VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Questions about how to get to the island and where to stay near points of departure.

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Kevinl
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by Kevinl »

It was a great trip. Details soon. Any questions?
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by MikeT »

Do you know who the Captain of the Voyageur was? (Benny?) Did Don ride along?
Who was in Windigo for your LNT talk and permits? (Valerie?)
How was the snow along the north shore?
Any ice/snow in McCargoe?
I imagine the water was running pretty good, how was the stream crossing by Little Todd Harbor?
I would guess the water was not turned on in Windigo?

That's it off the top of my head.
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by johnhens »

Kevinl wrote:It was a great trip. Details soon. Any questions?
Should I assume that in fact there were no penguins "wintering" on IR?
How were the blowdowns?
Kevinl
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by Kevinl »

Mike: Not sure of the Captain's name, nice guy and Don rode along. Ranger Val was in Windigo when we got back there, but no one was there yet when we arrived. There were patches of snow but that was it and no snow or ice in McCargoe. The stream crossing by Little Todd was evil, pure evil. Poles or a stick or circus experience are a necessity to get across it now. No running water in Windigo yet.

John: No penguins but we were surprised to see sandhill cranes on a ridgetop. The blowdowns were definitely there in places, took some crawling and climbing and bushwhacking occasionally. God bless the trail crews.
tree rattt
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by tree rattt »

So then from what I am reading, if I want to stay dry I should walk the shoreline? ;)

KevinL sounds like u had an awesome trip .Glad to hear it!
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by statsman4 »

Great to meet you on the Minong this Saturday Kevin.

I would second all of Kevin's comments and add that Captain Benny was steering the VII on Saturday and this past Thursday for the way home. Captain Don was not on board for the Thursday trip. The four of us crossing the stream (river) near Little Todd were grateful for hiking poles. It was rocking. Val was at Windigo when we arrived and did the LNT talk. She was also there when we returned from Rock Harbor. The only place we ran into significant snow was the steep descent into Lane Cove. We did the Minong to Rock Harbor, Lane Cove Trail, Mt. Franklin Trail, Tobin Harbor Trail, Rock Harbor Trail to Three Mile, and the Scoville Loop. Great trip and NO BUGS!!!!!
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by tree rattt »

WOW, statsman4 impressive hike ....what did your final milage end up?those hiking poles are sure a life saver! My daughter proved that to me 2 weeks ago on a crossing.....she was on one foot and headed backwards untill her pole found a solid spot.....big sigh of relief :)
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by tree rattt »

NO BUGS, thanks for that! I was wondering about those, considering they are starting to emerge around home.
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by statsman4 »

Total mileage was 84 according to the GPS. I was taken back by the diversity of the trails. Just amazing. Saw a moose going into North Desor.......first upload to YouTube so please let me know if not accessible.

http://youtu.be/5fD0NlxQMwA
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by tree rattt »

Wow! Up close and personal.....bet that made the heart go pitter-pat!
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Kevinl
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by Kevinl »

Nice footage. Must be the same moose we saw that morning. She didn't travel far that day.
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by statsman4 »

Agreed Kevin. The group behind us saw her too.
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Re: VII in Grand Portage and the Office is open

Post by Tightlines01 »

Very cool to see moose that close. I was blessed to spend 29 minutes 2 years ago with a cow and a calf I surprised on my descent to Hatchet Lake. Lucky for me the cow was between me and her calf. They were resting only yards off the trail and I surprised them as they were bedded napping. I watched them graze for a half hour very close as I just sat down behind a tree.

You have a Cool experience I'm sure you'll never forget.
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