Author Archives: Bearskin

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About Bearskin

Since 1925, Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail has been one of Minnesota's favorite wilderness resort destinations. The McCloughan family has owned Bearskin since 2007.

1/13/2009 Morning grooming report

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It’s not nearly as cold today as originally predicted.  Here at Bearskin it is a calm, sunny and surprisingly pleasant day–at least until you look at the thermometer.  Much nicer than the temps would indicate.

Quinn is out grooming.  He plans to redo the lake paths, which have been problematic for him–he’s gone through into 12 inches of water/slush on each of his most recent lake grooming attempts. (Again, we emphasize that this is not a safety issue — a skier will not go through into the lake, although skis might become iced over. It is much more of problem for heavy equipment.)    Quinn is hopeful that today will be better.  After he fixes the lake trails (and if he doesn’t need to take yet another side trip into the maintenance building to thaw out an iced over groomer) he will do the central trails on this side of Flour Lake.  Most are in pretty good shape right now, but a pass with the grooming equipment will make it even better.

1/12/2009 “Nuisance snow”

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We had a little of what our groomers call a “nuisance snow” today–enough to accumulate a bit, but not enough to justify heading out with the groomer. Skiers who were out today said it was just fine.

An irritating piece of news: skiers on Poplar Creek late this afternoon reported that they saw snowmobilers go down the ski trail. This is against the law and obviously, also very dangerous. The snowmobiles messed up one side of the Poplar Creek trail.

Realistically, we probably won’t get out with the groomer in the next two days to repair this damage since the weather forecast is for extraordinarily low temperatures and a high windchill factor. Actually, Tuesday might be a good day for skiers to hunker down with a good book in front of a fireplace and await better temperatures.

The good news is that the forecast for the upcoming weekend, when many folks have three days off, is excellent. Highs in the mid-20s are currently forecast.  Decent winter weather will return soon!

1/9/2009 “Best snow”

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1909s-beaver-dam-trail

“Best snow I’ve ever seen,” reported guest John Stonhouse today.  John and his group of friends have been coming to Bearskin to ski for about 12 years.  He said right now the uphill stretches have just the right snow consistency to be comfortable, while the downhill tracks aren’t overly fast and there are no icy edges.  The snow continues to be beautifully draped over the pine boughs, but every once in awhile “just for you,” as John said, a bit of snow comes tumbling down off a branch.  It’s beautiful.

Today has been brilliantly sunny and windless. Even though the temperatures started out well below zero, skiers are stripping off extra layers.  Picture postcard perfect conditions.

1/7/2209 Golden Eagle report

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Conditions: Good to Excellent Skiing for Classic and Freestyle

Comments: Lots of new snow! Golden Eagle is out grooming after the snowfall overnight and will groom all trails today on the North side of Flour Lake, the East End Logging Camp, Ridge Run, Moose Pasture, Upper Beaver Dam and that part of the Logging Camp Trail in the Boundary Waters. Bearskin was out grooming yesterday. The trail over Flour Lake is in good shape and we are grooming it with the snowcat. The Aspen Lake Trail still has a lot of slush and should be avoided.

1/6/2009 “Conditions couldn’t be better”

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Sunday’s additional 7 inches of snow has added another inch or two to an already fantastic early season base ( 8 to 12 inches). A 25 year Bearskin guest reported that the trails are the best that she has ever seen them. Skate lanes are firm and level throughout the system; tracks are hard and fast. Light additional snow and more moderate temperatures are expected for the remainder of the week. Conditions couldn’t be better.

1/2/2009 New snow, newly groomed trails

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 We received about 5 inches of snow during the day yesterday.  Bearskin groomers were out at 6 this morning and groomed most of the day.

At this point we have about 20-24 inches in the woods and a packed base on trails of  7 – 10 inches.  Skate lanes have set up very firm; classic tracks are hard and fast.  Skiers are reporting excellent conditions.

There are still a few slush spots on some lakes, but the situation is improving.  The North South link on Aspen is now open and the trail across Flour Lake is good.  East Bearskin Lake still has issues; odd air holes opened up last week  that were very interesting curiosities from an observer’s standpoint, but are problematic for grooming.  Quinn actually went into 12 inches of water today with the groomer when he was heading towards the Campground Trail which pretty much wrecked his morning.  The ice underneath the water is thick and solid, so there are no safety issues for skiers-but until the holes and cracks freeze up, it is an annoyance.  Access the Campground Loop via the other route.

More snow is expected this weekend.