- Estimated Cost: $150
- Deposit: $75
- Max Trip Size: 6 people
The Border Route Trail (BRT) is a 65-mile-long hiking trail that crosses the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the far northeast corner of Minnesota and follows the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. It connects with the Superior Hiking Trail on its eastern terminus and with the Kekekabic Trail on its western end at the Gunflint Trail. The BRT is part of the North Country Trail. This is the perfect time of year, beautiful fall foliage, and NO mosquitos!!
We will leave the Twin Cities Sunday morning (no later than 9 am) and drive to Grand Marais (5+ hours) and pick up our BWCA hiking permits from the Gunflint Ranger Station (closes at 4:30 pm). Then we will drive to the Clearwater Historic Lodge & Canoe Outfitters (1 hour), where we will stay in a bunkhouse together. Monday morning after a 7 am breakfast ($14) group will split, each starting from opposite sides of the BRT. The groups will meet in the middle at Daniels Lake for a car key swap and a night of camping as a full group on hiking day 3. After the sixth and last day of hiking, we will reach our cars and drive back to Grand Marias and stay at the Grand Marias Marina and Campground, we have a lakeside campsite reserved. Sunday morning, we will drive home to the Twin Cities.
Total hiking mileage will be 68 miles, with between 9 and 13 miles hiked each day. RSVP no later than 18 August.
Important notes:
- You must be an experienced backpacker capable of hiking 15 miles per day with a full pack. I will organize a Zoom call in mid-August to get to know each other and discuss our plan/answer any questions. I may also organize a group day hike with full packs prior to the trip so we can meet each other, review the itinerary, and ensure we’re all up to the physical demands of this trip.
- Each person must provide their water purification system and own food. Optional breakfast ($14) is available from the Clearwater Historic Lodge on the day we start hiking. No group meals will be provided as part of the trip cost.
- This trip requires a bear canister or ursack for your food/hygiene/scented items. There are bears along the BRT.
- Latrines are generally available in the BWCA at campsites, but you must be comfortable using catholes, bring your shovel, bidet, etc., You must pack out all TP.
Trip costs cover the wilderness permits, first and last night’s accommodations, fuel & mileage, plus one night in a state forest campground (Lake McFarland Campground). You are responsible for consumables such as food, stove fuel, etc.