Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
Bringing Back the Gunflint Mail Run
Before the first running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in 1980, there was the Gunflint Mail Run. On Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Stone Harbor and friends plan to revive the race in Grand Marais – one of the only snow-covered spots in the state.
“When the Beargrease race was cancelled due to lack of snow, the mushers here were really disappointed,” said Jack Stone, owner of Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. “So the Cook County Dog Mushers and I started thinking: Why not invite the mushers north? We have snow and the conditions are great. So, we put the word out – and they can’t wait.”
The last time this happened was in 2007, when the Beargrease race was also canceled due to lack of snow. For this year’s version, Stone Harbor teamed up with The Landing at Devil Track, the Trail Center, the Cook County Dog Mushers, and the Cook County Ridge Riders snowmobile club to create the race route. It will include the opportunity to experience winter camping at Devil Track, similar to the Sawbill Winter Camping Village that would have taken place during the Beargrease event.
All of the Gunflint Mail Run events are timed to ensure that spectators and participants are still able to take part in the Beargrease-related events that have not been canceled. “It was important for us to make sure we aren’t taking anything away from that outstanding event, which we look forward to sponsoring every year,” said Stone. “We just want to give the mushers a chance to compete, since that is what they love – and what they have been training for.” According to Stone, almost all 16 of the available race spots were filled by mushers from Cook County within days of announcing the race.
The race will begin at approximately 4 pm on Monday, January 30, with an expected finish before noon on Tuesday, January 31. Mushers will travel from Devil Track up the Gunflint Trail, and then to the Trail Center, where they will have a five-hour layover. After that, they will make their way back down to Devil Track, for a total route of approximately 100 miles.
“Most people think there’s been nearly no snow in Minnesota this year, but there has been plenty of it up here on the Gunflint Trail,” said Sarah Hamilton, owner of the Trail Center. “We really enjoy being the turnaround point for the Beargrease each year, and are excited to hear that our musher friends will still be stopping by mid-race.”
Spectators are welcome to join in the festivities at the Trail Center, or at Devil Track. Winter camping at Devil Track will begin on Sunday evening and continue Monday night, with heated tents and other gear supplied by Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. There will purse and other prizes for racers to win, plus a whole lot of fun for racers and spectators alike. If the weather allows, snow kiting demos, Marquette ski demos, and other winter activities will also be available on site, courtesy of Stone Harbor.
Season’s Greetings from Stone Harbor
Stone Harbor’s staff would like to wish all of our friends the very best for this holiday season. We would also like to thank you for your support over the past 18 months. In the year and a half since we’ve opened, it has been gratifying to see folks come back again and again. We love it not only when you come to purchase items for your next adventure, but also when you just stop in to say hello and tell us about your latest adventure. Again, thank you.
Speaking of adventures – we have lots in store for you this winter. We are dusting off our cross country ski rentals and hope to get them out soon. All we need is a tad more snow. Last weekend, we did have folks through the store who were either coming from skiing on the local trails or heading that way. We heard reports back form the Bearskin trails and also the Banadad Trail, and the stories were encouraging. Yes, we could use more snow – but nevertheless, everyone seemed to have a good time.
Scott and Ben took a couple of scouting trips last week to find the best places to go river skiing with the new Marquette skis. One area did not work out, but on Saturday they seemed to think they found their place. We hope to start those tours as soon as we get a few more inches of snow.
Then there is the ice fishing. The BWCA opens their season for lake trout on New Year’s Eve, with the rest of the area opening on January 14. The season for walleye, northern pike, and several other species is open now, so we’re all geared up. Many lakes are frozen over to a safe level, but be sure to check before going out and be careful until we get a whole lot more cold weather.
As it gets colder, keep in mind that we have all the latest in shelters and electronics. We have Otter and Clam shelters, as well as Vexilar and Marcum locators and cameras. We also have different styles of rods and tip-ups. Stop by and you’ll see everything you need to spend a day or a week on the ice – and if you do intend to spend the week, remember that we have the tents and stoves to keep you toasty warm.
