April 26, 2005It's officially SPRING on the Gunflint Trail!!And an early one, at that. The ice is out on all of the Gunflint Trail area lakes (Gunflint Lake surrendered the last of its ice on April 20, according to Barb Gecas, from Heston's Lodge & Country Store). You'll have to look hard to find any remaining patches of snow. Although there was plenty of it and folks skied until just a couple of weeks ago, the snow went fast once the temperatures hit the unseasonably (but welcome) warm highs experienced throughout much of this month.Pussy willows have just passed their fuzzy stage, and all the buds are getting ready to burst into green. The first flowers, Spring Beauties, were spotted in bloom on Saturday, April 25, and the Marsh Marigolds are blooming now in wet areas beside the road. From here on out, it will be one wildflower species blooming after the next, building to a peak of colors and varieties by late June. Fishing opener is May 14 this year…get ready to reel 'em in! And, remember: many resorts offer Value Season rates at this time of year, so be sure to check their individual web sites. Call now to book your spring, summer, or fall vacation with your favorite Gunflint Trail host resort. And if you haven't already done so, call your Gunflint Trail outfitter right away to get your dates and permits for those Boundary Waters and Quetico wilderness canoe trips. By the way, next time you're in Grand Marais on your way up the Trail, be sure to stop by the Gunflint Trail Info Center and find out about current activities, conditions, and lodging specials. We also offer a nice selection of Gunflint Trail gifts. 
Coming right up…on the Gunflint Trail. Call now to book your vacation with your favorite Gunflint Trail host resort. By the way, next time you're in Grand Marais on your way up the Trail, be sure to stop by the Gunflint Trail Info Center and find out about current activities, conditions, and lodging specials. We also offer a nice selection of Gunflint Trail gifts. Call now to book your vacation with your favorite Gunflint Trail host resort. Featured: Photo of the Month and Gunflint Trail Businesses of the Month! Snow Conditions Winter Photo Album Phenology Calendar 
Upcoming Events for 2005North Shore Arts Calendar - Grand Marais Playhouse and other visual and performing arts events 
What Happens in April and May? April was known to the earliest residents of the Gunflint Trail as The Maple Sugar Making Moon (literally, the name means "boiling month" - a delicious time to get together with friends) Watch for loon scouts on fly-over missions, looking for open water. Ice starts pulling away from the shore, and by mid-month many of the smaller lakes have complete "ice-out;" some of the largest lakes may go until late in the month (or some years until into May!) before they are free of ice. Spruce Grouse are in full display. They puff out their feathers, erect their red "eyebrows", fan their tails and strut for all they're worth. May was known as Flower Month (wildflowers of all varieties begin peeking up everywhere you look). Warblers return from the tropics. Twenty-six species of "winged jewels" migrate and nest in the Gunflint Trail area. That's half of all North American species! Quaking Aspen leaves are the first to emerge, lending a bright green wash to the landscape. Moose have their calves and White-tailed Deer have their fawns. Lake Trout are still in shallow water. Fish for them right after ice-out or opener, whichever comes last. |
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Welcome to the Gunflint Trail, a northeastern Minnesota destination of a different nature, where moose, loons, warblers, Goshawks, and Boreal Owls out-number the human population. The north woods and boundary water lakes are full of exciting things to do spring, summer, fall, and winter (and remember, we get a LOT of snow here!). Thinking about planning a vacation? Then you'll want information on lodging, dining, canoe trips, camping, and year-round events. Want to be a virtual visitor? Take a look around our Photo Gallery for some spectacular scenery, check out the wildlife, birding, and moons of the Gunflint, search the site for what interests you most, or view maps of activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. If there's anything you'd like to know more about, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page, or send your question by email. We're looking forward to seeing you soon on the Gunflint Trail. 
Have a look at what folks are doing on the Gunflint Trail. Click here to see our Summer Photo Album or the Winter Photo Album.  Wood Anemonies 
Gunflint Trail Ferns in Spring Wildlife on the Winter Trails Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are both excellent ways to appreciate the winter wildlife on the Gunflint Trail. Watch for tracks, scat, and signs of browsing, or for signs of wolves marking their territories with urine. You may see tiny tracks of voles and mice, mole tunnels, and larger tracks of deer, moose, wolf, lynx, fox, spruce grouse, and snowshoe hare, to name a few. Pass through the woods quietly. Listen carefully to hear calls, pause and watch closely for signs of movement. Wildlife Photo Gallery 
Gunflint Trail Cam is currently being hosted by Nor'Wester Lodge. 
Gunflint Trail Cam is currently being hosted by Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters. 
Northern Lights, November 7, 2004 Thanks to Robert Kerfoot, Gunflint Lodge |
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Campgrounds Lodging and Accommodations Dining Vacation Planner Virtual Visitor News Conditions/Weather Site Information Canoe Trips Winter Information Wildlife Gunflint Trail Activities Gunflint Trail Winter Activities Birding Festival Calendar FAQ Request Brochures Copyright 2004 Gunflint Trail Association | |||