Gunflint Trail Association

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a 1.1 million acre wilderness in northeastern Minnesota, comprised mainly of lakes and other water ways. This canoeist’s paradise is accessed by entry points – specific lakes or trails from which BWCAW visitors access the wilderness. During the summer season (May 1 – September 30), a quota system restricts the number of parties who are camping overnight in the BWCAW who can access the BWCAW from a particular entry point each day. Overnight parties must obtain a BWCAW permit to enter the Boundary Waters on a particular day. The number of parties allowed in daily varies from entry point to entry point. Once campers have enter the Boundary Waters, they can stay for however many days they choose, but as soon as they leave the Boundary Waters, they must get a new permit to re-enter the wilderness.

The following entry points are all accessible from the Gunflint Trail and offer an option for an overnight canoe trip:

#43 Bower Trout Lake
#44 Ram Lake
#45 Morgan Lake
#47 Lizz and Swamp Lakes
#48 Meeds Lake
#49 Skipper and Portage Lakes
#50 Cross Bay Lake
#51 Missing Link Lake
#52 Brant Lake
#54 Seagull Lake
#55 Saganaga Lake
#57 Magnetic Lake
#58 South Lake
#60 Duncan Lake
#61 Daniels Lake
#62 Clearwater Lake
#64 East Bearskin Lake
#66 Crocodile River

We know the choices can seem overwhelming. Happily, each Gunflint Trail outfitters has their own favorite routes they can recommend.  You can reach at least one BWCAW entry point when you set off from each outfitters’ dock.  (The outfitters will happily transport you to other entry points if you opt for a different route.)

Which entry point you choose and which route you’ll take once you’re inside the Boundary Waters depends on your goals for your trip. If you want to base camp, you might choose an entry point that requires few portages.  Maybe you want a nice loop route that you can do in 4-5 days. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might opt to travel deep into the BWCAW a multiple week trip. Each entry point has its own unique offering. With a little research and phone call or two the Gunflint Trail outfitter of your choice, you can craft the perfect BWCAW canoe trip for you.

Temperatures are feeling a little “un-Decembery” at the moment, but a quick glance at the forecast tells us that winter truly is just around the corner. While we wait, why not make a bucket list for winter 2012 – 2013?

1) Skiing by moonlight. Could anything be more magical than gliding silently through the moonlit woods, the wind rustling softly through the tops of pine trees, your breath catching in soft, warm puffs in your wool scarf? If you prefer a little more light than the moon, there are a number of lit ski trails to choose from.

2) Skating. Lake ice is fickle and it’s always a gamble whether or not the lakes will be smooth enough to skate on at freeze up. However, lodges make sure to keep a little patch of ice shoveled off for some skating and a lively game of broomball.

3) Catch the big one – or at least try to. Lake trout season for lakes outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness opens on January 12.

4) Winter Tracks 2013. This great, county-wide celebration of winter will be held February 1-10 this winter. Special events, snow sculptures, skiing, and a whole lot more.

5) Hit the Trails. Whether snowmobiling or skiing is your pleasure, the Gunflint Trail has a seemingly endless network of trails to choose from.

6) Step off the Trails – When the lakes freeze over, the Gunflint Trail region suddenly gets a whole lot easier to traverse. With a pair of snowshoes, you can hike to just about anywhere you can imagine. Just don’t forget to throw in a map.

7 ) Grab a warm beverage at a Gunflint Trail establishment. What better way to warm up than with a mug of hot cocoa or hot apple cider – yum-yum!

8 ) Build a snow fort. Better yet, build a Quinzhee. Seriously, you’re never too old.

9 ) Spend a night under the stars. Okay, so maybe this time of year you’ll want to spend a night under the stars under a winter tent, fully outfitted with a wood burning stove.

10 ) Take a dog sled ride. Many resorts offer dog sledding rides to their guests and the public. It’s a truly unforgettable experience. The Gunflint Trail is also part of two dog sled races this winter: the Gichigami Express and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

What’s on your Gunflint Trail winter bucket list?

