North Country Trail Association

Kekekabic Trail Chapter

Section

Kawishiwi Falls in the Superior National Forest to the Gunflint Trail

The Kekekabic Trail Chapter is dedicated to preserving and maintaining backpacking trails of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Because of its remote nature and frequent natural disturbances, “the Kek” needs a lot of annual maintenance and spring trail clearing trips are the normal vehicle for making that happen. Fortunately, it’s not hard to recruit volunteers to participate in these trips, as people love visiting the BWCAW and helping out when someone else organizes the logistics. Be sure to connect with us and learn how you can get involved!

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Chapter Trail Section

The Kekekabic Trail Chapter is responsible for the 39 miles of the Kekekabic Trail/NCT in Northeastern Minnesota between the Border Route Trail/NCT and Snowbank Lake Road, and also for developing the 20+ miles of the NCT in between the Kekekabic Trail and Ely.

Connect and Get Involved

Join the Chapter
kek@northcountrytrail.org
Facebook
Instagram

Resources

Use the Report Trail Condition form to alert NCTA and the Chapter to poor trail conditions. Visit the Trail Alerts page while planning your adventure.

Kekekabic Trail Conditions, August 2024

Midwest Backpacker's "Remote Alone BWCA Kekekabic Trail" video

The Thousand Miler Blog: Kekekabic Eastern Terminus to Howard Lake, Howard Lake to Strup Lake, Strup Lake to Near Western Terminus, and Near Western Terminus to Ely

Suggested Hikes

West End Day Hike: Hike in from the trailhead on Snowbank Lake Road as far as you’d like then turn around. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness boundary is at 4.2 miles in, which makes for a long day. (Map)

East End Day Hike: Hike in from the trailhead on the Gunflint Trail (CR-12) as far as you’d like then turn around. You’ll see evidence of historic iron mining exploration activities near Mine Lake. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness boundary is at 2.4 miles in and there are two great campsites on Bingshick Lake, which makes for an easy overnight. You can also hike the Centennial Trail back to the parking area from the junction to add an additional 0.9 miles. (Map)

Chapter Maps and Guidance

View our section of the Trail on the interactive online map
Kekekabic Trail guidebook
Kekekabic Trail Guide, Errata August 2024 (Updates for three maps in the current guidebook.)

Additional Local Resources

Backpacking the Kekekabic Trail in the Boundary Waters blog post by Erik Birkeland
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Ely, Minnesota
Gunflint Trail
Kekekabic Clearing Trip one-minute video by Nick Perronteau
Northwoods Volunteer Connection
Superior National Forest
Trek the Kek! article by Deb Campbell (featured in the North Star magazine, Volume 38, Issue 3)