Tim Krohn: Life-Long Adventurer and World Explorer Joins SHTA Board

January 23, 2025

Tim on a boarder-to-boarder bike trip from Canada to Mexico.

Tim Krohn’s first steps on the Superior Hiking Trail were just a few of many on a lifelong journey spent in the outdoors and on adventures. As an avid trail runner, hiker, cyclist, and paddler, he has spent decades covering rugged terrain around the globe. His adventures have taken him to all seven continents from completing 42 marathons and long-distance hikes to epic border-to-border bike journeys to canoe trips through remote wilderness. His experiences, and pathway to the North Shore, are stories to be told.

Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Tim always knew working in the woods fit his style. He earned his degrees in Forestry from UW-Madison. Then, as he put it, “Forestry jobs don’t come calling, you have to go searching.” So upon graduation, he and his wife joined the Peace Corps where they served two years in Swaziland, now Eswatini. Afterward, they spent five months exploring the African and European continents. Upon returning to the United States, they did a stint on the family dairy farm and on the island of Guam. They settled in the Northwoods in 1981 where he managed a 350,000-acre forest inventory for Potlatch Corporation, and finished out his career as the Land Information Manager for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Left: Kayaking with whales in Antarctica. Right: Horseback riding in Mongolia.

He honed his areas of expertise over years of staying true to his desire to be outside among the trees. “My skill set includes walking or running in the woods on and off trail and not getting lost. Maybe misplaced for a little bit on occasion but never lost,” he said. “I also have worked with GIS, GPS, maps, compasses, aerial photography, deeds, leases, right of ways, land values, chainsaws, and ecosystems.” Tim joined the SHTA Trail Protection Committee, hoping to bring his background with land ownership, lease management, and wayfinding – starting with updating signage around Spirit Mountain – to ensure the SHT is protected now and for years to come. “I volunteered to join the board because I had spent a lot of time running on the Trail and now that I retired in January 2025, I have time to contribute to the SHTA,” said Krohn.

His adventures continue into retirement as he aspires to bike across the United Kingdom, trains for Grandma’s 50th marathon, plans his thru-hike of the SHT, and spends time with his kids and grandkids.

Tim with his dog Misha.

We’re thrilled to welcome you to the SHTA Board of Directors Tim, and look forward to the insights and adventures you bring to our work protecting and celebrating the Trail.