Current BRT conditions from our thru-hike May 26-30.

First of all, thank you Ed Solstad (and everyone) for all of the coordination you're doing to clear the trail and maintain it. We appreciate it! It's a gem of a trail. Our group of 5 women thru-hiked the entire trail May 26-30. We started from Magnetic Trail (west) and hiked Otter/Swamp Lk Rd terminus (east). We strived to be ultra-light but not ultra-stupid. My base weight was 16.5# with a total weight of 24.5#.

DAY 1: Magnetic Lake - Topper Lake camp. Because of the burn out and relative ease of trail we decided to push for miles. Over-all clear, some brushy sections, and a small segment where BRT mixes with ski trails is brush/tree choked.

DAY 2: Topper Lake - Clearwater West camp.
Many choked sections of alders and downed trees. We made it into Clearwater late - special thanks to trail crew (Phil Snyder + Co.) for welcoming us into their camp after a tough, wet, brushy day.

DAY 3: Clearwater West - Pine Lake camp.
Clear 2 miles (thank you trail crew) from Clearwater West camp headed East. Got brushy in many sections and some down trees. Clearer and better going in Rose Lake area and through the Long Portage (easy walking!). Part of the Long portage path is washed out, but it appears that folks have been skirting around flooded path for short distance.

DAY 4
Pine Lake camp - Stump River Camp.
Very tough section filled with many down pines, aspen and birch. Mc Farland area ok. Additionally, many areas of alder to 'push' through. First 2 'primitive' camps we either didn't see (due to brush) or were in poor condition. Stump River camp very wet and lowland sections very wet/muddy.

DAY 5: Stump River to Otter/Swamp River Rd terminus. Very brushy throughout and many, many down trees. Last 1.1 mile (after 270 degree overlook) to end was very clear and easy going.

Summary: Overall I loved the route. I hope to help with trail maintenance at some point and encourage others to do so as well. This is in incredible trail, filled with million dollar views, gorgeous flora, fauna, and solitude. But it's currently not very clear due to the brush/downed trees. I expected rough, however, many points we were bush-whacking with small indications of trail. Very easy to lose the trail if you're not paying attention in some places. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. We planned and trained many months for this. It's been on my wish-list for a number of years. I can only speak for myself, but I hope to do this trail again. Check conditions before you go, but expect anything. This is a true wilderness experience. We used the NCTA, BRT trail map (great!), local Gunflint ski trail map, BRT trail guide (would not have brought, but someone else did, though I went over it thoroughly pre-trip) and had the GAIA gps app for backup. Thank you Harriet Quarles for the great stories and shuttle service.

Photos and full report later. I'm tired. :)