Border Route Trail

From BWCAWiki

The Border Route Trail is a 65-mile long hiking trail that crosses the eastern Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the far northeast corner of Minnesota.

Although the trail is of official designation and has the devoted Border Route Trail Association working for it's future, many sections lie stagnant and under-maintained. One can easily lose sight of the trail in either the underbrush or by wandering onto a game trail. Compass skills paired with a good set of maps are highly recommended. One may even consider bringing along a GPS to ease navigation and assure position.

1 Route
2 Access
3 History
4 Additional Information

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Route

The trail 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.

Lakes on the trail include Loon Lake, South Lake, Rose Lake, Clearwater Lake, and Gogebic Lake.

The National Park Service is currently pursuing a re-route of the North Country Trail through northern Minnesota which will include the Border Route and Kekekabic trails.

If considering a longer trip than just the BRT a combination hike/canoe trip could be planned by coordinating hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail, Border Route Trail and Kekekabic Trail as well canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Use of an outfitter to help the logistics of resupply and transport of gear and food while on trail ease some of the strain of planning and allow for more of a continuous wilderness experience for participants.

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Access

In addition to the eastern and western termini, the Border Route Trail can be accessed through several spur and connecting trails, allowing for hiking trips ranging from short day-hikes to multiday backpacking expeditions.

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History

The trail was planned and built in the early 1970's by the Minnesota Rovers Outing Club with the help of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the United States Forest Service. It was the first long-distance, wilderness backpacking and hiking trail in Minnesota planned and constructed by volunteers.

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