Kaethe and Josh Boutelle at the Mudro Entry Point June 19. Submitted image
A community formed at the Mudro Entry Point this week. A tent village, as it goes in the Boundary Waters.
Following the severe thunderstorms that ripped across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness June 18, multiple roads and entry points were closed leading to the Boundary Waters. The flooding destroyed the nearly 6-mile road leading from the Mudro Entry Point to the Echo Trail. A total of 28 cars were blocked off from the Echo Trail when the road washed out.
Among the people were stranded were Kaethe and Josh Boutelle, from Rochester, Minn. We talked with them June 22 about being stranded at the Mudro Lake entry point for multiple days following this week’s severe weather and flooding.
Five groups ended up at the entry point the night of June 19 and through most of the following day, they explained. A total of 14 people (and one dog) stayed the night in the parking lot. They shared food, told stories, played cards, and did what people do in a community: They rallied together.
The groups couldn’t leave because the road was underwater and eventually it washed out so badly it wasn’t safe to drive over, Josh explained.
The July 10 episode of the main Paddle and Portage Podcast will feature a full report from the tent community that formed at the Mudro Entry point, as well as other stories from across the Boundary Waters connected to the severe weather this week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Below is a sample of the conversation Paddle and Portage had with Kaethe and Josh.
Listen to the full conversation with them about the experience by becoming a member of Paddle and Portage.