The Gunflint Trail Blog

Words, weather, wit, wild things... and a bit of whatnot. All the latest news from the One-And-Only Gunflint Trail.

Archive for March, 2007

Mush for a Cure

March 22nd, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

With the help of Mother Nature we will have the 1st Annual Mush for a Cure on the Gunflint Trail. The event will begin at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters on March 24th where participants will hook up their dogs to begin their ride. This will not be a race but it will be a journey that we hope will become a tradition; a tradition of mushing for a cure for breast cancer on the Gunflint Trail.

We at Voyageur and Pink Paddles have partnered up with Mark and Mary Black of Black Magic Kennels to promote Mush for a Cure. Mushers who want to participate in the two day event must receive donations and pledges. The money raised will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation through Pink Paddles.

If you would like to make a donation or a pledge then please visit this site or call 1-888-CANOEIT or e-mail us at vco@canoeit.com. Please join us in the fight against breast cancer and Mush for a Cure.

Mush for a Cure

Skiing the Banadad on the First Day of Spring

March 22nd, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

Two Wisconsin men spend their first day of spring skiing the 30-kilometer Banadad Trail. With the morning temperature hovering at thirty degrees, David Gorski and Mark Balhhorn started at the west end of the trail. They said that the first part of the trail was very fasts and they made good time but as the temperature began to rise and the snow softened the skiing was a bit slower. Their time for skiing the entire trail was four hours forty five minutes. Both agreed the trail was still in good shape. The pair were staying at the Boundary Country's Little Ollie Cabin.

While there is still at least another week of good skiing along the Banadad's eastern end near the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and Cabins, these two skiers maybe the last to ski the entire trail for this season.

Trail Center

March 20th, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

 

 Stephanie at Trail Center

Here is a photo of Stephanie working as the cashier at the Trail Center Restaurant.   During the summers, Stephanie is in charge of all outfitting food packing for Clearwater Lodge.  Her husband, Travis, is responsible for all the gear.  This is the first winter that they lived on the Trail and at Clearwater Lodge.  They are both working at Trail Center during the winter months and exploring the winter wilderness.

Boundary Country Opens New Rental Cabin

March 16th, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

New two-bedroom cabin overlooking year-around-flowing Poplar Creek now availablPoplar Creek Retreat Cabine. The cabin, Poplar Creek Retreat, accommodates up to six people and includes a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, freestanding LP fireplace, electric heat, clothes washer/dry, four-season front porch and side deck. Each of the bedrooms has their own private bath with showers. The second floor bath has a whirlpool tub. From both bedrooms front windows there is a great view of the creek. Other features include; firepit, charcoal grill, private picnic area and phone. The creek begins at the Little Ollie Lake and the Lake is just a short walk from the cabin. A canoe comes with the cabin.

The road to the cabin connects to some of the finest mountain biking trails in the aroutside winter1.jpgea. Hiking trails are just out the door and miles of canoeing in the BWCA are just a paddle from the nearby dock.

In the winter groomed ski trails with connections to the BWCA longest tracked trail the Banadad and the Gunflint Nordic Trail System along with six miles of snowshoe begin at the cabin's front door.

March Roars in Like a Lion

March 7th, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

The first weekend in march the mid-Gunflint area where Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B is located, along with most of the rest of the state, received this winter's biggest snow fall to date-  ten to twelve inches. Then yesterday another four inches of snow was received. The measured total snow on the ground is currently twenty two inches. It is finally beginning to look like winter. With this new snow the ski trails are all in great shape. The Banadad Ski Trail is in the best condition it has been in all winter.

March compared to last month's lack luster performance is off to a good start. During the whole month of February only  4.7 inches of snow fall was recorded- in the mid-Gunflint area- the lowest amount for that month since 1998.

