Gunflint Trail Designated a National Scenic Byway

The Gunflint Trail receives National Scenic Byway designation on October 16, 2009. Known for winding its way through the Boundary Waters Wilderness east-west corridor, the Gunflint Trail is a historic roadway, dating back to the 1800’s with origins as a footpath for Native Americans and geological surveyors. The Gunflint Trail is also known as Cook County #12, and is a paved, 57-mile long two-lane roadway, which begins at Grand Marais, Minnesota, and ends at Saganaga Lake on the Canadian border. The modern roadway serves 22 resorts, canoe outfitters, campgrounds, and bed and breakfasts, and numerous private residents who make the area their home.

“I know my guests start reconnecting with the woods as they drive up the Gunflint Trail,” states Nancy Seaton, Hungry Jack Outfitters. “It's an invitation to be part of our neighborhood; a natural neighborhood that flows through the boreal forest of Northeastern Minnesota; a neighborhood that's home to moose, wolves and loons; a neighborhood that encourages the visitor to enter a calmer time away from the hectic modern demands; a place to reconnect with the natural environment and recharge.”
For visitors who enjoy vacations centered on scenic byways, designation of the Gunflint Trail as a National Scenic Byway provides a natural route transition from the adjoining North Shore Drive, which has the National Scenic Byway designation of All American Road.

Pursuit of National Scenic Byway designation of the Gunflint Trail was primarily motivated by the dedication of local business owners and residents to forever preserve this historic and scenic roadway for current and future generations, while allowing a glimpse into the past of the forests, lakes, and geological formations which grace northeastern Minnesota.

“The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,672 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For more information about the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway, please visit GunflintTrailScenicByway.com .

Reaching us during the winter months

Our phones are forwarded to us during the winter months so you can continue to reach us at 800-527-0554 or 218-388-2254. You can also email us at clearwater@canoebwca.com.

Lynn

Cool Summer Canoe Trip

Paul Cool sent in these pictures from his summer canoe trip with his son Cole and friend Ethan Erickson. The two dads and sons took a 4 man canoe out on Clearwater earlier in the summer. This is an annual adventure for Paul and Cole.

Tree Clearing

I walked through the property this morning with Dennis and John to review what trees were being cleared out. It will look very nice when Dennis is done. It is mostly all balsam that is being cut. There are a few pines that have to come down because they are either dying or too close to buildings. I will be sorry to lose those pines but I would rather control when they come down then find them on a cabin after a wind storm.

It is only a few days since I have been up to the lodge but with a coating of snow and some ice on the roads, it is clear the first blast of winter is pushing in on us. As we were all standing on the point near cabin 6, we watched several canoes paddle by. Burr..... It is too cold for me for to be out on the water!

The Gunflint trail is now being repaved starting about Hedstrom Lumber for 5 miles. This work started early September and it was nice to drive on it, at least partially, with new paving.

Clearwater Road's county road number has been re-assigned from 66 to 22. The new signs are all up and there is a sign that says it is was formerly 66. I will need to incorporate that change into our 2010 brochures and website updates.

I saw Lily out walking her dog. I didn't have much time to chat. Dodo was frisking about in the snow in his little coat.

Clearing Trees on the Resort

One of the reasons that I am staying in Grand Marais for a time after we closed is because we are starting a tree clearing project that I was hoping would start before I left for IN. In conjunction with a forest service grant, we are clearing all the balsam, dead and downed wood from our property. Balsam is extremely flamable and needs to be removed. This is being done for fire prevention.

Larger pines are being pruned 6 feet up from the ground. At first I didn't like this look when a couple of trees were cut back but I quickly got used to and like the look. It is also so much easier to keep the ground cleaned up below the trees.

We decided not to start the clearing during the season when guests would be visiting since it is a bit instrusive but I have to wonder now if we missed our window of opportunity with it snowing now.

Lynn

October

I didn't realize I hadn't posted to the blog since the last week of September. What made me think of it this is morning is IT IS SNOWING OUT. This isn't unusual to have snow in October up here and I was expecting it but that first snow is always a bit of a shock when you wake up in the morning to white.

To catch up, we are closed now for the winter season. Peggy and Mike are already back in Ohio and I am staying in Grand Marais for a week before I head to Indiana for the winter. Since I live very close to Notre Dame University, I will be emersed soon in the ND Football season which seems to be going really well this fall. You can't live in the part of Indiana where I was raised without following ND as part of your daily life.

If my camera wasn't packed somewhere in my car I would head out and get some pictures of this snow. Luckily I visited Ben Franklin's yesterday and got my winter supply of Woolrich gloves and sweatshirts.

Lynn