Heyo,
Just got back from a 12 day backpacking trip along the norther half of the SHT and the BWCA part of the BRT. Had a great time.

The end of the SHT was a bit burly, and the BRT outside of the BWCA is very overgrown. I don't think anyone has stayed at the Portage Brook Campsite in well over a year at least. But the trip was great and we had a fun time.

where is this? your photos are great.

I'm not sure anyone has ever camped at the Portage Brook campsite. Not much of a site. The area has been scouted for another site but nothing has been found yet.
The middle picture, is that Gogebic Lake? Nice lake to camp on.
It sounds like you had a good hike. Sorry to hear about the non-BW part of the BRT. I usually get up there once a year with the clearing crew but didn't do any clearing this year.

quote mocha: "where is this? your photos are great."

Hiya Mocha,
The first picture on the left if from the East Bearskin campground where we stayed the night before heading out. It is sunrise the day we hitched a ride to Grand Marais and starting hiking the SHT. The middle picture is from Pine Lake and the last picture is from the Rose Lake overlook. Absolutely beautiful place.

Talusman, when we encountered the BRT on the first day, from the end of the SHT to Portage Brook, we were a bit worried that the trail would be like this through the whole BWCA. What made that section really tough was the rain we were getting that day. All the rocks were slicker then normal. But we wanted an adventure and we got it. And after McFarland the trail was smooth sailing. Very satisfying. I personally enjoyed the section along the Pigeon River, as I hiked a portage used possibly by the voyageurs from long ago. That made me feel great.
Thanks much for all the clearing you guys to do though. We didn't encounter more then half a dozen downed trees. It was just the brush, the first year growth that was clogging the trail and hiding the rocks we were stumbling over. Other then that, we could see the trail through the trees just fine.

Sounds like a blast! Thanks for posting about it, I've been keeping my eyes open for some good backpacking in the midwest :) I live in Iowa and there's not much for backpacking here... overnight anyway.

Papinator, ever hiked the Superior Hiking Trial? If you haven't, then I suggest starting with that one before doing the Border Route Trail. If you have, then the BRT will be right in your wheelhouse.

The Portage Brook Campsite seemed a little sunny to me. The BRTA was working on some new campsites along the Pigeon River. Don't know when that will happen