The story of the Gunflint Trail is a complicated tale which tells of the intertwining of humans and the natural world, a fire dependent ecosystem at the southern edge of the Boreal forest, and all sorts of interesting critters, plants, rocks, and water. This summer, through a series of public programming put on by the Becoming A Boundary Waters Family program and Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, you’ll find the story of the Gunflint Trail broken into little pieces  you can wrap your arms around. Whether you want to learn to paddle a canoe or find orchids along the Gunflint Trail, or if you’ve always wondered about the Paulson Mine and PAD&W railway of the late 1800s, there’s a program designed with you in mind. Whenever you’re on the Trail this summer, there are plenty of public activities for you to choose from. All are free, family friendly, and promise to be a lot of fun!

Wet Your Paddle – Canoe Instruction Seminars for Families

Canoe camping in the Boundary Waters can seem pretty daunting if you’re not comfortable in canoe. Get acclimated to canoe country with an hour of paddling instruction from local experts at Gunflint Trail canoe outfitters. Learn the ins and outs of BWCAW canoe camping, tricks for camping with kids, cooking tips, and how to prepare for your Boundary Waters adventures.

These seminars run from June 25 – July 13 at the following locations:

• Mondays – 11 am at Nor’wester Lodge and Outfitters; 1 pm at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
• Tuesdays – 11 am at Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters; 1 pm at Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfitters
• Wednesdays – 11 am at Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters
• Thursdays – 11 am at Bearskin Wilderness Outfitters; 1 pm at Hungry Jack Outfitters
• Fridays – 11 am at Clearwater Outfitters and Lodge

U.S. Forest Service Ranger Presentations

U.S. Forest Service rangers with a wide variety of specialties present every Thursday from June 21 – August 23 at 3 p.m. at the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.

Next up:

• July 5: Fire and Archaeology in a Wilderness Setting- Tom Kaffine, Wilderness Ranger, will discuss how fire can be beneficial for archaeologists.
• July 12: The Amazing Orchids of Northern Minnesota -Presented by Jack Greenlee, Ecologist, and Erin Heep, Botanist. This presentation introduces the audience to these complex and beautiful plants, and then takes a pictorial tour through all the orchid species found in northern Minnesota.

Sunday Walks and Talks at Chik-Wauk

Area naturalists present briefly on a topic each Sunday from June 24 – August 26 on Chik-Wauk’s front porch, then lead participants on an interpretative hike on the Chik-Wauk hiking trails. The talks begin at 2 p.m.

Next up:

• July 1 -  Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Gunflint Trail with John Silliman.  Learn about the bounty of the boreal biome.
• July 8 – Lakes of the Arrowhead: Past, Present, &  Future with Bob Carlson

Forest Frenzy: Piecing Together the Boreal Forest

While all activities described above are designed with the family in mind, on July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22, at 1:30 p.m., Chik-Wauk will put on specific kids’ activities. Through games, crafts, scavenger hunts, and interpretative hikes, kids will learn about the rocks, water, plants, and animals that make the boreal forest a special place. For children ages 5-12; must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You can view a full schedule of what’s planned on the Gunflint Trail here.

May marks the start of the busy summer season on the Trail. Resorts and canoe outfitters spring into action after the spring lull. Campers start heading out canoe trips, many mammals (such as moose and deer) have their young, wildflowers peep up, and loons and ducks begin sitting on their nests. And that’s not all that’s happening. Here’s a brief run down of what’s happening on the Trail this month:

Trash and Treasure Days

Looking for something to do this weekend or an excuse to head up the Trail?  Itching to find a bargain? The Gunflint Trail Trash and Treasure Days are happening right now! With 60 miles of sales, you never know what you might find. You’ll find the sales by following the signs posted along the Trail. Sales are open today (May 19) and tomorrow (May 20) from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.

