Grand Marais, MN - The big news on the Banadad Trail this winter are the yurts. Near the Banadad's eastern trailhead there is the new Tall Pines Yurt; while midway along the trail the old Croft Yurt has been retired and replaced.

The Tall Pines Yurt (see images below) at twenty feet is much larger than the Poplar Creek Yurt which it replaces. It is also located on a more remote site than the old Poplar Creek site. Attractively furnished, the Tall Pines Yurt is set-up to accommodate six people, sleeping on a futon and bunk beds. Additional cots or bunk beds can be brought in for larger groups. A wood stove/fireplace heats the new yurt. It has overhead gas lighting and a fully equipped kitchen with a gas cook stove, dining table and chairs including a comfortable rocking chair. Outside is an attached deck with a picnic table and a great view of a secluded BWCA lake. There is a firepit, charcoal grill and most importantly, a Finnish sauna nearby. The yurt is a one-kilometer ski on a new tracked trail leading off the Lace Lake Trail and just two kilometers from the Banadad's eastern trailhead. This yurt takes its name from a nearby stand of stately old growth white pines. Unlike Boundary Country's other yurts, the Tall Pines Yurt is available for rent year round.

Nineteen kilometers from the Tall Pines Yurt and midway along the Banadad, the old Croft yurt has been retired and replaced by a newer yurt. This new Croft Yurt is still positioned at the same popular location on the Banadad as the old yurt has occupied for the last twenty years. The Croft yurt site that includes the yurt and nearby Olga's Hut still comfortably accommodate nine skiers.

Ted and Barbara Young, owners of Boundary Country Trekking's Banadad yurts along with the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and a ski-in cabin have been welcoming skiers, snowshoers, and dog sledders for more than two decades. You can schedule a Yurt to Yurt Ski Trip or a stay at the Tall Pines Yurt, Poplar Creek B&B or cabin by contacting the Youngs at 800-322-8327 or by e-mail at mailto:bct@boundarycountry.com