PlansMatter. Welcome! Gunflint Lake Cabin

Transcription

1 PlansMatter Welcome! Gunflint Lake Cabin 1 Essential Information 2 House Truths + Rules 3 Operating Instructions 4 Local Eats, Drinks + Provisions 5 Local Activities 2418 Bryant Avenue South Minneapolis MN USA hello@plansmatter.com

2 ! 1 of! 6 Essential Information Location Gunflint Lake Cabin is north! Canada is right across the lake. The cabin is 47 miles from the nearest town, Grand Marais, a 1.5 hour drive. We recommend you plan to arrive before nightfall and stop in Grand Marais on your way to the cabin for supplies and a bite to eat. If you forget a few things (like coffee or insect spray) there are general stores nearby that stock basic provisions. Gunflint Lake Cabin is a place to disconnect from technology. Cell phone service generally stops 10 miles up the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais and there is no internet service at the cabin. Address 611 South Gunflint Lake Road, Grand Marais MN Parking + Front Door There is exterior parking for 2 cars immediately adjacent to the cabin. The front door of the cabin is the single solid pine door. Not the multiple glass deck doors. Check-In 3pm Check-Out 11am Check-In/Out Process The cabin will be unlocked when you arrive and you can leave it unlocked when you depart. There is no need to lock the cabin if you are on the water or exploring the area. Day-to-Day Contact PlansMatter, bookings@plansmatter.com, Emergency Contact Greg and Barb Gecas, owners of Heston's Lodge,

3 ! 2 of! 6 Cabin Telephone The phone number for the cabin s land line is To make long distance calls dial , then 1+area code and phone number. Or use a credit card. Safety First Aid Kit. Located in the pantry. Fire. One fire extinguisher is located in the hallway closet and another in the sauna. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are located throughout the cabin. Outdoor Fire Pit. It is essential that you determine if fires are allowed in the area at the time of your visit (stop by or call Heston s Lodge ). Please be sure that sparks do not escape and that fires are properly extinguished. There is a five-gallon bucket in the basement to be filled with water at the outside faucet. Please have this standing by. The owners are very cautious about fires, as the cabin was built in the aftermath of the 2007 Ham Lake Fire which burned 75,000 acres of forest. Its ecological impact can be observed throughout the area. Swimming. Swim shoes are required if you are going in the water as the 150 foot shoreline is mostly a rock-covered beach. You are welcome to enjoy water activities at your own risk. Wildlife. Do not leave any doors open as animals are quick to enter. Also, if you feed the birds, be sure to return the dish and seeds to the sauna at night so bears are not attracted. Pests. Northern Minnesota is notorious for its mosquitoes locals call them the state bird. We recommend that you bring bug repellant. Where to Find What Cleaning supplies are located under the kitchen sink, in the hallway closet and in a container in the pantry. The first aid kit is in the pantry. One fire extinguisher is located in the hallway closet and another the sauna. Kayaks, canoe and life jackets are in the basement storage. What You Can Use Please help yourself to anything you may find in the kitchen if something is depleted, please leave a note on the table so the item may be replenished. There are bathrobes in the sauna for your use leave them in the laundry basket after you are finished. You may use the outdoor grill, but we ask that you not move it to the deck. The canoe, kayak, life jackets, and snow shoes are all available for your use. As a rule of thumb, almost everything is at your disposal except the outboard motor and chain saw. Departing the Property Please place any soiled laundry robes, towels, etc in the laundry basket. Please empty the refrigerator of any perishables you brought to the cabin. Garbage and recycling can be left at the cabin for disposal after your departure. You can leave the cabin unlocked when you depart, but please be sure all cabin doors and windows are closed.

4 ! 3 of! 6 Directions Gunflint Lake Cabin is located 47 miles from Grand Marais, on the south shore of Gunflint Lake. The Gunflint Trail is a paved road. The last three miles of South Gunflint Lake Road are gravel. Take MN Highway 61 north from Duluth to Grand Marais. Follow the signs through Grand Marais to reach the Gunflint Trail (also known as County Road 12). Turn left on County Road 12 and follow it for approximately 45 miles. Turn right on Cook County Road 20 (also known as Old County Road 50 and South Gunflint Lake Road). There is a sign at the junction that points you in the direction of Heston's Lodge. Take this road for approximately 3 miles past Gunflint Lodge and Gunflint Pines.

5 ! 4 of! 6 About one-quarter of a mile from the Gunflint Lake Cabin there is a fork to the Mile O Pine Road. Keep left at this fork to stay on County Road 20. County Road 20 ends at Heston s Lodge.

