner between agawato and emerald has a moderate amount of blowdown. Section N of oyster lake portage has a few down trees. State harvested aspen 1-2 miles at beginning of trail, great views of area.
Report
I hiked to cascade falls Friday night. I set up in the dark and enjoyed a few stars before clouds moved in. Thunderstorm overnight and all day Saturday was cloudy. I started Saturday at about 7:40. I hiked north from cascade. There is a section that was hit by blowdown a couple years ago. This section has been cleared and there is only a couple new trees down. The part from range line to the oyster portage is well maintained. It was cleared this year and last year and is a quick section up and down a couple hills with rocky tops feature beautiful white pine old growth. The first of the three sentinels is broken off half way up. South of the Oyster portage the trail starts getting rough again. There is a good amount of blowdown from here to just after Agawato camp access. The SE corner is a sharp ninety degree turn marked by a small cairn. I camped at Agawato at about 5:00. Its a nice lake but the tent pads are not very good. Two big thunderstorms Saturday night. Trail was very wet Sunday but the sun did come out and it was quite warm out by mid afternoon. The section from Agawato to the intersection back to cascade falls is fun with nice views an unnamed lake and shell lake. You also get to hike between big rocks and through white Cedar trees along the shore of Little Shell. I finished the trail at about 2:00 Sunday afternoon. This is a wilderness trail and is rough and definitely has a wilderness character to it. I highly recommend making the effort to hike this trail.