Artsy Autumn – A Reunion for Camino Friends

Sketch & Hike Retreat October 3-9, 2026

Minneapolis to Grand Marais, Minnesota
Seven days of inspiration, exploration, and artistic connection with the natural world and our Camino friends

Overview

Unplug, unwind, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Minnesota’s North Shore — where rocky cliffs meet the vast blue of Lake Superior. This one-of-a-kind retreat combines guided hikes, hands-on sketching lessons, and restorative moments in nature. You’ll explore iconic parks, capture scenic vistas in your sketchbook, and develop new creative skills along with friends.

Dates: October 3-9, 2026 – 7 days

Arrive:  Saturday, October 3:  4 pm at our Mpls  Hotel

Depart: Friday, October 9: We return to Mpls/St. Paul airport by 5 pm; flights out after 7 pm

Cost: 

  • early registration March 1 – April 1: $2000 ($100 discount for check/zelle/direct deposit)
  • registration after April 2, 2026: $2200  ($100 discount for check/zelle/direct deposit)
  • single supplement: $350 (one is available, first come, first served)

Group Size: 8-12 people

What’s Included:

  • 6 nights of lodging:  Minneapolis, Lutsen, and Grand Marais
  • Meals except for 2 dinners
  • Daily guided hikes and sketching sessions 
  • All art supplies provided, including travel sketchbooks, watercolor kits, and reference materials
  • Transportation during the retreat, including luggage handling and park access

Not Included:

  • Round trip transportation to Minneapolis (Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport)
  • Two dinners
  • Alcoholic beverages, personal items, laundry
  • Trip insurance

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 – Saturday, October 3, 2026  –  Welcome to Minneapolis 

  • 4:00 PM – Pick-up at the airport hotel to gather at Kristin’s house nearby for a joyful reunion of  our Camino Group. 
  •  Receive your sketching materials, with a palette of colors for Lake Superior and a new sketchbook. 
  • We will have dinner at Kristin’s for a relaxing group dinner and catching up.

Overnight in Minneapolis hotel with airport shuttle

Day 2 – Sunday, October 4, 2026  – Raptors, Cliffs & the Big Lake

Hawk Ridge | Split Rock Lighthouse State Park | Arrival in Lutsen

  • Early Breakfast – Fuel up at the hotel buffet.
  • We drive to Duluth (about 3 hours) stops determined by the weather:
    • Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, a renowned bird migration lookout. You’ll witness hawks and eagles in flight and practice quick sketching techniques to capture their motion and the sweeping views over Lake Superior.
    • Or Lake Superior Lake Walk, depending on the weather and Hawk Ridge
  • Next, we drive up the Lake Superior coast and stop for a picnic lunch and hike at one of the state parks, either Gooseberry Falls State Park or SplitRock Lighthouse State Park. After a picnic lunch, we’ll take a 1.5 -mile hike along Lake Superior ( ~300′ elevation gain/loss). Along the way, we’ll pause to sketch the dramatic rock formations and views.
  • We then continue to lodging near Lutsen  (~45-minute drive), where you’ll settle into our cozy accommodations nestled in the North Shore forest, next to the lake.
  • Dinner is served at our lodging, providing a chance to unwind and get our sketchbooks out.

Overnight near Lutsen, Cedar Cliff Retreat 

Day 3 – Monday, October 5, 2026  –  Sunrise Inspiration & Oberg Mountain

Yoga | Watercolor Practice | Oberg Mountain Loop

  • Start your day with a gentle morning yoga session followed by a brief sunrise watercolor practice, capturing the changing colors of dawn over Lake Superior.
  • Breakfast and pack-your-own lunch.
  • A short 15-minute drive brings us to the Oberg Mountain trailhead. This 2.4-mile loop hike offers stunning panoramic views from four separate overlooks — perfect for timed sketch stops and practicing quick landscape impressions.
  • In the afternoon, we’ll hold a focused class on tree forms and fall foliage, helping you observe and render the North Woods with confidence.
  • Dinner is provided back at our cabin, with time afterward to share sketches and stories from the day.

Overnight near Lutsen, Cedar Cliff Retreat 

Day 4 – Tuesday, October 6, 2026  – Gorges, Kettles & the Great Lake

Temperance River Hike | Water Sketching | Dinner in Lutsen

  • Enjoy a hearty breakfast and pack lunch for the trail.
  • A short drive takes us to Temperance River State Park, where we’ll hike the dramatic riverside trail (approx. 4 miles RT, 500’ gain/loss). You’ll sketch the swirling kettles and deep gorges that make this area unique — a perfect opportunity to experiment with capturing movement and water flow in your work.
  • After lunch by the river, we’ll walk to the shoreline of Lake Superior, where you can unwind and sketch the endless horizon and wave patterns.
  • Tonight’s dinner is on your own, with several choices nearby, or grabbing some groceries  or staying at Cedar Cliff.

Overnight near Lutsen, Cedar Cliff Retreat  

Day 5 – Wednesday, October 7, 2026  –  Hidden Lake & Harbor Town Charm

Lake Agnes Reflections | Grand Marais Art Scene

  • Load luggage into the van after breakfast.
  • Our morning hike begins on the Caribou Trail to Lake Agnes (2.7 miles RT, 300’ gain/loss), a peaceful forest trail leading to a quiet, reflective lake. Here, we’ll hold a special class on drawing water reflections, helping you observe subtle ripples, mirror images, and the stillness of northern waters.
  • After the hike, we’ll drive 30 minutes to Grand Marais, a vibrant harbor town known for its artist community.
  • Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore shops, galleries, and the lakeside path.
  • Dinner is on your own tonight.  There are a number of restaurants to choose from in Grand Marais, or we could cook in our condos.

Overnight in Grand Marais East Bay Suites 

Day 6 – Thursday, October 8, 2026  –  Devil’s Kettle 

Hike to a Natural Wonder | Optional Town Time

  • 6:30–9:00 AM – Breakfast is served at the hotel.
  • Today you can choose your adventure: stay in Grand Marais to relax and explore, or join us for one final hike to Devil’s Kettle in Judge C.R. Magney State Park (20-minute drive).
  • This 2-mile round-trip hike features a steep climb with many stairs, leading to a mysterious and awe-inspiring waterfall where half the river disappears underground — a perfect setting to end our sketch journey.
  • Dinner at Angry Trout Café, a local favorite known for sustainable fare and lakeside views. We’ll gather to reflect on the week  and preview tomorrow’s adventure..

Overnight in Grand Marais East Bay Suites 

Day 7 – Friday, October 9, 2026  – Sunrise Sketch & Scenic Farewell

Walk to Artists Point | Tettegouche Stop | Return to Minneapolis

  • Early Morning – Begin your final day with a polar plunge in Lake Superior or a peaceful walk to Artist Point, a short stroll from the hotel offering a stunning view of Lake Superior in the soft morning light. Take time for a quiet farewell sketch, capturing the colors and calm of your last North Shore morning.
  • Breakfast at the hotel (served 6:30–9:00 AM).
  • As we drive south along the scenic highway, we’ll make a special stop at Tettegouche State Park — one of Minnesota’s most iconic natural areas — for a short walk, final photos, and perhaps a last quick sketch or journaling moment.
  • Arrive in Duluth by 1:00 PM for a quick lunch, then continue onward to Minneapolis.
  • We’ll have  5 pm drop-offs at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and also at a nearby hotel, if you are staying the night..

This journey ends where it began — but with renewed connections with our Camigas, a full sketchbook, a heart full of memories, and a deeper appreciation for the rhythm, color, and wonder of the North Shore.