MN BPLers

Do I have to be from Minnesota? I can't even fake the accent convincingly.

Do I have to be from Minnesota?
Absolutely not … you are welcome any time.

I can’t even fake the accent convincingly.
No problem, we’ll have you spouting Sven and Olie jokes before the weekend is over. And if you’d want to study in advance try this audio book

But I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve lived here through 10.75 presidential administrations and don’t do it all that well …. also I’m 50% Cajun but can’t tell Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes convincingly either.

Jim,
I would really be interested in May – Oct but would take a look at whatever you could put together.

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I may be interested in the future. Although I have some cold weather experience, currently I'm not equipped for such outings (esp sleeping bag/snowshoes); as a teacher I stick to summertime/3-season overnight recreation. There are talks about going to a year-round schedule in my district in the future, which I would support since I would have structured time off to sample all of Minnesota's moods.

Perhaps another time, outside of deep winter (cold) and spring (coaching track & field).

If there is a later summer/fall outing I may be interested. I'm planning on being in MN in that time frame to visit a friend in Ely. Something in WI or the UP would work also.

I might make the drive for a late winter 3 day trip if I haven't done so earlier in the winter. I've been wanting to get back up that way again.

Maybe we should think about getting together this winter to plan a couple of warmer weather hikes for next year. Maybe for May and late Sept or October?

I was just looking in to give this thread a bump … you beat me to it!

Maybe we should think about getting together this winter to plan a couple of warmer weather hikes for next year. Maybe for May and late Sept or October?

Good idea David … although the responders are so geographically dispersed that it might not happen unless we pick up some more. Let's see what happens next.

Late Sep or Oct are great times to be out. May also … but too busy or me, I already have two every year weekend outings (one for adopted SHT section maintenance and a long standing group backpack over an extended Memorial Day weekend).

For the few who are interested in snowshoe camping, how would Feb 27-Mar 1 or Mar 6-8 on the SHT sound? (or Sat-Sun-Mon versions of the same weekends) Exact location and distance determined when we know more about snow conditions and group size but I'd lean towards the Gooseberry Falls to Splitrock area or somewhere north of Paradox.

Y'all DO know that Two Harbors is a paradox, right?

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I'm thinking about going up to the SHT 11/28-11/30

That would be tempting if I didn't already have a conflict

It is starting to look like it could be a "light switch" season change … a good snow storm and no sign of thawing in the 10 day forecast. Time to dust off the snowshoes.

Less snow in the arrowhead though, might still be boot walking on the SHT.

Things have been dismal here after that promising November start. Very little snow outside of the eastern BWCAW and western UP.

My snowshoes are still dusty:-(

But there’s a lot of winter left and I haven’t given up on a late winter outing for those who would be interested.

The 4 inches we recently received will be enough for me to stomp around golf courses to get my legs used to the weight of showshoes and overboots.

Not much progress on the snow front:-(

I can’t see beating up a pair of Northern Lites on a low snow SHT. But that darker blue blob east of Ely in the map shown by the above link is at the heart of an area that probably has 12-20 inches on the ground.

There’s possibilities for some 20+/- mile “lasso” routes in the BWCAW or a one way route between Lake One and Farm Lake that could provide access for a glimpse of what the Pagami Creek wildfire did (via a short detour).

I’m looking Sat March 7 thru Mon March 9. Anyone interested?

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Still would like to get together this winter or this spring for a GGGG.

Thanks for the heads-up, Jim. March-May is my busiest time teaching and coaching track. I don't think I'll be able to get away for much of anything.

@David: if you can get it organized I'll do my best to be there.

@Ryan (and all): regardless of the outcome on the shoeshoe trip I'm interested in a fall trip, October but not the weekend adjacent to Oct 8.

Regarding March: I've heard from a friend (who only camps in winter), jpovs and idester … all three interested but contingent on other things working out (the nerve of some folks … expecting to have a life!). I've asked for a Feb 20 go/nogo date.

In the meantime I've scoped out another SHT route idea near Finland … away from the Lake so snow should be a bit deeper. Start where the trail crosses Park Hill Road (or at Park Hill Road-Cty Rd 6 intersection if Park hill isn't plowed. Proceed NOBO past Finland Rec Center and on to Crosby-Manitou State Park. 15 total miles if Park Hill Rd is plowed, an additional 1.5 (I think, am confirming) if not plowed. Campsites at 6 locations along the way … several options. I'm also shopping for a shuttle service if we end up with one vehicle.

Jim,
I will be on the SHT Sept 25-30 with a newbie and another guy getting back into backpacking. Temperance River to Silver Bay. Aprx 63 miles in 6 days.
Josh,
Get ahold of me and let's see if we can get something set up for a spring GGGG. Camp, swap and EAT. May?

Dave

I am going to suggest the weekends of either May 1-3 or May 15-17 for a GGGG. Mothers day and Walleye opener are May 8-10.
I can set something in the Lake City area at Hok-Si-La park. It has a nice group camp overlooking Lake Pepin and is near Frontenac State Park and some great hiking. There is also some really good trout fishing in the area. If anyone has some other ideas let's get the ball rolling.
Josh, you have probably spent more time camping in State Parks than anyone else here. Thoughts?

http://www.hoksilapark.org/home.html
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/frontenac/index.html

Dave

Ouch, May is tough between a long standing annual Memorial Day weekend backpack trip and spring maintenance on "my" section of the SHT. But Lake City is day trip distance so if I'm not already gone I could stop in for a visit.

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getting ready to go up to Duncan in the BWCA

Lucky you! That area was my intro to both snowshoeing and the BWCAW one fine late Feb weekend so many years ago. I've often told folks that if they could grt to the BWCAW only once they should go there. Say hi to the stairway portage for me and be sure to get up on the Rose Lake overview just east of there.

I'm from Winona, so I'd definitely be up for a trip to Lake City. (I shot some weddings there; it's a gorgeous little area, but I didn't have much time to explore nearby). I'm previously engaged for 15-17, but the 1st-3rd would work for me.