Kekekabic Trail November 6-9, 2008

After two hikers got lost on the Kek in October, I decided to hike it and see what the trail was like. Forecast was for rain changing to snow and 20 deg temps. I knew this could turn into ...

2008-11-13T08:33:26Z

BWAC
After two hikers got lost on the Kek in October, I decided to hike it and see what the trail was like. Forecast was for rain changing to snow and 20 deg temps. I knew this could turn into ...

Nice sign at the intersection about half a mile from the trail head. Waste high grass was every where and wet, so I put on my rain pants on early in the trip.

2008-11-12T21:36:42Z

BWAC
Nice sign at the intersection about half a mile from the trail head. Waste high grass was every where and wet, so I put on my rain pants on early in the trip.

Yellow grass contrasts with the carnage.

2008-11-13T08:34:24Z

BWAC
Yellow grass contrasts with the carnage.

History stop at Paulson mine. It amazes me how they hauled gear for mining all the way out here.

2008-11-12T20:56:24Z

BWAC
History stop at Paulson mine. It amazes me how they hauled gear for mining all the way out here.

Man made cut in the rock for the mining wagons.

2008-11-12T20:56:56Z

BWAC
Man made cut in the rock for the mining wagons.

One of many puddles dotting the Kek on the way. Expect to get your boots to get soaked in spring and rainy fall.

2008-11-12T20:57:44Z

BWAC
One of many puddles dotting the Kek on the way. Expect to get your boots to get soaked in spring and rainy fall.

One of giant boulders dotting the charred landscape.

2008-11-12T20:58:17Z

BWAC
One of giant boulders dotting the charred landscape.

Mozaic.

2008-11-12T20:58:40Z

BWAC
Mozaic.

Note the charred post. Sign has probably been replaced. No more signs for next 36 miles. McKenzie Maps provided me with indispensable set of maps for the trip. (http://www.bwcamaps.com/

2008-11-12T21:33:05Z

BWAC
Note the charred post. Sign has probably been replaced. No more signs for next 36 miles. McKenzie Maps provided me with indispensable set of maps for the trip. (http://www.bwcamaps.com/

More carnage. The Kek can be divided into three parts: Burn area, Blowdown, and the forest like it used to be (from east to west).

2008-11-12T21:37:42Z

BWAC
More carnage. The Kek can be divided into three parts: Burn area, Blowdown, and the forest like it used to be (from east to west).

Campsite at Bingshick. There is space for2-3 tents here.

2008-11-12T21:00:08Z

BWAC
Campsite at Bingshick. There is space for2-3 tents here.

Some many treefalls. Volunteers needed here! This is where I lost the trail for the first of several times. It was better to go cross country than to attempt to locate the trail in the t ...

2008-11-12T21:01:51Z

BWAC
Some many treefalls. Volunteers needed here! This is where I lost the trail for the first of several times. It was better to go cross country than to attempt to locate the trail in the t ...

View from north shore of Bingshick Lake.

2008-11-12T21:02:27Z

BWAC
View from north shore of Bingshick Lake.

A bit of color amidst black and brown.

2008-11-12T21:03:15Z

BWAC
A bit of color amidst black and brown.

Surreal scenery in the burn area. It is different, but I learned to appreciate it's own beauty.

2008-11-13T08:36:21Z

BWAC
Surreal scenery in the burn area. It is different, but I learned to appreciate it's own beauty.

This is Kekekabic by War Club Lake. Note how heavily overgrown the trail is. In summer, foliage obscures view.

2008-11-13T08:02:15Z

BWAC
This is Kekekabic by War Club Lake. Note how heavily overgrown the trail is. In summer, foliage obscures view.

The trail evaded me often as it had many hikers. Progress slow and uncertain. I was unsure whether I could complete the 42 mile trek in four days.

2008-11-13T08:03:20Z

BWAC
The trail evaded me often as it had many hikers. Progress slow and uncertain. I was unsure whether I could complete the 42 mile trek in four days.

Rock cairn marks the trail. Looking for cut logs or tamped down grass were other ways of spotting the path.

2008-11-13T08:04:12Z

BWAC
Rock cairn marks the trail. Looking for cut logs or tamped down grass were other ways of spotting the path.

