Border Route Trail East
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
West Pike Lake Overlook to the Arrowhead Trail
Hiking down to the West Pike Lake/Pine Lake Portage,
going to the West Pike Lake Landing, Hiking on top of
Pine Ridge, taking a nap under the Super Shady Pine
Tree, inspecting the Pine Ridge Campsite, Getting
down to the East Pike Lake Landing and pumping water.
Hiking the Ridge to the John Lake Overlook, going
downhill to the Arrowhead Trail and looking at the
facilities on the Arrowhead Trail Click Here.
Wednesday & Thursday, May 26 & 27, 2010
Hovland and Grand Marais Rest Days
Meeting 4 fishermen at the Forest Campground,
Getting a ride to Hovland, Eating at the Chicago
Bay Marketplace, Hitchhiking to Grand Marais,
Exploring Grand Marais. Staying at the Best Western,
Eating at Burger Night at the American Legion, taking
a hike around town, meeting construction workers,
Eating breakfast with Warren, Shopping in Grand Marais,
Meeting Parker at the Swamp River Campsite, and
Eating at Naniboujou Lodge. Click here
Friday, May 28, 2010
Arrowhead Trail to Otter Lake Cutoff
Doing something Stupid right away in the
Morning, Seeing Parker again, heading
east. Seeing Overlooks, Meeting 5 young men
from St Cloud at a Overlook, More Overlooks,
Hiking next to the Pigeon River. Hiking over
the Stump River Bridge then through the grasslands to
the Portage River Bridge, Making it to the Portage Brook
Campsite, Hiking the Otter Lake Cutoff, Hitchhiking
down the Arrowhead Trail to my van, Going to Grand
Portage, Meeting Don at the Campground, and eating
Supper at the Casino. Click Here.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Otter Lake Cutoff to East End of Border Route
Waking up in my van in the Casino parking Lot,
taking photos of the Grand Portage area, Seeing
Don at the Ferry, driving up the Arrowhead Trail to
Otter Lake Road, Hiking in the Otter Lake Cutoff
through the Clear-Cut Area, Making it to the Border
Route, hiking up to the first overlook, going the wrong
way, going the right way, seeing more overlooks, walking
through more Clear Cut Areas, seeing the most spectacular
Overlook yet, Finishing the Border Route, Riding my bike
back to the van, heading for Grand Marais, shower and
laundry, eating at Ole's and Sven's, and singing Karaoke
at the Birch Terrace Click here
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Homeward Bound and Post Hike Notes
Sleeping at the Pincushion Mountain Trailhead,
eating breakfast in Grand Marais, heading out,
sightseeing in Lutsen, driving back to Madison,
post hike notes including thank yous, other comments
and special conclusion Click Here
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lake Gogebic to West Pike Lake Overlook
Packing up at Lake Gogebic, starting to hike
around the Lake, finding the real Lake Gobebic
Campsite, chatting with Pat and Jason, Hiking
around the rest of Lake Gogebic, hiking up the
huge bluff, hiking on top of the bluff on a hot
day, and deciding to camp at the West Pike
Lake Overlook Click Here
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Clearwater Lake to Lake Gogebic
Getting water at the Clearwater Lake Campsite, hiking up
to the Watap Cliffs, hiking on the bluff next to Clearwater Lake,
Overlooks of Clearwater Lake and Mountain Lake, Getting to the
Mountain Lake/Clearwater Lake Portage, continuing on
to some more spectacular Overlooks of Mountain Lake, hiking
downhill to the Clearwater Lake East Campsite, Hiking the
Clearwater Lake/West Pike Lake Portage, and hiking the West
Pike Lake to Lake Gogebic portage. Then Camping at Lake
Gogebic Click Here
Saturday, May 22, 2010
2nd Day of Trail Clearing, then hiking to Clearwater Lake
Packing up at Duncan Lake, Canoeing to Stairway
Portage, Trail Clearing on the Bluff East of Stairway Falls,
Eating lunch on the bluff, Trail Clearing in the Afternoon.
Finishing the Trail work, Saying goodbye to the Trail
Crew, Hiking East on the Bluff. hiking past the Rose Lake
Campsites, Long Portage and along Rove Lake.
Friday, May 21, 2010
1st Day of Trail Clearing
Getting ready at Rockwood Lodge, Going to the Boat landing,
Canoeing and portaging to our campsite on Duncan Lake.
Setting up camp, and Trail work in the afternoon.
Returning to camp for supper and a relaxing evening
Pre-trip and Thursday May 20, 2010
Madison to Rockwood Lodge
Pre-Trip preparations, driving up from Madison,
meeting the Trail Crew and Lynn the owner of
Rockwood Lodge Click Here
My Day by Day Trip Reports will be appearing as I write them.
Trip Reports
Photo Galleries
Note: I have completed photographed the Border Route Trail, with the exception that I accidentally photographed the Mid-Cliffs Trail instead of the South Rim Trail in 2009. At the Bottom of this column are the links to my 2009 photo galleries
Trail Crew Experience
Staying overnight at Rockwood Lodge, Canoeing into Duncan Lake, Setting up camp, and working on the Trail east of Stairway Falls Click Here.
Bluff East of Stairway Falls to Daniels Lake Access Trail
From Where the Trail Crew ended to the Daniels Lake Access Trail, including the Rose Lake Campsites and Long Portage. Click Here
Daniels Lake Access Trail to Lake Gogebic
Including overlooks of Clearwater Lake, Mountain Lake, Watap Lake, and Rove Lake. Also the East Clearwater Campsites and portages from Clearwater Lake to West Pike Lake and West Pike Lake to Lake Gogebic. Click Here
Lake Gogebic to West Pike Lake/Pine Lake Portage
Walking on the bluff east of Lake Gogebic with several overlooks of West Pike Lake.
Also the West Pike Lake Portage Landing. Click Here
West Pike Lake Portage to Arrowhead Trail
Walking on top of a bluff for several miles. Includes the Campsite in the Woods, the East Pike Lake portage landing, the overlook of John Lake and the facilities on the Arrowhead Trail. Click Here
Arrowhead Trail to the Otter Lake Cutoff
Including overlooks of Royal Lake and South Fowl Lakes. Hiking along the Pigeon River, and the Stump River and Portage Brook Bridges. Also includes the Portage Brook Campsite and the Otter Lake Cuttoff Click Here
Otter Lake Cutoff to Eastern End of Trail
Including the Pigeon Cliffs with several spectacular overlooks of the Pigeon River Basin. The most eastern overlook also is of the Swamp River Basin. Click Here
The Western Section from My 2009 Hike
The Magnetic Rock Trail to the Gunflint Lodge
The Western End of Border Route on the Gunflint Trail, hiking east on the Magnetic Rock Trail to the Gunflint Lodge. Featuring Magnetic Rock and the western end of Gunflint Lake Click Here
Gunflint Lodge to Clearwater Lodge
From the Gunflint Lodge, using the Mid Cliff Trail instead of the South Rim Trail, to the Clearwater Lodge using the Daniels Lake Access Trail. Sights include the Mid Cliffs Overlook, Bridal Falls, Gunflint Lake Overlook, the Topper Lake Campsite, the Rose Cliffs, Stairway Falls, the Rose Lake Campsites, Long Portage and the Daniels Lake Access Trail Click Here