Would you rather take a trip up the Gunflint trail or the Echo Trail? Why?
HBN

Either-both have great areas and don't forget Fernberg or sawbill either.

I actually go in off Echo trail most often mainly because my father-in-law lives in Embarrass and I stay at his place the night before.

If I did not have that luxury, I would go in off any of the entry roads Gunflint, Sawbill, Fernberg Road or Echo trail. All ares are wonderful, all areas have great lakes and good fishing. I would rotate through the different entries and spend time in each.

My general feeling is: Echo trail routes have portages that are less strenuous elevation wise. Some are longer but most are flatter. Lakes are generally shallower so good SMB and walleye fishing.

Gunflint has deeper lakes so more chances for Trout and more elevation change.

More blowdown off Fernberg Road, Sawbill and Gunflint entries.

Remember these are general points and there are trout lakes off of Echo trail and there are shallower lakes off Gunflint. You can reach blowdown from all areas so even that is not a for sure.

What type of trip specifically are you looking for. That might help even pin point an entry.

Solitude, great fishing, few portages? Give us an indication of the trip you want and we can help.

Well actually it's not for a trip. I had actually gone to school up in Ely so I had done quite a bit of camping off the Echo Trail. Also, I had worked for Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters off the Gunflint Trail and I will be again this summer. From my observations I thought that the Echo trail saw alot more traffic than did the Gunflint Trail. Maybe it had to do with the areas that were affected by the blow down. I don't really know. Also, it seemed to me that the fishing off of the Gunflint trail was better as well. Ely gets fishing quite a bit of fishing pressure from not only people who take trips but also from the locals. The portages off the Gunflint Trail seem to have quite a bit more wet spots then do the portages off the Echo Trail. I was just curious as to what other people had observed on their trips.
Thanks for the reply,
HBN

I'll take the Gunflint Trail any time over the Echo. The Gunflint offers more seclusion and it has, for me, a more wilderness feeling. I seem to see more wildlife in the gunflint area and fewer people. It also has areas that you can get away from the crowd. It's harder work, but in the long run it is worth it.