Loon Lake Tales

May 6-7, 2011 will be the 4th annual Gunflint Green Up.  If you have

read 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. 



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.

Like many of you we had some warm weather this last week.  High 40s for a couple of days and it didn't get below freezing at night.  So we had 48 hours plus of melting that has lead to some very slippery roads, slushy lakes, poor ski trails and even hazardous walking conditions.  It seems that we have a mid February warm spell and then in a short time winter returns.  The cold temps have returned and everything is frozen  hard and the snow will return soon.

We have been taking a number of reservations for the summer so if you have a specific week or cabin in mind for this summer it isn't too early to book.  If you haven't been here before and you are looking for a log cabin resort we may be just what you are looking for.  Check us out on the web or give us a call - 1-800-552-6351.

The lake trout season opened this last weekend and that means more action on lakes like Loon Lake.  The most popular spot to fish Loon in the winter is accessed from the public landing at the far west end of the lake. There is a shelf that runs along the north side of the lake just down from the landing.  It extends about 20 to 30 yards out from the shore and then drops off to depths of 90 feet plus.  So people fish the shelf where the fish come up out of the deep water to feed. 


For almost twenty years, between 1879 and 1899, John Beargrease and his brothers delivered the mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais.  During winter months deliveries were made using sled dogs and today the John Beargrease Sled dog race is a celebration of those years.  The race is the longest in the lower 48 states running between Duluth and the Gunflint Trail and back again.  Terry and I have volunteer the past few years and have developed a tremendous respect for the dogs and mushers. 

The past two years the race course comes down the length of Loon Lake.  The teams come off the lake at the Lodge and then up our drive to cross the Gunflint Trail and then run the state snowmobile trail back towards Duluth.  We have a front row seat from the house.
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Jerry and a nice Loon Lake trout



Dog team heading towards the Lodge





The weather outside is beautiful today!  It is about 23 degrees and sunny with no wind.  It couldn't be any nicer for this time of year.  You may not know that we now are renting out the Shack for winter guests!  It is a great cabin with king beds a full living room with wood burning fireplace and a complete kitchen.  We just recently finished replacing all the old leaky windows with new ones and putting in a new high efficiently furnace.   So, even if you don't want to use the fireplace you are toasty warm.