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NCTA group hike tackles the Border Route Trail in NE Minnesota!

Posted on by Kate Lemon

Categories: Uncategorized
Border Route Trail (BRT) Emblem
Border Route Trail (BRT) Emblem

A group of NCTA members/volunteers from Minnesota, Kansas, and North Dakota just finished a group thru-hike of the Border Route Trail on Sunday, September 26th.   This 65-mile trail in northeastern Minnesota is part of the NCT’s Arrowhead Re-route.  The BRT includes a 35-mile stretch through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and is known for its fantastic overlooks (many into Canada), its route along the chain of border lakes, extensive areas of virgin forest, and the true wilderness experience found within the BWCAW.  We were also lucky enough to capture the Superior National Forest’s brilliant fall colors at their peak.

The group heading east from Loon Lake Rd.
The group heading east from Loon Lake Rd.

The group of experienced backpackers included Tom Moberg (ARW Chapter, Fargo ND); Mike Doyle (LLC Chapter, Goddard KS); Bruce Johnson and Florence & Carter Hedeen (ITM Chapter, Park Rapids MN); Harlan Liljequist (STN Chapter, Plymouth MN), and yours truly.

Our hike’s itinerary:

Day 0 – Drive to Heston’s Resort on Gunflint Lake.

We enjoyed the Spruce Cabin at Heston's
We enjoyed the Spruce Cabin at Heston's

Day 1 – Day hike from the Gunflint Trail Magnetic Rock/BRT trailhead to Loon Lake Rd. crossing (~11.5 miles).  Stay at Heston’s Resort.

The Hedeens approaching Magnetic Rock
The Hedeens approaching Magnetic Rock
View of Gunflint Lake and Canada
View of Gunflint Lake and Canada

Day 2 – Backpack from Loon Lake Rd. crossing east to South Lake campsite (~9.5 miles).

Taking a break at Topper Lake
Taking a break at Topper Lake
The late afternoon view west from our campsite on South Lake
The late afternoon view west from our campsite on South Lake

Day 3 – Backpack from South Lake campsite to E. Rose Lake campsite (~8 miles).

Virgin pines near Mucker Lake
Virgin pines near Mucker Lake
The view west from the Rose Lake cliffs
The view west from the Rose Lake cliffs
Bruce Johnson filtering water from Rose Lake
Bruce Johnson filtering water from Rose Lake

Day 4 – Backpack from E. Rose Lake campsite to Clearwater Lake E. campsite (~12 miles)

Mike Doyle making good time along the historic Long Portage segment
Mike Doyle making good time along the historic Long Portage segment
View down upon the island in Watap Lake
View down upon the island in Watap Lake
Tom Moberg at Clearwater Lake campsite
Tom Moberg at Clearwater Lake campsite

Day 5 – Backpack from Clearwater Lake E. campsite to Pine Lake campsite (~7 miles)

Harlan Liljequist hiking in the rain near Gogebic Lake
Harlan Liljequist hiking in the rain near Gogebic Lake
A big red pine along the trail
A big red pine along the trail

Day 6 – Backpack from Pine Lake campsite to the Arrowhead Trail.  We car camped at the MN-DNR’s Grand Portage State Forest McFarland Lake Campground.

View of a canoeist out on John Lake
View of a canoeist out on John Lake

Day 7 – Day hiked from the Arrowhead Trail to the eastern terminus at Rengo Rd. (~13 miles).  Afterward, we drove to Grand Marais, MN and stayed at Lund’s Motel & Cottages.

Early morning fog hangs in the valley of the Pigeon River
Early morning fog hangs in the valley of the Pigeon River

Thanks to the Border Route Trail Association volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, and Conservation Corps of Minnesota for all their hard work in maintaining the BRT!

Video

Some video clips from the hike are now available on the NCTA’s YouTube channel.

Look for an article chronicling our hike in the next issue of the North Star.  More information on the Border Route Trail may be found online at: