Apologies if I misses a thread with this info. I found one from 2008 that said a business in Duluth rents Snowtrekker's but their website doesn't list one and I can't find it otherwise.

Does anyone know. I'm planning my first winter trip and want to do it via Sawbill.

The business in duluth is no longer. It was run by one of the maruska bros. in the past the canoeist in two harbors rented but that may have changed in the last couple years. Snowtrekker lists stone harbor supply in grand marais as a rental business. I love that place and would not hesitate to do business with them even if its a little out of your way driving-wise.

Tg

If youre not married to the sawbill entry there are lots of good options up the gunflint.

TG,

Thanks. I'm not married to Sawbill, though I love it from an instant access to a pretty remote area standpoint and because it's a quicker drive, but I will also explore Gunflint. I'm thinking East Bearskin, Duncan etc could be some decent options.

Ely has a couple easy and remote trips.

Suggestions in no particular order:

1. Angleworm
2. South Hegman
3. Little Indian Sioux North.

It's a tough call. I've never done a winter trip, though I've snow-showed and day-tripped the BWCA in the winter. I've solo tripped in the summer once and I'll be going solo for this, so I know I'm in for a ton of work just making camp and keeping a stocked wood pile. I'd like to keep the travel to mostly ice rather than portages but I'm ok doing a portage or two. I don't want to travel more than 2-3 miles. I'll just go out and back wherever I go in. Like I said, Sawbill is preferred but it's not convenient for my rental needs. The Gunflint has good options-just is another 1.5-2 hour drive. Ely is most convenient. My ideas right now:

Ely:

Farm Lake to North Kawishiwi River
Big Lake to Lapond
Little Gabbro
South Hegman
*I like the LIS North idea but that might be a little far travel to Upper Pauness.

Sawbill:

Sawbill to Sawbill or Alton or Smoke

Gunflint:

Bearskin to Duncan

if you have any interest in lake trout fishing I would consider Bearskin to Duncan. you could park at the east end of Bearskin off Clearwater road OR you could take Hungry Jack road past HJ Lodge to the south/sw end of Bearkskin which would be my recommendation. either of the roads are pretty well plowed and I have had no problem getting back on either with my front wheel drive hatchback but I watch the weather pretty closely and take shortish trips (2-3 nights) so the forecasts are more predictable. if you have access to a high ground clearance 4WD vehicle even better. email me with questions!

tg

You might try asking the guys at Snowtrekker if there is anyone else renting their tents these days. Stone Harbor is certainly an awesome store if you need to go up that way to rent one. As for destinations, if fishing is not important consider heading in near Eagle Mountain - not too far from GMarais and toward Sawbill. It's not over lakes, but is a nice 3-4 miles in, feels very remote, and there are a couple campsites where you can basecamp before summiting the "Everest of Minnesota".

We went in at Sawbill our first year and rented from the Canoeist in Two Harbors, but I'm not sure they are there anymore. We camped on Alton that year at -39. It was a fabulous first trip.

Our second trip took us to the Ely side. We rented from Piragis and went into Wood Lake. Then, we traveled to Good and ice fished on Basswood. But, it was 8 miles to Good so quite the trip hauling sleds and gear.

Third trip is to Woodland Caribou....we hope-fingers crossed!

I think your only options for a Snowtrekker Rental now are Stone Harbor in Grand Marais and Piragis in Ely. The Canoeist of Two Harboers was a great option and convenient location; I rented one from the owner, Michael Johnson, two years ago. He's a fantastic guy...extremely hospitable and went out of his way to school us on how to use it, and then under-charged us. I have been trying to reach him again, but since he moved locations (to the Old Sonju building a short distance south of the original location in Two Harbors), I haven't been able to get a hold of him.
Rented a Snowtrekker from Stone Harbor last year; overall great experience and easy to deal with the people there. Entered at Sawbill in late January and base-camped on Smoke. It was the experience of a lifetime.

quote hubben: "I think your only options for a Snowtrekker Rental now are Stone Harbor in Grand Marais and Piragis in Ely. The Canoeist of Two Harboers was a great option and convenient location; I rented one from the owner, Michael Johnson, two years ago. He's a fantastic guy...extremely hospitable and went out of his way to school us on how to use it, and then under-charged us. I have been trying to reach him again, but since he moved locations (to the Old Sonju building a short distance south of the original location in Two Harbors), I haven't been able to get a hold of him.
Rented a Snowtrekker from Stone Harbor last year; overall great experience and easy to deal with the people there. Entered at Sawbill in late January and base-camped on Smoke. It was the experience of a lifetime. "

Unfortunately, Michael Johnson was killed last year in a motorcycle accident. Since then I think that The Canoiest has struggled to find another GM/Guide. I don't think they will be offering Winter Rental this year. Michael was a good guy and a true lover of the North.
I would also recommend Stone Harbor and have had dealings with them in the past.

LL

Lonelake- Thank you for the update on the status of The Canoeist. I apologize if, in any way, I spoke in an insensitive manner above; I had no idea that its proprietor had passed away, and so tragically and unexpectedly nonetheless. I couldn't have been more impressed with Mr. Johnson despite the fact that our encounter was brief; indeed, his enthusiasm for the North Country was contagious, and it took quite a bit of persistent negotiating on my part to get him to accept what I owed him for the rental of his quality gear-- including a real lightweight hand-made trekking sled he designed and created himself--and that served us well on our trek to Brule Lake a couple years back.