Last Visited: June 13, 2020; Previous Visit(s): July 23, 2016, October 9, 2015
Maps: Fisher F-12; McKenzie #7
Daily Quota: 5
Fire History: 2007 Ham Lake Fire
Nearest Ranger Station: Gunflint Ranger Station, Grand Marais, MN along Hwy. 61 on the North Shore
Portage Length from Parking Lot: 3 rods
Restroom at Entry Point: Yes
Entry Point 51 - Missing Link Lake
Gunflint Ranger District
From Grand Marais, follow the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) inland for about 45 miles until you reach Round Lake Road (County Road 47). The Round Lake Road turnoff is past the Gunflint Lake Overlook. Follow Round Lake Road as it parallels the Cross River. In about a mile or so you will see the sign for the Cross Bay Lake entry point and parking lot. The parking lot for both Entry Point 51 and Entry Point 52 (Missing Link Lake and Brant Lake respectively) is just a bit further down the road at Round Lake. You will come to a sign indicating Tuscarora or Round Lake (Tuscarora refers to the lodge/outfitters of that name). Turn and head toward Round Lake which is one mile down the road.
From the parking lot, portage your gear down the steps to the gravel dock that extends out into Round Lake. From here, you can paddle across Round Lake to either the Missing Link Lake portage and Entry Point #51 or toward the portage to West Round Lake which is the route towards Entry Point #52 at Brant Lake.
The forest around this entry point was burned by the 2007 Ham Lake Fire.
Exploring the Entry Point
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This sign indicates the turn that gets you on the road to the canoe landings for Cross Bay Lake #50, Missing Link Lake #51 and Brant Lake #52. Cross Bay Lake entry point is really on the Cross River and is the first one you will come to. Missing Link Lake and Brant Lake entry points are farther down the road and accessed from Round Lake. Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters is also down this way if you need some extra gear or a place to bunk for the night.
Intersection that you come to after you pass the Cross Bay Lake entry point (Cross River). Tuscarora refers to Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters, not access to the lake.
The parking lot at Round Lake.
Your last chance at civility.
This is the now familiar bulletin board that you encounter at all entry points. The day permits are in the box on the left for both Missing Link Lake and Brant Lake.
Walking about the Round Lake entry points. Round Lake provides access to Missing Link Lake Entry Point #51 and Brant Lake Entry Point #52. This area was affected by the 2007 Ham Lake Fire.
Round Lake from the landing. Tuscarora Lake Lodge and Outfitters is on this lake and is to the left. The portage to West Round Lake is straight down the shoreline on the right. The Missing Link Lake portage is pretty much directly across the lake.
This portage is a real mine field of rocks interspersed with occasional mudholes and downed timber. A relatively difficult portage overall. Also it is mostly up hill from Round Lake to Missing Link Lake. 142 rods of portage goodness. (See this portage in both directions here.)
Arrival at Missing Link Lake.
Now that you've reached the shore of the lake, visit: MISSING LINK LAKE
