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Mid-Gunflint Trail residents woke-up this morning to a bit of snow on the ground. Not much; less then a quarter of an inch. But after all it is near the end of October and snow is expect. However for you skiers it still is to early but work has begun getting the trails ready for you.

Earlier this month a crew from Adventure Vacations, a Twin Cities based adventure travel company widened a three-quarter mile section on the eastern end of the Banadad Ski Trail.The group found a larger number then normal of down trees, which they removed. The down trees were a result of a combination of the heavy rains and winds of the pasts two months.

Then today a two-person local crew is going out to widen a remote section of the trail beginning two miles west of the Croft Yurt. This crew will be camping on the trail for five days and plan to widen about mile. More Volunteer crews are expected out on the Banadad during November. Normally by mid-December the entire Banadad is cleared and ready for skiers. Prior to that given a little help with mother nature providing snow, skiers have been able to start skiing on the eastern end of the Banadad as early as Thanksgiving.

 The 41 Kilometer Banadad and adjoining ski trails are maintained and groomed by Boundary Country Trekking.

The past few days a few of Minnesota Rovers were up on the Mountain Lake section of the BRT and doing some trail clearing. It was only a 3 day trip with 2 people this time but they said they made some good progress on getting the overlook cleared of downed wood and brush. In the spring they will take a longer clearing trip with more volunteers.

Since the 1970's the 75 mile BRT has been maintained by the MN Rovers Outing Club. Within the BWCA the Minnesota Wilderness Trails Alliance clears with hand tools only. If you would be interested in going on a trail maintance trip, you can find more inforamtion at the BRT website of www.borderoutetrail.org. You can also check trail conditions on the BRT website. If you are an avid BRT hiker, the 5th addition of the Trail Guide and Map for the Border Route Trail has been published and you can order one from www.borderoutetrail.org. It is a great book to have even if your primary focus in the BWCA is canoe trips because it points out all the spurs you can hike on and the overlooks.

     You never know what kind of weather you are going to get when you visit the Gunflint Trail in October.  One day it can be 18 degrees and snowing and the next day will be 70 degrees and sunny.

     This year's October is proving to be quite predictable as far as the weather is concerned.  Mother Nature's haphazard selection of weather has included dumping almost 5 inches of rain on the Gunflint Trail and the month isn't even half over yet.  The water level is as high as I have ever seen it in the fall and close to as high as I have seen it in the spring. 

     Almost as if to apologize Mother Nature has given us gorgeous fall days with brilliant sunshine and sparkling blue waters.  Her winds have blown enough leaves off of the trees for us to hear the crunching sound of fall underfoot and left enough on the trees to break up the pale blue sky.  The nights have been cool and clear and overflowing with sparkling stars.  The mornings have welcomed us with a heavy fog on some lakes creating a mystical appearance.  

     Depending upon Mother Nature's mood it just doesn't get any better than October on the Gunflint Trail.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

 It's official!  The Gunflint Trail will host the Gunflint Green-Up from May 1-May 4th, 2008.  You will want to save the date and make reservations early so you can stay at a Gunflint Trail resort and make the most of this memorable event. 

     The events during the Gunflint Green-Up will be varied and many.  The main focus of the weekend will be the planting of trees in areas affected by the Ham Lake Fire that began on May 5, 2007.  Guests will have the opportunity to attend seminars about forest ecology and many other topics including how to plant trees.  There will be opportunities for day paddling and hiking trips as well as evenings for fine dining and dance. 

     On Sunday the first annual Ham Run will be held.  This half-marathon will commemorate the path the Ham Lake Fire took in 2007.  It will begin near Tuscarora Lodge and end near the end of the Gunflint Trail.  There will also be a 5k and a shorter run for children followed by, what else, a pig roast and party.

     The Gunflint Green-Up will become a spring tradition on the Gunflint Trail.  The woods will be turning green, green trees will be planted and we'll be focusing on making the Gunflint Trail a greener destination.  We invite everyone to join us for this new and exciting event.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

This is an American Bald Eagle.  The picture was taken on Clearwater Lake in August 2007 by Alan and Judie Johnston.   

The rainfall came and came and came during September. The total for September, recorded at Poplar Lake was 16 1/2 inches far exceeding the past ten year monthly average of three inches. The previous highest September rain was in 1998 when 5.2 inches was recorded. September 6-7 during a twelve hour period 9.9 inches of rain was received. Following this rain the Lima Grade  near the Gunflint Trail and leading to Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B had three foot deep gullies cause by the rain run-off and at the North Brule the river over-flowed its banks flooding the road. Since then the Lima Grand has been repaired.

Lake on the Gunflint Trail are now at their highest level in years.