This is simply a strange observation, and I'm curious if anyone has knowledge/information on access roads and/or trails that eventually end up at or near a lake or site in the BWCA. Not recognized EPs or portages, but simply backwoods trails.

The one that brought me to post here is N Grassy Rd (Google Maps), or Mudro Access Rd (BWCA map) past EP23. The road continues north then turns west towards Little Bass Lake. It seemingly deteriorates, but is still visible via satellite imagery, and looks as if it could end up right at the creek from north end of Little Bass to Holy Lake, with an off-shoot that heads south down to campsite 1902 on Little Bass.
The BW border is very tight along the east side of Little Bass. Just feels like there's been enough traffic along the route to wear down a path visible via satellite.

Trails and roads that venture far into unknown lands is just sort of fascinating to me. Who uses them enough to keep them clean? They're all over. Fun to see them way out in the boondocks north of the border near Quetico and track them into oblivion.
Hunting trails? Winter trails? Game trails? Other?

So I guess I'm just asking about strange trails in and around the Boundary Waters. Why? Nobody knows. Not even me. :)

These are old logging road, fire tower access roads, and other FS roads. Many are shown on USGS topo maps. For example, the area that you show imagery from:

As for why some of them are still so apparent in the natural landscape, there are many reasons. Animals and hunters alike use them. Oftentimes berms were created, topography was flattened, and boulders were moved to flatten the trail. Trees were cut down and the roads receive more sunlight, so different plants grow there. Gravel was laid down making the surface more impervious.

Some of these roads are still used by portages and hiking trails. Portions of the Powwow and Sioux-Hustler follow logging and fire tower access roads.

The road to Little Bass Lake was a boat ramp-parking lot. I think I remember a cabin on the lake also. It was originally an old logging road. It was not part of the BWCA until the 1978 land grab.

geotramper: "As for why some of them are still so apparent in the natural landscape, there are many reasons. Animals and hunters alike use them. Oftentimes berms were created, topography was flattened, and boulders were moved to flatten the trail. Trees were cut down and the roads receive more sunlight, so different plants grow there. Gravel was laid down making the surface more impervious.


Some of these roads are still used by portages and hiking trails. Portions of the Powwow and Sioux-Hustler follow logging and fire tower access roads. "

My husband had spotted (on Google Earth)what appeared to be an old logging road that branched off of the cleared portion of the Powwow Trail. He found it while we were there last fall and tried to follow it, but so many trees down due to the past fire. But the road bed was definitely there.

Also know of an unofficial trail to a BWCA lake that isn't accessible any other way. But that one is shhh. Though in truth a FS worker was excited to hear it existed because they had been trying to figure out a way to pay a visit to that lake to gather info.

straighthairedcurly: "

geotramper: "As for why some of them are still so apparent in the natural landscape, there are many reasons. Animals and hunters alike use them. Oftentimes berms were created, topography was flattened, and boulders were moved to flatten the trail. Trees were cut down and the roads receive more sunlight, so different plants grow there. Gravel was laid down making the surface more impervious.



Some of these roads are still used by portages and hiking trails. Portions of the Powwow and Sioux-Hustler follow logging and fire tower access roads. "

My husband had spotted (on Google Earth)what appeared to be an old logging road that branched off of the cleared portion of the Powwow Trail. He found it while we were there last fall and tried to follow it, but so many trees down due to the past fire. But the road bed was definitely there.

Also know of an unofficial trail to a BWCA lake that isn't accessible any other way. But that one is shhh. Though in truth a FS worker was excited to hear it existed because they had been trying to figure out a way to pay a visit to that lake to gather info."

That may have been the east loop of the Powwow trail. Likely also the spot where that one hiker accidentally turned off trail and got lost.

As someone who likes exploring old logging roads, finding remains of fire towers, etc, I'd be interested in learning of this unofficial trail you speak of if you are willing to divulge by email.

I know of a few trails that are actually on topo maps, that go into the BWCA. I’ve thought of asking/commenting here, but apparently these are one-way trails because you need to enter at an entry point but can exit wherever you want.

OgemaBlackstone: "The road to Little Bass Lake was a boat ramp-parking lot. I think I remember a cabin on the lake also. It was originally an old logging road. It was not part of the BWCA until the 1978 land grab.
"

That's fascinating. Love the history.

