Hello Spring!

Spring is here and volunteer work and grounds cleanup is in full swing. Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) volunteer members were out on the trail over the weekend to clear down trees, branches, overgrowth and all kinds of different debris along a big stretch of Minnesota’s favorite hiking trail. The crew parks their cars at Cascade and camps at various locations along the trail after a long day and evening of trail work. We are grateful to have these crews in order to get the trail ready and in tip top shape for the summer.
The SHT runs from Duluth to the Canadian border and if you enjoy hiking the trail association is offering up a challenge for you! Named the “Seven Summits Challenge,” they have chosen different summits along the trail from Duluth to Grand Marais. Print out a log sheet from the shta.org website and log details of your hike each time you reach one of the summits: Ely’s Peak, Mount Trudee, Carlton Peak, Oberg Mountain, Moose Mountain, Cascade’s own Lookout Mountain and Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais. Climb all seven summits, turn in your log sheets and they will give you your choice of three really cool posters!
Cascade Lodge and Solbakken Resort are hosting the annual “Work Week” now thru May 16th. The basic idea is that during a slow season of the year, we are able to exchange rooms and meals for your skills and efforts. Typically, we need people skilled in painting, carpentry, electrical, plumbing etc. The plan this year is that we will be constructing 2 large new decks, getting our flower beds ready and painting a cabin or two and the all important raking of the grounds! Also, we are finishing up restoring Cabin 4 at Solbakken after it caught fire over the winter. Here’s how the week works: Arrival is Sunday and check in to a free basic room. On Monday thru Friday we provide you with a breakfast at 8am and then by 8:30-9 we begin working on projects. We break for lunch about 12 noon and we finish up about 3 pm. The rest of the day is yours. On Friday the lunch is light and we will typically finish up by 12 noon. Saturday you are on your own for meals, but the Lodging is free, checkout is Sunday. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this new adventure and a chance to meet new friends. Call Michael at Cascade and sign up for next year!