Gunflint Trail Association

Snow is stealing the spotlight this week on the Gunflint Trail. Sunday’s snowstorm deposited 5-13″ of snow on the Trail and the upcoming snowstorm predicted for Tuesday night and Wednesday is expected to drop 5-8 additional inches on the Trail.  It looks like the Gunflint Trail community will be spending its extra day this leap year shoveling!

The fresh snowfall improves the conditions on all Gunflint Trail’s already snowy recreation trails.  One trail to consider as you ponder your options in this winter wonderland is the Banadad Ski Trail.

The Banadad is the longest tracked ski trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  The 29 kilometer single tracked trail meanders through the woods from Loon Lake  to the mid-Trail region south of Poplar Lake. The Banadad links the Upper and Central Gunflint Trail ski systems and is carbon neutral.

You’ll need a couple pieces of paperwork before you embark on the Banadad: 1) A Minnesota Ski Pass and 2) A completed (and free) BWCAW day use permit. The Banadad  Trail Association  has regular trail clearing gatherings and does a great job of maintaining the trail throughout the year. Grab those skinny skis and head out on an adventure!

P.S. There’s still time to dye Gunflint District Ranger, Dennis Neitzke’s hair pink! Neitzke, of the U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest, has gamely put his head on the line for some lighthearted fun which raises money for a very serious matter, breast cancer research.  It’s all part of the sixth annual Mush for a Cure.  If Neitzke can raise $5000 by March 1, he’ll dye his hair pink for the days leading up to the March 9-11th event. You can donate to the cause here.

Snowplows have been common sights on the Gunflint Trail this week and will continue to be so in the coming week. We’ve had snow in the air since Monday, with an accumulation of about 3 inches so far this week. Another 1-2 inches of snowfall is expected tonight (Friday) and all of northeastern Minnesota is braced for heavy snowfall on Sunday. It’s been a while since the Gunflint Trail’s seen so many “chance of snow”s and “snow likely”s in the forecast, and we like it! February appears to be going out in a fit of snowy style.   Does this mean March will be coming as a lion? We’ll have to wait and see.

You can always find up to date information about current snow conditions on the Gunflint Trail website. To date, Golden Eagle Lodge in the mid-Trail area of the Gunflint Trail reports 43.35 inches of snowfall for winter 2011-2012. That puts the Gunflint Trail as a leader in Minnesota for snowfall this winter. Although this year’s 43 inches (and counting!) of snowfall is well below last winter’s 100+ inches, we’ve actually surpassed the 42 inches of total snowfall of winter 2009-2010.

The birds flock to the feeders during these snowy days.  Pine grosbeaks (pictured below), redpolls, and pine siskens are among the birds you can expect at a Gunflint Trail feeder this time of year. Other frequent feeder visitors include chickadees, nuthatches, and, of course, red squirrels.

In other news . . .

The DNR released results of the aerial moose survey that took place earlier this month. You can learn more about the current state of northeastern Minnesota’s moose population here.

Wildersmith, the Gunflint Trail’s own wordsmith, reported great fishing and a lynx sighting in his latest report from Gunflint Lake.

This past weekend saw some incredible Northern Lights action on the Gunflint Trail. You can check out some stunning pictures of the aurora borealis display on the Gunflint Trail’s Facebook profile.  With all the snow in the forecast, any night displays will be limited in the coming days, but that’s okay, we’ll take the snow.

Dog sledding, breast cancer research fundraising and a whole bunch of pink will be colliding again on Friday March 9 and Saturday March 10 in the whirlwind of events known as the sixth annual Mush for a Cure event on the Gunflint Trail. In its short history, Mush for a Cure has become a  late winter Gunflint Trail institution, gathering people from all walks of life  around a good cause for two days of somewhat chaotic fun.

Since its beginnings in 2007, the Mush for a Cure event has raised over $100,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and earlier this month, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Mush for a Cure became official partners. The event has always centered around an approximately 26 mile dog sled fun ride which begins at noon on March 10 on Gunflint Lake and finishes in the late afternoon at Trail Center Lodge on Poplar Lake. Prior to the race, mushers collect pledges and various other fundraisers are included in the evenings’ activities.

