Anyone planning crossing from Moose to Gunflint side this winter? Wondering about ice conditions, skiing conditions (backcountry XC) and best routes? I’m a newbie to the forum, but we’ve done some pretty extreme winter trips in the past (multiple -30 or colder nights). Planning a trip starting Jan. 30th and hoping to go through Knife and end on Seagull or Saganaga.

I’m not sure, but I’d guess you’ll find decent trails set by dog sled teams up to knife and maybe all the way to the Gunflint. Not too much snow so far this year so I’d guess travel would be pretty easy.

I live on Moose lake. Definitely take the winter route through ensign and vera. Its usually tracked by dog sled all the way to knife. Travel is fast right now, there is a nice crust over the slush.

Sounds like a great trip. I have something similar planned for Feb. Im excited to hear how it goes.

Well, we made it across. Not easy, but glad we got out before the Arctic blast!

See my trip report in the trip report section-Epic Winter 2021 Crossing Link to Trip Report Link to Trip Report - Epic Winter 2021 Crossing

Snow first couple days definitely slowed progress after the first 10 miles or so.

Congratulations, what a great trip!!!

Thanks for a nice trip report. I wonder if you slept out under the stars or what shelter you used?

Certainly could have gone “cowboy camping” but we each had our own two-person tents. I have an old Northface Tadpole 23 that has seams that don’t hold water in summer but breathes fine and keeps the snow off, so I keep it for cold camp winter trips like this. A vestibule is nice to keep snow out of boots.

Thanks for your reply. I just had a coworker return from a trip on the Gunflint trail while we had this big cold. Was only able to get out of him so far “very challenging “.

I usually bring a 3 man tent on trips. I like the extra room to change clothes and bring gear inside.