As for the planning tool, I know the trails pretty well but still found ithe spreadsheet a bit confusing to use. A web page interface where you could click on a map would be nice. Maybe I will program one when I retire. A web interface would be great! Unfortunate that's not in my skill set. I've al...

Looks like it: https://511mn.org/
It was a mess coming off the bridge in Duluth last year, and doesn't look like it's changed. I'd take the Bong Bridge (US 2). Other than that interchange I-35 looks OK unless they start something new.

I second everything Ingo says above. I would avoid off-trail camping if at all possible. Lake Ojibway - Rolf Petersen and others have been giving presentations that include recent photos of moose stuck up to their armpits in the muck of the drained lake. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole! So...

I'm (finally) buying a Garmin inReach to give my relatives peace of mind. I'm especially a fan of the free check-in messages. Sadly the 20% coupon doesn't work on devices with GPS chips, but the dividend at least takes a bit of the edge off. What is the 20% coupon you speak of? REI gives a "20...

As far as inland I wasn't sure about lake Ojibway. Interestingly Lake Ojibway is/was essentially a huge beaver pond created by literally a very old and large beaver dam. The dam was breached a few years ago and mostly drained it, but I'm not sure of it's current state. Either way, not swimmable! Bu...

The itinerary looks fine, but I wouldn't recommend cross-country camping the first time there. There's a lot of dense vegetation that makes any off-trail travel very difficult in many places and not many conducive spots for a tent. Daisy Farm is the logical alternative, of course. But if you're set ...

For perspective, the first NPS boat of the season (and staff), literally just arrived at Mott Island (park HQ). They've been waiting since 4/15 for a weather window.

Last year the report didn't come out until late Aug. I didn't hear any numbers until I was actually there in July and then got different answers--there's another group that started making estimates using a different method, with pretty different results.

I'm (finally) buying a Garmin inReach to give my relatives peace of mind. I'm especially a fan of the free check-in messages. Sadly the 20% coupon doesn't work on devices with GPS chips, but the dividend at least takes a bit of the edge off. "At campground, all is well." One of mine is &q...

dcclark wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:45 am I'm (finally) buying a Garmin inReach to give my relatives peace of mind. I'm especially a fan of the free check-in messages. Sadly the 20% coupon doesn't work on devices with GPS chips, but the dividend at least takes a bit of the edge off.

"At campground, all is well."

I'm getting a Helinox Chair Zero. One of my Alite Monarch chairs broke last year and unfortunately they aren't around anymore. And my wife should appreciate the 4 feet, since she never used the 2 footed Monarch.

This is in the latest IRKPA newsletter: "The design contract for a Ranger IV will be awarded this winter. Design phase estimated to take one year." I wonder if there's money appropriated for the build, or just the design? Will be interesting to watch. I've only taken the Ranger III once, b...

Thanks Sparky! Great info and insight, and esp for the sneak previews !

I hadn't. I've never been to the west side. So, Island Mind, Siskiwit Bay, maybe two nights at Feldmann Lake, Washington Creek, Huggins Cove? That's one fewer night, but we could possibly do Washington Creek again on the last night. That's less hiking overall and a few longer days, but it fun to se...

Have you considered doing the west end Feldtmann and Huginnin loops?