On September 13th the Gunflint Trail Association along with the Gunflint Trail Historical Society (GTHS) hosted the Taste of the Gunflint event.  This was an open house at a number of the lodges along the trail featuring favorite treats from each lodge.  The final destination on the fall tour was Chik-Wauk Lodge Museum and Nature Center whose opening date is 2010.   Donations, membership and cook book sales were all to benefit the Chik Wauk Museum and the GTHS. 

Here at Clearwater Lodge we had a remarkable turnout.  Since this was the first event of its kind, we didn't know if we should expect 100 people or none.  To our surprise we had close to 100 people stop by to visit the lodge and enjoy the treats.  Many, many old friends stopped by and I heard many stories about the lodge's earlier days.  It was nice to see so many people from Grand Marais enjoying a day on the trail too. 

The hosts at Clearwater Lodge were Lee Nelson Zopff and Marty Marchino (both former Clearwater Lodge owners) and Bill Boissenin whose family owned the former Forest Lodge on Clearwater Lake and me, Lynn Pauloski.   They shared their information about the history of the lodge and area and represented the Chik-Wauk Museum.  This event was also the preview of a new DVD by Lisa Wagner on the history of the Gunflint Trail.  

All in all it was a fun day of meeting new people and seeing old friends. 

North Stars Ski Tour Club working on Banadad 

This Fall's Trail Clearing Weekend Schedule

• October 4 – Saturday work all-day; Reduced rate lodging available through Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B.

• October 9-12 – Sponsor, Adventure Vacations, a Twin Cities based touring company- for more information contact Karen at 651-644—0333 or 866-910-0300

• October 11- Saturday work all day; Reduced rate lodging available through Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B.

• October 23-26 Sponsor, North Star Ski Touring Club for more information contact Tom Rice tjr@rhys.net.

• November 6-9 Sponsor Minnehaha Academy Ski team; also open on Saturday, November 8 to others. Work all day; Reduced rate lodging available through Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B

• November 15 - Saturday work all-day; Reduced rate lodging available Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B.

To sign up or for more information call a the Banadad Trail Committee at 800-322-8327 or email bct@boundarycountry.com 

All volunteers receive special reduced lodging rates at Poplar Creek Guesthouse or at the Banadad Yurts and free parking along the Banadad Ski Trail during the 2008-09 Ski Season.

Following the trail clearing the east end of the Banadad is normally open for skiing with the first good snow- sometime near the end of November. However the entire Banadad and the Croft Yurt is not available until about mid-December. Information concerning the trail opening and snow conditions go to Banadad Snow Report. 

See the Fall Colors by day along the edge of the Boundary waters while spending your nights in secluded B&B's in Ely and the Gunflint Trail. Your first two nights are at Ely's Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, located on South Farm Lake at the western gateway to the Boundary Waters. Dinner one night in the Blue Heron's famed dining room. Canoe and hike right from the B&B.

Then drive from Ely to the Gunflint Trail along the southern border of the BWCA via the scenic backroads- known by locals and driven by few others. Picnic beside a remote picturesque lake or creek enroute. Stop at one of the north woods most remote taverns- the Trestle Pines Inn. Be sure to watch for moose along the way to the Gunflint.

On the Gunflint Trail, the eastern Gateway to the Boundary Waters, you spend two nights at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B. While on the Gunflint hike-in to the overlook at Honeymoon Rock, mountain bike, canoe. Finally on your way home you travel along the incredibly beautiful North Shore Drive of Lake Superior- a National Scenic Byway. The fall leave color season runs from mid September through mid October but varies in timing in different areas of the forest and along Lake Superior. The fall Boundary Waters colors are spectacular! Special Includes: Four nights lodging with breakfast- two nights at the Blue Heron B&B and two nights at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, Dinner one night at the Blue Heron Dining Room, Picnic lunch and map showing route between Ely and the Gunflint. Use of canoes and mountain bikes at Poplar Creek and canoes at Blue Heron. Rate $650/couple plus taxes. For information go to B&Bs of the Boundary Waters or call 800-322-8327.

Due a change to the reservation credit card system, advance permits cannot be reserved starting 9/15.  Permits aready reserved are for after 9/15 are fine but after 9/15 you must pay (at the forest service office) with cash or check.  If you do not have an advance reservation and want a permit on or after 9/15, you can get what is available either the day of or day before your entry date.

 So, if you are thinking of a canoe trip starting 9/15 or after, call your outfitter now to reserve your permit!

As of noon today, all fire restrictions in the BWCA blow down area have been lifted.  Several nice rainfalls and some much cooler weather are bringing us a hint of the fall weather to come and lessoning the chances of a fire.  The high today mid-trail was no more than 62 (after 82 the past few days) and we are expecting temperatures in the lower 40's tonight with a cool and sunny week ahead. 

Lynn, Clearwater Lodge

www.clearwateroutfitters.com