Central, Mid-Gunflint Trail Ski Trails near the BWCAW, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Grand Marais, Minnesota

Maps - Mid-Gunflint Ski Trails, Gunflint Trail, Minnesota

Complete and Partial Canoe Outfitting available on the Gunflint Trail

Tent and RV Camping on the Gunflint Trail

Restaurants, cafes, and dining opportunities on the Gunflint Trail

Birding Festival and Birding opportunities on the Gunflint Trail

Recreational maps for hiking and skiing on the Gunflint Trail

Mid-Gunflint, Bearskin and Flour Lake, Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Lodge

Click here to download Central Gunflint Ski Map Printable Version (PDF 1.8MB)

Click here to view larger Web Version

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You can check out the trail descriptions, print them if you like, and if you want to see a somewhat larger map with more color and detail, click on the link to "larger Web Version" above. If you want to see the map in even more detail, you will want to view the PDF version. The PDF printable version of the map you are requesting will take a few minutes to load. So, you might want to get yourself a beverage, let the dog out, check your voice mail or just do something else for a little bit while it presents itself in bold beautiful color and amazing detail.

Gunflint Trail current snow conditions

BANADAD TRAIL
CENTRAL GUNFLINT SKI TRAILS

Few trail systems -- anywhere -- can boast such a splendid network of groomed and tracked trails. The trails sit on the very edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and wind through a varied landscape of rolling hills covered with spruce and aspen, spruce bogs, spectacular cliffs, stands of virgin pine and frozen lakes. Most of the trails are ideally suited to intermediate skiers -- trails that require a fair amount of proficiency to negotiate the rolling terrain -- but there is plenty of good skiing for beginners and some challenging parts of the system for advanced skiers. All parts of the system can be reached from either Bearskin Lodge or Golden Eagle Lodge in a comfortable day's outing. Though most of the trails are in the vicinity of East Bearskin and Flour Lakes, one of the nicest loops extends across Gunflint rail into a lovely rolling region where skiers have the best chance of seeing big game. The trails are double tracked and clearly marked with directional signs.

Although these trails receive more use than many trails in the Arrowhead, there are plenty of loops, designed to disburse people. The result is a feeling of light use across the network of trails.

Because so much attention has been paid to good trail surfaces, a Kassbohrer Pisten-Bully groomer enables good skiing even during poor snow conditions.

(Excerpt from Ski Country by Robert Beymer)

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

OLD LOGGING CAMP TRAIL

10.7 km (6.7 mi) on Blue section
13.0 to 14.1 km (8.1 to 8.8 mi) RT from Golden Eagle Lodge
(Easiest to Most Difficult)

Skating and diagonal stride from the west entrance of Red Pine to the east entrance of Moose Ridge. this trail, when combined with the Summer Home Road or parts of the Beaver Dam Trail, circles Flour Lake. North of the lake it is relatively flat as it follows some old logging railroads and passes through an abandoned logging camp. The western section, the Flour Lake-East bearskin portage at the east end of Flour Lake, and parts of Beaver Dam Trail have challenging hills. There are scenic overlooks of Wampus and Flour lakes. The massive virgin white pine and glacial eskers are added attractions.

BANADAD/LACE LAKE TRAIL

31 km (19.4 mi) Poplar Creek intersection to upper Gunflint ski system
(Easier to More Difficult)

This trail serves as a connecting link between the Central Gunflint and Upper Gunflint ski trail systems. Two-thirds of the Banadad Trail runs through the BWCAW, making it the longest tracked ski trail within the BWCAW. The Lace Lake Trail is a 5 km loop connecting the Banadad ski trail to the Poplar Creek ski trail. The northern portion follows the very scenic Poplar Creek. The southern portion is shorter but more difficult. These trails are maintained by Boundary Country Trekking.

POPLAR CREEK TRAIL

10.2 km (6.3 mi) from Ox Cart Trail
(Easiest to Most Difficult)
Diagonal stride only

This trail leads to a large gravel pit where you can practice downhill technique, and shortly thereafter crosses the Gunflint Trail. Take your skis off when crossing the road (for safety as well as for the sake of the poor skis!). The trail then passes between Bow and Quiver lakes and makes a 6.6 km loop, finally rejoining itself in an old logging area.