Winter Tracks is over but Winter Isn’t

March 5th, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

Snow Boot BallSnow SculptureSnowmobile Fun

         Winter Tracks 2007 is officially over.  Eveyone had a great time enjoying the winter splendor and all of the activities on the Gunflint Trail during Winter Tracks 2007.  Locals and guests on the Gunflint Trail reported having tons of winter fun and are already wondering when it will happen in 2008…

     The live broadcast by WTIP at Trail Center on Friday night was very entertaining.  Many locals were interviewed and Dave Seaton of Hungry Jack Outfitters got to help with the broadcast of the Trivia program. 

     Saturday found everyone out and about enjoying the great weather and sunny skies.  There were so many great activities to choose from throughout the day.  Spectators could watch snowmobiles zoom across Poplar Lake for the Radar Run or try snowmobiling at Gunflint Pines Resort.  People could carve their own snow sculpture or their own trail while cross-country skiing.  There was no need to make your own trail because the groomed trails were in perfect condition.  Guests enjoyed snowshoeing through the woods as well as on the obstacle course at Gunflint Pines.  The broomball game at Tuscarora entertained a good group of people and fun was had by all.

     The banquet, dinner and dance at Gunflint Conference Center on Saturday night was incredible.  The food was good, almost everyone won a prize, and the band was awesome.  There was a bonfire outside for kids to roast marshmallows and even a lunar eclipse to enjoy. 

     Many people could be found early Sunday morning for the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club's Annual Trout Derby.  The big grill was going with brats, burgers, and fish sandwiches while anglers brought in their trout to be weighed. Someone even drove a huge motor home out onto the lake; a funny sight to see.

     There was so much to do and so little time to do it in during Winter Tracks 2007.  The problem about winter on the Gunflint Trail is there is always too much to do.  I guess that's why some people choose to see a problem as an opportunity.  Winter on the Gunflint Trail creates the opportunity for everyone to enjoy winter activities every day, not just during Winter Tracks.  Whether it's ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or snow shoeing, there is plenty to do.  I guess that's why we love our winter on the Gunflint Trail and celebrate it not just on Winter Tracks Weekend, but every day of the winter.  Posted by Sue Prom, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and the Boundary Waters Blog.

Snow Day for Winter Tracks Fun

March 2nd, 2007 | News | 0 Comments

     What a great day for a snow day!  Bundle up the kids and take a drive up the Gunflint Trail to participate in this year's Winter Tracks Festival.  There's already an awesome snow carving by Dave Seaton at the Gunflint Overlook.

     Stop by Gunflint Lodge for a Skijoring Demonstration at 9 AM, listen to Bob Marchino talk about his Voyageur Canoe Expedition at Bearskin Lodge at 11 AM,  head to Heston’s Lodge for a sampling of pizza and an introduction to winter camping at 1 PM.

     If you feel like staying put on this snowy, windy day then be sure to tune into WTIP this evening for a live broadcast from Trail Center beginning at 5 PM.  There are plenty of other activities happening on the Gunflint Trail today and throughout the entire weekend so be sure to check out the Winter Tracks Website

Dave Seaton Snow SculptureWinter Track Snow SculptureIce Fishing on the Gunflint Trail

     Plan your weekend around this year's Winter Tracks Activities; Windigo and Poplar Lake will be buzzing with activity on Saturday.  A Radar Run sponsored by Cook County Ridge Riders will begin at 11 AM.  There will also be a winter fishing seminar at 1:30 PM by local guide Vince Eckroot. 

     There will be plenty to do throughout the day at various resorts along the Trail so be sure to check the schedule for specific times and places.  Golden Eagle Lodge will present curling on the lake, Tuscarora will have a broomball game and Gunflint Pines will have a snowshoe obstacle course and snowmobile tours.

     Gunflint Lodge will also be buzzing during the daytime and well into the evening.  They are having a skijoring demonstration, a snowshoe trek, and a dog mushing seminar by local mushers Mark and Mary Black at 11 AM.  Gunflint is the place to be when the sun goes down.  They will host the evening’s activities including dinner, awards, dance and bonfire.

     Don't forget the Trout Derby on Sunday Morning; there's plenty to do besides fishing and we'd love to see you there.  Posted by Sue Prom Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and the Boundary Waters Blog