One of the routes I'm really thinking about is Gunflint east. Been there, done that, love the area and haven't been there in years. I know there was some damage in the area last year with the storms. Any updated info on campsite damage and portage condition from anyone who was in there last year or this winter?

quote ozarkpaddler: "One of the routes I'm really thinking about is Gunflint east. Been there, done that, love the area and haven't been there in years. I know there was some damage in the area last year with the storms. Any updated info on campsite damage and portage condition from anyone who was in there last year or this winter?"

Went through in mid Sept going from Crane to Superior. It was much better then expected -- but N into S lake was definitely different scenery then the year before,, but nothing major as far as obstructions --- everything had been cleared. As far as campsites,, we didn't notice any closed but also weren't looking very hard until dark.
If you continue further E --Check on the status of the "Long Portage" before your trip. Beavers do there business and can make things interesting.

the last US campsite on South lake before Rat portage is closed indefinitely. :( although this site was small it was fun to explore and had the access trail to the border route. i think this spur trail has been cleared by the BRT, not sure, though.

quote Mocha: "the last US campsite on South lake before Rat portage is closed indefinitely. :( although this site was small it was fun to explore and had the access trail to the border route. i think this spur trail has been cleared by the BRT, not sure, though."

That was a nice site.
I loved going thru the portage between Rat and South crossing the creek with numerous cedar roots spreading in all directions. The storm really cleared that portage of trees.

Thanks for the replies! My one trip mate wants smaller lakes but this route certainly isn't that. BUT I'm really being pulled to that area, Sag, or Clearwater with South Lake EP number one. Rose Lake and her smallies would be worth it, and I'd like to do it from the west again instead of from Duncan. Have done it both ways, but Gunflint-east is such a nice way to travel the border route.

depending how much time you have, you could opt for a ep 60, camp on rose 2 or 3 nights, take a day trip to south, then move on to the east.

quote Mocha: "depending how much time you have, you could opt for a ep 60, camp on rose 2 or 3 nights, take a day trip to south, then move on to the east."

Never thought of that. One of the things I like about starting on GF, though, is traveling that south shore and stopping at Bridal Veil Falls. And North is such a pretty lake too. Decisions, decisions!

Are you guys talking mostly about the storm of last July 21? I am hoping to hike (there-and-back) the Caribou/Border Route Trails from Hungry Jack Lodge to the Rose Lake Overlook sometime soon -- before these knees get any older -- and was curious about any areas affected there. (Don't mean to hijack the thread. This route is a bit east of North/South, of course, but curious.)

No, that's exactly what I'm looking for. I may be reconsidering my route choices this trip as I'm thinking my partners are wanting smaller lakes, but I really want to get back there!

well, if you get up and on the water at the crack o'dawn you can paddle the longer lakes early in the day. if it's alreayd windy in the morning... well... sleep in!

quote Mocha: "well, if you get up and on the water at the crack o'dawn you can paddle the longer lakes early in the day. if it's alreayd windy in the morning... well... sleep in!"

Heheheh, I really am looking for excuses for my favorite spots!

quote schweady: "Are you guys talking mostly about the storm of last July 21? I am hoping to hike (there-and-back) the Caribou/Border Route Trails from Hungry Jack Lodge to the Rose Lake Overlook sometime soon -- before these knees get any older -- and was curious about any areas affected there. (Don't mean to hijack the thread. This route is a bit east of North/South, of course, but curious.)
"

That trail was hit by the Father's Day Storm last summer that killed the man at a Duncan Lake campsite. Not sure when it will be cleared and I wouldn't try it until it is. Last August (2016) my 11yo daughter and I just hiked it the short distance to the West Bearskin overlook(which is beautiful and well worth the short hike) and there was a sign at the trail head stating that the trail was impassable from Moss Lake to Rose Lake and to not even attempt it. Obviously it hadn't been cleared at that point yet.

Even before it was hit by the storm and a huge number of large trees fell across it, it was a difficult trail. My wife and I hiked it to the Rose Lake overlook and back in August of 2015 and it took us 7 hours and it wore us out pretty good. Based on distance and how long it took us to do the Centential Trail 2 days prior to doing the Caribou Rock Trail we had estimated it taking us about 4 hours. From Moss Lake to Rose Lake and along Duncan Lake there are some very steep parts where you need to hang on to roots to pull yourself up and there are a lot of switchbacks. We went through A LOT of water and I was very glad I had my sawyer mini in the daypack. There is about a 2 hour stretch of hiking going both ways where there isn't an opportunity to filter water. It's a good idea to have more than 1 water bottle per person.

It's a beautiful trail and well worth the effort it takes to do it. I hope they are able to get it cleared (if they haven't already done so) so people can use it again. We definitely earned our burgers at the Trail Center that day ;)

Thanks, ducks. Forgot about the June blow, too. Man, a tough summer, indeed.

Apparently, lots of hours were put in to get quite a number of the trails cleared and back into shape, including the Caribou Rock Trail. Many thanks to the crew members who worked so hard.

But, I still hear ya on the effort it takes to do an out-and-back hike on the Caribou. Maybe, just maybe...

Wow schweady. that's amazing how many trails they were able to clean up. That's a lot of people power and hours. A huge thank you to those crew members.

You can do it. Just be prepared for a long day and have enough food/water.

That's a huge task and a dangerous one when cutting twisted and hanging trees.

quote ducks: "Wow schweady. that's amazing how many trails they were able to clean up. That's a lot of people power and hours. A huge thank you to those crew members.
You can do it. Just be prepared for a long day and have enough food/water. "

most of those hours were volunteer hours!! The Border Route Trail Clearing club did a lot of the work. this club is aging and is looking for new members in their younger years.

quote Mocha: "

quote ducks: "Wow schweady. that's amazing how many trails they were able to clean up. That's a lot of people power and hours. A huge thank you to those crew members.
You can do it. Just be prepared for a long day and have enough food/water. "

most of those hours were volunteer hours!! The Border Route Trail Clearing club did a lot of the work. this club is aging and is looking for new members in their younger years."

Yes, a surprisingly large number of miles covered in such a short time. Kudos to all involved!

quote Mocha: "

quote ducks: "Wow schweady. that's amazing how many trails they were able to clean up. That's a lot of people power and hours. A huge thank you to those crew members.
You can do it. Just be prepared for a long day and have enough food/water. "

most of those hours were volunteer hours!! The Border Route Trail Clearing club did a lot of the work. this club is aging and is looking for new members in their younger years."

Do you have any contact information for this club?