6 ! 5 of! 6 At the lodge entrance, make a very sharp right turn and follow the lodge road as it curves to the left through the woods. At Heston s Lodge make sharp right and follow winding road through woods Just before you get to the cabin, the road forks. Stay to the right. You will soon see the cabin. At the fork in the road, turn right.

7 ! 6 of! 6 The cabin (#611) will be immediately on your left. Map through Heston s to Gunflint Lake Cabin. It s a short drive but it can be tricky.

8 ! 1 of! 2 House Truths Just So You Know Family Cabin. Gunflint Lake Cabin is dearly loved and frequently used by the owners and their extended network of family and friends. Many of the objects in the cabin such as the dishes, rugs, quilts, and pottery have personal meaning. More details can be found under Architectural Description. Technology. No internet. No cell phone reception. No TV. Staying at Gunflint Lake Cabin allows you to disconnect from technology and connect with the natural surroundings. Music. The Tivoli Model One radio picks up a public station out of Grand Marais. It s fascinating! There is a cable near the radio which you can plug into the head phone jack on your device and play music. Location. Gunflint Lake Cabin offers the best of both worlds. While the cabin is 1.5 hrs north of Grand Marais near the Canadian border, there are a few nearby privately owned cabins and you are right next to Heston s Lodge. It is best to arrive before dark if possible. Gunflint Lake. The lake is a very large, sparsely populated, motor-traffic region within and adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Although motor boats tend to be few, and much quieter than lakes further south, you will likely come across other people on the water. Shoreline. There is no dock on the shoreline. Canoes and kayaks are launched from land so you will get your feet wet. Water shoes are highly recommended. Access to the water is to the east side of the property away from the boulders over the intake for the water system. Canoe and Kayaks. It can require some finesse to access the basement storage (see Operating Instructions) and some strength to carry the canoe and kayaks down to the water. Sauna Shower. The outdoor shower is only available in the summer. For the other months you can use the indoor shower, run down to the lake, or jump in the snow. Critters. Yes, there are critters! Sometimes in your space! Woodpeckers peck at the wood siding and squirrels nibble on the porch screens. To combat this problem, the owner sometimes must cover areas of the house with green tarps please leave the tarps in place. You will also see the occasional mouse. If a mouse makes its way indoors and bothers you, please contact Barb for assistance. Insects. Yes, there are insects! Bring repellant. Spiders also build cobwebs on the exterior of the cabin. They are busy, busy, busy. Potable Water. You may notice a waterline running from the lake up to the house. The water at the cabin is filtered and perfectly safe to drink. Bring your own bottled water if you prefer. Maximum Guests. There is a 6 guest maximum, but only 5 beds. A cot can be provided for a sixth guest if needed. Minimum Stay. While there is a 2-night minimum stay, we suggest a 3-night stay if you are traveling from Minneapolis (or beyond).

9 ! 2 of! 2 House Rules Compliance Required Smoking. No smoking allowed anywhere on the property. Pets. No pets allowed anywhere on the property. Off Limits. Please do not use the rowboat with outboard motor nor the chain saw. And do not move the outdoor grill onto the deck. Water Activities. Kayaks, a canoe, and life jackets are available for you to use. Swimming shoes are required as the beach is rocky. You are welcome to enjoy all of these water activities at your own risk. Fire Pit. It is essential that you determine if fires are allowed in the area at the time of your visit (stop by or call Heston s Lodge ). Please be sure that sparks do not escape and that fires are properly extinguished. There is a five-gallon bucket in the basement to be filled with water at the outside faucet. Please have this standing by if you use the outdoor fire pit. The owners are very cautious about fires, as the cabin was built in the aftermath of the 2007 Ham Lake Fire which burned 75,000 acres of forest. Its ecological impact can be observed throughout the area. Wildlife. Animals are quick to enter the cabin. If you are at the water, please be sure all of the cabin doors are closed including the glass doors leading to the deck and the door to where the kayaks and canoe are stored. The lower level door must be closed at all times. If you feed the birds, be sure to bring the dish and seeds in at night to avoid attracting bears. Wood Stove. Please leave the ashes in the stove. Septic. As with all septic systems, only human waste and toilet tissue may go in the toilet; no other items, even if marked flushable. Additional House Rules. While the owners travel through Heston s Lodge to get to the cabin, they are neighbors, not guests, of the lodge. As such, they respect the privacy of the lodge owners and guests and request that you do as well. Barb and Greg Gecas have been operating Heston s Lodge since 1989 and are a lovely local family. They are happy to help you anyway they can emergencies at the cabin, directions to the snowshoe paths, recommendations for day paddling adventures, basic supplies from the general store, tips on building a fire or just a friendly hello.

