Randy,
If your still looking for suggestions, heres another.
I took a trip last year off of the Gunflint Trail. It was a short trip as I had my whole family (6) with me and my parents (grandparents). We put in at Bearskin and went into Duncan and into Rose. Rose, however, was a day trip for us, though for you, you could portage into it. Duncan is beautiful... but Rose is awesome! You leave Duncan on the north side on the famous stairway portage. Shortly after entering the portage their is a cross trail. This is the Border Route Trail. If you follow it to the east a little ways you will be treated to a spectacular lookout vista! About halfway down the portage, before the "great stairway", there is one of the best falls in the BW. It's kinda hidden in the hillside which makes for more radiance. It is actually quite large, surrounded by greenery and stone. I trekked down to the bottom with my kids for a sit in the pool and a pounding from the falls. We loved it. The stairway is long and steep but since the protage is only 80 rods total it is a doable one. Rose is sorrounded by high cliffs and bouldering bluffs. The view from just sitting at the bottom of the portage was a big enough invitation for me to come back. Of course across the lake is Canada. There are supposed to be some pebbly beaches on that side but didn't get over there. The sunsets blast color against the large hills on the east of the lake making for unforgettable closures to the day also.
Well, just an opinion from a fellow BWCA paddler.
If you do get over to the Gunflint, I reccomend Rockwood Lodge Outfitters. They are great people and tremendously helpful. Ask for Josh. Tell him Steve Dawson sent you. ( doesn't mean anything but he might recognize the name.)

Posted by Steve Dawson on January 29, 2000 at 00:18