Homeward Bound and Post Hike Notes

Sunday, May 30, 2010

I woke up around 8 am in the morning in my van at the Pincushion Mountain Trailhead. Evidently, this trailhead is the terminal for a cross country skiing area in the winter. In fact Grand Marais High School uses it for their Cross Country Sking tournaments. And Cross Country Skiing and Alpine Skiing are official High School sports up in these parts. I wasn’t the only person to sleep in a van at the trailhead. I saw another guy get out of his van and go to the restroom building.

I drove down into Grand Marais and headed for My Sister’s Place on Highway 61. I had been under the impression that it was a morning spot because it closed early in the evening. But I was under the wrong impression because they were closed. I went down into downtown Grand Marais and took some photos. I found that the Blue Water Café was open, and they seemed like they were the only place open. And they were jammed with people. All the tables were taken, so I went up and sat at the counter. I had placed my Spot Messenger out in the park across the street. I needed to let everyone know I was okay this bright and sunny morning. I sat at the counter at a spot where I could look out the window and keep and eye on my Spot. I had a conversation with a younger man who was a fireman. But he was not involved with fighting the Ham Lake Fire in 2007, He said there were two Fire Stations up the Gunflint Trail that was involved in that fire. I thought since it was the biggest fire in over a century, that every firefighter in Northern Minnesota would be involved. I had a good breakfast at the Blue Water Café. I finished and headed down to the World’s Best Donut shop for a couple donuts for the road.

At this point I was pretty much set on heading for home. I could go out and hike some of the Superior Hiking Trail, but my enthusiasm was pretty much gone. I had completed the Border Route. I had photographed the whole Border Route. Mission accomplished.

I started down Highway 61, this hike was officially over.

Now, I basically was a sightseer, I’ve always wanted to check out Lutsen Mountains Ski Area, so I turned off Highway 61 and drove 3 miles uphill. It is quite the development. It is it’s own little down up there. I drove past the ski area to the end of the road where the Superior Hiking Trail Trailhead was. It had a have a dozen cars parked there. I went back to the ski area and decided to ride the tram. The tram is just like a ski lift, but you sit in an enclosed coach that will fit 4 people. The Tram goes over to Moose Mountain which is for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. It was $13 for the Tram ride, and was well worth it. I got to see the whole labyrinth of ski runs and the Poplar River which ran right through the valley. There were several bridges crossing it for skiers to use.

I made it over to Moose Mountain, which is quite the site. The Ski Chalet Building is situated at a beautiful overlook of Lake Superior. I took several photos there. Then you can hike back into the woods a little ways and come out at a beautiful overlook of the inland forest. Somewhere out there was the Superior Hiking Trail and I saw the spur trail leading away to the SHT. Evidently, there is a whole series of hiking trails around Lutsen Mountains. And some people use the tram to get over to Moose Mountain, then hike the Superior Hiking Trail back to Eagle Mountain where the main ski area is. That would be about a 4 mile day hike. But I had bought a two way ticket on the tram, so I was heading back to Eagle Mountain using the Tram. I rode it back, then headed out.

I drove Highway 61 down to Duluth, then crossed over to Superior, Wisconsin and headed south on Highway 53. When I made it down to Eau Claire, I merged into Highway 94 I stopped at Black River Fall for supper at the Mystic Pines Casino. They had a good Buffet for $10. Then I headed down to Madison. It was clear sailing all the way down from Lutsen. Not a traffic problem at all, and the road construction didn’t cause any delays except slowing down to 55 mph. Yes, it was clear sailing all the way down to Madison. But when I was driving on the beltline there was big traffic backup less than 1/2 mile from my exit. Welcome back to Madison.

Post Hike Notes:

Thanks to Ed Solstad, the Border Route Trail Association, and all the Trail Crews

Yes, first of all I have to say thanks to all the Border Route people. It is not easy taking care of a trail that goes through so many ups and downs. Also, clearing the trail in the wilderness can be a real challenge. I know, I spent 2 days on a Trail Crew.

Ed Solstad emailed me after the hike and wanted to know trail conditions and possible campsite locations on the 13 mile section from the Arrowhead Trail to the Eastern Terminus on Otter Lake Road. Here’s what I wrote back.

Hi Ed

My general impression of the trail east of the Arrowhead Trail to the Eastern Terminus is it is relatively deadfall clear. There were a few of them, but none of them I remember as being a pain in the butt to get around or over. Probably the worst spot was the clear cut area west of the two most eastern overlooks. I seen several deadfalls that had been recently cleared.

Thanks goes to you and your crew for doing such a good jobs.

I felt that the trail was a little thickety in spots, and could use some weed wacking. I really appreciated the trail being marked so well with tape. It is especially helpful in the grassy areas between the Pigeon River and Portage Brook.

As far as locations for campsites, I am very fire prevention minded. I prefer having all campsites close to a water source. For instance, the 5 young men who were camping at the South Fowl Lake Overlook. They had a small fire. If it ever got out of control, they would be hell and gone from water. So, to me the preferable spots for campsites would be along the Pigeon River or near the Stump River. You could also explore the possibility of going down the atv trail to South Fowl Lake and putting a campsite there. That campsite could be used by both canoeists and backpackers.

The Portage Brook Campsite looked as though it hasn't been used in a while. It could use a little clearing of some thickets. Backpacker Parker, who I met at the Swamp River Campsite, bypassed the Portage Brook Campsite because it looked too sunny and hot.

At the eastern Trail head on Otter Lake Road, you cannot see the outhouse that is across the Road. It could use a little clearing so people can see it from the trailhead.

