Weekly Blog #2 Trail Planning and Logistics for Superior Hiking Trail
Full Blog Archives are here.
posted: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
Every trail begins with a 'plan'
It seems there are two main types of hikers / backpackers out there: PLANNERS (those who meticulously plot out every stop, drop and spur trail of their journey) and FLEXORS (who pride themselves on being flexible - they set out with general objectives and change things up constantly to match trail conditions, weather, even their mood).
So which is Sponge? It's complicated. He definitely starts every trail season in the "Planner" camp, but as the journey gets closer and the miles of the trails pile up, he evolves like some outdoor Pokémon into a "Flexor." In reality, it's best to be a hybrid of the two - although this is far easier to say that than actually practice it.
For proof, Sponge needs to look no further than his 2005 journey on the Appalachian Trail. Originally, the 'plan' was 210 miles - carefully plotted out day-by-day with exact mileages and two town visits (each of which had hotel reservations and care package pick-ups set-up in advance). Then reality hit - by Day 3 it became painfully clear daily mileage was unrealistic - this soon had cascading effect where future hotel stays and mail would have to be adjusted (if not outright cancelled)
The problem wasn't having a set plan - in fact it's always good to have clear, written-out objectives. Knowing where to camp, refill your water, and re-supply are all critical. You just have to know that as much as you WANT those objectives fulfilled as you have imagined them - the only thing in charge is the Trail.
A trail hit with challenging weather or conditions can change your plan. A trail that injures you with a bad trip or fall changes the plan. A trail that has dried out water sources or has flooded or closed campsites - again, the trail wins. Every. Single Time.
Even after scrapping his schedule for the AT in 2025, Sponge found himself a victim of 'trail circumstance.' Once, it was a campground with no available sites because a brown bear was active in the area. Later, there was a shelter bypassed because a hiker had gotten sick - and noroviruses are no joke. Even water wasn't immune - one water source was avoided after Sponge learned it was home to a family of water moccasin.
So Sponge's advice? Have a plan, but make sure you have the flexibility to change it. Don't make hotel or campsite reservations that can't be changed. When arranging care packages, check to see how long your mail will be held in case you run late. See what happens if you don't make it in time (often it will be mailed back to your home address).
For his own 200 mile journey of the Superior Trail in June 2026, Sponge has made a day-by-day schedule and several hotel reservations. But he has also made sure they can be cancelled. Additionally - he reached out to veteran hikers of the Superior Trail (there are great 'Groups' available on Facebook for this purpose) and had them evaluate his plan. Draft 1.0 was quickly scrapped - for a variety of reasons. Some hikers pointed out that daily mileage was too high during the later stages of the hike, when elevation changes would be a challenge. Others pointed out campsites that were lousy, or had poor water sources. Within days, Sponge had a Draft 2.0 - which he again threw back to the group. More changes, this time with a spur trail removed and a separate one added.
In addition to seeking out what past hikers of the Superior Hiking Trail have done, Sponge also sought out the official Guidebook and Databook put out by the Superior Hiking Trail Association (pictured below - you can click on each). I did each as a digital Kindle edition - as I can access these using my phone on the trail and not worry about packing extra weight. For maps, I opted for the electronic Avenza set of maps, also put out by the SHTA. These allow geolocating with a "dot" to show your location on the map. I would LOVE Far-Out maps, like I had on the Appalachian Trail. Those allow for user comments on water sources or trail conditions and elevation profiles that can be shown in conjunction with your geolocated "dot". But these new ones will do.
It's also not a bad idea to seek out secondary accounts and publications. For the AT, I read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson for sheer entertainment and inspiration, but AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller for more practical planning and tips. For the Superior Hiking Trail, I read Thru-Hike the Superior Hiking Trail by Annie Nelson. I found this book to be invaluable to know what to expect in towns along the trail, post office hours and policies and which spur trails are best to reach towns or state parks.
For those readers who may be thinking: "Alright Sponge, but I'm traveling a trail well-marked that I know like the back of my hand - I don't need a written-down plan or schedule!"...well, Sponge agrees. You may not. But an important reason to prepare one is very simple: somewhere out there is your emergency contact person. HE or SHE may need it. When things go wrong - really, really wrong - you'll be glad someone has an idea where to start looking for you and where. Think of it as a backup to your cell phone, which can be broken or lost in a bad fall. If you have a GPS device, like a Garmin In-Reach 2, maybe you don't need it - but leaving a copy of your itinerary with a trusted friend or spouse is always a good idea.
So to summarize? Make a plan. Get the best resources to increase your chances of it being successful. Have those who have been there look them over. Revise them (repeatedly) and then leave them with someone you trust. Then hit the trail - and be flexible along the way.
Remember - you can plan for the journey, but the journey always has its plans for you :)
Note: Clicking products in this blog will take you to Amazon product pages. Sponge receives an affiliate commission from purchases made from these clicks.
Double Note: Sponge will NEVER link products he does not stand behind. Also, Sponge has NEVER received free products or special treatment from companies.