Gunflint Trail Association

Stop in and visit the Gunflint Trail Information Center in Grand Marais the next time you visit.  The info center is located right at the Grand Marais City sign next to the Java Moose coffee house on 61.  We have loads of information regarding the trail, places to stay, places to eat, maps on the BWCA and a good selection of books.

There are wonderful winter sports to enjoy on the Gunflint Trail.  Between skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing how about a sleigh ride?  We went on a sleigh ride at Okontoe the other night and it was great winter fun.  The night-time route is lit by 110 lanterns and the stars were incredible.  You have to really bundle up to keep warm but after the sleigh ride you enjoy hot chocolate in the Okontoe lodge and that takes the final chill off.   If you have not taken a winter sleigh ride before, you would really enjoy this one.

Lynn http://www.clearwateroutfitters.com/

The February 2007 issue of National Geographic Adventure included a feature article on the Gunflint's Lodge to Lodge Skiing program. The article by Jim Gorman, "Pushing the Boundary," is about his ski trip between Bearskin Lodge, Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, then along the Banadad Ski Trail to the Croft Yurt and ending at a Gunflint Lodge.

In describing the Gunflint Ski Trails Gorman writes, "In the Midwest and possible in the nation the Gunflint Nordic Trail system's fusion of wilderness and creature comforts is unrivaled and no portion exemplifies this like the Banadad.

The Gunflint's Lodge to Lodge Ski Adventures is offered through Boundary Country Trekking.

Diamond willow is a tough fibrous wood which is native to this area. It is most commonly found growing in clumps. The leaves are long and narrow and the bark is dark gray, rough and very tough. The diamonds are formed from a fungus which kills the sapwood in the affected area. These areas become dormant and the rest of the tree keeps growing leaving the diamonds.

The willow is picked between July and August when the sap is running. It is then peeled, revealing the diamonds. After drying for a year, the wood is ready to work.

The photo is diamond willow plant stand in the Clearwater Lodge. It actually started out many, many years ago an ashtray but works best for us with as a plant stand.  There is great handmade diamond willow furniture at a number of the lodges on the trail to check out on your next visit here.

Lynn

www.clearwateroutfitters.com

January 6th is the 12th celebration of Winter Trails Day. Winter Trails is an annual event that takes place at more than 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The event is held to introduce newcomers to the winter sports of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing without any cost attached. According to an article on the web more than 12,000 people participated during last year's event. The Winter Trails Day website offers tons of information about winter sports. There is information on where specific events are held, how to dress for winter outings, the benefits of winter activities and much more. According to their list of events there are resorts on the Gunflint Trail participating including Boundary Country Trekking, Golden Eagle and Gunflint Lodge. Give them a call to find out what type of program they will be offering and get out and enjoy the snow on Winter Trails Day 2007.

News Years Eve day started with a light rain but by four in the afternoon the rain had turned to snow. The snow continued through most of the night. By morning three inches of heavy wet snow had accumulated on the ground.

Ski trail groomer, Jim Raml and Ted Young were dispatched to open the Banadad on New Years Day. The groomer were able to track the entire Banadad but reported that because of the heavy wet snow they encountered, “a lot of side brush leaning into the trail along approximately six and one half kilometers of the thirty kilometer trail.” The groomers were able to cut some of the brush and noted, “that the trail is passable but skiing will be slow along the trail’s brushy sections.” The groomers also reported that the track they set while not great is at least fair.

Young encountered four skiers on the west end of the Banadad. The skiers stated that while the trail was brushy the skiing was very good and they were having a good time. They were skiing from the Croft Yurt to the western trailhead where their car had previously been shuttle by Boundary Country Trekking.

The thirty kilometer Banadad Ski Trail and ten kilometers of adjoining trails are maintained and groomed by Boundary Country Trekking under an agreement with the USFS and supported in part by the Minnesota DNR’s Ski Pass Program.

The Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, the Little Ollie Ski-in Cabin and the Tall Pines Yurt are near the Banadad’s eastern trailhead. The Croft Yurt Camp is located midway along the Banadad.

We had about 4 inches of new snow mid-Trail yesterday and last night.  This morning the ground was covered in fresh snow and the sun was shining.  The photo is of the Clearwater Lake summer home road.