MCA Students Hike the Superior Hiking Trail
Students from an adventure club at Maranatha Christian Academy have tackled the Superior Hiking Trail one leg at a time.
The trail follows the ridge line overlooking Lake Superior, from Duluth to the Canadian border. Advisors from the school’s Adventures Club have led students on this trail, one leg at a time, for almost 20 years.
“I tell kids if you come on my trip you’ll probably cry,” said Advisor Tim Ford. “You’ll probably regret at some point on the journey that you came.”
Students Navigate Treacherous Trail
All year long, the intrepid bunch of students learns what they need to hike the rigorous trail.
“We teach them how to dress, how to put their socks on correctly, how to tie their shoes, what clothes to wear,” said Jodi Thill, one of the advisors.
The trail is not for the faint of heart. The terrain is hilly, and the young hikers have to be prepared for anything because the weather can change on a dime. The dangerous terrain can break your spirit or heal your soul.
“In the outdoors, that’s just when I recognize God the most,” said one student.
The last part of the trip was the toughest. The group did about 17 miles in one day.
“I’ve got blisters on my feet, but the view is amazing,” said one weary hiker.
Some of the students have completed the whole trail. It’s an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“It’s one of my biggest accomplishments,” said Julia LaVelle. “Honestly, because we’ve gone through so many trips with bad weather, or super hard, like treks on the trails, and it was just an awesome accomplishment for me.”
Over the years, 325 students participated in the hike, and 20 of those students have completed the entire trail.
Maranatha Christian Academy
