Photographing a Minnesota Winter Tradition: The Gunflint Mail Run

In early February, I made my way north to photograph one of Minnesota’s most beloved winter traditions: the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love photographing working dogs and dog sports, and sled dogs in particular hold a special place in my heart. There’s something incredible about seeing teams of dogs doing what they were bred and trained to do, especially in a landscape that feels truly wild.

This trip took my friend and occasional assistant photographer, Brooke, and me all the way up to Grand Marais, a small North Shore town that becomes even more magical in the winter. Snow-covered trees, crisp air, and the excitement of race weekend made the entire experience unforgettable.

Following the Trails of Our Past

The Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race celebrates the long history of dog sledding in northern Minnesota. Long before snowmobiles and modern transportation, sled dogs were essential for carrying mail and supplies through remote wilderness areas. This race honors that history while showcasing modern sled dog teams and the incredible bond between mushers and their dogs.

The race typically covers about 60+ miles along the historic Gunflint Trail, with teams completing two legs separated by a mandatory layover. Mushers run teams of up to ten dogs, and each dog plays an important role in getting the sled down the trail safely and efficiently.

For spectators, it’s a chance to witness athletic, enthusiastic dogs powering through some of the most beautiful winter scenery Minnesota has to offer.

Credit: Gunflint Mail Run

The Journey North

Driving up to the North Shore in February is always an adventure. The farther north you go, the quieter things become... fewer cars, deeper snow, and that feeling of stepping into true winter.

By the time we reached Grand Marais, the landscape had transformed into a snowy wonderland. The tall red and white pines were dusted with snow, the air was crisp and cold, and there was an excited buzz around the Gunflint Trail in preparation for the race.

To ensure we were close to all of the race action, we stayed at a cabin on Poplar Lake close to the race start, layover, and finish. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend a stay at a cabin (or campground in the warmer months) along the Gunflint Trail. I love Grand Marais, but the Gunflint is truly its own unique world worth exploring.

Last year, Brooke and I made plans to photograph this race, too. We booked a cabin and made all of our preparations, but the race was postponed due to a lack of snow. We ended up making the trip anyway and had a great time driving all along the Gunflint Trail, hiking, and exploring the beautiful winter landscape. I'm glad that the race worked out this year and we were able to witness and photograph this race, finally!

For me, trips like this are part photography, part experience. I love spending a long weekend exploring the area and getting a sense of the surroundings before the action begins.

Race Day Energy

Race morning was cold (as expected for February in northern Minnesota), but the energy at the start line made it easy to forget the temperature. Sled dogs were barking, jumping, and pulling with excitement. That classic sled dog enthusiasm is both chaotic and amazing to witness. If you’ve never heard a group of sled dogs before a race start, it’s loud, joyful, and full of anticipation.

From a photography perspective, there were so many moments happening at once:

• Mushers preparing their teams

• Dogs leaning into their harnesses

• Frosty breath in the morning air

• Snow kicking up as teams launched onto the trail

One of my favorite things to photograph is the moment right before a team takes off. The focus, excitement, and connection between the dogs and their musher really comes through.

Mushers Who Competed in the Race

One of the things that makes the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race so special is the incredible group of mushers who come together to compete. Each team brings their own story, kennel, and connection with their dogs. It was amazing to watch them prepare, run the trail, and care for their teams throughout the race.

Here are the mushers who competed this year (Bib #, Name, Kennel, and Hometown):

• 1 Erin Altemus — Sawtooth Racing — Grand Marais, MN

• 2 William Sima — Bandit Creek Kennels — Stanchfield, MN

• 3 Eva Kolodji — Meander Mountain Huskies — Cook, MN

• 4 Elena Freking — Manitou Crossing Kennels — Finland, MN

• 5 Emily Ford — Lost Key Sled Dogs — Duluth, MN

• 7 Brian Bergen — Gone to the Dogs Racing — Sioux Lookout, ON, Canada

• 8 Jennifer Freking — Manitou Crossing Kennels — Finland, MN

• 9 Julia Cross — Criss Cross Racing — Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

• 13 Sean de Wolski — Bouncing Bumbles — Fairbanks, AK

• 14 Alyssa Sabatino — Schroeder Mushing — Goodland, MN

• 15 Rita Wehseler — Stoney Creek Sled Dogs — Tofte, MN

Watching these teams in action was incredible. Every musher had a slightly different style, and it was clear how much trust and teamwork existed between each musher and their dogs.

So Many Amazing Women on the Trail

One thing that really stood out to me this year was how many women, including young women, were competing in the race. It was inspiring to see such strong representation in the mushing community. From experienced mushers to newer competitors, there was so much skill, determination, and passion on the trail.

As someone who spends a fair bit of time photographing working dogs and dog sports, it was especially meaningful to witness and document these teams. The leadership, confidence, and connection between these mushers and their dogs was incredible to see up close.

It’s moments like this that remind me how special the sled dog community is. It is supportive, dedicated, and deeply connected to both the dogs and the history of this sport.

