My trip is set. Entering via EP 51 Sept 8 and heading to Tuscarora and beyond with Little Sag as max. Its a solo trip, hammock camping, some fishing, some birding, with lots of relaxing and roaming around. I plan to do a couple of base camps of 2-3 nights each. All of my previous trips have been out of Ely, so this is new territory. I will be using Tuscarora Lodge as my going and coming place. Any pointers on camp sites, lakes to explore, fishy and birdy places, and interesting places would be most welcome. Last minute equipment places would be helpful as well as eating establishments.
I also plan to bird a bit on my drive up and back along Lake Superior, so any help along those lines is also appreciated. I will be checking eBird for ideas.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Jim

Trail Center for food on the Gunflint trail. Tumblehome podcast just recently did a whole episode reviewing all the campsites on Tuscarora, I doubt you'll find a better review anywhere. (there's some on Youtube from them too)

crumpman: "I also plan to bird a bit on my drive up and back along Lake Superior, so any help along those lines is also appreciated. I will be checking eBird for ideas.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Jim"

This year is certainly different, so I’m not sure if bird banding is going on there, but you can stretch your legs while visiting Sugarloaf Cove even if the building itself is closed. It is located near mile post 73 which is 9 miles south west of the town of Tofte. You’ll sure to see the signs and cairn on your way up.

Also the raptor migration will be going on so stop by
Hawk Ridge in Duluth for a panoramic view. To get there follow Occidental Blvd (Seven Bridges Rd) from Superior Street all the way to the top of the hill. Take a left onto Skyline Parkway when you come to a fork. There has been construction on Superior Street, so hopefully you can get through. If not, you’ll have to go in from the west via Glenwood St.

As a hammock camper, be aware that you may get into areas on your route that have no good hanging trees.

The trails at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, between Little Marais and Taconite Harbor, are good for songbirds. They usually have a bird banding day every week to which the public is invited. The center itself is currently closed, but trails are open.

Spend some time looking at the burned areas on your route. I found more songbirds there, or maybe they are just easier to see. I've seen merlin on my last two trips to the area. I also spent a lot of time scanning the snags in the burned areas for northern hawk owl. It is the very southern edge of breeding range. I never did see one, but its fun to have purpose to my birding.

Tuscarora Outfitters are great. Nice new shower house. The French Toast breakfast is worth it. For dinner the night before. Trail Center is great and so is Poplarhaus. I've eaten at Gunflint Lodge, too. Great food a bit more pricy. Way of the Wilderness Outfitters has a grill and fine burgers if you want to drive to the very end of the trail. I don't know if they all have sit down dining this season. You have to research before going.

Grand Marais has a bunch of good eateries. I don't usually feel like driving hard for home the day I exit so I stay a night at Nelson's Resort in Grand Marais. They a have a couple of basic motel rooms that are perfect for a solo and very inexpensive. I do my laundry at the laudromat with the good view of the big lake and have a nice dinner at Angry Trout cafe. Take a walk through North House Folk School and see what is going on there, boatbuilding, timber framing classes, blacksmithing.

I could spend my whole summer on the north shore and never get bored.

sedges: "

Grand Marais has a bunch of good eateries. I don't usually feel like driving hard for home the day I exit so I stay a night at Nelson's Resort in Grand Marais. They a have a couple of basic motel rooms that are perfect for a solo and very inexpensive. I do my laundry at the laudromat with the good view of the big lake and have a nice dinner at Angry Trout cafe. Take a walk through North House Folk School and see what is going on there, boatbuilding, timber framing classes, blacksmithing.


I could spend my whole summer on the north shore and never get bored."

You should know that U.S. 61 through Grand Marais has been under construction all summer. You can get around, but be prepared to detour and find alternate routes around the town.

Campsites:

Tuscarora Lake: The island site (519) in the middle of the lake is a great site. Nice sloping rock entry. Plenty of room and good westerly views.

Crooked Lake: The Island site (513) that looks into the southwestern bay is a great site. Nice rock ledge to watch the fish swim by (or to hop into the lake from). Again a nice western facing perch. The view is of a recovering burn area, but it is still nice scenery.

Little Saganaga Lake: The peninsula site (531) on the southern shore is a great spot. It gives you a commanding view of the lake from on high. The take out might be tricky solo and you have to climb a hill to get to the site, but it is worth it. There is little to no protection from the wind and sun here though.

If you need a more protected spot on Little Sag, try the campsite (540) in the far eastern bay (on the way to Mora Lake. It has some nice protection from the wind. It is not a big site, but has easy in and out and is near the beautiful rapids in from Mora Lake.

Don't forget to check with Tuscarora Outfitters about route, portage, and campsite info. They are the local experts and are a wealth of knowledge!