Enjoy the rest of your holidays – we hope they include some new gear from Stone Harbor! Then, come on in to get anything else you might need for your winter adventures. We can’t wait to get out there with you.
Santa and his Sled Dogs
Santa and his Sled Dogs are returning to Stone Harbor again this year, to pose in pictures with our guests! Come visit on Friday, November 25 or Saturday, November 26 from 2-4 pm. On Friday, after his duties at Stone Harbor, Santa will be taking his dogs down to the tree lighting in Harbor Park at 4:30 and joining the parade at 5 pm – so, don’t miss out on that either!
The Snow Is Here! And We’re Ready.
On Tuesday night, we had our first dusting of snow. This weekend, we have more in the forecast and I think winter is finally here. The store looks great – we are ready to launch our winter activities as soon as we get enough of the white stuff on the ground.
But first things first: This weekend, stop in at Midwest Mountaineering and visit Scott and Melissa, who will be at our booth. We are going to have our new Marquette skis there, and you can look at what we are going to use for our backcountry and river skiing trips. Also, pick up info on our upcoming ice fishing trips – more info will be posted here, too.
Other new items in the shop are our Lowepro camera packs. An interesting addition to their line is the new Field Station. This is a waist pack with a small table inside, that will hold your birding book or iPad – great for any of you who are into birding.
We are also awaiting the arrival of new GoPro cameras. These cameras are waterproof down to 180 feet, and can be used as both a still and movie camera. This is the camera that Ann and Natalie used on their Hudson Bay trip.
Our heavier jackets and parkas are here, and this year we will start carrying the RAB line of technical outerwear – this is high quality, tough apparel. We also have our core products from Marmot, Mountain Hardware, I/O Bio (now called IO Merino), Terramar and of course Wintergreen … just to name a few.
For our “old school” customers (like me) we have some nice Stormy Kromer shirts and jackets – and don’t forget Orivis and Ex Officio for those of us that are harder to fit due to longer arms (and, well, larger bodies).
Come on up and visit! We are gearing up for Santa’s arrival next week, on the day after Thanksgiving. He’ll be here with his sled dogs and will be available for pictures with kids both young and old. And who knows, there may even be some special pricing. You’ll have to come in and see!
The Forecast from Stone Harbor: New Tours and New Gear Now!
As you can tell from our last entry, we are gearing up for winter. The canoes and kayaks are back in the warehouse. Our summer clothes have been replaced by winter base layers, wool pants and shirts – and, of course, stylish synthetic and down jackets. Interest in cross country skis has picked up along with our snowshoes and the new Marquette skis. People are starting to stock up on their winter gear, and are now just waiting for the snow!
In addition to the snow, our staff is anxiously awaiting the new tours we’ll have this winter. Besides the cross country and snowshoeing tours we will be taking folks out river and backcountry skiing with the Marquette skis. Snow kiting is still in the mix. You’ve seen the videos – now, isn’t it time to come on up and give it a try?
We will be offering dog sledding again this winter, plus ice fishing tours. In fact, as soon as the season opens again on inland (BWCA) lake trout fishing, we will be taking out a monthly winter camping/ice fishing trip. Stay tuned for pricing and dates on that.
Of course, we’ll be renting the same great gear as last winter: Skis, snowshoes and everything you need for winter camping. We’ve added new tents to our Snowtrekker rentals so we can (hopefully) equip everyone that comes in. But we do still suggest that you reserve your tents and sleeping bags early so you’re not disappointed.
As we mentioned in our last post, we will be at different upcoming events starting with the Winter Camping Symposium this weekend. The Midwest Mountaineering winter show (the weekend before Thanksgiving) is next up after that. If you belong to a group that would like to have us put on a presentation at your next meeting, please contact Jan or Jack at the store and we will set something up for you.
It’s going to be a great winter season. Get your gear today, and be ready when those first flurries fall!
