LOON LAKE LODGE

At Loon Lake Lodge you are surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of the Minnesota north woods. The Gunflint Trail area, where we are located, has changed little over the years. It is much the same as it was over a hundred years ago. The calls of loons, the hoot of owls, the eerie howl of a wolf on a moonlit night and the breeze whispering through the trees will take you back to a much simpler and less hurried time.



Sunday, January 31, 2010

Great Day


Terry and I had a chance to go out snowmobiling today. We don't get out too often and it was a great day. Rollie and Mary from the north side of Loon Lake along with Terry and I went down to Hungry Jack Lodge. The weather is nice with the temps around 0 but it was sunny. We took the snowmobile trail down and it was a bit rough. They haven't groomed the trail lately and it showed. We meet some friends from Gunflint for lunch. Everyone had a good time. On the return trip we followed the lakes which made for a smoother ride. No major problems but we did hit some slush on Little Iron Lake.
The John Beargrease Sled Dog race is off and running today. They leave Duluth and follow highway 61 to Grand Marais then up the Gunflint Trail as far as Gunflint Lake then circle back to Duluth. We watch them come across Loon Lake and up to the Lodge following our driveway to the snowmobile trail. The entire race take a little more than 3 days.
It won't be too long until spring!!


Monday, January 18, 2010

Mild Weather




We have been having great weather this past week. The high temps are 28 to 34 degree range everyday! It has been great weather to get out and enjoy the woods. Our granddaughter Hannah enjoyed a day of sliding down the hill behind cabin 2 with Grandma. Like with everything there is a not so nice side to the warm weather and that is a lack of real good snow. Yes we do have snow but we could use more. Sounds like it is coming this weekend. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Some upcoming events will be the John Beargrease Sled dog race which leaves Duluth the end of January. The last I heard it will come through Loon Lake again this year. The dogs always impresses me with their strength and desire to run. Something to see.

Winter Tracks will be taking place the later part of February. I will get you some updates on what will be happening around the Trail during that weekend.

With the great weather there is always something to do on the Trail. Remember the Shack is open with some great mid-week rates. Give us a call - 1-800-552-6351.
Monday, January 4, 2010

Update


Sorry it has been so long. Where does the time go. I know I should be better at this but there never seems to be enough stuff to write about and the next thing you know it has been 7 months!! My New Year's resolution is to do a better job on updating the blog. So there you have it. Help me keep my resolution and email me if I start to fall behind.


Since last I wrote a few things have happened -- like an entire summer season! We did rebuild the front of the Lodge building and put a new roof on the front of the building. This next spring we will finish with the roof project and put new flooring in the dining room. We upgraded the sprinkler system and did extensive brushing around all of the buildings. I didn't know if people would like the open feeling but it has been well received. Steve returned for his second season. He didn't get out fishing as much as he wanted but it is nice for us having someone around who knows how everything works. Joining Steve this year was his brother John. Both guys are in college this year -- Steve at the University of Minnesota and John at the University of Wisconsin. We don't know if either will return for another summer season.


Over all the summer was cooler than most. We had our nicest weather in late August and September. Considering the economy was down we had a good summer. Things started out slow and picked up in July and August. Many guests from past years and a few new faces trying us out for the first time. The biggest group of the summer was the Droneck family get together the first week of August. The biggest fish of the summer (pictured above) was caught by Jake DeWoskin group in May. It was a very nice Lake Trout over 15 pounds. Biggest surprise of the summer was a cougar siting by Mike and Anita Focht. They were driving up the Gunflint Trail just about a mile from our drive and saw it crossing the road. Since then there have been other sitings in the area.


These are just a few of the things I should have been writing about but that is in the past. Winter is here and we have about a foot of snow on the ground. The lake is frozen with 14 inches of ice in the bay and the Shack is open for those of you looking for a winter experience. It has been a little on the cold side these last few days but Terry is out skiing most days and says the conditions are great. Give us a call if you are looking for a winter retreat.