Bryce Breon or Brice Breon Trail?
Today I revisited the Bryce Breon Hiking Trail on the Gunflint Trail. Or is it the Brice Breon Trail? I’ve always thought it was Bryce Breon but I found a sign today that said, Brice. I have never been successful in finding the actual names of the people who the hiking trail was named for but I believe they were members of the Minnesota Rovers who worked with the US Forest Service in the 1970’s to create the Border Route Trail. I’m fairly certain it’s the Bryce Breon Trail which isn’t a very popular hiking trail on the Gunflint Trail but that is fine with me. It’s a hiking trail I love to hike since not many people choose to traverse this trail.
Hiking Trail sign on the Gunflint Trail 
View from the top of high cliffs 
Gunflint Trail pine trees 
Shoreline of Loon Lake off of the Gunflint Trail 
Loon Lake on the Gunflint Trail
I like to access the Bryce Breon Trail from the Loon Lake boat landing. A short half mile hike takes you up the ski trail to the high cliffs that overlook Canada, Gunflint Lake and Magnetic Lake- an entry point into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The view has changed over the years with the Blowdown of 1999 and the Ham Lake Fire of 2007 but it is still spectacular. It’s pretty much the same trail as it was in 2007 when I wrote an earlier blog as an owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters about the Bryce Breon Trail.
The views from the High Cliffs are spectacular and as you hike along the South Rim Trail the views continue to impress. Canada can be seen on the northern shore of Gunflint Lake and closer to the rim are views of Lonely Lake. The trail is a mix of cedars, pines, maple, birch and more as the trail heads east until the South Rim Trail intersects with the Bryce Breon Trail after about 2 miles.
The Bryce Breon Hiking Trail descends for a short distance to Loon Lake. During this short trek the cedar forest dominates as moss covered ground invokes a fairly like atmosphere. A picturesque descent captivates one’s imagination and it’s impossible to not conjure an image of trolls and more.
Once the descent has ended the trail continues along the shoreline of Loon Lake. The beavers have cleared some nice paths to the lake itself where both sandy and rocky shorelines beckon one to take a dip into the wilderness lake.
Rocky shoreline on Loon Lake 
Take a swim from a sandy beach on Loon Lake off of the Gunflint Trail
A beautiful campsite awaits along the shoreline of Loon Lake. While the fire grate beckons to be repaired the woods and waters are as wonderful as ever. The opportunity to camp on this amazing shoreline should not be overlooked but usually is. It’s just a quick hike, less than a half of a mile from the Loon Lake boat landing. There’s a nice spot for a tent as well as access to a latrine providing everything a wilderness campsite should.
Hiking campsite on the Bryce Breon Trail on the Gunflint Trail
The entire Bryce Breon Trail hiking loop off of the Gunflint Trail is just over 5 miles in length. Pines and cedar trees as well as scenic vistas of Gunflint Lake, sightings of grouse, signs of moose and bear inspire a hiking enthusiast to hike this trail again and again. If you’re looking to hike on the Gunflint Trail and a day trip isn’t enough then reach out to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters for a place to stay so you can spend numerous nights and days exploring all of the incredible hiking opportunities on the Gunflint Trail.