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Especially for your first visit, it is often hard to know what to bring on trip. This will give you a few hints about what we think is important for each season. Before you start packing, check to see if your cabin has a washer and dryer. Most of our cabins do and that can cut down on how much you need to bring, especially with families. Also remember that dress is always casual at Gunflint. In the Northwoods there is no need for fancy clothing.
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 During the changing of the seasons, anything goes. We recommend that you bring clothes that can be layered. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, sweat shirts, vests, and jackets can be piled one on top of another and pealed off the same way as the day warms up. If it is late fall or you plan on being on the water a lot, bring a pair of long underwear. Even on warm days, it can be cold in a boat. A good wind-breaker or rain jacket is necessary. Later in the fall you might want a lined jacket. Shoes or light hiking boots work for foot gear.
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This is the time when you need to pay the most attention to dressing properly when outside. Again layering is the key. You need long underwear for skiing most days. A knit hat keeps heat from escaping through your head. Some people wear just earmuffs. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Heavy socks keep your feet warm but don’t wear ski boots that are too tight. Tight boots, socks, and toes get cold faster than if you have a little looser foot wear. If you are out all day skiing, have a heavier jacket to put on when you stop for lunch. You have to keep adjusting your clothing so you don’t get too hot or too cold. If you get too hot and sweat, your damp body will cool down quickly when you stop. In general for being around the lodge, pants, warm shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts work fine. Warm winter boots are necessary. If you take a dog sled ride or go snowmobiling, you will need to dress very warmly. You are sitting in the cold on a dog sled ride. On a snowmobiling the wind is constantly hitting you. The strongest of men have been known to wear knit face masks in these circumstances. A good scarf can also help.
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 Actually it is usually quite good. If you stop to think about it, we are north of the freezing and thawing zone so we have snow, but not much ice to deal with. We only have one road to keep in good shape and the county is great with their plowing and sanding. We get little drifting snow, because of the heavy forest. Our own plow truck is out constantly to keep our drive and parking areas clear, and of course help you with any needs you may have. To us, the roads in the Twin Cities are much more challenging than the Gunflint Trail for much of the winter. |
Once again the seasons are changing. Bring about the same things that we recommend for fall trips. If you plan on fishing all day, rain gear is necessary and waterproof boots make you more comfortable. This is the time when we like Bean boots with their rubber bottoms or a waterproof pair of hiking boots. A pair of gloves will warm your hands while holding onto a fishing rod. Long underwear keeps you warm when you are sitting in a boat. When out in the woods fleece vests or jackets are great layers but don’t forget a waterproof shell or rain jacket to protect you from the spring showers.
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Our days are into the 80’s but the nights cool down. You will want shorts, light pants, short sleeve shirts, and swimming suits. A sweat shirt or light jacket is good if it cools down at night. A good rain suit helps if you plan on being on the water every day, regardless of the weather. Tennis shoes and sandals work well. A light boot is good if you plan on canoeing (and portaging) or doing a lot of hiking. Hats help a lot if you are on the water. Be sure to bring some suntan lotion and perhaps some bug repellant for early summer. Because we don’t have a lot of brush around the lodge and the prevailing wind blows through camp, we don’t have a lot of mosquitoes but they do like to come out on still nights at dusk or in the early morning.
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As always as at Gunflint, if you have questions about what to bring, call us. We are happy to give you help. If you get here and find that you have forgotten something vital, tell us. If you need another sweat shirt, we will be happy to sell you one from the gift shop. Having the correct clothing on a trip makes everything go more easily.
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