The latest from the Gunflint Trail and the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Like all things 2020, this paddling season looked a little different at Tuscarora. Read on to learn about our end of season plans, used canoes, and winter cabins.
"Another fall, another turned page" - Wallace Stegner
A Season to Remember
After a spring spent gnashing our teeth and wondering if we'd even have a summer Boundary Waters season, it's strange to suddenly be wrapping up the busiest tourism season in the history of northeastern Minnesota. We saw so many new faces (well, eyes really . . . thank you for wearing your masks) and we hope your time on the Gunflint Trail proved peaceful and restorative during such a chaotic year.
Autumn is the season of thankfulness and this year we're brimming with gratitude. We appreciate each and every guest who visited Tuscarora this summer. Your presence allowed our small business not only to survive, but thrive, during this global pandemic. Speaking of pandemics, thanks to all of you following our COVID-19 protocols, we've helped keep Cook County's infection rate the lowest in Minnesota as well as one of the lowest in the nation.
This outfitting season will also go down as perhaps the shortest outfitting season in Tuscarora history. The early spring Boundary Waters closure pushed our opening date back to May 18 and we will close outfitting on September 30. With this season's exceptional volume of business mixed with extra safety precautions, we need to shudder outfitting a couple weeks earlier than usual to maintain our health and deliver the best customer service possible. Our cabins remain open through late October and then reopen for the winter season in mid-December.
Used Canoes For Sale
As paddling season draws to a close, it's time to re-home several veterans of the Tuscarora Kevlar canoe fleet. This year we have a selection of used Northstar Northwind 17s; Souris River Quetico 17s; and We-no-nah MN IIs, MN IIIs, and Senecas available. Check out the used canoe page for the most up-to-date selection.
Our three winterized cabins make cozy retreats all year-round. Although our cabins are pretty well booked for the remainder of the fall season, we reopen Cabin 3,Cabin 5 and the Lodge in mid-December, right in time for the winter holidays. If you're dreaming of a Northwoods Christmas, we definitely recommend booking sooner than later. Otherwise, it's not too early to start dreaming about some ice fishing adventures come January!
Special shout-out to the men and women behind the masks
Every Tuscarora crew is great, but we'd be remiss if we didn't give a special shout out to the 2020 Tuscarora crew. Although you never saw their faces, they tackled a uniquely challenging season with a smile. They sacrificed social lives and missed important family gatherings to protect your and our community's health. We don't know what the season would have looked like without this stellar crew's enthusiasm and kindness and we're sure glad we didn't have to find out. A heartfelt thank you to Abigail, Ben E., Ben S., Cara, Finn, Izzy, Mark, Megan, and Will for making a pandemic look easy. We truly couldn't have done it without you. Mask it or casket!!
If you know someone who'd like to be part of the 2021 Tuscarora summer crew, send them this way.
Autumn is an especially beautiful time to hike along the Gunflint Trail. If you're looking to branch out from ye olde Centennial and Magnetic Rock hiking trails, consider this "choose your own adventure" hike overlooking Gunflint Lake that Ada wrote about for the Quetico Superior Wilderness News last October.
Boundary Waters Quick Takes
The Boundary Waters' notable night skies: You've probably already heard, but back in August, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was designated an international dark sky sanctuary. We can attest that the night skies are pretty spectacular. The long winter nights make for especially great stargazing.
Our neck of the woods might be known as canoe country, but hard water season lasts just as long (if not longer) as paddle season here on the Gunflint Trail. You can keep up with all our winter adventures with our weekly updates on YouTube.