So that is it about the physical aspects of the Trail, now, I'd like to move into promoting this section of the trail (from the Arrowhead Trail to the Eastern Terminus). I think the BRTA should be promoting it as an extension of the Superior Hiking Trail. The Arrowhead Trail is a natural ending spot for people hiking the northern section of the SHT. People will be seeing over a dozen beautiful overlooks in the section, which definitely makes it worth while.

I think the Border Route Trail Association should produce separate Map/guide for this section specifically in mind for getting people who are hiking the SHT to hike this section. The Superior Hiking Trail Shuttle will pick you up and drop you off at the northern terminus of the SHT (by appointment and for a fee.) Perhaps the BRTA can get the Superior Hiking Shuttle to also pick up/drop off people at the BRT Arrowhead Trail Trailhead (also by appointment and for a fee.)

Also, there is a nice State Forest Campground near the Arrowhead Trail Trailhead. This should be mentioned more prominently in BRTA literature.

That's about it about the eastern section. I am still writing my trip report so I definitely will be having more commentsin it.

Again, thanks for all your hard work.

I really enjoyed hiking the trail, but I had developed a rash in my nether regions. So, I was thankful that I got a ride into Grand Marais after I made it out to the Arrowhead Trail from the west. I am glad I came back to the trail after a couple days rest, and finished the eastern section. Now I have pretty much all of the Border Route photographed. If the Border Route wants to have a link to my website for the photos, that would be great. I want people who are thinking about hiking the trail to see whatthe trail is like. Especially all the overlooks.

Regards from me, Todd McMahon aka Tman

Ed emailed me back saying thanking me and saying that he would take care of some of the stuff I mentioned in the email. The Border Route Trail Association will be having a hike on September 18, 2010 to look for possible Campsite locations on the 13 mile section from the Arrowhead Trail to the Eastern Terminus. Checkout and join the Border Route’s Meetup site for more information or check out their website at http://www.borderroutetrail.org/

I’d also like to thank the members of the Trail Crew I participated in. Thank you Tom Suter for being our leader. And thanks for lending me your water filter. Also thanks to the rest of the Crew Members who were Jeff, Martin, Jim, Illona, Walli, Dick and Paul. I had a great time clearing the trail with you guys. It was hard work, but you guys were the best.

I thought the whole Border Route was in pretty reasonable condition. Sure it was thickety in some parts, but most of the downed trees were cleared. And I didn’t have any sections where there were many down trees in a row. Last year getting to Topper Lake was such a bad section, but it’s clear now, due to the diligent efforts of the BRTA. The BRTA has responded, and has done an admirable job of adding extra trail crews to work on the trail

Other Thanks

I’d like to thank Tom Suter for driving my van back to Grand Marais for me. I also would like to thank the young sheriff for driving me down to Highway 61 and Ed Olson for driving me into Grand Marais.

I’d like to thank my sister for sewing some Velcro on the pockets of my hiking pants. She also took care of my website while I was gone, and watched for my spot messages to make sure I was all right.

I’d like to thank all the people who stayed with or checked on my mom while I was away. Those people were Leona Breuch, Scott Pyle, Mary Pyle, Mary Keehn and Kim Keehn.

I’d like to thank Bob Dresen for fixing my hiking pole.

I’d like to thank Greg Mackler for being my Backpacking Advisor.

Thank you all.

Conclusion

My conclusion is very simple. The Border Route Trail is a great trail. We should be honored to have the Border Route Trail, the Kekekabic Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail as part of our National Scenic Trail System. so I wrote the following letter.

The Honorable Herb Kohl

330 Hart Senate Office Building

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator

I would like to bring your attention to Bill S.553 introduced to the US Senate by Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota. This Bill reroutes the North Country Trail in Northern Minnesota. I am asking you to sign on to be a Co-Sponsor of the Bill.

The present route takes the North Country Trail through a large Tamarack swamp. A series of wooden Boardwalks would have to be built through this section of the trail. Building a boardwalk through swampy areas is much more expensive than building a trail on solid ground. Plus, maintaining these boardwalks could prove to be expensive over the years.

Rerouting the Trail makes sense because it will be using 300 miles of existing trails including the Superior Hiking Trail, Border Route Trail and Kekekabec Trail. The Superior Hiking Trail in particular is one the most outstanding achievements in outdoor recreation over the past 25 years. It is considered one of the best hiking trails in America and has won several awards. The Superior Hiking Trail Association, a strong volunteer organization, has built and is maintaining the Trail. The inclusion of such great trail builders as the SHTA would be a boost to the North Country Trail.

The Kekekabic Trail and the Border Route Trail are both outstanding trails, too. I can tell you this from first hand experience because I have hiked both of these trails within the last 14 months. And, I have worked on a Border Route Trail Crew in May. These two trails are very scenic, passing many beautiful waterfalls and overlooks. Enclosed are a couple photos of me at a couple of the overlooks.

Currently, Wisconsin has the longest continuous stretch of completed trail in the North Country Trail. The section I refer to is a 117 mile stretch from Solon Springs to Copper Falls State Park. If this Bill S 553 passes, and we can complete a section from Solon Springs to Minnesota’s Jay Cooke State Park, then we could have almost 500 miles of continuous trail completed. This would be a great achievement.

Currently, the bill is Co-Sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold, Carl Levin, Debbie Ann Stabenow, and Al Franken. But we need every Senator from all 7 North Country Trail states to help the bill by Co-sponsoring it. I urge you to sign on as a Co-Sponsor for Senate Bill S.553. Thank you.

Regards from me, Todd McMahon

2 photos enclosed