One popular fundraising events of Mush for a Cure is the The Bald, The Brave, and The Beautiful, begun in 2010, where distinguished men of the local community volunteer to have their heads shaved if a set amount of pledges is reached. This year U.S. Forest Service Gunflint District Ranger, Dennis Neitzke is not only volunteering to shave his head as part of “The Bald, The Brave, and The Beautiful” event, he’ll also dye his hair pink for ten days prior to the event  if he can raise $5000 for the cause by March 1.

Another addition to this year’s events will be Memorial Sky Lanterns. People will be invited to purchased pink sky lanterns to remember or honor individuals affected by breast cancer. At dusk on Saturday, the lanterns will be released into the sky.

Here’s a quick run down of the 2012 events:

Friday, March 9th
(all activities at Windigo Lodge)

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Pre-Registration

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Pink Pasta Party – open to the general public

8:00 – 10:00 p.m.: Pink Pajama Party – includes Grand March at 8:00 and the music of Trail’s End Band.

9:00 p.m.: The crowning of the King and Queen of the Party

9:30 p.m.: The Bald, The Brave and The Beautiful head shaving.

Saturday, March 10th
(Locations vary)

9:00 a.m.: Mushers check-in and pancake and sausage feed at Gunflint Pines.  Open to the public.

10:00 a.m.: Watch the skijor teams start at the Cross River  on the Gunflint Trail and finish at Gunflint Pines.

12:00 noon: Mass sourdough start for the sled teams on Gunflint Lake.

Noon-3:00: Opportunities to see the dog teams along the trail. Suggested sites: Start: Gunflint Pines, Gunflint Resort. Along the trail: Gunflint Lake boat landing, Iron Lake Access, Old Gunflint Trail (both west and east ends) Poplar Lake: Windigo Lodge, Nor’wester Lodge and the finish at Trail Center Lodge.

2:00-6:00:  Minnesota’s Jack Sparrow entertains in front of Trail Center Lodge

2:00-4:00ish: Teams coming into the finish line at Trail Center Lodge. Finishers bonfire, hot dog/marshmallow roast and party tent sponsored by Sarah and the gang at Trail Center Lodge.

5:00-6:00′ish: Prize ceremony

7:00 (or Dusk): Release of Memorial Sky Lanterns.

7:00-1:00:  D’Merritt dance at Trail Center Lodge.

More information is available at www.mushforacure.com

It’s known by many names – fisher, black cat, fisher cat, pekan, pequam, wejack, and woods-otter to name a few – but on the Gunflint Trail, this member of the weasel family is generally just referred to as a fisher.

Similar in appearance to its smaller weasel “cousin,” the pine marten, the fisher typically has a darker coat than pine martens and is significantly larger, with a weight range of 6-18 pounds.  While pine marten are somewhat frequent visitors at Gunflint Trail bird feeders in the winter months, it’s much more unlikely that for a fisher to steal into a backyard, since fishers keep to themselves and generally avoid open spaces. Conversely, you’re much more likely to spot a fisher along the side of the Gunflint Trail during the summer months than you are the smaller pine marten! Except for mating season, fishers prefer to be alone in coniferous forested areas.

Fishers are notorious for their “feisty” attitude.  These carnivores feed mostly on smaller mammals, including porcupines, but will eat berries and nuts too. Supposedly, fishers sometimes communicate with screams that sound eerily human.  In early – mid 20th century, when trapping was a common way for Gunflint Trail residents to bring in winter income, fishers were especially prized for their thick, soft coats. Gunflint Trail pioneer Russell Blankenberg remembered that at one point, fisher farms, similar to mink farms where animals were breed for their coats, were attempted, but the fishers’ vicious natures made it a less than pleasant experience. Anymore, human and fishers interactions are quite limited and do to difficulties that have arisen with breeding fishers in captivity, it’s uncommon to see fishers in zoos.

