Gunflint Trail Association

It is time to make plans for the 5th Annual Winter Tracks Festival, February 26-March 1, 2009. We invite you to come to the Trail and play like we do!

New activites this year include the Bearskin Wilderness Pursuit ski race, storytelling, a snowkiting demonstration, and a fresh slate of live music. Of course, all of the favorite winter sports will be represented, so if you ski, snowmobile, skate, play broomball, snowshoe, or just enjoy winter in general, you will find something fun to do.

Once again, snow sculptures will lead the way up the trail to the various locations that the Winter Tracks activities take place. Watch for these artworks, and the blue and white banners. If you would like to try your hand at carving your own snow sculpture, we have plenty of snow to do it.

Many of the activites are free, and lodging opportunites abound. Our Winter Tracks website has been recently updated, so visit it now and read all about the fun activities we have scheduled. Download a copy of the brochure and schedule by clicking on the links provided.

We look forward to seeing you on the Trail!

Mongolian Firepot Buffet at the Tall Pines Yurt along the Gunflint Trail, Sunday, February 1, 12:00 to 2:00 $10/person.

Call 218-388-4487 or 800-322-8327 to reserve a spot at the table or for more information.

Enjoy a delicious luncheon buffet of Boundary Country’s famous Mongolian Firepot at the Tall Pine Yurt. The yurt is accessible by a 1 km ski on a groomed trail from the Tall Pines Yurt’s parking area, a 3 km ski from Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B or from Bearskin Lodge through the Central Gunflint Nordic Ski Trails.

The dogs haven’t been let out but soon will be. This Sunday the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will begin. The dog teams will make their way up the Gunflint Trail on Monday the 26th. Teams will stop at Trail Center and cross at various places along the Trail. We invite you to come be a part of the race excitement.
In case you can’t make it for the Beargrease then plan to come up the Trail for Mush for a Cure. This sled dog event raises funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation on March 14th.
We’d love for you to join us on the Gunflint Trail this winter.
Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

Mush for a Cure Dogs

Daniel was complaining as he was putting on his jacket this morning…he said Shelby's parka must be warmer…because she never scrunches her shoulders to her ears on the bus. So, I made him try on one of my (slightly bulkier) parkas. As he tried it on..he said "no way Mom, I'm not wearing one of YOUR jackets…look at this big ugly thing…this is for people who live where it is REALLY REALLY cold.

????

Yesterday, it was cold enough for the shy fox to brave a visit to the bird feeder…and drive Denali crazy….
….which was a welcomed distraction, because she spends half of the day with her head on my lap waiting waiting…..waiting for me to take her out to play.

When I took the kids out to the bus this morning…the temperature gauge on the car was dropping (it's coldest at the mailbox…must be some sort of "Round Lake Effect" here—because it was only -39 in our driveway). Anyway, the temperature gauge showed -40, then -41….then it said OC. What does OC mean? Off the Charts? The kids decided "Oh Crap"

Outlandishly Cold???

The moon was full and the sky was bright, but we could still tell that the days are getting longer, the eastern horizon definitely lighter by the mailbox at 6:45am…..not only will this cold snap break tomorrow…..spring is coming!!!

COOK COUNTY, MINNESOTA – Don’t let cabin fever get you down – get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter on over 400 kilometers of Cook County’s cross country ski trails and  miles of snowshoe trails during the Volks Ski Festival, January 31 through February 8, 2009. 

This new festival offers visitors and locals alike a chance to explore the North Shore and Gunflint Trail on skis or snowshoes, for brief jaunts or day-long treks.  Events take place throughout the county.  Many are free and there is something for every age to enjoy.  A full schedule is online at www.volksskifest.com.

The nine day festival kicks off Saturday, January 31 with guided skis on some of the North Shore’s most beautiful trails.  The first evening will include a candlelight ski and bonfire.  Other event highlights include:Scavenger Hunt, Winter Barbeque,Bonfires with Gourmet S’mores, Guided Skis and Snowshoe Hikes, Candlelight Skis, Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides, Dogsled Rides,Waxing ClinicAnd much more…

All Volks Ski participants will have the chance to record the number of kilometers skied and the number of trails skied.  Results will be recorded on the website and awards will be given in many fun categories.

Registration information, events list, Minnesota Ski Passes, trail maps and more are available online at www.volksskifest.com.

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The Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau is a tourism organization dedicated to economic development and maintaining the vitality of The North Shore/Gunflint Trail by supporting events throughout the year.

Cook County Events & Visitors Bureau

P.O. Box 172/5335 West Highway 61

Lutsen, Minnesota 55612

Tel:  (218) 663-8058