Boundarywaters

     It's been pretty cold on the Gunflint Trail lately and I wouldn't want to have been out camping in the Boundary Waters.  Winter camping in the BWCA can be a fun thing to do, but not when the temperatures dip into the -30's!  Last night our low on the Gunflint Trail was -37 degrees actual temperature and it only got up to -3 degrees yesterday for the high. Yep, it's been pretty cold on the Gunflint Trail.

     That doesn't mean there hasn't been activity on the Gunflint Trail.  The birds have been feeding endlessly at the bird feeder. Neighbors have reported moose, wolf and lynx sightings and of course the fox have been out and about too.  As for the two legged folks on the Gunflint Trail their time outside has been a little shorter than usual especially when the wind has been howling like the wolves.

     The moon is approaching full and it's an amazing time to be in a snow covered wilderness. The moon reflects brightly off of the snow and it looks almost like daylight on the lakes of the BWCA.  If the temperatures don't increase a little bit then I won't be out skiing beneath the full moon this weekend.  Until then I'll be sure to keep the bird feeders full and a log in the fireplace.

     It's a new year on the Gunflint Trail and we hope to see you at Voyageur! While it may seem like summer is a long time away it will be here before we know it. Later this month we'll be able to start reserving Boundary Waters permits and we can already reserve Quetico Permits for trips starting 5 months from now.

     We're busy at Voyageur talking to folks about their canoe trips to the BWCA and Quetico.  We're also taking inventory of what we have and what we need for the new year. We'll be purchasing canoes, gear and it's the time of year we put our outfitting food order in as well.

     We hope to see you at Voyageur this new year and wish you all the best!

     As BWCA canoe outfitters and parents we've had the opportunity to take a number of family canoe trips into the Boundary Waters. We love paddling with our kids and think a Boundary Waters canoe camping trip is one of the best family vacations there is.

     While there are a number of great BWCA trips to choose from for your family we've decided to list a few here for you to choose from.

Top 5 Family Trip Recommendations

1.      Saganaga or Red Rock Base Camp – We've done this BWCA trip even when our kids were in diapers. We've taken a tow boat ride to the Red Rock portage or to a campsite on Saganaga.  We've taken day trips, swam, picked blueberries, fished and had an awesome time.

2.      Duncan and Rose Lake – When the kids got a bit older we took them into Rose Lake. Stairway Portage is a beautiful portage that is next to a waterfall and is great fun to play in when hot outside.  It crosses the Border Route Hiking Trail that can be accessed for day hiking trips that entertain kids for hours. 

3.      East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine – Give this route a try if your kids are able to carry a small day pack.  A nice day trip is to walk the portage to Pine and then to Johnson Falls.  You can camp at one site or multiple sites during this trip.

4.      Granite River – A great trip for a young family to do a 3-5 day canoe camipng trip.  While there are lots of portages you can break them up by camping at multiple sites.  It's a great trip for avoiding wind because there isn't big water on the route. 

5.      Seagull, Knife Saganaga – If your children are a little bit older and have been on another trip then this is the perfect BWCA route.  It's a great 5-6 day loop route that has lakes of all sizes, great fishing and scenic vistas.  It requires a bit of paddling and portaging and is a great route for families who want to cover some ground and water!

Happy Paddling!

     The blueberry picking season will be coming a little earlier this year on the Gunflint Trail. An early spring, lots of rain and abundant sunshine has brought out a few blueberries already.  Most plants are mixed with pink, green and a few blue blueberries.  Some places along the Gunflint Trail there aren't blue blueberries yet but there will be sooner than normal.

     It's not time to bring out the buckets yet but give it a week or two and there will be blueberries for picking on the Gunflint Trail.

     Considerable amounts of rainfall overnight in Northeastern Minnesota has led to flooding.  Travel around Duluth, Minnesota is not advised due to unknown conditions of roadways and more rain expected.  EMS systems are not functioning properly in parts of Lake County and Cook County making the situation more complicated in case of an emergency.

     Some areas in Duluth received 6-8 inches of rain.  The Duluth Zoo suffered the loss of animals due to flooding and some area residents are being asked to evacuate.  Some roads are closed due to sinkholes, spouting manholes and general flooding.

