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  • 16 Best Things to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota

    March 3, 2025

    Looking for the best things to do in Grand Marais, MN? Read this article for hiking, saunas, waterfalls and more!

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  • Weekend Guide to the North Shore, MN (Local’s Guide)

    April 17, 2024

    Looking for the perfect weekend guide to visiting Minnesota’s North Shore!? Here is the best way to experience Minnesota’s North Shore in just 2-3 days!

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  • Where to watch the sunset in Grand Marais ? Head out to artist point. Image of a photographer watching a beautiful red sunset over Lake Superior with the sawtooth mountains outlined in the background

    The Ultimate Outdoorsy Guide to Grand Marais

    April 15, 2022

    Grand Marais, Minnesota is one of the best hidden trail towns in America, with access to not one but three thru- hiking trails! Grand Maras is also close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,…

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  • Rose Falls at Stairway Portage in the BWCA

    9 Best Hiking Trails on the Gunflint Trail, MN

    July 5, 2021

    Looking for the best hikes and day trips on the Gunflint Trail? Read this article for the best hiking trails, simple canoe routes, and more on the Gunflint!

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  • Hike Caribou Rock Trail near Grand Marais

    13 Best Day Hikes in Grand Marais, MN

    June 21, 2021

    From waterfalls to peaks, and difficult routes to family fun, find some of the best hiking near Grand Marais, Minnesota for day trips!

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  • sea smoke over Lake Superior lights up orange in a setting sun

    Incredible Winter Hikes in Grand Marais, Minnesota

    February 20, 2021

    Looking for the perfect winter getaway? Look no further than the sleepy Lake Superior town of Grand Marais, Minnesota. From frozen waterfalls to magical winter woods, here are some of the best winter hiking trails…

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods & Lake Superior
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE trail guides ↓

Five winters on Superior❄️🌊✨ 2- winter kayaking t Five winters on Superior❄️🌊✨2- winter kayaking through an arch (everyone pictured is a local guide & kayak instructor wearing a drysuit. This is NOT a beginner activity and I do not recommend it without training, local knowledge and specialized gear)3- Lake Superior ice garden4- a frozen river canyon5- more winter kayaking (no, we weren’t worried about ice falling on ice. It was slushy and not hard and we were pretty conscious of the conditions)6- winter camping 7- a frozen waterfall cave 8- ice caves9- a -40 morning 10- hiking on Lake Superior, a sea stack11- aliens? Or ice?12- @sisuandloylysauna 13- snowshoeing :)14- the grand Marais lighthouse 15- winter shadows on the wall
November colors on Superior❄️♥️🌅 1- sunset facing November colors on Superior❄️♥️🌅1- sunset facing south on Lake Superior. Selfie, tripod propped up on a rock. 2- morning in a cabin @elycabincollective 3- gales of November 4- sunny day in Michigan 5- fall colors down, shot by @emksks 6- late afternoon sun. Idk I love this shot7- cribbage 8- the sky in November >9- first snow10- last light at camp11- last pop of color 12- @emksks in first snow!!📍traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
YOU define your own success♥️🏆 After I got a degr YOU define your own success♥️🏆After I got a degree in Neuroscience, I realized I didn’t want to work in a lab or go to grad school. It just didn’t fit on me. So I got a job as a kayak guide, and joined the Peace Corps and moved to Armenia. I lived on a lot less and with less, and for years everything I owned fit in my Subaru. I sea kayaked surrounded by orcas and kayaked under waterfalls, and learned a new language and slept in the desert and have kayaked under the northern lights. Now, seven years after making a choice to define my own success, I work as a writer & photographer and get to travel for work. I don’t have a big house or big salary, but I wouldn’t change a single thing— Living a life on your terms is so much more important than someone else’s definition of success, and I wish someone had told me that at 20.
Shop the @rei Holiday Sale now through Nov 24 ✨ 🚣 Shop the @rei Holiday Sale now through Nov 24 ✨🚣REI Co-op Heavyweight Merino Base Layer Half-Zip Top [30% off]☀️Exped Mega Mat Duo Sleeping Pad [25% off]🗺️ Oboz Bridger Mid Hiking Boots [25% off]☃️North Face Thermo Ball Shoes [25% off]🌲REI Co-op Members save 20% on one full-price item and an extra 20% off one REI Outlet item with code HOLIDAY2025.Sale ends 11/24 so shop soon! Discounts are based on original prices, and selection varies by location. While supplies last. Shop through my link in bio or in story highlights!#reipartner
First snow up north ❄️🫎 These are from a perfect First snow up north ❄️🫎These are from a perfect morning a few years ago up the Gunflint Trail with @emksks :) 📸2: @emksks 📍Traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe Nation
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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt