North Woods Explorer
Want more dogsledding and a fabulous wilderness experience? This is the trip. Embark on a dog sled camping journey designed to explore and inspire. Learn to drive your own team of 4-6 dogs (premier style) through the spectacular scenery of northern Minnesota and the world famous Boundary Waters wilderness. Gain winter camping experience under the guidance of seasoned winter guides. Spend more time with the dogs and enjoy their animated personalities both on the runners and in camp. This trip is ideal for avid wilderness enthusiasts, as well as novices interested in winter camping and travel by dogteam.
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4 days dog sledding (2 nights in a lodge, and 3 nights camping)
Premiere style - you drive your own sled for the entire trip
Explore the pristine Boundary Waters wilderness area by dog team
Learn winter camping and wilderness travel skills
Physically active and adventurous trip
Intermediate level trip - narrower trails, winter camping, remote 80+ mile route
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Our route crosses the heart of the Boundary Waters, following frozen waterways punctuated by lively portage trails connecting pristine lake chains. Soak in the vast island studded landscape of Insula Lake. Glide past rugged granite shorelines and weave through stunted spruce bogs of the boreal lowlands. Sleep under a blanket of stars like you haven't imagined in years. Our route insures variety every day, with a mix of untracked open lake country, rugged narrow wilderness trails as well as fast travel on packed trails as we near the kennel on the homestretch.
After an evening introduction to mushing and staying warm, spend your first night at a comfortable lodge. Learn fundamental sled driving skills the next morning before you head out on a four-day, three night trip. We will travel across pristine lakes and forest trails. The tracks you see will be your own, or those of the native inhabitants - timber wolves, fox, moose and snowshoe hare. Summer fans of the BWCAW are often amazed when visiting in the snowy season - to see favorite places blanketed in the scenery and solace of winter. It would be rare to see more than one other party traveling along our remote route.
An adventurous spirit and willingness to work hard are essential. Our route will adapt to the ever changing winter conditions, including fresh snowfall, slush or fallen trees. We will explore deep into the wilderness by dog team, stopping to make camp each evening in protected bays. Savor dinner (including butternut squash ravioli with pesto, italian sausage and garlic bread) around a toasty crackling campfire. Enjoy the star-studded night sky with perhaps a sighting of the aurora borealis. Retire to winter sleeping bags and expedition tents for a comfortable night's sleep.
All totaled, we will likely cover 80-100 miles on this journey on a route that finishes at the kennel. The final night of the trip is back at the lodge. Trip concludes with breakfast the following morning.
Our guides see to it that you learn not only to mush, but also learn to winter camp comfortably. All winter camping equipment is provided. Parka, wind pants, and winter boots are available for rent.
Join one of the scheduled trips listed below, or gather a group of 3 or more together and we can customize this trip for your group, with either premier or traditional style sledding.
North Woods Explorer Booking Information
Five Nights and Four Days: |
2011 Dates: |
$1,595/person double occupancy
$1,695/person single occupancy |
Jan 17-22 | Feb 5-10 | Feb 20-25*
Mar 12-17
*This trip will be a "slower" version and spend one night in the yurt for those who wan to take it easier. |
Trip Itinerary
Day 1:
Group welcome dinner and trip orientation
Following breakfast, arrive at the kennel (or pre-determined trailhead) and meet your traveling companions- our affectionate Alaskan huskies. We'll teach you the essentials of driving a sled, harnessing dogs, load the sleds and then be off on our trip. Novices and veterans alike will gain confidence throughout the day. We'll camp in the late afternoon, taking time to teach skills to insure a warm cozy camp. Dinner served around a toasty fire.
Breakfast, break camp, build more skills mushing today as we travel via lake and portage country. We'll make fresh tracks to a remote lake and set up camp. Look for fresh wolf tracks - a common sighting in winter, or listen for the haunting howl of a lone wolf echo cross the moonlit lake. Wait, the dogs will answer in unison. Who knew, dogs can harmonize?
Travel day. You'll have the routine now, and be able to concentrate on the nuances of driving your team. The route continues to offer up new challenges. Today may include threading a narrow bridge over a rushing river, or belaying sleds down a steep rocky hillside as we make our way through the boreal northwoods to our final lakeshore camp.
Day 5:
Break camp after a hearty breakfast of wild rice porridge and homemade banana bread. We'll make our push back to the kennel today, hitting our favorite local trails en route. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Breakfast and depart.
Maximum group size: 4-5 guests with 1-2 guides.
Minimum age 16.
Other North Woods Exploration Trips
To make your next adventure come true call today!
1-800-701-6238 or e-mail us.