One of the most interesting things about fishers is their reproduction. According to the MN DNR: “Like most members of the weasel family, female fishers have what is called “delayed implantation.” Females get pregnant in spring, just 10 days after they have given birth. For the next several months, the young exist as tiny embryos. Then, two months before being born, the embryos develop into fetuses. One to five young fisher are born in a hollow tree, log or rock cavity. Within days after giving birth, the female will seek out a new mate.” That means female fishers are pregnant 350 days a year!

These secretive, tree climbing mammals are certainly some of the most fascinating Gunflint Trail residents.

Back on February 2, the groundhog didn’t see his shadow. Here on the Trail, we don’t worry too much about such things. Groundhog’s shadow or no, there’s always six weeks left of winter after February 2 on the Gunflint Trail . . . if not eight, nine, or even ten more weeks! Although we’ve recently gone through a warm snap, a fresh layer of snow is currently fluttering down to the ground. It will be winter for a while yet.

But now that it’s mid February, we’ve hit that magical tipping point where spring is closer than autumn. Gray jays, the first bird to hatch each spring, are already thinking about nesting. Even if you’ve spent this winter experiencing rather unwinter-y weather, it’s understandable if right about now you’re starting to feel the first twinges of spring fever.

The best way to shake off spring fever is to shake things up a bit. What better time then now to head north  and enjoy snowy winter on the Gunflint Trail? You can check out Gunflint Trail lodging specials here.

Presidents’ Day Weekend is always happening time on the Gunflint Trail. On Saturday, February 18, the annual Sawtooth International Ski Races will be held at Pincushion Mountain. All weekend long, North House Folk School will be holding its Northern Fibers Retreat.

In addition, there are still snow sculptures to be seen outside of some Gunflint Trail resorts.  Not to mention, plenty of trails to ski, snowshoe or ride; lakes to ice fish; snow angels to be made.

Winter’s not going away anytime soon on the Gunflint Trail. But if you don’t take advantage of it now, this is one season that has a sneaky way of melting away on all of us.

Since its formation in 2005, Gunflint Trail Historical Society has been collecting artifacts of historical significance to the Gunflint Trail. Those artifacts now make up the displays at the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.

The opening of Chik-Wauk in summer 2010 marked a slowing in the GTHS’s artifact acquisition.  Due to limited space, the GTHS is unable to accept further artifact donations at this time. However, this doesn’t mean that your artifact won’t have a home at Chik-Wauk. We’re simply unable to accept further artifacts without first developing a plan for how the GTHS will use your artifact. We are still very interested in your artifact and ask anyone contemplating an artifact donation to the GTHS to complete and submit the “Artifact Donation Form” below:

Artifact Donation Form

One thing we can never have enough of are photographs.  We always welcome your donation of any historical Gunflint Trail photos you may have in your possession. These photographs make up an invaluable part of our archives and will be used in future exhibits at Chik-Wauk as well as be made available to outside researchers.

Thanks to digital technology, we don’t need your physical photographs. We welcome digital scans of your photos – just send us a disc or share through Picasa — if you prefer to hang onto your originals. We’ll happily scan your old photographs and return them to you too, if that’s easiest for you.

You are welcome to place restrictions on the use of any photographs you share with the GTHS. For example, you might request that all photos be credited to you when used in exhibits or that you be contacted to grant permission before any of your photographs are used. The GTHS uses PastPerfect museum software to organize photos and artifacts as well as track photos and artifacts’ usage and restrictions.

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society can only present a history as complete as the resources it has at its disposal. We invite you to contact us about any artifacts or photographs you’d like to share with GTHS. If you have questions, please email us at info@chikwauk.com. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!

Because Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness regulations state that aircrafts must maintain a minimum altitude of 4000 ft when flying over the Boundary Waters, it’s rather unusual to see low-flying aircraft on the Gunflint Trail. But if you hear a rumble overhead this week, don’t be concerned. It’s probably just a MN DNR helicopter conducting the annual northeastern Minnesota moose survey.

The MN DNR has held the aerial moose survey every year since 1960. Typically the survey takes place in early January, but due to low snow in the western portion of the survey area (St. Louis and Lake Counties), the survey was pushed back into February this year.  The survey crews need at least eight inches of snow on the ground to make the moose more visible.

