I just went up the hill to scope out the ice action on Gunflint and the ice is gone. While there may still be a chunk floating at the far east end of the lake – there’s none anywere I can see!

Bears are out of hibernation, grass is actually starting to green up. First boat is headed out on the lake now, guests are hiking and had the first campfire by the waterfront last night – Wow!

No we’re not moving, but the ice on Gunflint is. It rained much of this morning and the ice began pulling away from shore. There appears to be much open water on our westerly side of the lake, but there may be water on top of some of it. Tomorrow’s sun should keep melting it away. It’s only a matter of days now, before we’re fishing in boats!!!

Short & sweet – The ice on Gunflint is no longer safe. Wow was that a record meltdown. I walked the campground this morning, there’s not a enough snow to make a snowball left anywhere.

Just think this past Saturday I was raking, and the Saturday prior was the Mush for a Cure!! This is the kind of melt down I love, I just wish it had waited another week or two. I know we still have fishermen who were hoping to ice fish the end of Trout season. Who knows though if the weather keeps up maybe the ice will be off and they can bring boats??

Well the 2012 Mush for a Cure Event has come and gone. Pink was worn by dogs and people alike. The pancake breakfast here at the pines raised some nice funds and were served with the option of Pumpkin Syrup provided by Trail Center, and served by a team of Pinked out cooks including Bob Sr. (I have never seen so many ol’guys decked out in pink.

But many of you are probably reading this hoping for some information on the snow/ice conditions – so here’s the other Mush report just for you. While we had a fresh 1.5 inches on Wednesday the 7th, and groomed the ski trails on the 8th, and had great snowmobiling and skiing up until Friday – things began to change on Saturday. We have had some really warm and sunny days,and Monday we had some rain. As of Saturday Monrning we had an average of 22 inches of ice on Gunflint and all trucks/cars and activities for the begining of Mush for a Cure did take place on the lake out front. The afternoon activities centered around the end of the race at Trail Center on Poplar. While the ice was sufficient there as well, we decided to keep most cars/trucks off the lake as the direct sunlight and weight of so many vehicles would likely produce a very wet ice surface.
As of now most of the snow has melted off of Gunflint lake. Conditions are wet and we are suggesting ATV travel rather than snowmobiles if you are planning to ice fish. We will try to post conditions again after this weekend – more warm weather is in the forcast. On another note – bring a Lawn chaise – you may be alble to get a tan while you ice fish!