SHWS in the Press: Oct 22 Star Tribune
Stone Harbor had a mention in this October 22 Star Tribune article about Grand Marais. Read here to find out why they called us a “hidden treasure” on the North Shore!
Ready for Christmas?!?
Yes, it’s true – our store is slowly transferring into winter mode. We may not be decorating for the holidays yet, but it seems to be on some of our customers’ minds when they shop. Hats and gloves are showing up on a daily basis, along with skis, snowshoes, Nordic skates and ice fishing gear. We expect to be in full winter mode store-wide sometime next week.
Santa arriving for pictures on the day after Thanksgiving 2010.
This is where Christmas is coming into play: As we wrap up summer, we’ve been selling off some of our previously-enjoyed (aka “gently used”) boats and standup paddleboards, so that we can start fresh next year. If you are looking for an extra-special Christmas gift, let us know. Shop now for the best selection, and we’ll hide your purchase in our warehouse until you’re ready to pick it up. And remember, if you see something special here and want to send it as a gift, we’ll happily accommodate you. For a small shipping charge, we’ll take care of getting it out. You can even get started on your Christmas cards here the day after Thanksgiving, when we’ll once again offer pictures with Santa and his sled dogs.
But it’s so much more than holiday shopping – this winter is going to be bigger and better than ever! We’re gearing up for cross country ski and snowshoeing tours. We’ll have dogsledding available again, along with ice fishing and ice climbing. And watch this space because there may be some new offerings this winter.
You’ll also see our staff at a few venues, including the Winter Camping Symposium October 27-30 in Sturgeon Lake. Scott will be one of the presenters at this event. We’ll also be at the Midwest Mountaineering Winter Expo November 18-20, as well as the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in January 2012. Later in the winter (March 9-11), we’ll see everyone at Canoecopia in Madison.
These are just a couple of events we will be attending. If you go to these events, stop by to say hello – we always enjoy seeing familiar faces. And of course we always love to see you when you stop in our store.
Yes, we’re ready for winter. And that means there’s only one thing left to say:
LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!
A Late Summer Update
Some of our kayaks lined up on the East Bay before a recent tour.
Greetings from Grand Marais, where we are into our busiest time of year! If you haven’t made it up here yet, these are just a few of the things you’ve been missing:
First, we’ve been having kayak and stand up paddle board (SUP) demos in the harbor, with great participation from visitors to Grand Marais. SUP rentals have been increasing as people realize that we have boards in stock. Our kayak tours are full most days, so please call ahead to reserve a spot. The same goes for canoe rentals, especially over weekends.
Right now, we have a tour exploring Isle Royale. Our trekkers caught an early morning ferry to the island on Wednesday, and are spending four days and nights paddling around Isle Royale. We hope to post some pictures of the trip when they return.
Last Tuesday, we heard from Ann and Natalie from Oxford House, Manitoba via sat phone. Their trip is progressing nicely and they expect to finish up as early as a week from now. Take few minutes and read their blog at www.hudsonbaybound.com. Their insights into the state of the Minnesota River and reflections of the people they have met are wonderful.
These two young ladies deserve a lot of credit for their adventurous spirit and skill level, and are a credit to their families, Camp Menogyn and St. Olaf. We hope to see them in Grand Marais soon. Keep watching their web site or right here for information on their welcome home party – we hope to have a small reception here and a big event in the Twin Cities where, among other things, they will auction off their canoe as part of a fund raiser for Camp Menogyn (that is, if they are able to part with the canoe!) Meanwhile, check out their site and if you haven’t done so already, send them a couple of dollars to help defray some of their expenses and contribute to the camp.
It has been a wonderfully beautiful summer in the northland, and many visitors are recounting some great canoe trips to us. It’s a great time to get that last canoe trip in (and to explore the local hiking trails and BWCA with a few less bugs) so make plans to come and see us soon!
Limited Time Offer *only while flooding lasts* Ferry Rides to the Store!
No worries about flooding here - staff members like Ben Peters (pictured here) would be happy to escort you to the store by canoe or kayak!