A friend and I stayed on Little Bass (early 2000s). We were the only ones on the lake, so we thought. We paddled down to the end of the lake, hopped out of canoe to put eyes on that camp site. No canoe, but there was a tent tucked in bush that we didn't notice until we were on foot. We didn't see anyone but quickly departed after we realized that site was occupied.
Ended up staying at site 1901 with a view right down the lake towards the portage. Could see anyone coming or going.
Little Bass is a quiet lake. Didn't see anyone. But after a following paddle down near the end of the lake the next day, we realized the northernmost campsite was now vacant. No tent. Never saw a canoe leave (or a canoe at the site in the first place). We assumed the only possibility is that they were out fishing in the channel up to Hopkins Lake, and then packed up and snuck out pre-daylight without us noticing. –OR– They worked their way down from Holy Lake and posted up for a night and went back the way they came. It was the only way someone could have left without us noticing.
It wasn't until just recently that I noticed this old logging/lake access road. I'm now wondering if the curious traveler arrived on foot via that road? Likely an undocumented entry into the BW? I mean, clever and all. Quiet and unnoticed.

There used to be a winter road that went from the Echo Trail up into Sunday Bay of Crooked Lake. The road ran along the west side of Spring Creek up into Sunday Lake. Bring in building supplies and summer needs to the Resorts and cabins. They tried to shut it down around 1950, however many used it for several more years.

There used to be a road into Insula, Thomas, Fraser area. Probably when that area was logged. Doubt any of it exists, probably 40-50 years since anyone even tried those roads.

T

On many lakes, you can spot where winter logging roads entered and left the lakes. Slow paddle and pay close attention to the banks.

geotramper: "

straighthairedcurly: "

geotramper: "As for why some of them are still so apparent in the natural landscape, there are many reasons. Animals and hunters alike use them. Oftentimes berms were created, topography was flattened, and boulders were moved to flatten the trail. Trees were cut down and the roads receive more sunlight, so different plants grow there. Gravel was laid down making the surface more impervious.



Some of these roads are still used by portages and hiking trails. Portions of the Powwow and Sioux-Hustler follow logging and fire tower access roads. "

My husband had spotted (on Google Earth)what appeared to be an old logging road that branched off of the cleared portion of the Powwow Trail. He found it while we were there last fall and tried to follow it, but so many trees down due to the past fire. But the road bed was definitely there.


Also know of an unofficial trail to a BWCA lake that isn't accessible any other way. But that one is shhh. Though in truth a FS worker was excited to hear it existed because they had been trying to figure out a way to pay a visit to that lake to gather info."

That may have been the east loop of the Powwow trail. Likely also the spot where that one hiker accidentally turned off trail and got lost.


As someone who likes exploring old logging roads, finding remains of fire towers, etc, I'd be interested in learning of this unofficial trail you speak of if you are willing to divulge by email. "

The hiker got lost on the west loop. The Pow Trail once had a road that went toward Arrow lake and also Hudson lake. I have been on it numerous times in the 1990's. Than it slowly disappears and that is where that individual got lost. There were many trails-open roads around 1975. Some had class 5 gravel.

Lots of this was covered in a thread about 5 years ago. Search for "lost entry points" . One i thought was interesting was ep#2 into Phantom lake via a now defunct logging road.

Lost ep's

I walked the trail from Mayhew Lake to Topper and noticed that much of it is on an old road or RR bed.

Some of the best trails I’ve followed have been those around campsites. I am amazed how far some of these trails go. Other sites have none.

LindenTree: "I walked the trail from Mayhew Lake to Topper and noticed that much of it is on an old road or RR bed."

Yep, lots of old logging railroad beds too. Ever wonder how the "Grade" got its name?

Not you Linden. I know you know.

Go to Jackpine Jim's forum on this site for a lot of trails.

LindenTree: "I walked the trail from Mayhew Lake to Topper and noticed that much of it is on an old road or RR bed."

Yes it use to be very open road-RR bed to at least Dunn, but recent storms have created a lot of downfalls.

LiquorPugs: "This is simply a strange observation, and I'm curious if anyone has knowledge/information on access roads and/or trails that eventually end up at or near a lake or site in the BWCA. Not recognized EPs or portages, but simply backwoods trails.