Trail here is plainly visible, but 3-4 inches of snow could changed that.

2008-11-12T21:07:22Z

BWAC
Trail here is plainly visible, but 3-4 inches of snow could changed that.

I stopped at dusk and set up my brand new Cooke Custom Sewing 10 x10 foot tarp (http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/). Unlike tents, tarps don't have condensation problems and it is safe to s ...

2008-11-12T21:31:19Z

BWAC
I stopped at dusk and set up my brand new Cooke Custom Sewing 10 x10 foot tarp (http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/). Unlike tents, tarps don't have condensation problems and it is safe to s ...

First morning on the trail. Yesterday I saw a bull moose here.

2008-11-12T21:09:47Z

BWAC
First morning on the trail. Yesterday I saw a bull moose here.

Bridge at Mueller-Agamok. Built in 1991 (?) it is solid, but handrails will need to be replaced in 1-3 years.

2008-11-12T21:12:10Z

BWAC
Bridge at Mueller-Agamok. Built in 1991 (?) it is solid, but handrails will need to be replaced in 1-3 years.

Looking south from the bridge. There are two campsites nearby. Forest here has been untouched by the fire and provides welcome sight.

2008-11-12T21:13:18Z

BWAC
Looking south from the bridge. There are two campsites nearby. Forest here has been untouched by the fire and provides welcome sight.

View from Twin Peaks at Travois Lake.

2008-11-12T21:13:40Z

BWAC
View from Twin Peaks at Travois Lake.

Sign of times gone by. When one of the two skiers died of hypothermia while sking the Kek in 1972 (?), the Kawishiwi District Ranger ordered marking the entire trail with blue diamonds. Few ...

2008-11-13T08:05:34Z

BWAC
Sign of times gone by. When one of the two skiers died of hypothermia while sking the Kek in 1972 (?), the Kawishiwi District Ranger ordered marking the entire trail with blue diamonds. Few ...

This pine tree has to be 300 years old. I took a photo of hikers here in 1991 when writing the Guide to the Kek.

2008-11-12T21:16:36Z

BWAC
This pine tree has to be 300 years old. I took a photo of hikers here in 1991 when writing the Guide to the Kek.

Thomas portage campsite. The toilet here is still wood (but rotting)! Last two days it rained. This morning my wet gortex jacket is frozen.

2008-11-12T21:18:46Z

BWAC
Thomas portage campsite. The toilet here is still wood (but rotting)! Last two days it rained. This morning my wet gortex jacket is frozen.

Big is better. Dan Cooke's tarp provided me with comfortable shelter from the elements.

2008-11-12T21:20:07Z

BWAC
Big is better. Dan Cooke's tarp provided me with comfortable shelter from the elements.

Drumstick Lake campsite is well marked with this saw from logging days. Poor access to water.

2008-11-13T08:06:23Z

BWAC
Drumstick Lake campsite is well marked with this saw from logging days. Poor access to water.

It does not get any better than this. I enjoyed the scenery.

2008-11-12T21:21:48Z

BWAC
It does not get any better than this. I enjoyed the scenery.

Wetlands have magic of their own.

2008-11-12T21:22:09Z

BWAC
Wetlands have magic of their own.

Fungus, moss and lichen thrive in moist, humid and cool fall.

2008-11-12T21:22:59Z

BWAC
Fungus, moss and lichen thrive in moist, humid and cool fall.

I have done it! After dinner and night at Smitty's on Snowbank resort, Dennis drove me back to my car at Gunflint. I completed the 41.3 mile trail in three days and in marginal weather.

2008-11-13T08:07:02Z

BWAC
I have done it! After dinner and night at Smitty's on Snowbank resort, Dennis drove me back to my car at Gunflint. I completed the 41.3 mile trail in three days and in marginal weather.

Trip back to civilization. Drying out money for Burger King in Duluth. Despite of gortex everything got wet, including my wallet. It was a great adventure and I am itching to return. Wan ...

2008-11-12T21:27:45Z

BWAC
Trip back to civilization. Drying out money for Burger King in Duluth. Despite of gortex everything got wet, including my wallet. It was a great adventure and I am itching to return. Wan ...