The snow is slowly accumulating up the Trail with every little dusting we receive. There were a few snowmobiles out this week, but I would imagine the riding was miserable at best. I did see some tracks on Little Iron Lake that looked awfully slushy. Eventually there will be a nice hard-packed trail across the mid-Trail lakes, but so far there has not been much snowmobile traffic up here.
A few weeks ago I mentioned how happy I was that the outside work was over for the season, I was wrong. Two different cabins have had problems with the “Canadian Cal Rod” heating systems for their waterlines. Cal Rod used to be the most popular heat-line available for winter water systems, but now there are a few energy efficient versions available. Cal Rod heats the entire waterline when the thermostat calls for heat using a lot of energy. The newer systems available only heat the waterline where it is needed. Of course these systems are costly, but the savings are huge. Why does saving money have to be so expensive?
Waterlines are not too bad to install—in the summer. During the hard water months of winter, it is a different beast entirely. The old line must be removed by chain sawing a trench through the ice and pulling everything up onto the lake surface. I am sure you can appreciate the challenge.
The saw will shoot a 10-foot rooster tail directly behind it, so you have to hold the saw off to your side while cutting through the ice. The dripping wet chainsaw will freeze up as soon as it is shut off. Either keep sawing until it is finished, or have a propane torch handy to thaw out the bar. We never get the easy jobs.
Heat-line is a Canadian company and sells a few different types of lines. Their most expensive version has heat tape molded onto the exterior of the water-line and is built in 10-foot increments. They also sell a retrofit line that can be snaked through an existing system, just like the old Cal Rod. The retrofits are cheaper, but not as good. If you have ever seen an old system cut open you will know why. It is gross. A nicotine-colored jelly forms around the heat line and all of your household water is running through that mess of slime and hard water corrosion. It stains your hands and smells like a swamp.
Water lines have been a hot topic lately since the temperatures have been dipping into the negative digits overnight. Frozen lines can mean big trouble, especially for the resorts and restaurants. We spent a year without running water at our house and it was tough this time of the year.
The “good water” lakes are not frozen enough to drive the truck on, and all of the campground wells have been locked up for the winter. Living and working up the Trail is always an adventure. Reinventing the wheel is standard practice and the Trail people who are fortunate enough to have indoor plumbing cross their fingers every morning. I would not trade Trail life for anything right now, but it is far from easy.
As long as the rewards continue to outweigh the tribulations, my family and I are grateful to call this our home.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218-388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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