While most people are sweltering in the late July heat, we’re staying comfortably cool here at Stone Harbor – thanks to the big air conditioner (aka Lake Superior) out back. We’re having fun with the recent downpours as you can see from the picture, kayaking in the parking lot. If you’re in town when the parking lot is flooded, have no fear! We can pick you up at the curb with one of our boats, or direct you to the secret passageway into the back door of the store. The great news is, we built the store high enough that we do not take in any water. It might cover the first 2½ steps of the entrance, but everything inside stays high and dry.
This is the busiest time of the year for us, and folks have been coming from all over the world to see us and participate in our tours and events. Almost every day, weather permitting, we have at least one kayak tour on the big lake. Scott has been very busy keeping up with countless fly fishing tours. Canoes are going out all the time for day trips and BWCA trips, and stand up paddling is starting to catch on.
This is such a great time of year to visit Grand Marais. Next weekend is the annual North Shore Dragon Boat Festival, which we are sponsoring again this year. The weekend after that is the annual Fishermen’s Picnic. The Grand Marais Playhouse is having performances of Forever Patsy Cline and Shout, and our restaurants are going full force with menus you cannot find anywhere. Don’t miss the great pies at the Pie Place, and of course the great doughnuts at the World’s Best Donuts shop.
And, of course, you can’t miss the ferry rides to the store in our parking lot – only available while the water lasts. We’ll be waiting for you.
Great State Park Hikes Near Grand Marais
The High Falls at Grand Portage State Park
The guests we get at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply are an adventurous bunch, and often ask about local hikes, events and restaurants. Our staff is always excited to offer ideas, so be sure to ask when you’re in town. If you’re ready to hike, however, here are a few great state parks to start with:
At the west end of Cook County is the Temperance River State Park, where you can take a short hike down to the lake and look at the beautiful palisades as the rive enters Lake Superior. Or you can go away from the lake and hike up the rocks towards the Superior Hiking trail where you can look down into the chasms and small canyons as the river moves along.
Closer to Grand Marais is the Cascade River State Park. As you hike up the trail you can get great pictures of the Cascade River as it … well, cascades …. towards the lake. You can also make a longer day of it by hiking up the trail to Lookout Mountain. And as you get back to your car you are a stone’s throw from the Cascade Lodge, where you can get snack or stop at their new Irish pub.
About 15 miles east of Grand Marais is Judge Magney State Park. Here you can take an hour’s hike back to the Devil’s Kettle. This is where the Brule River splits off – part of it goes into the ground, never to be seen again. They have tried to put dye in the water along with ping pong balls and other tracing materials, but no one has ever seen it come out, neither down below nor out into Lake Superior. You can turn your hike into a daytrip by continuing north along the Brule, which is a very quiet, relaxing hike. And when you are finished, simply cross the road to visit Naniboujou Lodge for lunch, dinner or high tea. This amazing place is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
If you keep heading up Highway 61 to the Canadian Border you’ll come to Grand Portage State Park. Here you can take a short hike up to the High Falls on the Pigeon River. It is a stroller/wheelchair-friendly asphalt trail until the very end, which has a wooden staircase to a lookout over the river. If you are looking to get off the paved trail, try turning at the bathroom about half-way up the trail, where you see a sign for the hike to the Middle Falls. This hike is much more secluded and will take you to one of my favorite spots – very quiet, very beautiful. When you finish your hike, go into Grand Portage and check out the interpretive center at the National Monument. It will give you a great history of the area from the days of the Voyageurs. If you still have some energy after that, you can even visit the casino for a bite to eat or to try your hand at one of the poker machines.
There are even more hikes within a very short distance of Grand Marais, which I’ll try to share with you in the future – these state parks only scratch the surface when it comes to great hikes in the area. And restaurants? We may be a “small town” – but we have some of the finest restaurants you can find anywhere, reaching from one end of the Cook County to the other. Stop in and we’ll tell you all about them.
