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.



Friday, March 25, 2011

Great Day for a Walk

It is the time of year when you can walk anywhere!  There is a hard crust on top of everything from the lake to the woods.  Terry and I started at the Lodge and walked on the lake around to the Crab Lake portage.  Just like walking on pavement.  We didn't see any sign of animals -- no deer, wolves or moose. 

I thought the portage would be more of a challenge but it turned out to be easy.  A snowmobile had been over the trail so it was packed and crusty just like everything else.  Once we hit Crab we headed down towards the narrows but decided to cut through the woods and hit the trail back towards Loon Lake.  I climbed up to the top of the cliffs on the south side of Crab and was able to get some nice pictures overlooking Crab back towards Loon. 

Looking over Crab Lake with Loon Lake upper left.  3/25/11
There will be only a few days like this.  So if your in the area this weekend you are in luck.  Enjoy your hike!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Gunflint Green Up

May 6-7, 2011 will be the 4th annual Gunflint Green Up.  If you have
Gunflint Green Up logoread our blog in the past you know we think it is a great event.  Just
about everyone who works or lives on the Gunflint Trail participates.
Plus hundreds of friends of the Gunflint Trail have over the years
have also been involved.  This may be the last or almost certainly the
last of this type of tree planting party involving the entire area.

Check out the Green Up web site for additional information and
registration forms.  Then if you are looking for a cabin check our
our site and see if we have an opening.  We are offering a special
that weekend of $99/nt for up to 4 people. 

Great cabin, great cause leads to a great weekend. 



Northwoods Spring

Just when you thought it was safe to put the skis away winter returns!  South of us they have been getting lots of snow.  Today, and it looks like all of next week, we are getting the colder temps.  Right now it is about 15 degrees but tonight they are predicting 8 to 10 below zero.  Now that is not nice!  A few weeks ago ok but not after we have been teased with some nice 45 degree days.  Of course the reality of life is this is normal.  Every spring we have these ups and downs with the temps and the snow fall but we tend to forget from year to year or at least I do.  Maybe it is my age.  Who knows. 

The pine martins have been regulars at the bird feeder as of late.  This one cleaned out the sunflowers seeds yesterday.  They don't seem to have much fear of us.  They just turn around an look at you when you start to approach them but if you get too close they take off. 

We are booked for the Ham Lake Run but still have space for the Green Up weekend and some availability for Memorial weekend.  Great spring rates so check us out.
Thursday, March 17, 2011

Redpolls

The redpolls have taken over the bird feeders!  We still have nuthatchs and chickadees but the redpolls have arrived in great numbers.  A few of them will sit in the feeder and throw sunflower seeds out onto the ground.  Then there must be 20 to 30 of them sitting on the ground waiting to be feed.  When you walk outside they all take off and the trees are alive with chirping birds.

We are getting some rain today and the skiing is going to be tough from this point on.  The lake has some puddled water but it will freeze again so you will be able to fish for awhile longer but the signs of spring are clear.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Winter season is winding down

Well here it is the 15th of March and the winter season is starting to wind down.  Terry and our neighbor Sue have been skiing the trail to Crab Lake and to this point the snow conditions are very good.  With warmer weather during the day the trail will start to ice up and become harder to ski.  I skied down at Golden Eagle this weekend and had a great time.  The snow was a little sticky but not too bad.



We have some guests out fishing today.  So far this winter I think this is our first fishermen of the season.  From what I hear this hasn't been a great winter to fish.  The lakes have been in good shape with little slush but the fish themselves haven't cooperated.  Oh well maybe they will have more luck this summer.

We will be closing for the winter season March 20th and taking a little time off.   Then the summer season starts with the Ham Lake Run and the Gunflint Green Up the first part of May.  Don't forget the fishing opener May 14th.   We still have openings so check out our vacancy calendar and get ready to catch fish!