PRINT: Climbing in MN/Canada Border Areas, MN/Canada Border Areas

MN/Canada Border Areas

Minnesota

Description

You may know of Crane Lake as the gateway to Voyageurs National Park, the BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park, but it is also the gateway to some great single pitch climbing, all on good granite. Some of it is covered with lichen, but there is quite a bit that is very clean. There is bouldering, sport climbing, top roping and trad routes. There is still plenty of undeveloped potential available.

Much of the climbing here is accessed by water, so a boat or a canoe is a good thing to have.

Much of the established climbing is actually in Canada and is accessed by first clearing Canadian customs at the port of entry on Sandpoint Lake, which is the next lake north of Crane Lake. You can get to the climbing areas on the Canadian side of the border without clearing customs. To do that you have to first obtain a Remote Area Boarder Crossing Permit (RABC). With an RABC permit you can travel within 5 miles of the border without clearing customs. See the following web site to obtain an RABC permit. They take about 2 months to get. (See the link below for updates on the RABC program due to COVID-19.) cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpas…

here is a link to a climbing film taking about the area and building some of the routes youtu.be/hvQzhLR84rE

Getting There

To get to Crane Lake from Minneapolis/St Paul, take I-35 to Cloquet. At Cloquet take SR-33 to US -53. US -53 goes all the way to International falls. After passing through Virgina Minnesota you will eventually get to the town of Orr. At Orr turn east on CR - 23 to Crane lake. Its at the end of the road in about 28 miles.

See the beta picture for a satellite view of the crane lake area and all the climbing areas.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

the Blue Boy Shorts Beta<br>
<br>
photo by: Sean Foster

the Blue Boy Shorts Beta photo by: Sean Foster

Bob on Electric Stegesaurus, 5.11d, Swamp Wall.

View from atop Mooselandia wall. Swamp Wall swamp can be seen in the lower left. <br>
<br>
Photo by Bobby Omann

View from atop Mooselandia wall. Swamp Wall swamp can be seen in the lower left. Photo by Bobby Omann

If you're a lucky one, you'll get to stay with Jeff Engel at his parents' guest cabin and perhaps enjoy this sauna house. yummmmmm

Camping at Secret Lake

Hike into Secret Lake/Jeff's World.

The boat landing for Secret Lake/Jeff's World on Crane Lake.

David Lake campsite. It's not bad.

Stan on Lakota Son Rise, 5.13a, Secret Lake.

One of MANY boulders up and around Jeff's World. SO MUCH POTENTIAL

Zay on Qisma, 5.10c, Secret Lake

Kurt Hager on Lakota Son Rise, 5.13a, Secret Lake.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Paul Getzke
Bloomington, mn

I am very excited about the future of bouldering around the Buyck/Crane Lake area. The entire area is the remains of an ancient mountain range and granite outcrops all over the place. Big boulders are not exactly plentiful, but they are out there to find in the thick northern woods. The region has to be one of the most remote-feeling area in Minnesota and that makes for good adventure bouldering. Car camping is 5 star at Lake Jeanette and also good at Echo Lake. There is very little useful information to be found on the web, but if you keep looking you will find some videos and blogs describing a few of the boulders, but they never say where they really are. I have found quite a few at this point, but will respect "the mystery" until someone decides to post them on this site. I highly recommend this area if you like bouldering and camping in Boundary Waters-like beauty, but also like having the creature comforts of car camping. Mar 18, 2011

Sean Foster

A taste of what you are in for if you travel to Crane Lake and beyond.

vimeo.com/157768423 Sep 7, 2016

KurtH

Anderson's offers shuttles priced at about $150 for a boat of that holds up to 12 people and 6 canoes to get to the Clearwater Bay of Sandpoint Lake (where the trailhead to Secret Lake begins). This price is one way, so for a trip with 6 people each person would contribute $50 round trip. A good option if you are short on time, otherwise the canoe can take anywhere form 2.5 - 5 hours depending on wind (or longer if it's REALLY windy). Jun 12, 2017

Todd Struckman
Duluth

Riffing off Jeff's description far above and KurtH's comment immediately above: Unless you have a local connection, the logistics of getting to the Jeff's World complex are daunting. Which is part of what makes the trip awesome. We visited recently and had a great time. Our success was aided significantly by water taxi service and approach beta from Emily S who works out of Crane Lake. Her website is mnvoyageurs dot com. Hope I am not stepping on toes by posting that recommendation here, but she gave us a monster head start. May 30, 2019

KurtH

After doing many trips here now, there are a few quick items that could be helpful for an enjoyable experience. Others you may just have to figure out on your own.

1. Bring lots of chalk as few people come back here and routes may be bare if they haven't been climbed in a while.
2. Similarly, a crucial piece of gear is a wire brush. Give back and put a little time into cleaning and maintaining the routes!
3. In case of an emergency, most cell service providers can get excellent coverage at the top of Jeffs World proper. Some may get service at the swamp wall.
4. Spring season is fleeting, lasting only about 3 weeks after ice out before the flies and mosquitos arrive in force.
5. Sandpoint lodge, located about 2 miles from Jeffs World, sells stove and boat gas, plus ice, snacks, and even ice cream in case you need a resupply and don't want to go back to America. Jun 3, 2019

Weston Newby
Joshua Tree, CA

As someone who is permanently banned from Canada, any beta on getting here without dealing with canadian border patrol? My family has a cabin nearby and I'd love to come check this place out next time I'm in the area, but I learned the hard way that canadians dont like you bringing mushrooms across the border. Mar 27, 2020

Caleb Hammel
Boulder, CO

Does anyone have beta on the depth of the water below these routes? i.e. deep enough for dws with obvious checks for underwater objects. Aug 13, 2020

Tony S
Minnesota

The usual Canadian customs station is currently closed due to flooding. However, you can call the office directly and give them your number from the ArriveCan app after you plug in your info. The owner of the Scott's Resort Seaplane Base, Darryl, gave us this info. He also has the phone number memorized lol. I personally forgot to write it down, but he is super friendly and helpful.

I think this area, which is highly dependent on tourism, has struggled for a few years due to Covid border lockdowns and now flooding. Everyone seems really helpful and friendly and wants to get people back up here. And I agree its worth the trip. Hopefully the inclusion in the new guide spurs more visits. Aug 29, 2022