The one that brought me to post here is N Grassy Rd (Google Maps), or Mudro Access Rd (BWCA map) past EP23. The road continues north then turns west towards Little Bass Lake. It seemingly deteriorates, but is still visible via satellite imagery, and looks as if it could end up right at the creek from north end of Little Bass to Holy Lake, with an off-shoot that heads south down to campsite 1902 on Little Bass.
The BW border is very tight along the east side of Little Bass. Just feels like there's been enough traffic along the route to wear down a path visible via satellite.

Trails and roads that venture far into unknown lands is just sort of fascinating to me. Who uses them enough to keep them clean? They're all over. Fun to see them way out in the boondocks north of the border near Quetico and track them into oblivion.
Hunting trails? Winter trails? Game trails? Other?

So I guess I'm just asking about strange trails in and around the Boundary Waters. Why? Nobody knows. Not even me. :)




"

I mountain bike these old roads and trails past the Mudro entry. Simple push bike around gates and off you go. Cool country. Road steadily deteriorates. Lots of spurs to explore. Great wet land country with scattered rock.

I know of a few into a handful of lakes that are not otherwise accessible via normal BW EP and portages. Only path in is access through a non-designated entry.

Banksiana: "

LiquorPugs: "This is simply a strange observation, and I'm curious if anyone has knowledge/information on access roads and/or trails that eventually end up at or near a lake or site in the BWCA. Not recognized EPs or portages, but simply backwoods trails.


The one that brought me to post here is N Grassy Rd (Google Maps), or Mudro Access Rd (BWCA map) past EP23. The road continues north then turns west towards Little Bass Lake. It seemingly deteriorates, but is still visible via satellite imagery, and looks as if it could end up right at the creek from north end of Little Bass to Holy Lake, with an off-shoot that heads south down to campsite 1902 on Little Bass.
The BW border is very tight along the east side of Little Bass. Just feels like there's been enough traffic along the route to wear down a path visible via satellite.


Trails and roads that venture far into unknown lands is just sort of fascinating to me. Who uses them enough to keep them clean? They're all over. Fun to see them way out in the boondocks north of the border near Quetico and track them into oblivion.
Hunting trails? Winter trails? Game trails? Other?


So I guess I'm just asking about strange trails in and around the Boundary Waters. Why? Nobody knows. Not even me. :)






"

I mountain bike these old roads and trails past the Mudro entry. Simple push bike around gates and off you go. Cool country. Road steadily deteriorates. Lots of spurs to explore. Great wet land country with scattered rock."

So that road is not private property? I know there is no private property signage. I walked a portion of it during hunting season, but I felt a little uncomfortable not knowing if I was trespassing. I eventually turned back.

Egknuti
So that road is not private property? I know there is no private property signage. I walked a portion of it during hunting season, but I felt a little uncomfortable not knowing if I was trespassing. I eventually turned back.

Most of the land was owned by Northwest Paper Company. Michele and Mark Richards owned much of the land right after the lake. Michele ran the Chainsaw sisters. They sold many years ago. They had 3 boys who ran their atvs on those roads.

It is owned by The Conservative Fund according to the St. Louis Co. Land Explorer site. County Land Explorer

The first section is owned by the Conservation Fund, the next section looks to be privately owned, and then the section after that is owned by the Conservation Fund according to onX

brp: "I know of a few trails that are actually on topo maps, that go into the BWCA. I’ve thought of asking/commenting here, but apparently these are one-way trails because you need to enter at an entry point but can exit wherever you want.



"

Sigh. The public-minded Dr. Jekyll in me favors getting access info out to the public, ’cuz public use builds support for land conservation efforts like the Wilderness Act. The selfish Mr. Hyde says there are too many of you to share my secrets with in the Internet Age.

Here’s the compromise:

Some of the trails are acceptable for access away from designated entry points. I know of at least one with its own permit box, and I have been instructed by the feds to list one of the nearby EPs on the self-issued permit.

Google Earth has a date slider tool at the top. You can move to earlier times and see things which help you understand the evolution of a place.
For example, my new house is on property that had a small pond a few years prior to the house being built.

I suspect there are many secret trails throughout the BWCA. I've stumbled upon one while bushwhacking that went on for two miles.

Some are game trails with light human maintenance. Some are old rail beds and things like that.

Check out the USGS National Map Viewer, set it to 3DEP Elevation Hillshade. Look at roads and peoples driveways to see what that looks like, then look for old rail beds. Scan around once you familiarize yourself with what to look for and you might discover something