     There are said to be areas along the North Shore that have also experienced flooding. Due to phone outages and loss of our local internet provider our communication at Voyageur is limited.  We have received around 1.5" of rain and are safe from flooding and open for business.  However, if you are traveing to Voyageur today please use extreme caution.

     You can communicate with us by responding to this blog in the comment section.  Stay safe!

Here are some photos floating around the web...

     The dates are set for our BWCA canoe camping tips for Women and we'd love to have you be a part of one. If you have ever wanted to take a Boundary Waters canoe trip then this is the perfect opportunity.
     It doesn't matter if you have paddled extensively or if you have never been in a canoe you are welcome to participate in a Voyageur adventure. Our trips are designed so you can learn the necessary skills while you're out enjoying the canoe country with other women. You'll participate in all aspects of the trip including setting up the tent, cooking, cleaning, portaging and of course paddling.
      The benefits of the wilderness are many and you'll feel a new sense of confidence after accomplishing a BWCA canoe trip.

Itinerary
You will arrive at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters on the first day of your session to meet the rest of your group and discuss your trip. After your routing session, you will pack up your personal articles and depart for 3 nights of camping and 4 days of paddling in the wilderness. Group participants will return to Voyageur on the 4th day and will spend the night in one of our luxurious Lodge Hideaway units to celebrate their accomplishment. Enjoy breakfast with us in the morning in our main lodge before you head for home with wonderful memories of your wilderness canoe camping experience.

Package
This package has been designed for women by women. This complete outfitting package includes everything you need for a wilderness canoe camping adventure. We provide sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, packs, food, canoe, lifevests, paddles and everything you need. You just bring your personal clothing, toiletry items and fishing gear if you want to fish. We send you a trip preparation packet prior to your trip to help you in the packing of your personal items. In an effort to bring awareness to women's health and to promote an active outdoor lifestyle we include a Pink Paddle made by Wenonah Canoe designed by owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitter's Sue Prom. This is a lightweight, bent shaft paddle made from graphite that you will get to bring home with you.

     We are offering three scheduled Women's Trips for the summer of 2012. Each session features an easy route suitable for beginning paddlers and costs $500. To reserve your space on a trip just call us toll-free at 1-888-CANOEIT, tell us the session you want to participate in and secure your reservation with a deposit of $250.


July 2-6th- arrive & paddle on the 2nd, off water & stay in lodge on 5th, depart on 6th.

July 8-12th- arrive & paddle on the 8th, off water & stay in lodge on 11th, depart on 12th.

*July 15-19th- arrive & paddle on the 15th off & stay in lodge on 18th, depart on 19th. *For women 50 and older.
 

     It sounds like a silly question to ask but we've heard it several times before, "Where do you get your water in the Boundary Waters?" What people mean is where do you get your drinking water.  Some folks envision themselves carrying bottles of water out into the canoe country but luckily you don't have to do that.

     When you're in the BWCA you can use the water right from the lakes.  Most places you would probably be safe to drink the water without any treatment but to be on the safe side you should probably treat the water before drinking.

     One option to treat the water in the Boundary Waters is to bring it to a boil.  This is the most effective for getting rid of both bacteria and viruses but there are a couple of drawbacks.  Bringing water to a boil can be time consuming and use alot of fuel. It also takes a while for the water to cool off before drinking it.  I don't mind room temperature water but hot water on a hot day isn't what I crave.

     There are tablets and filters to treat water before drinking it.  Iodine tablets and Potable Agua will get rid of most bacteria but will leave a weird taste in the water.  Filters will filter out most bacteria but it can be a time consuming task as well.

     My favorite method for treating my water when I'm out in the BWCA is to use a SteriPen. These use ultraviolet rays to treat the water and work in a flash.  The ultraviolet rays kill both bacteria and viruses and leave no after taste.

     The next time you're out in the BWCA consider using a SteriPen. It's a fast and effective way to treat your drinking water.

From the STeriPEN website

SteriPEN products use ultraviolet (UV) light technology to purify water, destroying more than 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidia.

The method has now been used for over one hundred years, and is currently used to purify drinking water by some of the largest cities in the world, including Seattle, New York (scheduled soon), Tempe, AZ  and many others in North America, Europe and Asia. Ultra Violet light is also used by leading bottled water manufacturers to purify their source water.

