Gunflint Trail Association

Taste of the Gunflint Trail Event

There are always lots of good reasons to drive up the Gunflint Trail: possible wildlife sightings, scenery, a visit to Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center . . . . But this Saturday, September 11th, there’s an especially good reason to drive up: from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  several businesses along the Trail will be cooking up recipes from the Taste of the Gunflint Trail cookbook and hosting open houses.  You can swing by any of the following businesses for a “Taste”:

• Bearskin Lodge
• Golden Eagle Lodge
• Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B
• Clearwater Lodge & Outfitters
• Hungry Jack Outfitters
• Trail Center Restaurant
• Nor’Wester Lodge & Outfitters
• Gunflint Lodge
• Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center
• Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

Here at Chik-Wauk you’ll find a pie and ice cream social and book signing with several Gunflint Trail authors. The event is a fundraiser for the new boardwalk nature trail we’re planning to put in this fall.

If all the eating has left you feeling a bit full, you might want to take part in the guided hike of the new Centennial Trail at 3 p.m. Those interested in the hike are to meet U.S. Forest Service interpreter Steve Robertsen at the Kekekabic/Centennial trailhead (located 8 miles south from Chik-Wauk along the Gunflint Trail). The hike is expected to take approximately 2 hours and hikers are asked to wear decent footwear and pack some water.  The Centennial Trail, a 3.3 mile loop, was constructed last year and follows the bed of the old PAD&W railroad and passes by several pits from the Paulsen Mine. The trail’s  a great walk through Gunflint Trail history and a great way to close a day on the Gunflint Trail.

See you there!

With the windy days this last weekend, the hum and moan of chainsaw has been a familiar noise in the woods around Chik-Wauk as volunteers worked to clear the nature trails of downed trees. The decided autumnal weather that has blown in has minds thinking about the upcoming winter and many people are splitting and stacking firewood in preparation. No doubt a few fires have been lit in fireplaces this chilly Labor Day weekend!

The forest of the Gunflint Trail have always been a vital part of this region. Years ago logging railroads meandered through the woods and loggers used the winter months to skid timber out of the woods. The logging of the region continues to this day, having evolved into modern sustainable practices from the great pine logging of the turn of the 20th century.

You can find much information on the logging of the Gunflint Trail in the Chik-Wauk Museum. Check out the logging exhibit, the pioneer profile video on Andrew Hedstrom (the founder of Hedstrom Mill, which is still operation today) or the information on the industry on the shelves of Chik-Wauk’s library. There’s much to learn about this  important industry that helped shape the history of the Gunflint Trail and which still allows us to both build and heat our homes in the North Woods.

Last Sunday,  just after closing time, a white-lined sphinx moth fluttered up to the museum’s front door to enjoy some of the snapdragons spilling out of the flower pots.  This unique looking moth slightly resembles a hummingbird with their long proboscis.  In fact, you might know it as a “hummingbird moth.”

You’re more apt to see these moths at dusk, but it’s not unheard of to see them at other times of the day as well.  The species (Hyles lineata) are found all over the U.S., although they’re most abundant in the western States. They’re not a terribly common sight around these parts, but if you’re up at Chik-Wauk near closing times, keep your eyes peeled.

WTIP’s Barbara Jean Johnson caught another moth fluttering around on film just the other day.

Woodworking in general is evocative of the northern lifestyle and it seems most people agree that if there’s one bit of woodwork that really says “North Woods” it’s diamond willow. As soon as you walk in the Chik-Wauk front door, you’re greeted with a forest of diamond willow serving as the guardrail around the “Springtime on the Gunflint” diorama.

The Gunflint Trail is gifted with many artists and craftsmen. In Chik-Wauk Museum you can see the work of two woodworkers who work mainly with diamond willow: Ken Lind and LeRoy Ullrich. Ken stripped all the diamond willow you see in the museum’s exhibits and he’s also the crafter of beautiful diamond willows lamps, some of which are available in the Chik-Wauk gift shop.

Meanwhile LeRoy crafts a wide variety of diamond willows including walking sticks, salt and pepper shakers, and candle holders.

Diamond willow isn’t a specific type of tree. Rather, “diamonding” forms on willow trees which have been affected by a fungus called valsa sordida. This fungus causes diamonding on at least 5 willow species. Here in northern Minnesota, the most common willow species is salix discolor. You might know it as pussy willow. Carvers take branches of this tree, which you’ll find near wet areas, strip off the gray bark, carve out the diamonds, and polish the pieces.

If you’d like a bit of diamond willow to take home with you, the Chik-Wauk Museum Gift Shop is a great place to stop.