Hello all,

I hiked the loop many years ago, as a younger man, with another person. I'm thinking of hiking the loop again, this time solo, but I'm wondering if there's any update on route-finding. Is the trail easy to follow with a McKenzie map? I don't have an InReach or a Spot, and ideally I'd like to not have to get one.

I just re-read Lost in the Wild, about the two young guys who got lost in the Q and on the Pow Wow. Got me wonderin' if I have to worry much about losing my way. Probably not the best book to read before heading into the woods alone, but...will I die? :)

The swamp and a big beaver dam is making this a challenge this year...I'm told.
Others may provide more specifics...

I tried to hike this trail on Sept 18, we made it past the first 2 beaver dams, got to the swamp and lost the trail, (looked for a couple of hours & never found it). Found out that they got 3" of rain a couple of days earlier, which cover the trail.

It takes 3 McKenzie maps to do this trail.

There is road construction right near the trailhead on the Echo trail

Thank you for sharing. I hiked this trail last fall and really enjoyed it, but sounds like it is considerably more difficult this year. Am hoping to get up that way again in late October, but sounds like I need to be prepared for difficult trail conditions around the swamp.

Heading out on the Kek in a couple of days. Really happy to see temperatures starting to moderate and looking forward to some good BW hiking!

quote HappyHuskies: "Thank you for sharing. I hiked this trail last fall and really enjoyed it, but sounds like it is considerably more difficult this year. Am hoping to get up that way again in late October, but sounds like I need to be prepared for difficult trail conditions around the swamp.


Heading out on the Kek in a couple of days. Really happy to see temperatures starting to moderate and looking forward to some good BW hiking!"

Excuse my hijack but...
I would love to hear how your trip on the Kek trail goes. I've been dreaming of doing it. I really want to get to the Agamok bridge at least. Will you be going in from the Gunflint side? When are you going in?

quote Hawbakers: "

quote HappyHuskies: "Thank you for sharing. I hiked this trail last fall and really enjoyed it, but sounds like it is considerably more difficult this year. Am hoping to get up that way again in late October, but sounds like I need to be prepared for difficult trail conditions around the swamp.



Heading out on the Kek in a couple of days. Really happy to see temperatures starting to moderate and looking forward to some good BW hiking!"

Excuse my hijack but...
I would love to hear how your trip on the Kek trail goes. I've been dreaming of doing it. I really want to get to the Agamok bridge at least. Will you be going in from the Gunflint side? When are you going in?"

If you are serious and can go the 16-18 I will get you there, and back...email me.

Excuse my hijack but...
I would love to hear how your trip on the Kek trail goes. I've been dreaming of doing it. I really want to get to the Agamok bridge at least. Will you be going in from the Gunflint side? When are you going in?" Going in from the Gunflint tomorrow. It's easier for me to exit on the Snowbank side, so that' the reason for starting on the east side. I'll
let you know how it goes when I get done.

Sounds great, looking forward to it. Have a great trip.

I'm heading to Grand Marais this weekend, so I'm thinking of driving up to hike the Kek just up to the lookout point to see what the trees look like.

quote Hawbakers: "Sounds great, looking forward to it. Have a great trip.


I'm heading to Grand Marais this weekend, so I'm thinking of driving up to hike the Kek just up to the lookout point to see what the trees look like."

Hope you had a great trip to Grand Marais. Great place!

I finished hiking the Kek on Saturday and had a great time. Weather was perfect and trail conditions were better than I had expected. The eastern third of the trail was the most challenging, as the trail tread was not obvious in many area, which made hiking slower, but still enjoyable.

Got home and learned my Mom was in hospital, so did not have a chance to respond to your post sooner. I am typing this on my phone, since not at home so will keep it short. If you have specific questions about any sections of trail, I'll try to answer in detail when I have access to a computer again. Should probably start a new thread to prevent further hijacking here.

I finished hiking the Sioux-Hustler yesterday and thought I'd post a quick note on trail conditions. First, this continues to be a very pretty hike ... one of my favorite BW trails. Other than running into one grouse hunter near the entry point I had the trail to myself. The trail was very wet and muddy from recent rains, but other than this the trail was in good shape and easy to follow. Getting across the beaver dams was no more difficult than it was when I hiked the trail last year, but the beaver ponds were full right up to the top of most of the dams, making the crossings a little bit wetter and muddier than I remember, but not a problem getting across.

As I mentioned above one of my favorite hikes. Beautiful, secluded trail. Hope to make it an annual fall tradition.

@ HappyHuskies

Do you recall many tree falls?
You may very well be the last hiker who looped it before winter set in.

quote Jestrem: "@ HappyHuskies


Do you recall many tree falls?
You may very well be the last hiker who looped it before winter set in."

Hi Jestrem,

There were a handful of trees down across the trail, but honestly not enough to make much of an impression. As of last November the trail was still in amazingly good condition. Just a wonderful trail to hike!

After the winter though, things may look considerably different. Sorry I don't have more current information to share.