We found out on Friday that our EP at Magnetic Lake would be opening on Tuesday, just in time for our Thursday Entry. I had 5 permits for the year, had been on 2 trips already at Slim Lake and Snake River, and had a mid July trip cancelled on my entry day due to the wildfires. This trip I was taking my friend Andrew for his first journey in the Wilderness. Andrew has several trips down the Namekogen under his belt so he's not a rookie to paddling. I selected Granite River Route first since I had never been on this EP before and I thought it would bring all the best of a first BWCA trip for Andrew (waterfalls, fishing, portaging, and paddling) without beating the crap out of him. We left our homes in Wisconsin about 1030 on Wednesday for the 5.5 hour drive to the end of the Gunflint. The drive up was uneventful, but it felt good to get back on Highway 61 and view the trip up the north shore. We were surprised to see some Lupines along the highway. It seemed a bit late in the year. After we hit Grand Marais we made the mandatory stop at the Pincushion Mountain overlook for a leg stretch and picture. Then it was up the trail to Voyageur Outfitters to check in to our bunkhouse. I self outfit, but the bunkhouse and breakfast are such a great way to start the trip. The parking lot at VO was nearly empty as the wilderness was only 1 day in from welcoming back visitors. When we returned to pick up our car on Sunday, the lot was full and had even spilled into their overflow lot.

After checking in and getting our gear in the bunkhouse it was time to head out for a quick drive around Trails End Campground, Seagull Lake EP and back down to Gunflint Lodge for dinner. I love their Maple Bean Burger! We sat out on the patio overlooking Gunflint Lake and I pointed out to Andrew where the narrows into Magnetic Lake was. That's where we would be heading out in the morning. After dinner we headed back to VO. We sat out on the picnic table visiting with another group that was headed toward Red Rock Lake in the morning. The area west of American Point is still closed, so it seems that's the direction most paddlers were heading. For a special treat, Andrew brought some smoked Lake Trout that he had made the day before after catching the fish on Lake Superior the week before. Our neighbors at the bunkhouse had never had smoked trout and were excited to try it! Once the skeeters began to visit it was off to bed. Photo is of Gunflint Lake