The EPA officially recognized the use of ultra-violet as a proven, viable technology in 1996: "Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been found to be an effective disinfectant…. a useful small systems disinfection technology option." UV purification works as the ultraviolet energy emitted by the light is absorbed by the cells of the microbe, preventing cell enzymes from 'reading' its DNA. Without intact DNA, microbes can’t reproduce to make you sick. The process is simple but effective, destroying over 99.9 percent of harmful microorganisms.

Purifying water with UV light offers many advantages. In addition to being safe and effective, UV light does not alter the taste, pH, or other properties of the water, and works without the introduction of chemicals to the water.

    Hauling hammocks, camp chairs and tables across BWCA portages isn't something I like to do even though I love to have them when I'm camping. I like the comfort they offer and a tent you can stand up in is pure luxury.  It seems the older I get the more comfort I crave and the only way to satisfy that craving is to do a base camp canoe trip.

     There are quite a few different Boundary Waters entry points to choose from for a base camp trip where you don't have to portage.  Saganaga is probably my first choice because I can use a boat and motor or have a towboat haul out some of my gear.  This allows maximum comfort including a cooler with ice and cots!

     Seagull Lake base camp is a close second choice for setting up a base camp.  I love all of the different day trip options there are to choose from.  I like to hike the portage into Grandpa or J.A.P. or get a line wet in Alpine or Rog. 

     East Bearskin Lake and Brule Lake entry points into the BWCA provide nice options for setting up a base camp as do a few of the lakes just outside of the Boundary Waters. Gunflint Lake, Poplar Lake, Birch Lake and Bearskin have wilderness type campsites that do not require a portage to get to or a permit to camp in.  Three entry points into the BWCA where you can park your vehicle and then portage into a campsite are Morgan, Ram and Bower Trout Lakes. 

     If you're looking for comfort, don't want to travel alot or are short on time then check out these base camping in the BWCA favorites of mine. 

     Minnesota made Wenonah is our favorite Boundary Waters canoe. We love their variety of canoes as they have something for everyone.  From their solo canoes like the Prism to their four person Minnesota IV they have a canoe for every group size and type of trip you can imagine. At Voyageur we carry many of their designs and love them all.

     The canoe I take out into the BWCA depends upon what type of canoe camping trip I am taking.  Obviously if I'm going solo I'll take the Prism or Canak and if I'm going with 3 in the boat then I usually prefer the Minnesota III.  However sometimes it's nice to take a Boundary Waters model for a group of 3 because it allows an extra set of hands on the portage. 

     Do you have a favorite Wenonah Canoe?  Tell us what you like about it!

     With Memorial Day weekend upon us some folks are looking to get away from the city.  Many of them want to flock north but don't think they can take a canoe camping trip into the BWCA with this short of notice.  The good news is there are still permits to enter the Boundary Waters available. 

     While I prefer to take longer canoe camping trips into the BWCA I do on occasion take one night and two night trips into the wilderness.  On these trips I prefer to find an entry point lake that doesn't involve a portage to get into.  Saganaga and Seagull Lake are my two favorite BWCA lakes for a quick trip. 

     A few other other entry points I like for a quick Boundary Waters trip are Larch Creek and Crocodile River.  With just a little bit of paddling and portaging you can be into a nice lake with good fishing.  This is also true for Magnetic Lake for accessing the Granite River.

     If you only have the weekend off then don't rule out the BWCA. There are plenty of great lakes to choose from and there are permits available at the last minute for many of them.

     Fishing in the Quetico Park this summer?  You can purchase your Canadian Fishing License online and print it prior to your Quetico trip. Save valuable paddling time by not having it issued at the Quetico Park Ranger Station.

     You'll need both your Outdoors Card and your license in order to fish in Canada.  Anyone 18 years and older needs a license and can get one by visiting the website http://ontario.ca/outdoorscard or by calling 1-800-288-1155.

     The fee for the Outdoors Card is $9.68 and an 8-Day Conservation License is $28.84.  A One year Conservation License is $48.26.  You can find additional information regarding fishing in Onatrio online.

     The answer to the question, "How do I plan a Boundary Waters Trip?" is very simple, you just call an outfitter, preferably Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.   We can help you plan a BWCA canoe trip within a few minutes of speaking with you.

