All of this talk about slush on the lakes has prompted me to ask: has anyone tried to ski or snowshoe the Kekekabic in winter?

both happen quite frequently! it's beautiful in the winter with some side hikes to add to the adventure. i'm speaking for the east side off the gunflint trail.

Skied the kek from the west into Bingshack and then went by way of the lakes. Skied in from the west to Parent lake then took the lakes to Round lake . Skiing a hiking trail is not alot of fun, pretty slow going from the west side- I found the Gunflint end easy to ski inti Bingshick lake.
I am no fan of snowshoeing so lakes and portages are the way to roll for me.

NM

Thank you!

I may try a ski-in/ski-out from the Gunflint side next month.

Skied the Kek from the Gunflint trail to Bingshing to French lake Crooked Tuscarora to Round lake. Also done from Kek to Paulson.
Also from Round-Gillis-Tuscarora-Round.

So you have lot of options.
On the Kek trail itself especially by Gunflint trail the slightly rolling hills for the first 2/3 of the way to Bingshing you may want snowshoes or probably you can just walk the trail in boots because it may be hard packed by people who have been there before. Some of that first part would be hard to ski with a sled.
Lake travel myself I would rather have skiis. If doing lot of travel in the woods I would rather have snowshoes. Lot depends on if you have to break trail or not.

That said for 30 years I have got by with skiis only. I think I have done just about every possible route possible in that area.

Now I have got you mixed up more than ever.

quote Pinetree: "Skied the Kek from the Gunflint trail to Bingshing to French lake Crooked Tuscarora to Round lake. Also done from Kek to Paulson.
Also from Round-Gillis-Tuscarora-Round.


So you have lot of options.
On the Kek trail itself especially by Gunflint trail the slightly rolling hills for the first 2/3 of the way to Bingshing you may want snowshoes or probably you can just walk the trail in boots because it may be hard packed by people who have been there before. Some of that first part would be hard to ski with a sled.
Lake travel myself I would rather have skiis. If doing lot of travel in the woods I would rather have snowshoes. Lot depends on if you have to break trail or not.


That said for 30 years I have got by with skiis only. I think I have done just about every possible route possible in that area.


Now I have got you mixed up more than ever."

You have so many options maybe first time go a ways in and than just day trip. You can test your limits and best proper equipment for you.

Met a individual who comes up every year and does very long day trips every year. He does it for a week but I think he stays at a cabin at nights.

Thank you Pinetree!

I will use my Hok 145 cm Skis along with a Rulk, i.e., a combination backpack sled.

Will leave my Rossignols BC 125 skis with their kicker and climbing skins and my assorted snowshoes at home.