Snowshoeing Through the Years
Snowshoeing has been a form of winter travel in the Gunflint Trail region for as long as there have been people in the area.
Snowshoeing traces its origins back 6000 years to central Asia, where “shoeskis” were developed. These shoeskis probably came to North America when the first people crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia and were eventually adapted into the various types of snowshoes associated with individual Native American groups.
Traditionally, the native people of the Gunflint Trail region, the Ojibwe, wore unique snowshoes fashioned with a doublepoint.
Although the Ojibwe snowshoes may now look a little clunky when viewed with a modern lens, they have several things going for them. The points on each end of the shoe mean each shoe uses two bent pieces of wood: much easier to make than other models which require a curved piece of wood. The points also help the wearer maneuver through brush and deep, crusty snow. The large size of the shoes means each step packs down a considerable amount of snow, allowing the wearer to move quickly through the winter world.
Even as the Gunflint Trail developed into its current tourism driven economy, snowshoeing remained a primary means of travel in winter. It was how treks to town were made before the Gunflint Trail was maintained in the winter. Surveyors and foresters wore them while performing their day’s work. Likewise, snowshoes were also an indispensable piece of equipment for trappers checking on their trap lines.
Today, snowshoeing has changed a little bit. Most people use small, lightweight aluminum snowshoes. Although people frequently use snowshoes while ice fishing or winter camping, the majority of snowshoeing is done on designated snowshoe trails. Snowshoeing’s no longer the primary way to get from point A to point B in the North Woods, but instead is an enjoyable way to move with ease through snow.
Snowshoeing is just one more example of a survival skill turned into recreation. You can learn about other survival skills that have been transformed into recreation at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center where an entire exhibit is devoted to the topic. But until Chik-Wauk reopens in spring, you can hit the snowshoe trails, knowing you’re an active participant in Gunflint Trail history.