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      Trip Report - Tip of the Arrowhead
 
  Last Visit: 05/09/2024 01:30PM

Entry Point 69 - John Lake

John Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 69 miles. Access from Little John Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1217 feet
Latitude: 48.0547
Longitude: -90.0569
Author Message Text
TuscaroraBorealis
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11/04/2023 06:34PM
 
New Trip Report posted by TuscaroraBorealis

Trip Name: Tip of the Arrowhead.

Entry Point: 69

Click Here to View Trip Report
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bobbernumber3
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11/04/2023 07:31PM
 
Nice report and pictures. Great fall color.
YetiJedi
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11/04/2023 07:32PM
 
Another steller report, TB. My condolences on the passing of your father. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations. I enjoy the details about the areas you visit, yes, and I also appreciate the reverence and appreciation you have for the wilderness. Love the photos which improve the story and have their own message too. My best to you during the off-season. :)
ghamer
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11/05/2023 05:11PM
 
Another thoughtful and well-written (and photographed) trip report!
It's amazing you were able to go in mid-October and still had relatively good weather. I loved seeing how much fall color was still visible too.
It's also fun hearing about your travels with Aurora since my grandsons are about the same age.
Thanks for sharing!
straighthairedcurly
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11/06/2023 08:20AM
 
We were up on the Powwow Trail that weekend and Friday was the most stunning of autumnal days. I was pleasantly surprised that so many trees still had their fall colors. Great report. I also really love East Pike Lake. Glad to hear the deadfalls that were freshly blocking some trail sections a couple years ago are now gone. That Pike to Pine portage sounds...umm...interesting.
TreeBear
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11/06/2023 11:52AM
 
I just love those lakes east of the Gunflint! So many great memories for me and so much scenery, though there's always a "steep" price to pay it seems. Funny you should bring up that island on East Pike. I have lost two watches into lakes in the BWCA and one is in the channel between that island and the shore somewhere. I don't love paddling with a watch on so I had it in my life jacket. It tipped out of an open pocket and sank like a rock!


You're dead on about the "further east one goes, the more rugged the terrain.) That Pike/Pine portage is a beast! So far as I can figure, that "triangle" of portages (the Pikes to Pine, McFarland to E Pike, and Pine to Long) are the three highest elevation gains of any BWCA portage with these three also being the only three BWCA portages with over 300 feet of elevation gain from lowest point to highest point. The only portages with over 200 feet that are not east of the Gunflint are Seagull to Paulsen and Lujenida to Zenith depending on how one measures.
TuscaroraBorealis
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11/06/2023 08:30PM
 
TreeBear: "
You're dead on about the "further east one goes, the more rugged the terrain.) That Pike/Pine portage is a beast! So far as I can figure, that "triangle" of portages (the Pikes to Pine, McFarland to E Pike, and Pine to Long) are the three highest elevation gains of any BWCA portage with these three also being the only three BWCA portages with over 300 feet of elevation gain from lowest point to highest point. The only portages with over 200 feet that are not east of the Gunflint are Seagull to Paulsen and Lujenida to Zenith depending on how one measures. "



Yeah, you'll get no argument of your assessment from me. The trails into Gadwall, Gogebic (directly from West Pike not the BRT), Vale and I'll add nearby Pemmican are the steepest climbs in the BWCA I can recall off the top of my head. The trails we took into/out of East Pike weren't as unrelentingly steep, but they certainly made up for that in overall distance. But I agree with you, the topographical scenery in this region is breathtaking. Figuratively & literally! :)
CanoeViking
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11/08/2023 09:56AM
 
Loved the trip report. As mentioned in a different post I was already interested in try a trip in this region. But I think you just tipped the scales for me.


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