Planning a thru hike of the BRT...

For those of you who've done it, what's better East to West, West to East?

Seems like there is SO MUCH more information on the SHT than the BRT. Feeling intimidated, but determined.

Thanks for the info.

Heyo,
My buddy and I did this back in 2012. We went from East to West.

It was a two week trip that we started in Grand Marais. For the first week we hiked north on the Superior Hiking Trail. We picked up our permit for the BWCA a week in advance, which was a special exemption to what is normal.

The first part of the BRT, from Otter Track Road to McFarland Lake was pretty overgrown when we passed through in August of that year. Apparently it is on state land and completely relies on volunteers to keep it maintained. Thank you volunteers! That is not an easy job.

Once we hit the BWCA portion, the trail was easy to see. They have a dedicated staff that does trail maintenance including the BRT.

The BRT is a nice hike through the woods. Quiet. There isn't anyone on that trail. However, we did encounter a lot of full campsites, especially around the Clearwater area. Just be prepared to make camp where you feel comfortable. The Forest Service does permit hikers to disperse camp if hiking the BRT.

Plan on taking a break near the Mountain Lake overlook, just to the east of the Clearwater portage. Beautiful spot and view of the BWCA/Quetico that one doesn't get to see often from the view of the canoe. The same applies to the Rose Lake Overlook. Just plan on taking an extended lunch break or something there.

The Topper Lake campsite is nice and pleasant, recommend staying there.

And the section from the end of the BWCA part to Gunflint Lake can be a challenge. It burned years ago and the trail can get really overgrown. That was the section were some hikers went missing (but found) a couple years ago.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Get the trail guide - is what most say.
I was going to hike it with my daughter about 15 years ago but she had a bad tooth at the last minute so we called it off. I purchased the trail guide back then and it is full of info that you may want to bring along.

I agree with getting the trail guide. I am planning to hike this trail next year some time and have found some great information in the guide. I also got pricing for a shuttle since I will be hiking solo, and Harriet Quarles had the best rate.

It is the best trail in Minnesota :)
I went from east to west each time. The first time we bailed at Caribou Rock Trail because my partner had bad blisters. The next year, we went back and re-hiked it.

Does anyone know what's up with the trail between Rove and Rose right now?

I just attempted a thru hike from East to West (wish the book was written in this direction so I didn't have to read it inversly on the trail, ha!)
Anyways, tried to push to E. Rose in the first 3 days, the weather conditions did everything it could to demoralize that. Halfway through the Rove to Rose portage, it was completely flooded up to the waist (hiker ahead tested the flood depth). I don't know how far it was flooded, as it was past 10pm, completely dark, and impossible to see an end to the water by headlamp.

Hiked south and left out of Clearwater Outfitters the next day.

Is this common, and if so how long of a section is the trail underwater? Seems like there should be an alternate route carved out if so. Or is this just a freak situation, as a result of such a consistently wet year? I'm guessing the latter.

Sounds like beavers have been busy. It’s been like this a few years. Not sure of an alternate hiking option. I’d guess this portage sees more canoeists than hikers and they could float some of it

Mocha: "Sounds like beavers have been busy. It’s been like this a few years. Not sure of an alternate hiking option. I’d guess this portage sees more canoeists than hikers and they could float some of it"

Hitchhike a canoe ride if you get lucky I guess!

how was the trail condition as far as blow down and growth east of there?? I am hoping to travel that portion this fall, or when it ices over if not, so I can walk across the lakes on way back

ZaraSp00k: "
how was the trail condition as far as blow down and growth east of there?? I am hoping to travel that portion this fall, or when it ices over if not, so I can walk across the lakes on way back"

There were a handful of trees down to get over, under, or around - didn't seem like an abundance though. As I recall, the stretch between Gogebic and McFarland was really great. I think that stretch was around 15 miles or so, and we did that in a day. The trail was really easy to follow there, and had a nice pine needle padding.

The stretch between McFarland and the East Trailhead by 270 degree overlook, was very overgrown and swampy. I was worried the rest of the trail would be like this, as this was our day one, things went up from there for sure!

Where are you starting from and ending?

cheekymongoose: "

The stretch between McFarland and the East Trailhead by 270 degree overlook, was very overgrown and swampy. I was worried the rest of the trail would be like this, as this was our day one, things went up from there for sure!
"

I remember that section. It was like that for us back in 2012. I heard that the reason why that part isn't as maintained is because the trail relies completely on volunteers to clear it. That section is outside of Federal Land (BWCA) and therefore the federal Forest employees can't touch it.
I also hiked from East to West and was really worried that the whole trail was going to be like that section.

As far as the Rove to Rose portage, it has been a high water autumn, so maybe the river/creek that portage runs next too is flooded out from the excessive rains. I remember going through that portage (during the daytime) and seeing how flat it was and how close the river/creek was to the portage.

cheekymongoose: "


The stretch between McFarland and the East Trailhead by 270 degree overlook, was very overgrown and swampy. I was worried the rest of the trail would be like this, as this was our day one, things went up from there for sure!"

nobody hikes that section, most just go to the overlook and return

cheekymongoose: "Where are you starting from and ending?"

I will start and end at McFarland/John Lake exact route depends if I go soon or wait until ice up
in which case I'll likely hike along McFarland/Pine to the portage going to Pike Lakes and then follow the trail to Clearwater and hike back along Moose-Mountain-Fowl Lakes

I like to do loops taking in the lakes as well, two previous trips used the trail along John, and the other from Duncan to Clearwater, so this would complete that entire section in winter, this last trip the snow was between thigh and waist high, I contemplated burrowing into the snow and sleeping there for the night, it gets lonely going solo, but it's also kinda cool because you notice everything, especially how quiet it is at night

Minnesotian: "
I heard that the reason why that part isn't as maintained is because the trail relies completely on volunteers to clear it. That section is outside of Federal Land (BWCA) and therefore the federal Forest employees can't touch it. "

While outside of the Wilderness area, it is still within the boundaries of the National Forest. Most of the underlying land ownership of parcels on that stretch is state. I don't think it's a matter of "can't" touch it as it just not being the priority. Meanwhile, there was another period of several years when this stretch was in good shape and the Wilderness part wasn't, and then the reason given was the restriction on power saws. Really it's just that effort oscillates between the two because there isn't the manpower for both, so you get the excuse for whichever one is worse at the moment.

the above is fairly true, the trail is actually maintained by the BRT Trail Association, and they just completed maintenance on this section. The trail was originally a product of MN Rover efforts , I've seen a poster on here with the name of the guy that originally headed the group (but not sure if it is actually him) responsible for this trail, but will leave it up to him if he wants it known. I went on some early maintenance trips, but only travel it solo now, mostly in winter or fall
you can see upcoming schedule of maintenance and past maintenance on their site which will give you an idea of trail conditions