     The benefits of using the services of a canoe outfitter to help you plan your Boundary Waters Canoe Trip are endless.  We've been outfitting canoe trips into the wilderness for 20 years and we know the lakes and the routes.  We know what type of fish are in which lakes, the degree of difficulty of the portages and the best places to camp.  We also know where you are most likely to run into a moose and when you're most likely to see people.  We can tell you lots of valuable information about planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip but you have to give us a call first.

     It's our job to outfit folks into the Boundary Waters and to make sure they have a good time and return year after year.  We'll help you plan your Boundary Waters trip, we're ready and waiting to do so. 1-888-CANOEIT

     Do you have your canoe trip planned for the summer yet?  If not then there is still plenty of time to get your BWCA or Quetico Park wilderness adventure on the calendar.  There are permits available and summer is just around the corner.  We can help you plan a great canoe camping trip.

     Our first canoe groups will be heading into the BWCA and Quetico Park later this week.  The water temperature is still pretty cold but they have lots of experience so we're not worried about them paddling the wilderness waters.  They'll paddle close to the shore, wear their life vests and won't take any chances while out in the canoe country. 

     The forecast calls for the temperature to reach 70 degrees by Wednesday but then it will drop back into the 50's for the weekend.  If I had a clear schedule I think I'd be planning to go camping in the BWCA yet this week.  But it will have to wait until after the Ham Run Half-Marathon on Sunday.

     I think this is finally the year for an early season Boundary Waters canoe trip.  How about you?

     Despire the declining moose population in Northeastern Minnesota we still see our fair share of them on the Gunflint Trail.  This last time I had my dog Rugby in the car with me and he doesn't particularly like to see moose. Here's what he had to say about it.

     The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is located in the state of Minnesota.  In Minnesota all personal watercraft must be registered in order to be used on public waters.  If you want to bring your canoe to the BWCA then your canoe must be registered either in your own state or in the state of Minnesota. 

     Unfortunately the Minnesota DNR hasn't made registering online an option for watercraft registration unless you are renewing a current registration. You can find information about registration online.

Where to apply:

In person at any deputy registrar of motor vehicles (where you license your car) or at the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN.  On your way up to the Gunflint Trail you can stop at Isaak Hansens in Lutsen, MN.

If your new boat (except kayaks or canoes) is longer than 16', your dealer will apply for title and registration (license) on your behalf, and is responsible for providing you with license materials.

When you register your boat for the first time, know its length, manufacturer, type of hull material (wood, metal, or plastic), type of propulsion, model, year, serial or hull identification number (HIN) and have a sales receipt that shows you have paid the sales tax.

Length is the straight-line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part of the boat (stern). Bowsprits, outboard motor brackets, rudders and other attachments are not included in the measurement.

Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years (for example 1/1/2003 through 12/31/2005).

Issuing fee If new, renewal & transfer or transfer only: $8.50

     Taking kids fishing in the BWCA is a great experience.  It's so much fun to see their excitement no matter what the size or species of the fish is.  I guess I'm still a kid at heart since it doesn't matter to me what type of fish I catch when fishing in the Boundary Waters, it's always a blast!

     If you’re looking for a true wilderness then visit the Boundary Waters in October.  BWCA permits are based on a self-issuing process due to the lack of visitors during this month.  No people, no bugs but lots of places for you to enjoy the solitude of the BWCA.

     The month of October is known as the Harvest Moon and Falling Leaves moon.  After the fall colors have reached their peak and dried up then the winds blow the leaves to the forest floor.  The decomposing leaves produce the unique smell of fall in the air.  The air is somewhat chilly with the average daytime high of 51 degrees and a nighttime average of 32 degrees.  The sun can still be hot but the hours of daylight are dwindling and night fills the sky longer.

     The night sky is the focus in the Boundary Waters in October.  Two different events keep canoeists eyes on the sky during the evenings.  The Draconid Meteor Showers are seen at nightfall and occur the 2^nd week in October.  They are best seen without a moon as are the Orionids.  The Orionid meteors are the third week of October and display about 15 meteors per hour and leave long trains.  After midnight is the best time to see the Orionids.  Be sure to check the calendar to see the exact dates for each year and plan your BWCA trip around them.

