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Gunflint Trail XC Ski System
Ski the George Washington, the Central & Upper Trail Systems
and
the Banadad |
George Washington Memorial Pines
| Amenities |
none |
| Fees |
none |
| Maps |
at trailhead / parking area |
| Level of Difficulty |
easy |
| Trail Description |
a 3.5K ungroomed trail
although skiers "set" a decent track;
a gentle, level loop amid Norway pines, along the edge of the Elbow Creek, and through a beautiful stand of cedar; perfect for learning skiers |
| Location & Directions |
From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on the Gunflint Trail, County Road 12, about 8 miles to parking on the west side of the road |
Central Gunflint Trail System
| Phone |
Bearskin :: 218-388-2292 and 800-338-4170
Golden Eagle :: 218-388-2203 and 800-346-2203 |
| Amenities |
lodges have restrooms, gift & convenience items & warm drinks plus rentals and a spot to wax your skis |
| Fees |
$10 per day or $7.50 per half-day for non-guests; season passes available |
| Maps |
at lodges & click here |
| Level of Difficulty |
easy, more & most difficult |
| Trail Description |
77K with single or double track, and 36K of skating lanes
trails are maintained very well; uncrowded wilderness skiing features longer loops (ideal for intermediate skiers) with rest shelters and trails that skirt the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, lead over spruce-covered hills and across frozen lakes; beginners will want to ski the 5K Summer Home Loop, the 5.2K Ox Cart Trail and both of the lodges' lit trails; experts will enjoy the 10K Bear Cub World Cup loop |
| Location & Directions |
To Golden Eagle:
From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on the Gunflint Trail, County Road 12, about 26 miles to Clearwater Rd, then east a few miles
To Bearskin Lodge:
From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on the Gunflint Trail, County Road 12, about 27 miles to Bearskin Rd, then east 1 mile |
Banadad Trail System
| Phone |
Boundary Country Trekking :: 800-322-8327 |
| Amenities |
lodging at Poplar Creek Guesthouse
restaurant & lounge at Trail Center only if you ski across Poplar Lake which is untracked |
| Fees |
MN Ski Pass required |
| Maps |
at lodges & click here |
| Level of Difficulty |
more & most difficult |
| Trail Description |
38K tracked
the system includes a 27K connecting trail between the Central & Upper Gunflint trail systems and trails into the BWCAW; a short way from the trailhead are some small loops and the 5K Lace Lake trail which connects to an 8K trail back to Bearskin Lodge |
| Location & Directions |
From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on the Gunflint Trail, (County Rd 12), for 29 miles to the Lima Grade (Forest Rd 315) where you turn left and travel 1 mile to the Poplar Creek Guesthouse |
Upper Gunflint Trail System
| Phone |
Gunflint Lodge :: 218-388-2294
Gunflint Pines :: 218-388-4454
Heston's Lodge :: 218-388-2243 |
| Amenities |
lodges offer various amenities from restrooms to full restaurants and gift shops and rentals |
| Fees |
$5 for 1 day; $10 for 3 days & $25 for 7 days |
| Maps |
at lodges & click here |
| Level of Difficulty |
easy, more & most difficult |
| Trail Description |
97K single- or double-tracked with 24K of skating lanes
the easiest trails are near the lodges, which also offer short, lit loops; lots of easy to intermediate trails across the Gunflint Trail, through moose yards and the surrounding forested hills; more experienced skiers will like the 9.7K South Rim trail and 6.5K+ Highlands trail with Wipeout Hill, a big S-curve descending 120 feet to the Cross River |
| Location & Directions |
From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on the Gunflint Trail, County Road 12, about 44 miles to South Gunflint Lake Road; trailheads are at Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines & Heston's Lodge |
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