Photographing Sled Dogs in Action

Sled dog races move fast, both literally and visually, so capturing them requires a different approach than many pet portrait sessions.

A few things I focused on while photographing the race:

• Fast shutter speeds to freeze motion

• Positioning where teams would pass with clean backgrounds

• Capturing expressions and teamwork between dogs

• Including the winter landscape to tell the full story

We also had fun experimenting with various focal lengths to photograph each team in diverse ways. Brooke utilized a wider lens (24-70mm), while I opted for a telephoto lens (70-200mm), allowing us to capture the same scene from different perspectives. Furthermore, I briefly used my drone over a lake to obtain a bird's eye view of a few teams.

These small moments contribute to narrating the race's story beyond just the action.

Behind the Scenes Moments

Some of my favorite moments from this trip weren't even the photos, but the downtime and the in-between moments. After catching the race start at Trail Center, we drove down the trail to witness the teams mush through the woods at a checkpoint with a group of volunteers. It was fun to experience this part of the race, away from the crowd at the start and with some residents of the area. We chatted about cabins, Gunflint Trail memories, and our lives outside of this peaceful nature bubble.

After spending a few hours outside freezing our toes and fingers off, we ventured back to our cabin for lunch. Lucky for us, we had a great view of the teams crossing Poplar Lake while we enjoyed a hot meal by the fireplace. Once we were full and warmed up, we ventured out onto the lake to catch the teams setting out for the second leg of their race. By this point, the teams had become pretty spread out, so this involved a lot of patience as we waited. We ended up venturing out for one final round of photos later on when the last of the daylight was still in the sky, and the leaders were coming back across Poplar Lake for the home stretch. It didn't take long for us to call it an evening, though, since the cloudy skies and setting sun made it quite dark.

We continued to watch the racers cross the lake throughout the evening over dinner at Poplar Haus (amazing food, highly recommend). As we were enjoying our delicious food, we noticed a team coming straight towards the restaurant, instead of going across the lake. While we watched, the musher lost control of their sled, and the dogs steadily made their way towards us. A small crowd in the restaurant watched on as Brooke and I grabbed our coats and ran outside to see if we could help. We reached the team of dogs pulling their unmanned sled at the boat launch and grabbed the sled. The musher was working her way towards us as we waited for instructions. A few more people from inside came out to help, and we all managed to get the dogs turned around and get the musher back on her way out across Poplar to finish the race. An unexpected finish to a very exciting day!

The Winter Landscape

One thing that always stands out to me about photographing sled dog races in northern Minnesota is how beautiful the environment is. The Gunflint Trail is one of my favorite places in the world, especially in winter. The winding road leads through some of Minnesota's most rugged and untouched terrain.

Snow-covered forests, winding trails, and soft winter light create the perfect setting for storytelling through photography. I tried to capture not just the race itself, but the feeling of being there. The stillness of the woods between teams passing through, the light filtering through snowy trees, and the scale of the landscape compared to the teams moving across it.

Community and Tradition

Events like this are powered by volunteers, local businesses, and people who deeply care about preserving sled dog traditions. You can really feel that sense of community during race weekend. Spectators bundle up, families come out to cheer, and everyone shares a common appreciation for the dogs and mushers taking part in the race. It’s one of those events that feels both exciting and grounded in history at the same time.

Photo Gallery from the Race

One of my favorite parts of photographing the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race is being able to share the full story through images. From the excitement at the start line to quiet moments along the trail, there were so many incredible scenes that deserve more than just a few highlights in this post.

I’ve put together a complete gallery from the race, where you can browse many more photos from the event in Grand Marais and along the Gunflint Trail.

You can:

• View the full race gallery

• Purchase digital images

• Order prints and other photo products from the online store

If you were a musher, volunteer, spectator, or you just love sled dogs, there’s a good chance you might spot a familiar moment in the gallery.

Purchases from this gallery directly support my ability to travel to sled dog races and dog sports events to document these incredible teams. It truly helps me continue capturing the bond between people and animals in working and sport dog communities.

View the Full Race Photo Gallery

Thank you for supporting this work and for being part of this community that celebrates dogs doing what they love!

Why I Love Photographing Sled Dogs

This was my third time photographing sled dogs, and each time I’m reminded why I love documenting working and sport dogs so much. These dogs are athletes. They’re driven, enthusiastic, and incredibly bonded with their teams. Capturing that energy, along with the environment they thrive in, is something I always look forward to. It’s also very different from my typical portrait sessions, which makes it creatively refreshing.

Final Thoughts

This trip was such a great reminder of how much I enjoy winter photography, dog sports, and exploring different parts of Minnesota with my camera. Between the incredible dogs, the stunning scenery, and the sense of tradition surrounding the race, the Gunflint Mail Run was an unforgettable experience to photograph. I’m already hoping to make it back again in the future.

Special shoutout to my friend Brooke for always being up for an adventure, especially if it involves the North Shore and dogs! She relearns how to use my camera every year or so and then blows me away with creative angles and awesome photography.

If you’ve never experienced a sled dog race in person, I highly recommend it, especially if you love dogs, winter, or nature.