RED PINE TRAIL

3.4 km (2.1 mi) on Red section alone
5.1 km (3.2 mi) RT from Golden Eagle Lodge
(Most Difficult)
Skating and diagonal stride

This trail, when tried from west to east, follows an old railroad grade for about 1.3 km and then winds up through a new Red Pine forest to a ridge with fine views of Flour Lake looking to the south and the hilly terrain surrounding Rudy and Ruby Lakes. Further to the west, next to the shelter, is a view of West Bearskin Lake.

NORTH-SOUTH LINK

2.4 km (1.5 mi)
(Most Difficult)
Diagonal stride and skating

This trail may be use as a north-south shortcut for return trips to either lodge.

MOOSE RIDGE TRAIL

2.1 km (1.3 mi)
(Most Difficult)
Skating and diagonal stride (One way west to east)

This trail offers nice views of the BWCAW and Canada to the north, and from the top of the hill at the west end. Have fun on the roller coaster downhill!

BEAVER DAM TRAIL

9 km (5.6 mi) RT from Bearskin Lodge
(Easier to More Difficult)
Diagonal stride only

This trail offers several scenic overlooks while circling Rudy and Ruby lakes, and passes through some majestic spruce swamps. Active beaver engineering can be observed at the west end of Ruby Lake. Be careful on the hills south of the lakes.

BEAR CUB WORLD CUP TRAIL

8 km (5 mi) from Bearskin Lodge
(Expert to Most Difficult)
Skating and diagonal stride

Expert skiers will put their skills to the test on Bear Cub's loops. Groomed for both skating and diagonal stride, this trail features very challenging uphills and screaming downhills. Towering white pines greet you as you travel to the Bear Cub Lake overlook at an elevation of 2000 feet.

BIGFOOT TRAIL

1.0 km (.6 mi)
Snowshoe only

This trail starts in front of Golden Eagle Lodge and wraps around the Wolf Point ski trail. The trail gives you the eye of the wild as you move along watching the wilderness. See virgin white pines and small vistas overlooking Flour Lake.

CROSS FOX TRAIL

1.5 km (1.0 mi)
(Most Difficult)
Skating and diagonal stride

Nestled between Red Pine and Moose Ridge, this trail offers some gentle downgrades and a few thrillers. An easy ascent through lowland forest along ridges with virgin stands of pine creating another loop off the Old Logging Camp Trail.

OX CART TRAIL

5.2 km (3.2 mi) RT from Bearskin Lodge
(Easier to More Difficult)
Diagonal stride only

This trail is a popular short loop which follows an old ox cart trail that was used in the early 1900s. It leads you through lowland beaver ponds and alder swamps, and along ridges of highland pine forests.

MOOSE PASTURE TRAIL

1.1 km (0.7 mi)
(Easier) Skating and diagonal stride

This trail is an alternative route from the north side of Ruby Lake to the Summer Home Road. It passes through open woodlands where moose are often found.

SUMMER HOME ROAD/CAMPGROUND LOOP

5.0 km (3.1 mi)
(Easier)
Skating and diagonal stride

This trail, which can be used as an alternate for some of the more difficult parts of the Beaver Dam Trail, is also a good choice for the beginner as it is wide and the hills, except for the one just east of Bearskin Lodge, are gentle.

WOLF POINT TRAIL

.6 km (.4 mi)
Lit by kerosene lanterns and electric lights

This trail starts off the Old Logging Camp Trail to the west of Golden Eagle Lodge. Named for the wolves crossing the lake (in the winter); they head to this point to get back on land after leaving the rocky cliff area to the east.

OVERLOOK TRAIL

1.19 km (0.8 mi)
(Easier)
Skating and diagonal stride

This short extension of Moose Pasture offers a breathtaking view overlooking Flour Lake. The timber harvested area provides excellent moose viewing.

The following links are to the home pages of your Banadad Ski Trail hosts:

Bearskin Lodge
Golden Eagle Lodge

When you get to the Gunflint Trail, you will want to check in with a host to get a pocket-sized version of this trail map, and to be sure that you have the proper ski pass for the trail system you are skiing. Your host will also have the most current information on trail conditions, and will be able to help you select the trails and routes that will make your outing comfortable, enjoyable, and rewarding. See you on the Trail!

800-338-6932 | Information Center: 218-387-3191
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Copyright 2006 Gunflint Trail Association