Ham Run recap

A big congratulations to Jay Arrowsmith Decoux and Ashley Lykins, winners of this year’s Ham Run Half Marathon on May 6.  Arrowsmith Decoux finished with a time of 1:22:46; while Lykins clocked in at 1:32:18. Winners of the Ham Run 5K were Jerry Erickson with a time of 22:30 and Michelle Aysta with a time of 26:17. You’ll find the rest of the race results here.

Fire Restrictions in place

It’s been one beautiful month of May so far this year, but unfortunately, we’ve fallen a little short when it comes to rainfall.  The dry conditions paired with windy days prompted U.S. Forest Service officials to restrict campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from 7 p.m. – midnight.   These campfire restrictions went into effect today (May 19).  Gas and propane stoves still may be used at any time in Boundary Waters and  campfires are allowed at any time outside of the Boundary Waters. Extreme caution should be used with your campfires during this dry time and when you extinguish your fire, remember the advice of Smokey Bear and be sure to stir the ashes and dump one more bucket of water on it when you think it’s out.

The Gunflint Trail loons have returned. With such an early ice out this year, it’s been easy to wonder if seasons on the Gunflint Trail are inside out, but the return of the loons are sure sign that spring is upon us. Loons have been spied fishing in many bays of Gunflint Trail lakes and the wailing call of the loon now frequently punctuates the night as the loons communicate during the midnight hours.

If you yourself happen to be up at the midnight hours, it’s worth looking to the northern horizon to see if you can spy the warm green glow of the Northern Lights. The Aurora were visible on Friday night and according to the website Space Weather:  “For the third day in a row, a high-speed solar wind stream is buffeting Earth’s magnetic field. NOAA forecasters estimate a 10% to 15% chance of more geomagnetic activity during the next 24 hours as the solar wind continues to blow.”

Although we’ve been getting a bit of rain and/or snow each week since ice out, fire danger is always a concern on the Gunflint Trail before the spring green up. The MN DNR issued this notice about fire danger last week which contained this important reminder: “While campfires are allowed, please use caution so they do not escape. Clear an area around the campfire, attend it at all times and make sure it is cold to the touch before leaving it. Also, use caution when operating equipment or recreational vehicles to prevent sparks from igniting dry vegetation.”

For the time being though, Gunflint Trail residents are more concerned about the current winter weather advisory.  Although April snow is always a little shocking, the snow (or rain) will happily raise lake levels and increase moisture levels in the woods.

Permit season for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness begins on May 1.  Do you have your spring canoe trip planned?

Minnesota’s fishing opener remains May 12. We’ll let you know as soon as we can if it gets bumped up a week, as is currently being debated in the Minnesota Houses.

The moose have been moving about recently. This lady was spotted camouflaged in the undergrowth near Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.

The ducks in the picture above seemed to think it was no big deal to have open water on Seagull Lake this morning (3/25) but Gunflint Trail resident are still a little gobsmacked that boating season is already upon us. Suddenly it’s time to start putting docks in, pulling boat motors out of sheds and garages, and hauling canoes down to the shoreline.

The very early spring thaw this month has resulted in the earliest ice-out dates ever on the Gunflint Trail. Ice was out on Gunflint and Loon Lakes as of March 23 and Seagull followed suit on March 25.

The previous earliest ice-out dates for Gunflint Trail lakes were just two years ago in 2010, when the Trail experienced another very early (albeit, slightly later than this year’s) spring warm up. In 2010, Gunflint Trail lakes were ice free on or by April 10.

According to the MN DNR, the  median ice out dates for several Gunflint Trail lakes are:

• Saganaga Lake: May 7
• Seagull Lake: May 1
• Gunflint Lake: May 6

This year’s astonishingly early ice out dates provide some unusual opportunities. Don’t have time for a summer Boundary Waters trip this year? How about an April canoe trip? No bugs!

