What would be the fastest route in summer?

I'll mention this as I was going a similar backroad route a couple years ago. The map I had made it look like the road was continuous at Pine Lake which is just a quarter mile to the west of West Twin and East Twin lake on Cty 152... but there is no bridge across Pine! haha. I believe my map book showed a snowmobile trail in the same red color that connect the two points (across the frozen lake), so appeared that the road goes through. Hope this helps.

My best guess is the same route we use to go into Grand Marais from that direction. The Grade/158/57/8 and you will hit the gunflint near the golf course.

Gadfly: "My best guess is the same route we use to go into Grand Marais from that direction. The Grade/158/57/8 and you will hit the gunflint near the golf course. "

+1 .....the Grade (165/153). turn right on Ball Club (27?)(just east of Two Island Lake) take that down to Devil Track road(8), turn left and follow that over to GFT. Beware of the logging trucks on the Grade......and the flying gravel.....and dust.....and the shimmy bumps.....

The Grade is very we'll maintained. Part of my bike packing route last year

Once your on county road 8 (devil track road), instead of driving all the way back to the gunflint trail, you can turn on pine mountain road, which will take you much farther up the gunflint. There’s a little general store right at the turn off, can’t miss it.

Get a Superior forest map. It has all the roads with numbers. At the intersections the roads are numbered and it is easy to get around without getting lost. As noted the Lima grade road (315,152) does not have a bridge to cross Pine lake. The pylons are still there from the old train trestle. If you don't want to stop in town go to Devils Track and head north from there, like Gunflintangler said.

Several ways to get to the Gunflint. The fast way is not always the shortest.

I should say- I never thought there was a bridge across. My map made it look like Pine lake was really two small lakes and the road went between them- dang map makers.

THEGrandRapids: "I should say- I never thought there was a bridge across. My map made it look like Pine lake was really two small lakes and the road went between them- dang map makers. "

I believe there used to be a bridge many years ago.

The Grade is the shortest. You won't gain much time, though, but you might see a moose. Dropping all the way down to 61 takes about the same time in my experience, then you can stop at the Legion for broasted chicken if it is a Friday. So it's moose vs. fried chicken. :)

Lots of good fishing along the Grade.

lundojam: "The Grade is the shortest. You won't gain much time, though, but you might see a moose. Dropping all the way down to 61 takes about the same time in my experience, then you can stop at the Legion for broasted chicken if it is a Friday. So it's moose vs. fried chicken. :)


Lots of good fishing along the Grade."

additionally, via 61, your canoe and vehicle won't be caked with dust from graveled roads. And....you can top off/refuel in Grand Marais before you head up the Gunflint.
There is a gasoline pump at Hungry Jack Lodge and a pump at Trail Center on the shore of Poplar. ($$$) There's likely fuel further up Gunflint but I don't know those locations.

Lima grade really deteriorated last fall, right before the snow. Someone put a lot of effort into rebuilding several culverts last spring, so those are nice, and the entire Lima Grade was a dream to drive in the Summer, unlike normal. But it's washed out again in several places. The worst area is between Lima Mountain and Poplar Creek / Little Ollie.

I was told the bridge at twin lakes / pine was taken down in the 50s. You can't get there from here.

I'd recommend 61/gunflint trail.