As a nearly life-long resident of Minnesota, I've had an opportunity to explore much of the state. My primary interests are camping and fishing, and in Minnesota, a person can spend a lifetime exploring campgrounds, forests, hiking trails and lakes. Minnesota is also home to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a million-acre area that contains some of the most pristine lakes on the planet. This channel is a collection of my experiences and observations as I explore Minnesota.
Thanks. Your video came up in my You Tube recommendations a few days ago and I watched it with great interest. I figured we must have been just a few weeks apart. Thanks again!
Awesome! How were the water levels on moose river/ obstructions to traverse, did you find yourself having to get out and pull your boat over beaver dams etc/ low water spots? Im thinking of doing a solo trip to Big moose, and I've never been on big moose nor done a solo yet. If either of you brought your phones, did you happen to notice if there was any service when taking a photo or something? I dont use my phone in the BWCA except for a odd photo or 2, and typically dont have service. But being Im planning to go solo, potentially having some service might be good. I have verizon, what providers do you have and did you or did you not have any service? What times of day did you find most fishing success? Did the bass bite on the Jig/ gulp setups, or was that the key with the walleye? Any other lures/ bait setups that either of you used and found to work or not for different species? Im looking to do some fishing, and mostly catch and release, but might consider keeping a small eater walleye or bass for a dinner one night. I do like some pike action too, did you come across any? Looks like such a fantastic trip you had. God Bless you both.
Greetings. The water level on the Big Moose River seemed fine. There was only one beaver dam that required effort to get over - maybe a two-foot lift. The lake itself seemed a foot low based on where the water line shows on the rocks and how some of the shoreline vegetation looked. We left a phone in the vehicle. but cell service ended even before we got to the landing (we have Verizon). The fishing was slow in the morning, better during the afternoon and decent in the hour before sunset. We mostly caught smallmouth bass with the occasional walleye. Overall, fishing was slow compared to some of the better known BWCAW walleye lakes (Insula, for example). We also had success dragging spinners during times when the wind picked up - and that allowed us to cover large areas. The lake has little structure, so the key was finding even subtle changes such as deep (but sparse) weeds. We did not catch any pike and that surprised me. There are minnows everywhere even out over 15 feet of water and schools of them sometimes chased after our bait. When we reeled in a bass it would often leave a trail of regurgitated minnows that looked a lot like the Gulp baits we were using. It is obvious the fish are well fed. It occurred to me that this would be a good lake for a solo trip. Even though it is only two portages in, it feels remote because of the limit number of permits allowed. Thanks for watching. God bless you too.
Thanks for posting your video. The trail has been recovered and maintained by volunteers from the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee for a number of years. Clearing trips are sent in during the Spring and Fall seasons. The Forest Service has added latrines and dealt with hazard trees at the campsites. There are chapters in the Twin Cities and Duluth for individuals who are interested in the trail.
Great video, thank you. The Snowbank trail is next on my list. Probably will give it a go in September. How do you think it compares to the Sioux Hustler, Angleworm and Border Route Trails (other trails I have completed)? Thanks, Pete
Thanks for watching! My Snowbank / Old Pines hike was during some of the warmest weather I've tried to hike in so my sense of difficulty might be overrated. The north side of Snowbank had some decent ups and downs and with wide-open exposure to the sun, it was tiring. It felt comparable to the Angleworm (north side I believe). It was less strenuous, in my opinion, than the long climbs of the BRT. I've not hiked the Sioux Hustler but it is on my list!
Great, thanks for the reply. It seems like you put on some pretty aggressive mileage on this trip, especially with the heat! I did the Sioux Hustler last fall in2 nights and afterwards, it was too fast. I am thinking of doing it again this fall but taking more time with 3 nights. It is a great, but challenging trail as well. @@uehlingfilms
Greetings. I ordered the BRT set at www.bwcamaps.com/collections/complete-sets/products/brmaps (McKenzie). The set has everything except the west trailhead to magnetic rock but that part of the trail is easy to follow. There is also a nice set of two-sided 11x17 maps from www.borderroutetrail.org/shop.html but I've not been able to get the order link to work. I know someone sells them because a hiker showed me the map on trail. In any case, the McKenzie maps work fine - they are just a bit bulky. Have a great hike!
@@CaseyKCRichards We parked at the last parking lot for the Superior Hiking Trail (which is also the start of the BRT). That lot is located on the Otter Lake Road. It is a little over a mile to the west of where Otter Lake Road intersects with Jackson Lake Road. We had a second vehicle at the Caribou Rock Trailhead so when we finished we drove all the way back to the start to retrieve the vehicle. I suspect you could also park at McFarland Lake - there seemed to be plenty of room there. There are some shuttles available as well to help you get back to your vehicle - www.borderroutetrail.org/services.html
Great video! Here it is, January, and your video is making me want to be in those woods so bad I can taste it! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been thinking about the Kek a lot.
Was hoping to get out to the SHT this year but couldn't as I'm from Canada and can't cross border because of the pandemic. Hopefully next year. Great video. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks! I hope you get a chance to do the Ely to Grand Marais hike. I'm going to do the Border Route Trail this summer (or at least half of it). I am looking forward to the end of Covid 19 so we can get back to enjoying Minnesota's trails!
Thank you for making this video as well as for all of your insightful comments on the trail condition. I, like you, have been curious about the Kekekabic Trail for 30 years and hope to do it yet! You walked it in 4 days- would you say that you were pushing hard, or fairly relaxed? Thank you again!
I was doing a relaxed pace (for a 55 year old). I knew the weather would be warm and I had figured on being lost for hours (which didn't happen) so I planned in advance to take it easy. I'd say 4 days is a good pace and maybe three days for those who can easily handle 15 mile days. In hindsight, I wish I would have stayed out one more night because, even though it rained, the weather was actually pretty nice the next morning. Thanks for watching and for the comments!
