If you do the Minong, please read the many trip reports on this site for some key points. The trail can be difficult to follow in spots--more so than any other trail on the island. At one point, just after a beaver dam crossing, the trail appears to split. I only knew which leg to follow based on pr...

After several years of use, mu Thermarest Neoair sprung a leak and I slept on the hard ground for my last night out on a recent trip. I found the leak at home and repaired it using the Thermarest kit. The hole was on a crease and I was concerned about getting a good seal, but it seemed to work. Foll...

To close the loop, I am convinced. Just ordered the Copper Spur from Backcountry Edge at $110 off list price. I had not seen it listed anywhere else at that good a price. Here's to hoping I get the tent and not just a photocopy of one at that price!

Thanks, Everyone!

Thanks, Tom. I was shying away from Big Agnes because of a couple of very negative reviews about them not standing by their products. I probably should not overreact to a few voices. I have been very happy with my Big Agnes Scout.

Well, My ten year old MSR tent finally died. I have a Big Agnes Scout UL2 tent and it is great, but not free standing. I am thinking of replacing the MSR with a free standing, under 3 lb, tent. I would like, ideally, two doors and one or two vestibules (the Scout does not have a vestibule). I have s...

Enjoy your trip. You won't get lost or mauled by a moose. A few thoughts_-use a liner for your sleeping bag. There are many available and some are quite warm. Also, if you are concerned about being cold, consider down booties and hood (or hat). It will make a big difference. Canisters of fuel are gr...

I am a fan of Starbuck's Via. The only down side to me is that it is easy to drop the little tab pulled from the tube. For those rolling in money, I just saw an article about this company: https://www.suddencoffee.com/
"Only" $6 per cup!

Thanks for the report. The rules can be offputting, I agree, but they pay off with the more pristine conditions you find on the island, as compared to non-national parks. I love the Porkies, but conditions there simply do not compare because of the lax rules. You will find "crowds" on the ...

I have always stayed at the casino before going out on the VII. I am not overly sensitive to smoke, but I always found the rooms very clean and inexpensive. I have to imagine it is a step up from the old Ryden's facilities. The ferry leaves pretty early and that is why we never stayed in Grand Marais.

Enjoy! Do not miss the Stoll Trail. It is a day hike out of Rock Harbor--maybe five miles round trip. Absolutely beautiful.

It sounds like a great trip. There are a lot of trip reports on this route, including several from me. A few thoughts: Will the store even be open then? I am not sure. Even if it is, I would be wary of counting on a specific inventory. Not sure if this is a viable option for you, but the MN ferry wi...

I was on a small portion of the trail in may--McCargo to Todd to the cross over to hatchet lake. This is not part of the trail that usually poses any problems and it was fine in May. Keep in mind the helicopter activity at McCargo this summer. It may be over now, but I am not sure.

I agree that it would be tough to do all that in one trip. Suggest F. Loop, as you propose, with Hugginin at the end. Clockwise is my preferred direction on the loop. I did a few trip reports on that route, all posted under reports. Enjoy.

I have a Sawyer filter and it is hard to imagine how it can fail. It is as simple as can be and easy to back flush. Now, I usually use mine as a second filter because I bring a gravity filter which is so convenient. But the sawyer is great because it does double duty. On longer hikes, I fill it with...