10 ! 1 of! 3 Operating Instructions Heating Heating is in-floor electric; it will be on and the cabin warm when you arrive. If you would like to adjust the temperature there are three thermostats/zones. Cooling, Ventilation + Fan There is no AC, but the cabin has a ventilation system that is adjusted seasonally. The ceiling fan in the living area has a switch on the adjacent wall and a remote control on the desk. Electrical While unlikely, in the event of a power outage check the circuit breakers and the electrical box outside along the road to the south. For repair, Arrowhead Electric Cooperative provides 24- hour service. Call or Deck Doors The outer deck doors are unlocked by raising the handle while turning the round knobs to the right. They are locked by raising the handle while turning the knobs to the left. Once you open a deck door, it can be locked in any position by moving it to the desired position and raising the handle. Release the door by pushing the handle down. The deck doors should be closed if you leave the cabin, even to go to the shore. Bears are active in the area and everyone has a story of the time a bear entered their cabin. Sauna There will be matches, kindling and wood in the sauna for the sauna stove. You will need to add wood as the sauna heats up it gets very hot so be sure to monitor the temperature. There is a thermometer in the sauna and 160 degrees is cited as a good temperature although you may want it a bit hotter. If desired, there is a wooden bucket for adding water to the rocks on top of the sauna stove for steam. There are bathrobes in the sauna closet please leave them in the laundry basket when you are finished. The shower adjacent to the sauna is available to use during the summer months; in the winter consider jumping in the snow! Also note that if temperatures have been below zero the sauna can take an hour or more to heat up, but it s well worth the wait.

11 ! 2 of! 3 Wood Stove The Rais wood stove handbook is located by the stove. The stove is very efficient and adds significant heat to the main area. There will be matches, kindling and wood indoors by the stove. Leave the ashes in the stove to be cleaned after your departure. A few tips: use the fire starters provided and the newspapers from the pantry if desired. Select small pieces of wood to begin with (stored under the wood stove). Move the lever at the bottom of the stove up and all the way to the right. Once the fire is lit, close the door, but do not latch it (in order to increase the draft). Once the fire has taken hold, latch the door and move the lever to the left (but not all the way to the left) and down. Fire Pit It is essential that you determine if fires are allowed in the area at the time of your visit (by stopping by or calling Heston s Lodge ). Please be sure that sparks do not escape and that fires are properly extinguished. There is a five-gallon bucket in the basement to be filled with water at the outside faucet. Please have this standing by. The owners are very cautious about fires, as the cabin was built in the aftermath of the 2007 Ham Lake Fire which burned 75,000 acres of forest. Its ecological impact can be observed throughout the area. Bird Feeder In the sauna there is a blue ceramic dish which can be filled with bird seed from the plastic bucket. Place it outside on the deck table and enjoy the avian activity! The dish and seeds must be returned to the sauna at night in order to not attract bears. Clothes Dryer The dryer requires a long cycle time the timed dry setting is recommended. Garbage + Recycling Please empty the refrigerator of any perishables you may have brought with you. Garbage and recycling can be left at the cabin for disposal after your departure. Basement Garage Access To get to the kayaks, canoe and life jackets you will need to access the basement garage. Raise and latch the trapdoor in the middle bedroom. Descend the ship s ladder stair facing forward and beginning with the left foot. Hold the trapdoor with your left hand and the edge of the floor with your right hand, then grab the bar in front. The basement light switch is on the ceiling, just to the right as you descend the stairs.

12 ! 3 of! 3 Basement Garage Door From inside the garage, unlock the garage door by placing your right foot on the metal tab and pushing down while sliding the locking lever to the left. Raise the door using the two black straps. Do not place your fingers on the door itself or you may get them caught between the panels. Release the bolts at the top and bottom of the left door in order to open the outer doors (from the outside) and then open the screen doors. There are pegs at the top and bottom of the screen doors to hold them in place. Be sure to not leave the door open lest wildlife enters and please lock the door again when leaving the cabin.

