One Last Winter Run to the North Shore

It's hard to believe that it's been three years since we first visited the North Shore and Gunflint Trail . . . even harder to believe that we've become such Minnesotans that we are growing wistful at the end of Winter (after all, it is only six months long). Last week after we had a proper snow shower in the city, we decided on impulse to head up to the Great North Woods and see if we could get in some backcountry skiing.

On the advice of friends, we tried the Bearskin Lodge, and were not disappointed.
But first, we had to get acquainted with these new surrounds. Kristen appears a little unclear how to react to the attentions of Mr. Moosehead . . .
. . . but did know exactly how to handle Ruby, a Newfie pup who is trying to learn how to be a proper Lodge hound.

Our cabin had a wonderful stone fireplace, birds galore at the window feeder and backed up right onto the trailhead. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, the thing about spring skiing is that the freeze-thaw cycles can make for icy conditions, and downhills that feel a bit like an out-of-control luge. It can also be very hard on your equipment (not to mention your tailbone), as evidenced by my bent poles and peeled off no-wax base, above. Perhaps a subtle hint from the ski gods that my season is over!
Luckily, there's still a good meter of ice covering the lakes, which means both ice fishing and shortcuts to good grub are still options.
As we came down out of the mountains to head back home, we snapped a shot of the Grand Marais harbor, a lovely place in any season.

Still plenty of snow . . .

. . . at Tamarack Nature Center, one of our favorite cross-country skiing spots this Winter.

Update: one week later, 3/13, at Baker Reserve proved to be one of the best ski days of the year, and the last. Wistful, yes, but not at all sad because this was an awesome season and we should be on the bikes again by next weekend.