Here on the Gunflint, we have nearly two feet of snow in the woods.  It should be easy to spot the moose in our neck of the woods! To date, the Gunflint Trail has received 38″ of snow during Winter 2011-12. (Yes, we’re serious . . . it’s really winter here!)

You can view results from the 2011 moose survey here. The DNR will use the data from this survey to determine many things: total number of moose in the area, the level of reproduction,  the ratio of adult bull and cow moose, and permit numbers for the 2012 moose hunt.

By the way, the Winter Tracks Festival is in full swing along the Gunflint Trail and the rest of Cook County.  While helicopter rides are not part of the festivities, dog sled rides and horse drawn sleigh rides, not to mention snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and much more, most definitely are! Don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy some beautiful winter weather and frolic in the snow.

“What do you do in the winter?”

Any Gunflint Trail business or resident has answered that question multiple times. But a better question might be: “What don’t you do in the winter?”

With the Gunflint Mail Run sled dog race last week, the wintery fun on the Gunflint Trail has been kicked into action. This week marks the start of the Winter Tracks Festival, which features a plethora of activities on the Gunflint Trail and throughout the rest of Cook County from February 3 -12.

Here’s what you can look forward to next week on the Gunflint Trail as part of the Winter Tracks festivities:

Monday, February 6:
Snowshoe Hike, 1 p.m. at Bearskin Lodge. Snowshoes provided (subject to availability) Reservations required: 218.388.2292

Tuesday, February 7:
Cross Country Ski Waxing, 1 p.m. Bearskin Lodge. The McCloughan family of skiers will offer their waxing tips and experience skiing on Gunflint Trail.

Thursday, February 9:
Guided Cross Country Ski Tour. 1 p.m. Meet at Bearskin Lodge, Gunflint Trail. Must have own equipment. All levels welcome.

Saturday, February 11:
Volks Ski 400 Grab your skis and commit to skiing a particular section of Cook County ski trail to contribute to collective effort of skiing all 400+ kilometers of Cook County ski trail in a single day!

Family Sliding Party with Hot Chocolate. From 12 noon – 2 p.m. at Gunflint Pines Resort.

Every Day:

Visit the Winter Plein Air Art Exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony in “uptown” Grand Marais daily: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The exhibit features painting created Jan 30 – Feb 5 in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and along the Gunflint Trail.

View beautiful snow sculptures at various locations throughout the county. On the Gunflint Trail, you can find sculptures at Bearskin Lodge and Gunflint Lodge.

Go snowshoeing.

Take a ski.

Set up a tip-up and get some ice fishing in.

Go for a ride: both sled dog rides and open horse sleigh rides are available on the Gunflint Trail.

Make a snow angel.

Have a snowball fight.

Go skating.

Enjoy winter on the Gunflint Trail!

The Volks Ski 400 is returning this February 11!

Established in 2010, the Volks Ski 400 is county-wide event which invites cross country skiers of all abilities to team up in an attempt to collectively ski all 400+ kilometers of Cook County’s groomed ski trails in a single day. Skiers are asked to sign up for their favorite section of Cook County ski trail to ski on Saturday, February 11 as part of the Volks Ski effort.  While you’re welcome to sign up as an individual, you’re encouraged to form a team.

There’s a $10 entry fee for the Volks Ski 400 and you’ll need to have a valid ski pass for the section of ski trail you’ve chosen. On the Gunflint Trail, that means you’ll either need a Central or Upper Gunflint Ski Pass, which can be purchased from participating lodges. The rest of Cook County’s ski trails require the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. For your participation in the Volks Ski, you’ll receive a long sleeved t-shirt and bragging rights.

Why attempt to ski every inch of Cook County ski trail in a day? Why not? The event is meant to showcase Cook County’s ski trail system, which just happens to be the largest groomed cross country ski trail system in North America. The event is non-competitive, giving you a chance to complete your trail section at your own rate.  The event also raises funds for the Children’s Nature Network. It’s a good time, good exercise, and a good cause all rolled into one.

If you’re participating in Winter Tracks, be sure to bring your passport. You’ll get another entry to win a Cook County getaway by taking part in the Volks Ski 400. Score!