Trails: The Border Route Trail is a 65 mile hiking
trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area along the Canadian
border. Much of the trail is through remote wilderness so hikers
should have backcountry experience. There are a few spur trails
that can be used for day hikes.
The Border Trail Route forms a link between the Kekekabic Trail to the west and the Superior Hiking Trail at its eastern end. Access fee: $10/person permit to access BWCA wilderness
(2005) Nearest town: Grand Marais, MN Trail map: A guidebook of the trail is available from the
Border Route Trail Association Web site:Border Route Trail
Association Points of interest:Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness Other activities: Canoeing Lodging: Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail have many
resorts and other accommodations Camping: Weather forecast:Grand
Marais Tourism info:Gunflint Trail Association |
Ely Chamber | Canoe
Country Getting to the trail: The trail can be accessed from the
Arrowhead Trail (Country Road 14) and from the Gunflint Trail
(Country Road 12). Map of local region:
Grand Marais
Trail Name: Border Route Trail I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: Feb, 2005 Trails that I hiked: Border route trail, kekekabic trail,
superior hiking trail, caribou rock trail, plus many spur trails
and unnamed and/or unmarked wilderness trails. Favorite trails: Border Route Trail HANDS DOWN!! Best time to go: No contest AUTUMN Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: This is possibly the most ancient and
majestic area of the state. This far Northeastern part of
Minnesota is a part of the Canadian Sheild, which means that some
of the most ancient rock on the continent is exposed here. And it
totally looks like it. The coniferous trees in the region are
riddled with Old Man's Beard fungus, a green, scruffy beardlike
mass that hangs from their linbs like decrepit spider webs. This
contributes to the feeling of this area being trantalizingly
mysterious and forlorn. The trail itself is very rugged and
rocky, making it a very desirable hike/climb for those who relish
a good taxing wilderness challenge. There are moss and
lichen-covered rocks everywhere, making it feel like a
psychadelic enchanted forest. The moss in the area is quite
varied and beautiful, sometimes forming in circular half-dome
tufts, sometimes spreading across the ground like a grand
carpeting. In places the moss is so thick and soft that it is
comfortable enough to sleep on (softer than a mattress and JUST
AS THICK). There are many enticing opportunities for off-trail
exploration by the adventurous. There are relatively frequent,
very high vistas that overlook lakes into canada that provide
views of endless, wild, tree-covered hills. In autumn when the
trees are bright with the forlorn fall colors, these vistas are
utterly profound. This is a reliable trail for those who seek a
solitary wilderness adventure, because ALMOST NO ONE hikes this
trail. There are also a few looping trail deviations, some marked
on maps, some not, such as the loops that meanders around sock
lake and passes mucker lake( an excellent and worthy diversion).
A completely fantastic trail. What I disliked: There is very little to dislike about
this trail as long as one is willing to apply themselves and has
a reasonable understanding of wilderness travel. THERE IS NO ONE
AROUND TO HELP YOU. There are a couple of places where the trail
is slightly difficult to decipher, most notably the segment that
climbs the hill on the north side of clearwater lake. Additional comments: This is wild place for wilderness
adverturers. Treat it with respect. Submitted by: Jonathan R. Carver from: St. Paul MN Date submitted: March 2, 2005
1
Trail name: Border Route Trail Times that I hiked the trail: Once Date that I last hiked there: Oct, 2001 Trails that I hiked: Border Route Trail-eastern
section Favourite trails: the section from Pine Lake to Clearwater
Lake Best time to go: Spring or early Fall Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: This is an especially scenic trail with
oustanding overlooks throughout the trail. The elevation is as
high as anywhere in the state and the lakes are beautiful. The
presence of large stands of old growth trees, such as white pine,
red pine, cedar, birch, popple, and spruce make you feel as
though you stepped back into time 300 years. The sheer wildness
of this wilderness afford any hiker the opportunity to achieve
complete solitude. You will not see another person on the Border
Route Trail, especially from the eastern entry point. What I disliked: The trail is a rugged and poorly
maintained trail, with very few signs, one must be able to read
maps very well. There are very few quality campsites along the
trail, which means you must plan accordingly. Basically every
campsite you can stay at is a campsite designated for canoers in
the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a bit lengthy as
well, so you must plan to filter water at the beginning of the
day. Comments: I would recommend accessing the eastern
trailhead on John Lake, just off the Arrowhead Trail (County Road
16). The campsite at Pine Lake is a definite highlight along with
several outstanding vistas above West Pike Lake, some near 500 ft
above sea the lake. Submitted by: Jon Oman from: Minnesota Date submitted: Oct 26, 2001
Rate these trails