If you do plan to get out on the lakes in the near future, remember to play it safe. While it’s always a good idea to have a life jacket on when you’re boating*, canoeing, or kayaking, it is especially important to wear a life jacket in the weeks after ice out.  We may have had an early spring thaw, but the lakes are still very chilly and an accidental slip in the lake can be a very serious matter this time of year.

Happy paddling and be safe!

*Minnesota law requires all children ages 10 and under to have a life jacket on at all times when in a boat. Those 11 and up are not required to wear a life jacket, but must have an accessible PFD or life jacket in the watercraft.

Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service released a new study on visitor use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The study is based off of visitor surveys collected in 2007. According to MPR, which studied the report on this morning’s Daily Circuit program, the study has three main findings:

• The median age of BWCAW users is 45. (Back in 1969, the median age was 26.)
• 99% of BWCAW users have a high school diploma
• Overcrowding is not a major concern among BWCAW visitors

As a public tract of a million acres of lakes and woods (Quetico Provincial Park to the north in Ontario adds another million acres of the canoe country commonly referred to as “The Boundary Waters”), the Boundary Waters are meant for everyone to enjoy regardless of their age, gender, education level, or experience.

The study revealed that just 6% of BWCAW visitors are first time visitors to the Boundary Waters. That 94% of BWCAW visitors are returning to the Boundary Waters year after year is an important reminder that if you introduce a child to the Boundary Waters, they’re likely to return.

Not sure how to introduce your little one to the Boundary Waters?

• The Becoming A Boundary Waters Family program, developed by Gunflint Trail Outfitters, is a great resource if you’re thinking about taking your first family Boundary Waters trip this summer. The program includes a no-nonsense, how-to book and during the summer season, the program sponsors U.S. Forest Service ranger presentations at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center and “Wet Your Paddle” how to canoe seminars at Gunflint Trail outfitters.
• Outfitters can take the edge off of a first time trip into the Boundary Waters by providing all your gear and food and helping to familiarize you with paddling and navigating in the woods.
• Day trips into the Boundary Waters while you’re staying at a Gunflint Trail resort is a great way to gain confidence with your paddling skills and to get your kids excited about exploring the woods. Day permits for paddling and hiking in the Boundary Waters are free and you’ll need considerably less gear for day jaunt into the BWCAW.

Here on the Gunflint Trail, we believe that everyone can benefit from some time in the woods. It’s a place where people relax, reflect, and recharge.   It’s also a place for recreation: swimming, hiking, exploring, fishing, berry picking, paddling, wildlife sighting, and more.

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.

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.

Here on the Gunflint Trail, we’re celebrating fresh dumping of snow.  But just because it currently looks like this on the Gunflint Trail, don’t think you’re limited to planning a winter camping trip.

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about this summer’s camping trip on the Gunflint Trail. You can begin reserving your Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits for the 2012 season (May 1 – September 30) starting today, January 25.

Any overnight trip into the Boundary Waters from May 1 – September 30, be it canoeing, motoring, or hiking, requires an overnight permit. Permits are issued for individual entry points into the Boundary Waters and each entry point has its own quota for how many groups (each group is limited to nine people and/or four watercraft) are allowed to enter the Boundary Waters through that entry point daily.You can reserve your entrypoint for your entry date through recreation.gov.  A $6 reservation fee applies, in addition to the user fees associated with the permit: $16 per adult and $8 for children under 18.

If all this information seems a little overwhelming, you can learn more about Boundary Waters rules and regulations here.

However, the easiest thing to do in the early planning stages of your Boundary Waters trip is to call up any Gunflint Trail outfitter. They’re  happy to assist in any step of the trip planning process, whether this is your first or one hundredth trip into the Boundary Waters. They can recommend routes for your group and will handle the permit reservation for you, if you like.

Remember, no Gunflint Trail entry points are affected by the Pagami Fire closures and all Gunflint Trail entry points are open at full capacity for the 2012 season.

Where will you go this summer in the Boundary Waters?