Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: 21/22 Gunflint Trail Winter Conditions
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Minnesotian |
I was also out in a cabin on an island on Rainy Lake this last weekend. That's a real trip to go outside and see -40 on the gauge, and not just for one night. I think I was skiing across Rainy about the same time you were recording this. |
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ericinely |
Did you get out on the ice this weekend during this insane cold snap? I was in the cities with family so I didn't get out, but I am not necessarily that upset with how cold it has been. Hope those of you who did get out were safe and had a great time! |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Nope, too cold for me. It was the quietest BWCAW opener in a long time, a stark contrast to last year when it was a complete zoo. Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
7-8 inches of snow over the last few days. 28ish inches in the woods. The deepest snow on Round Lake is 15 inches, it varies a lot. 20 to 24 inches of ice on average on the Upper Gunflint Trail Stop Snowing. Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
I'd say getting to the east end would be extremely difficult right now, but it could become easy in about a week if continue with the weather we are having. |
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Gadfly |
lyontyl: "Great thanks for the update! Heading up this afternoon. There are some trails across clearwater. One that hugs the north side for a few miles for sure. When traveling off the trail snowshoes helped keep us above the slush. |
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Kawishiwashy |
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paddlefurther |
The good news is we have had some melting since our last snow so what is on the lakes is not moving much. Once a trail is packed it should stay good for a while. So if you are on a more highly traveled route you should be good. We are not seeing good travel typical of late-season ice and from the looks of it we will need a lot of melting for this to happen |
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lyontyl |
paddlefurther: "Travel is pretty tough right now on the Gunflint side. We have a lot of snow and have not had the cold and wind to have hard-packed lakes. Expect a top layer that will not support weight, you will break through into deep snow on the lakes. Slush is spotty, but not terrible while traveling. Once you set camp or if you are traveling where others have drilled fishing holes the slush will become an issue. This is great info thanks! I'm hitting a well traveled path next weekend on the Gunflint Trail. Would you say that with potential slush issues that camping on the ice is ill advised? Or is it more of a lake by lake type scenario? Keep the water hole well away from the tent if on the ice I'm assuming? Thanks! |
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Troutaddict |
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Mocha |
Looks nice up there. |
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TreeBear |
Tuscarora Outfitters: "We're back! It's been a very normal January so far, some snow and quite a bit of cold. The slush is hit or miss, some lakes are horrible some are pretty good. Way more snow mid-trail like usual. I echo that. A trip out the first week of the year found tons of slush on Clearwater and Caribou. Some spots were awesome to walk, some spots there were big snowdrifts (it's been windy), and then there were some really slushy stretches, |
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Minnesotian |
Thanks much! Looks like a shot of cold air should be coming your way this weekend and into the start of next week. I am seeing some negative numbers predicted. Should help with ice formation nicely. |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Crazy Weather Andy |
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Minnesotian |
Thanks for the update. I'm actually hoping the rain cut out the snow a bit so there is less chance of slush forming. |
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lyontyl |
Anyone been across Clearwater at all lately? Curious if there is any packed trails to the east side of the lake. Always wanted to get on Clearwater and camp on a lake nearby but this probably isn't the year with how much snow there is. I'm planning on heading to Duncan since this will be my wife's first winter trip but I would take a shot at West Pike if I knew I could somewhat easily get through CW. |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Slow Lake Trout Fishing in a Snowstorm Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Winter Update #4 Walleyes and Snow Storms. Andy |
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dhfish |
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paddlefurther |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Meltdown Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Gunflint Trail Winter Update #1 Happy Thanksgiving! Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Winter Update Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
If you're headed to Seagull for some winter camping anytime soon, this one is for you: Seagull Lake Conditions Andy |
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Tuscarora Outfitters |
Ice depth varies quite a bit, some mid-trail lakes that got buried in early snow only have 15 to 18 inches while the End of the Trail is closing in on 24 inches. We're ready for a warm-up. Can you ski the Kek? Andy |
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Gadfly |
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