I was wondering if anyone could give me any information about if the The Grade and Forest Route 32 to Brule are plowed during the winter?

If the Grade you are looking at is the forest road that goes buy the trailhead to Eagle Mountain. Yes, that one gets plowed. I've hiked it in the winter and they plow that road as well as the parking lot for the Eagle Mountain trailhead. Rt 32 sorry, I can't help on that one.

I went winter camping in that area last year. The last road leading into Brule, its called Brule Lake road on yahoo maps and begins around Cascade Lake, was not plowed. A couple of people had attempted to drive on it, but didn't make it more than a couple hundred feet. I'd plan on parking right off the turnoff and hiking the rest of the way. If I remember correctly it's about five miles from where you can park to Brule. Hope this helps.

Forest service roads typically if plowed, are plowed by a Logger who is working a sale and needs the road to be open.

I have seen the road open and covered by deep snow.

One new year day someone walked out and Paid a local to run a plow down the road to his conversion van that was snowed in at the Eagle Mt turnout. The road was plowed when he went in. It snowed heavily while he was camped at Whale lake. The logger was not working the sale when he wanted to leave. Hate to see what he had to pay the plow driver.

The trail to whale is a good ski. Up Eagle Mt. is a huff or two. We skied the trail to Brule and continued to the Gunflint Trail a couple of times in the early 80's. Old logging camp ruins on the other side of Eagle Mt.

Dan Cooke

excellent, thanks for the info!

breagen, a little more info. I travel this area quite abit and its generally passable in winter (More so if you have 4 wheel). The road to brule seems to more of a ski trail in winter(not plowed)in heavier snow periods. Also I usually drive from Tofte and around Crescent lake the road has not been plowed.

The forest service responded that the Grade is plowed. If this is the case, what would be the best way to get there...Sawbill trail, Caribou trail? Any info you can give me would be appreciated.