I used to live up north. Ely, Duluth, Virginia, Bemidji... so I am used to having the occasional September snowfall and cold temps.

But I have to admit I was hoping for some Sunny weather with highs in the mid 50's either this weekend or next weekend for a quick visit. Looks like 45 this Saturday and 42 next Saturday.

Anyone else planning a quick weekend trip to Ely in the next 2 weeks? What are you going to do?

Driving up tonight and paddling in tomorrow, lots of warm cloths and a good rain suit, hoping to last seven days.

Was going to head up for a long weekend tomorrow night on the Gunflint Trail in an unheated camper cabin with wife and kids to do daytripping, but looks like I'll have to pull the plug on that. Just too cold to make it enjoyable. Especially with not much sun after Saturday there will be no chance for the cabin to heat up during the day.

I'm a huge fan of camping in shoulder seasons, especially mid-October when it is similar temps to what you will experience. I'm not going camping in the next two weeks, but will be w/in the next month.

Is your sleeping bag rated properly? Have a good sleeping pad, or insulation to keep you warm off the ground. Sleep with finger gloves and a hat if temps drop below the teens at night. If you're really concerned I've brought hand warmers with and put them near my arm pits/groin to keep me warm at night. Really helped when I was camping in -15 degree weather once. Bring plenty of hot drinks, gather firewood. Works as a workout to keep you warm, and once cut provides you warmth around the fire. Always wear your PFD, the water is cooling off mightily.

Bring all of your rain gear. As long as you are dry - one can cope with colder temps than they think. A neck buff helps, as does a wool sweater. Layer - Layer - Layer.

Don't take risks with huge open water crossings, adjust your tripping to smaller lakes or stay closer to shore. Don't ever paddle out when you should be wind bound. The risk is never worth it.

Bring easy, but hot meals. A hydroflask will keep water or liquids warm all day, and will also prevent from freezing at night. Expect everything to move slower, and be harder than normal.

With all of this considered, Camptober is still my favourite. Hands down.
(Sorry this is so scattered).

Heading up the gunflint on Monday. Go in on the 1st every year. I pack more clothes and a lighted bobber. Muck boots and Tito’s have seen me though some miserable weather in the fall. It’s my favorite time of year to be up there.

Yeah, we have pretty good gear, it is more just wanting to be lazy and enjoy a last few fall days in the sun.

We will be camping up the north shore this weekend (some hiking) and then possibly Ely the next weekend for some canoeing. Mentally, I think it is just the idea of having to bundle up when last weekend we were in shorts and 2 weeks ago we were in 90s (Hudson, WI). Quite the transition.

I wanted a month in the 60s + or - and feel the weather service did a terrible job with implementing Fall this year. Whoever heard of going from the 80s to the 40s for highs over such a short timeframe. I guess I am going to head over to their twitter feed and flame them.

Good idea.. get on the weather people's case. White Wolf would like that... Haha.
They are just breaking ground on our fire hall addition today. I think they'd like this goofy weather to change for a bit... When it was 60's weather I thought this is going to be the perfect fall. But it dropped a bit almost uncomfortable in the morning cool. But front wall is going up today on my house. And then button everything up is the plan. When the day comes to bust a hole in my roof for the chimney... I'll be the happiest!
I'm optimistic for another warmer stretch. But with my luck it'll be when I take off somewhere else... With boats.

Mental attitude and gear make up for bad weather. If you bring a crummy attitude on a trip then most likely you will have a crummy trip. I have hiked in rain because I just wasn't going to let the weather destroy my trip. Yeah I didn't have good weather or a fire but I did have a good time hiking. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to hike the Angleworm trail.

The weather this fall is the reverse of what we got last spring, 40's to 80's. My end of May trip was way too hot for me. I want a refund!

SevenofNine is right re not bringing a crummy attitude. I was up about 10 days ago. Wind, rain and temps down to 32 or 33 much of everyday. The three guys I went with never complained. We had a blast anyway.
Just like life. Look for problems and you will find them. Look for fun and it will find you.

i just got back from a cold, snowy, wet, windy week. i have to say, it has been my norm the last few fall trips and i am quite sick of it, to the point of waiting for 2 years, until i retire, then i can choose the weather week i go.
we have rain here in the forecast for the next week.
the storms i drove home thru last night around the eau clare wisc., area were some bigguns.

Last Friday was really something - rain, wind, a few scattered minutes of sunshine, then hail, sleet, and snow. Still had ice on my CCS tarp breaking camp Saturday morning. Glad we had lots of firewood ! Have to pack a lot of layers this time of year, just in case. Glad I went.