Originally Posted by
indyfabz
Mine just arrived a few hours ago. They contain the usual info. for ACA maps, which is a lot. There appears to be a lot of places to camp, which is nice. I did the entire Northern Tier unsupported with them back in '99. While one MN option still goes to Lake Itasca, the routes through the state are very different now. I think this was done in part to incorporate the trails, which I don't think were as developed back in '99.
The one thing that concerns me are the skeeters. We hit MN around July 7th. They were pretty bad in some places. I am thinking maybe mid-June might be a better time to do this loop.
I'm sure you'll probably bring along some type of DEET. Here is some great information I will give you for free!
Follow these instructions:
1. Bring a headnet.
2. Read #1 again.
https://www.rei.com/product/780999/s...ummit-head-net
I did the Paul Bunyan late July. Mosquitos were pretty bad everywhere. Cool mornings weren't too bad while packing up but in the evening it was bad in most places. I spent a night at the north end of the Paul Bunyan at Lake Bemidji State Park and had no mosquito problems. Depends on where you are. If I didn't have the headnet, I would have been in a bad mood. It saved the day, I can't stand the bug dope sprayed over the sunscreen. I feel like a chemist. I use it anyway.
On the trail the back of my hand kept on getting attacked by some type of fly, that looked like a common housefly. They may have liked my gloves which are black with hiviz yellow. I had to spray my cycling gloves. I've never been attacked like that in my life. Must be a special MN fly. They attacked while I was riding and the bite hurt!