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!”

On Sunday, December 11th, 2011 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the Duluth Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns will be opening their doors to share their history and beauty, while adorned for the holiday season.  Each inn will offer visitors a unique and festive décor, along with holiday music and refreshments.

This year net proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.  Duluth’s B&Bs provide a unique dining experience to thousands of guests each year. This event will help provide meals to many of those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Duluth has some of the finest inns in the state of Minnesota, so seize this opportunity to experience the grandeur of the season! Indulge yourself in the historic and timeless beauty of Duluth’s elegant inns dressed in their season’s finest. Taste some wonderful treats while you take in the splendor of some of our city’s grandest homes.  Take pleasure and joy in this holiday season by gathering your friends, family, and co-workers for this unique event.

Tickets to view all seven inns are $25 in advance ($30 at the door).  Tickets are available by calling the A.G. Thomson House at 218-341-0140.

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 .

Plein Air Celebration

Sunday, October 3

11 am to 4 pm

View Gunflint art work,  meet the artists and enjoy Taste of Fall at participating Lodges. Taste treats include- Walleye chowder, glazed ham, bread pudding, squash pie, salsa pickles, wine and cheese, and more!  Each participating lodge will be displaying art work and serving their own special recipe for you to enjoyment

Art work is for sale. The event is free.

*Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center is hosting an old fashioned ice cream and pie social ($5.00), and book signing by local authors.  Come on up the
Gunflint Trail and tour the new museum, hike the trails, and enjoy a treat.

Businesses participating this year with an open house and sample treats from
the cookbook “A Taste of the Gunflint Trail” are: Voyageur Canoe Outfitters – sour cream & raisin pie, *Nor’wester Lodge & Canoe Outfitters – lemon bars,
Trail Center Restaurant, Gunflint Lodge, Hungry Jack Outfitters, Bearskin Lodge,  Golden Eagle Lodge – Mom’s Donuts, Clearwater Lodge & Canoe Outfitters – Wild Rice Hot Dish & Monster Bars, Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B/Boundary Country Trekking – Mongolian Firepot sampler.

NEW! Centennial Trail Hike: Hike with naturalist Steve Robertsen on September 11. Meet at the Kekekabic Trail parking area at 3 PM. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring water. Hike time approximately 2 hours.

Early fall brings hints of color to the Gunflint Trail.  Moose maple are
beginning to turn red and the grasses are golden.  Days are frequently warm
and blue-skied, and nights pleasantly cool.

For more information go to
http://www.gunflint-trail.com/blog/2010/07/15/a-taste-of-the-gunflint-trail-2/

Artist Sign-up anytime-

From: Tuesday June 15, 2010

Until: Friday, October 15, 2010

The Gunflint Trail’s Plein Air Summer  is open to all artist (painters) who want to participate.- Sign in at anytime during the event at Trail Center Lodge 8am-9pm Mon-Sun. Artist participants will be given a small packet with an ID card, list of incentives from businesses along the trail and information about the event and show.

Catagories- landscape, wildlife, buildings, people.  Artist may enter one work in each catagory

A show/sale of your work will be held on the Gunflint in October 2010. Participating artist will receive complementary wine and food during the October Show/Sale
More info soon, place of show will depend on number of paintings entered.

There are no fees involved for the Artists. Any sales that take place will go directly through the artist and buyer.
You will be welcome to showcase your work at several different Lodges during the summer. For sale or not.

Casual Artist meet up – every Friday and Sunday morning. 8 am -10 am at Trail Center Lodge. Catch up with old friends and make new!

This is a very casual event. Please come paint the beautiful Gunflint Trail and enjoy a free show of your work at the end of the summer season.

INCENTIVES FOR PARTICIPATING ARISTS ONLY!-Contact each resort for details

• Trail Center 1-218-388-2214
  free restaurant beverages,display and or sell work
• Bearskin Lodge 1-218-388-2292
  discounted lodging,display and or sell work, discounted boat rentals and free beverages for painters
• Cross River/Moosehorn Lodge 1-218-388-2233
  35% discount on Lodging,snacks and drinks available for Artists at no charge
• Clearwater Lodge
  welcome to paint on property, free coffee and hot chocolate
• Golden Eagle Lodge 1-800-346-2203
  free coffee and a homemade cookie
• Windigo Lodge 1-218-388-2222
  15% discount for lodging, 10% discount on food in restaurant/bar
• Poplar Creek Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast
  is offering to artist participating in the Gunflint Trail’s Plein Air- 20% off lodging with scrumptious breakfasts, at our Bed and Breakfast. Two nights minimum stay.
• Old Northwoods Lodge 1-218-388-9464
  Stop in for a friendly hello and a free cup of coffee

For Additional Information Contact- Sarah Hamilton, Trail Center Lodge, Gunflint Trail-218-388-2214