13 ! 1 of! 2 Eats, Drinks + Provisions Cooking At the Cabin. We recommend preparing homemade meals at Gunflint Lake Cabin to enjoy on the deck, screened porch, or at the dining table and benches. A variety of cast iron cook and bake ware, a four burner cooktop and full oven are available for your use. There is also a small grill on the property, but we ask that you not move it to the deck. Basic cooking supplies, such as flour, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, spices, oatmeal, baking powder and soda are in the pantry. There is a Krups espresso maker and a Mellita pour-over coffee maker to get you started in the morning both take ground beans. Please feel free to use anything you may find in the kitchen. Provisions Grand Marais. Stock up for your stay. Your first stop in Grand Marais could be the Dockside Fish Market, located lakeside on Highway 61 as you drive through town. This family run business specializes in brown sugar brine smoked fish and local fresh fish such as herring, lake trout, whitefish and walleye. You can also find flown-in fresh salmon, halibut, tuna, shellfish and more. Open April - December. The Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op is just one block below the stoplight as you continue on Highway 61. Since 1976 this Co-Op has been providing the community with affordable, healthy and sustainable products and services. Ask about their local items if you are looking for a gift perhaps something from Superior Herbals, Hands of Harvest Soap or Wild Country Maple Syrup. Along with the seasonable produce, check out the Co-Op s cheese and meat departments. Don t forget the fair trade coffee and tea! The Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store is near the Co-Op. If you d like to try Northern Minnesota s local craft beer, the Voyager Brewing Company offers growlers to go. There are two other grocery stores in Grand Marais, both along Highway 61: Johnson s Foods and IGA Gene s Foods Gunflint Trail. What if you forgot a few things? If you need a few basic supplies while at the cabin, Heston s Lodge maintains a small store with an eclectic selection of groceries. Gunflint Pines, two miles away on County Road 50, stocks a larger variety.

14 ! 2 of! Restaurants Duluth. If you d like to stop for lunch on your way to the cabin, we recommend New Scenic Cafe for the area s most inspired cooking. The cafe features an eclectic array of colorful, artfully composed and subtly delicious fare. The serene surroundings, expert service and picturesque lakeside location roughly 20 minutes up the shore from downtown Duluth only add to the experience. Grand Marais. Lunch at the Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marais is always relaxed and you will find a nice craft beer and wine selection. The menu is mostly organic pub fare with a variety of ethnic dishes thrown in. They ve got a rooftop deck the Raven s Nest - with an unobstructed harbor view. The tavern is located in the historic Grand Marais State Bank Building with the Johnson Heritage Trading Post right next door. You can imagine this was the block where trappers, miners and explorers stopped before heading north on the Gunflint Trail. Other lunch options in Grand Marais to consider the Crooked Spoon Cafe for a seasonal menu featuring local food, beer and a wine bar. The Angry Trout Cafe, open May through October, is a small indoor/outdoor restaurant in an old commercial fishing shanty right on Grand Marais Harbor. The menu features Lake Superior fish, local produce and hand-harvested wild rice. You can t go wrong with a wood-fired pizza from Sydney s Custard. Consider stopping at World s Best Donuts to see that they live up to their moniker Gunflint Trail. If you choose not to cook dinner at the cabin, we recommend the Trail Center Lodge on the shores of Poplar Lake about 18 miles from the cabin, back down the Gunflint Trail on County Road 12. Originally built as a logging camp, Trail Center Lodge is now a full service restaurant, gas station, gift store, small grocery shop and information center. The Gunflint Lodge, serving Northwoods fare on Gunflint Lake, is just 2.5 miles from the cabin on County Road

15 ! 1 of! 4 Local Activities Entertainment No internet. No cell phone reception. No TV. Staying at Gunflint Lake Cabin allows you to disconnect from technology and connect with the natural surroundings. There is a Tivoli Model One radio that picks up the local public station out of Grand Marais. It s fascinating! Bring your own music player and use the cable by the radio to listen to your own music. There are board games, cards, dominos, and a variety of magazines, novels and books about the North Country. Arts + Culture Thirteen miles from the cabin, on Saganaga Lake near the end of the Gunflint Trail, the Chik- Wauk Museum and Nature Center presents the area s natural and cultural history. Open daily from Memorial Day weekend through the third weekend of October. Hiking trails are accessible year-round and after hours. Hiking Be prepared! Take food and water with you! Also recommended: trail maps (available at the cabin or from Heston s Lodge general store), bug repellent, sunscreen and comfortable footwear for potentially rough and slippery surfaces. Allow approximately 45 minutes per mile. Leave no trace. The cabin is adjacent to the Border Route Trail, a footpath that is now part of the North Country Trail system. A number of loops and spur trails off of the Border Route make for great day hikes you may want to ask Barb or Greg at Heston s which they recommend at this time of year. Just south of the Heston s Lodge general store is the path to the Heston s Lodge spur. In less than a half mile you will intersect the Gunflint Lake South Rim section of the Border Route Trail. Hiking west a half mile will take you to the intersection of the Brice Breon Trail that dips south to follow the shore of Loon Lake before connecting again to the Border Route Trail just past the Loon Lake Landing. Take note of the old growth cedar, look out for moose and listen for the loons. The round trip hike for the Brice Breon Trail loop is approximately five miles.

