Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Gunflint vs Ely Area?
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maxxbhp |
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cyclones30 |
Ely side has less hills in general and no real lake shape that dominates. |
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WhiteWolf |
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Jaywalker |
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RT |
The lakes on the Ely side were swampier, and murkier. The mosquitos were thicker, and there was far more boat traffic. Paddling the rivers was great and I would do that again in a heartbeat. But the only lake I fell in love with was LLC. It seemed like the land was less extreme in elevation changes with less cliff features and shallower waters. I am very glad I did the Ely side once, but I think I prefer the lakes on the other end; like Ottertrack, Ogish, Kekekabic, and South Arm Knife. |
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Reke0402 |
Like I said, I know it's a broad question, but just curious about the differences between the two areas. |
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TomP |
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mirth |
While you're never that far from civilization anywhere you're in there, the Gunflint area has always felt more remote to me versus Ely because the town is right there. There's businesses here & there along the GFT but "town" is an hour's drive from the end of the trail. Ely area is more wooded, either older growth or regrowth after logging. |
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schweady |
That said, it's easy to point out a major difference - topography. East side has so many more cliffs and palisades, most landings are huge bolder fields vs the west side's relatively sandy/rubbly makeup. Fewer people, sure, but the longest backtrack we've ever taken to find an open campsite was on an eastern lake - Clearwater. (Sure, we could have pressed on to Caribou and Little Caribou and beyond, but our goal was a no-portage entry and do our day tripping from there.) 38 trips in the western end, 2 trips in the east. We love experiencing both sides and aim to balance things out somewhat in the future, but we wind up going through Ely most trips as the drive is 1-1/2 hours shorter from west central MN. |
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MN_Lindsey |
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TominMpls |
Equally striking on our August trip from EP 49 (Poplar Lake - Gunflint Trail side) through Quetico to EP 23 (Mudro - Echo Trail side) was how much more heavily used the Ely side felt. We followed a relatively difficult (and hence probably less-traveled) route, which may have some impact, but the portages on the Gunflint side were relatively narrow, and the human presence was more subtle. The Mudro area of course is one of the most heavily traveled. The effect was stronger because we'd traveled 60 miles in Quetico after Gunflint and before entering the Mudro area, but it felt practically like a state park: overused, with all trails wide and denuded to dirt and rock. |
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analyzer |
Regarding Gunflint or Ely, I prefer Gunflint side because in my opinion there are less people, and more opportunities for seclusion. I also think it makes a difference in the potential to run into noisy campers. The End of the gunflint trail is 60 miles from Grand Marais. I think that is a deterrent to high school kids looking for a place to party. If you were a teen ager, and looking for a place to get away from supervision, the boundary waters seems like easy, cheap place to camp, and some of the entry points on the Ely side are so close to town, I think it may be vulnerable to that. I've heard a person or 6 on this site complain about noise from time to time, and I seem to hear more complaints from the Ely side of things. But I am biased, and could be wrong. Having said all that, I love the Horse River, Lower Basswood Falls, Crooked Lake loop, and have many fond memories of that route. I think fishing can be good both sides. I would just do alot of searching and reading on here, especially the trip reports, and you'll figure it out. |
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mjmkjun |
johndku: "Also a more picturesque drive up the North Short on the Gunflint side. " true dat. North Shore (hwy 61) a beautiful scenic drive. I've had residents along that drive wave at me as I drive by. A throwback to those slower-paced, friendlier times. Gunflint side has skinny lakes that have an east to west orientation. I like that. Ely is a likable, friendly town, for sure. Grand Marais is a likable, touristy town. I lean towards east end. I'm not sure why. Palisades, maybe. Visually less congestion, maybe. Maybe I like paying higher gas prices when way up the Gunflint Trail. :-) When I turned off the Gunflint Trail onto the road leading to Hungry Jack Lodge I saw two normally shy animals: a fox and a bobcat hunting by the side of the road--unafraid. Like! |
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Selfsuffi |
cyclones30: "Already mentioned but I'll agree with landscape differences. Portions of gunflint have lakes that are mainly long and E-W so a west wind can be less than ideal. That side is much more extreme when it comes to elevation change. I would argue the wind....no matter what direction I go it always seems to be blowing right at me... ;) |
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A1t2o |
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johndku |
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flynn |
Would love to hear other people's takes on terrain throughout the BWCA, including elevation, tree density, tree type, rivers, wetlands, lake density (how close together/small or far apart/big are the lakes?), stuff like that. I want to see a variety of terrain and I think I've seen a lot of what the central BWCA has to offer, but I'd like to see more of the west side and more of the east side and just wonder what I should expect. Photos and videos work but a summarized explanation of the terrain is cool too. Thanks! Good topic! |
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ducks |
The only way I've been able to do that on the Ely side is to go early May before fishing opener and in the fall. Even on my solo at the end of September about 6 years ago doing the Kawishiwi Triangle near Ely I saw a lot of people and I only found a South Kawishiwi River permit after someone cancelled it. |