Despite the cancellation of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth, dog sled racing will still take place at the end of January – in Grand Marais, one of the state’s only snow-covered spots.

Before the first running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in 1978, there was the Gunflint Mail Run. On Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, 2012, locals plan to revive the race in Grand Marais – one of the only snow-covered spots in the state.

“When the Beargrease race was cancelled due to lack of snow, the mushers here were really disappointed,” said Jack Stone, owner of Grand Marais-based Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. “So the Cook County Dog Mushers and I started thinking: Why not invite the mushers north? We have snow and the conditions are great. So, we put the word out – and they can’t wait.”

The last time this happened was in 2007, when the Beargrease race was also canceled due to lack of snow. For this year’s version, Stone Harbor teamed up with The Landing at Devil Track, the Trail Center, the Cook County Dog Mushers, and the Cook County Ridge Riders snowmobile club to create the race route. It will include the opportunity to experience winter camping at Devil Track, similar to the Sawbill Winter Camping Village that would have taken place during the Beargrease event.

All of the Gunflint Mail Run events are timed to ensure that spectators and participants are still able to take part in the Beargrease-related events that have not been canceled. “It was important for us to make sure we aren’t taking anything away from that outstanding event, which we look forward to sponsoring every year,” said Stone. “We just want to give the mushers a chance to compete, since that is what they love – and what they have been training for.” According to Stone, almost all 16 of the available race spots were filled by mushers from Cook County within days of announcing the race.

The race will begin at approximately 4 pm on Monday, January 30, with an expected finish before noon on Tuesday, January 31. Mushers will travel from Devil Track up the Gunflint Trail, and then to the Trail Center, where they will have a five-hour layover. After that, they will make their way back down to Devil Track, for a total route of approximately 100 miles.

“Most people think there’s been nearly no snow in Minnesota this year, but there has been plenty of it up here on the Gunflint Trail,” said Sarah Hamilton, owner of the Trail Center. “We really enjoy being the turnaround point for the Beargrease each year, and are excited to hear that our musher friends will still be stopping by mid-race.”

Spectators are welcome to join in the festivities at the Trail Center, or at Devil Track. Winter camping at Devil Track will begin on Sunday evening and continue Monday night, with heated tents and other gear supplied by Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. There will purse and other prizes for racers to win, plus a whole lot of fun for racers and spectators alike. If the weather allows, snow kiting demos, Marquette ski demos, and other winter activities will also be available on site, courtesy of Stone Harbor.

Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply is Northern Minnesota’s premier outdoor retailer, offering gear, tours, and rentals for all seasons. More information can be found at stoneharborws.com. The Landing offers fine dining at Devil Track Resort, a family-owned and operated resort located at Devil Track Lake in Grand Marais. More information can be found at deviltrackresort.com. The Trail Center has been a landmark on the Gunflint Trail since 1938. Originally built as a logging camp, it is now a full service restaurant, gas station, specialty foods, gift store, grocery shop, information center with cabins and a small motel. More information can be found at trailcenterlodge.com.

Note- on the way to Poplar Lake and upon the return from Trail Center musher will run along the road leading to Poplar Guesthouse B&B.

Contact: Jack Stone, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, 218-387-3136

]]> http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/mushers-move-north-and-bring-back-the-gunflint-mail-run/feed/ 0 http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/1886/ http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/1886/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:47:42 +0000 bct http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/?p=1886 You will find great skiing along the Gunflint.  The entire 41 kilometer Banadad Trail system is now tracked and open for skiing.  Located at the eastern end of the Banadad is Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B. The guesthouse also operate’s the Banadad Yurts and two ski-in cabins along the trail. According to skiers just returning from completing the entire Banadad, “the trails are in great shape!”

At this year’s annual conference the MBBA elected a new President, Shannon McKeeth of New Ulm (Bingham Hall Bed and Breakfast), Vice President David Vipond of Duluth (Ollcot House Bed & Breakfast), Secretary Carol Eggert of Lanesboro, (Hillcrest Hideaway Bed & Breakfast), and Treasurer Zig Gudrais of  Red Wing (Candlelight Inn). Along with these new board positions, the MBBA hired a new Executive Director, Kim Janke of New Ulm.

According to McKeeth, “The overall message of the gathering was to continue to improve the B & B industry with new methods of social marketing (twitter, Face Book, blog, website updates, google analysis, etc.) These skills are necessary to keep ahead of the marketing curve. The trend is that in a sluggish economy vacationing close to home is popular, practical, and safe. This certainly points to B & B opportunities.

The Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Association is a non-profit organization whose aim is promoting the state’s Quality Assured member inns as well as offering support, networking and education for innkeepers. Organized in 1985 with 12 members, the Association now has 91 members The Assocaition sponsors a conference annually, Aspiring Innkeepers workshops and other Association programs to discuss member’s needs. A guidebook is available online to download or by mail from www.minnesotabb.org.

2011 May Tree Planting Weekends
Gunflint Trail Green-Up

Join us for one of two Tree Planting weekends during the- Gunflint Green-Up

Gunflint Green Up – May 6-8. Over this weekend trees will be planted on the upper end of the Gunflint Trail and near the east end of the Banadad Ski Trail. Other events include dinners on Friday and a dinner/dance Saturday night in the Big Tent at Gunflint Lodge. Sign-up for lodging at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B- 800-322-8327.  To register for the dinners and other events go to registration fee.

The Banadad Trail Green Up- May 13-15. The Banadad Trail Association is sponsoring this weekends tree planting.  For the past four years the carbon produced by the equipment used to maintain and groom the Banadad Ski Trail has been sequestered in tree planting.  According to the Association- tree planting is our way to insure that the maintenance and grooming of the trail remains carbon neutral.

If you would like help in the tree planting, give us a call at 218-388-4487. The Banadad Tree Planting is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 14. Meet at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse, 11 Poplar Creek Drive. Tools and supervision provided.

During both Green-Up weekends lodging is available at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and Cabins. Included are Barbara’s famous breakfasts, tree-planting instruction, and planting equipment and tree seedlings. One day planting trees with a trail lunch. Also included during your stay, Ted will make a presentation on the area’s “Fire history, and Reforestation.” Rate for two nights is $89/person/plus taxes, double occupancy.  If you need overnight accommodations, go lodging or call 800-388-4487

Opening of the trail this year was delayed do to a wind storm in October that drop many large trees into the trail and a November rain followed by snow that bent over the side brush into the trail.  It took trail crews considerable more time then usual to clear the down trees and side brush.

Most of the Banadad Trails are located within the BWCA and it is the BWCA longest track ski trail.  The system is centrally located along  the 200 kilometer Gunflint Nordic Trail System.  Maintenance and grooming of the Banadad System is provided by Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B .

For the Banadad  – this year the Banadad Trail Association with the assistances of volunteers from the Minnesota Conservation Corp (YCC), North Star Ski Touring Club and local skiers has spent a lot of time clearing the Banadad. The trail is perhaps in the best pre-season condition that it has been in years. We now are ready for snow. Let it come!

This announcement is brought to you by Poplar Creek Guesthouse providing secluded lodging . on the Gunflint Trail. For additional information go to Poplar Creek or call 800-322-8327.