The Gunflint Trail community suffered a tragic loss last week. Jeff Knaeble, 39, was killed in a snowmobile accident on Poplar Lake.
Jeff was on his way home the night of January 18 when authorities say his snowmobile collided with a large rock, and he was thrown from the snow-mobile. Another snowmobiler discovered his body.
Jeff had lived in the mid-trail area of the Gunflint Trail since 2016. He was the main line cook at Trail Center Lodge on Poplar Lake for six years.
As of press time, an investigation into the accident is still ongoing.
A heartwarming tribute to Jeff was written by local journalist Joe Friedrichs and can be found at www.paddleandportage.com titled ‘He Found Purpose Up Here:’ Gunflint Trail Community Mourns the Loss of Trail Center Cook.