16 ! 2 of! 4 Alternatively, from the intersection of the Heston s Lodge spur and the Border Route Trail, you can take a 3-4 mile hike east to the Gunflint Lake Spur or the Crab Lake Trail. If you go as far as the Crab Lake Trail loop and head back to the cabin, the round trip hike is approximately 10 miles. Further up the Gunflint Trail - about six miles from the cabin, so get in your car is the east trailhead of the Kekekabic Trail, a 37-mile trek that that terminates near the westernmost portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. While the entire trail is a multi-day adventure for the experienced hiker, this trailhead is also the entrance to the Centennial Trail, a 3.3 mile loop that has become a new local favorite to hike. The Magnetic Rock Trail begins just 500 feet up the road from the Kekekabic trail head. Bring your compass, hike a mile and a half to an enormous rock, and test the magnetism! Canoeing + Kayaking There are two one-passenger 10' kayaks, one two-passenger kayak, a canoe and life jackets for you to use. Water shoes are highly recommended. Safety first: bring food and water, maps or a compass, sunblock and insect repellant. Be sure to wear a lifejacket and paddle close to shore. It can require some finesse to access the basement storage (see Operating Instructions for further details) and some strength to carry the canoe and kayaks down to the water. The cabin is located on the south shore of Gunflint Lake, about halfway down the length of the lake. There are great options for day paddling in either direction. To the northwest is Magnetic Lake and to the east is Little Gunflint Lake. If you paddle east three miles on the south shore of Gunflint Lake you will come to a rocky beach just south of an island and near a small creek inlet. A short walk into the woods brings you to the base of Bridal Falls. There is a connecting trail to reach the top of the falls, which meets up with the Border Route Trail. If you paddle to the west, you can go to Magnetic Lake, and on to Little Rock Falls. This is an entry point into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and is approximately seven miles away. The portage to the falls is a short hike, mostly over rock, with some ups and downs to negotiate. Please be aware that the BWCA is a very rugged terrain with rocky shorelines. Hauling kayaks to the water and portaging can be a difficult part of engaging with the land and forest. Please note that visiting Canada on the north shore of Gunflint Lake requires a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit that must be obtained six to eight weeks in advance.

17 ! 3 of! 4 Fishing Gunflint Lake has a long fishing history. The lake is home to walleye, lake trout, northern, and smallmouth bass. We recommend fishing guide Cory Christianson ( ) with Christianson s Guide Service who can provide a motorized boat to take you to Saganaga Lake. Be sure to obtain your fishing license and check that it is open season before fishing. Horseback Riding Horseback riding in the Superior National Forest is available at Gunflint Lodge Riding Stables, May through October only. Gunflint Lodge is two and a half miles west of the cabin on County Road Snowshoeing There are six sets of snowshoes for you to use at the cabin. Trails accessible directly from the cabin include the Gunflint Lake South Rim, Bryce Breon Trail and the Border Route Trail. Ask Barb or Greg at Heston s Lodge what trails are in the best condition, for help planning a route or the locations of the warming huts along the trails. Just south of the Heston s Lodge general store is the path to the Heston s Lodge spur. In less than a half mile you will intersect the Gunflint Lake South Rim section of the Border Route Trail. Traveling west a half mile will take you to the intersection of the Brice Breon Trail. This loop dips south to follow the shore of Loon Lake before connecting again to the Border Route Trail just past the Loon Lake Landing. Take note of the old growth cedar and look out for moose! The Brice Breon Trail loop is approximately five miles. Approximately six miles up the Gunflint Trail - so get in your car are the Magnetic Rock Trail and Centennial Trail. The Centennial Trail is a 3.3 mile loop starting at the Kekekabic trailhead. The Magnetic Rock Trail begins just 500 feet up the road from the Kekekabic trail head. Bring your compass, travel a mile and a half to an enormous rock and test the magnetism.

18 ! 4 of! 4 Cross Country Skiing The cabin is part of the Upper Gunflint Trail System with groomed ski trails. You can access the trail system directly from the cabin. The Upper Gunflint Trail Ski Pass is required and can be purchased at local lodges. If you ve brought your own skis, stop over to Heston's Lodge for your pass, current trail conditions, location of the warming huts and help planning your route. Ski and equipment rentals are offered at Gunflint Pines just a few miles west of the cabin. They can also recommend trails accessible directly from their property.