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      Trip Report - Canoeing in a Winter Wonderland
 
  Last Visit: 03/19/2024 12:13AM

Entry Point 41 - Brule Lake

Brule Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Tofte, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 35 miles. Access is a boat landing at Brule Lake. Large lake with several campsites. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 7
Elevation: 1847 feet
Latitude: 47.9261
Longitude: -90.6448
Author Message Text
TreeBear
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10/14/2019 02:10PM
 
New Trip Report posted by TreeBear

Trip Name: Canoeing in a Winter Wonderland.

Entry Point: 43

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billconner
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10/14/2019 02:18PM
 
I've exited in weather like that but never entered. Great photos!
arm2008
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10/14/2019 02:49PM
 
WOW! I know I would have been tempted to not continue after waking up to that, but you would have missed out on so much.
tumblehome
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10/14/2019 03:07PM
 
That was awesome. I've always wanted to go to the BWCA during a storm. I was 40 miles west of you and only had light snow on and off last weekend.
However, at one point it started snowing like a blizzard for about 5 minutes and you could see the sheets of snow come across the lake. When it finally hit me I laughed like I haven't laughed in years! God surely blessed me with his snow.
Tom
TreeBear
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10/14/2019 03:14PM
 
tumblehome: "That was awesome. I've always wanted to go to the BWCA during a storm. I was 40 miles west of you and only had light snow on and off last weekend.
However, at one point it started snowing like a blizzard for about 5 minutes and you could see the sheets of snow come across the lake. When it finally hit me I laughed like I haven't laughed in years! God surely blessed me with his snow.
Tom"



That was the weirdest thing about this weekend: how fast things would change. I would finish a portage and it would be sunny and there would be an amazing view, and my buddy would finish the portage behind me 5 minutes later and we couldn't see more than 100 ft out into the lake anymore because it was snowing all of a sudden. Awesome weekend to be out.
DanCooke
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10/14/2019 03:54PM
 
Great pictures of a great adventure in some challenging weather. Those lakes are beautiful, and the portages can be dicy even without the snowfall. From Vernon to Brule has that large slab at a pretty good angle to climb up. The boardwalks after Misqua are slippery when damp much less with snow on them.
Glad there was no car issues. I had to walk the Lima grade one fall after my car wouldn't start after doing a trip with you entry and exit points.
Thanks for sharing your adventure, I enjoyed vicariously going along with you; all be it warmer and dryer.

Dan Cooke
prizes14
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10/14/2019 08:05PM
 
Good report. You answered my question I posted on another thread in that I see you came in from a different way than I did. On Friday, I actually visited the site you stayed at on Winchell on that point and had lunch there as I was waiting for the wind to die down. It's kind of a weird feeling to know that you were just at a place that someone else will use and have no idea that you were there. Almost like being in someone's house without them knowing you are there.


When I do solo trips I maybe let my mind contemplate things a little more but as I was exiting after that snow, I thought how all the campsites probably won't have any visitors for at least 6 months. I think of all the fun times and laughter that were had at those campsites over the summer and here they were silent and covered with a foot of snow. Now when I get some free time at work, I'm going to work on my 6 day trip report.
bridge4life
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10/15/2019 12:25AM
 
Fantastic photos and report! The fall colors, green pines, and white snow make for great photo opportunities. It's great that you guys trudged on with your trip and didn't let a little snow stop you and I'm glad to hear no one got hurt on those slippery portages! Just an all around great trip for the books!

Give me a call on CH16 and I'll get out of your way.
jillpine
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10/15/2019 06:39AM
 
Stunning! Love the layering colors of the panoramic lakeshores. Thank you for sharing this!
Those are snappy little portages in the best of conditions. It must have been quite a challenge with the first snows. I'm glad you weren't injured with all the falls.





Kawishiwashy
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10/15/2019 10:33AM
 
Great trip report, but doesn't it belong in the "Winter Camping" section ;)
Fox416
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10/16/2019 12:46PM
 
Thanks for sharing! Did that route at the end of September. Impressive enough you guys did it in just 2 day, much less in those conditions. Loved getting to see the area covered in snow.
Driftless
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10/16/2019 01:32PM
 
Wow! What an adventure!
OldTripper
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10/17/2019 07:22AM
 
Driftless: "Wow! What an adventure!"
My thoughts, exactly.


Well done, TreeBear!!
Great photos too!
TreeBear
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10/17/2019 10:16AM
 
Thanks everyone. It was truly an incredible trip that was unlike any I have taken before. As many of you probably sympathize, it wasn't even a day back home before I wasn't missing it again!
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