     The BWCA lakes turn over in October and the water is chilly at around 40 degrees.  This is when whitefish and lake trout spawn and large northern pike can be caught.    Walleye move shallower once again making them easier to catch.

     The Boundary Waters is quiet in October as wildlife prepares for winter.  The snowshoe hare will be changing colors as moose and deer enter their rut.  Some ducks will be present like the Golden Eyes and Mergansers but soon they along with the loons will leave for warmer temperatures.  Snow buntings will appear as the other winged wonders disappear.  The Black Bears will be looking for a place to spend the winter months and other animals will be busily preparing for snowfall.

     With a little extra caution and clothing October can be a wonderful time to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  Camping can be a bit chilly but the lack of people and ultimate solitude makes October an incredible time to experience the wilderness of the BWCA.

In some people’s opinion there isn’t a better month to visit the BWCA than in September.  The bugs have departed, the people are scarce and the wilderness scenery is more beautiful than ever bathed in the fall colors.  If you’re looking for a real treat then try the Boundary Waters in September.

The temperatures begin to cool down in September and in response the lake’s water temperature also drops.  While swimmers may not be too happy about the temperature change the fish are.  Walleye and Lake Trout can be found in shallower water once again and become more aggressive.  Smallmouth Bass tend to bite less but Northern Pike are as feisty as ever and it’s a great time to catch a trophy Pike.  The average daytime temperature is around 66 degrees, nighttime temperature 44 degrees and we only receive 3.8 inches of rain on an average year.

When the temperatures drop the wildlife in the Boundary Waters gets busy.  The squirrels and chipmunks scurry about packing away food for the long winter.  Bear are busy fattening up and avoiding being shot during the annual bear hunt that is typically the first couple of weeks of September.  Small game like grouse are out and about and that hunting season opens as well.  Many winged wonders can be seen migrating and the loons bunch up in preparation for their flight.  The moose also prepare for their mating season.

The predominantly green landscape of summer begins to change color in the canoe country during September.  The September moon is sometimes called the wild rice moon because rice in the BWCA is ready to be harvested or the yellow leaf moon for the changing of colors.  The aspen and birch turn golden yellow, the maples a vibrant red and the tamaracks a warm burnt orange color.  The process can be slow or quick and the foliage varies from lake to lake but it all is similarily brilliant.  The peak color change is different every year but if you’re lucky enough to be in the Boundary Waters for it then you’re in for a real treat.

September is a wonderful time to visit the canoe country wilderness.  The peacefulness is plentiful and the bugs are basically non-existent.  The fishing, wildlife and changing of colors makes September a very special month to paddle the BWCA.

     You know what they say, "No news is good news?"  I think I agree because the headlines these past couple of days haven't necessarily been good. 

     One headline deals with the Minnesota Moose Hunt.  In spite of declining moose numbers the MN DNR has decided to allow another season of moose hunting.  Apparently the moose shot during the hunt don't affect the population.

     Another headline is about air pollution that makes its way to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  There are plants throughout the state that cause there to be a haze over the BWCA but the MPCA decided not to decide what to do about it at a recent meeting.

     Lastly the headline regarding mining near the BWCA didn't do much to cheer me up.  The MPCA won't deal with the problems they already have and we're supposed to trust them to do the right thing when it comes to mining next to the Boundary Waters? 

     The good news is the paddling season is almost here.  Some lakes are ice free and more will be soon.  This is a record breaking year for earliest ice out.  I'm also seeing moose on Sag Lake Trail on a daily basis and that's great news too.  Let's hope for no more "news" about the BWCA, unless it's the good kind.

The first couple of weeks in August tend to be a very popular time to canoe camp in the Boundary Waters.  Is it because of the never-ending sunlight, lack of bugs, bountiful blueberries or starry night skies?  Whatever the reason August is a great time to visit the BWCA.

The days are a bit shorter in August but are still plenty long for paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters.  The lake water is at its warmest for swimming and air temperatures are warm too.  The average high temperature is 76.1 degrees, average low 52.4 degrees; perfect conditions for sleeping outside of the tent beneath the stars. 

Hang in a hammock between two trees and make yourself cozy.  There’s no need for a screen because the bugs are basically non-existent in the BWCA in August.  While hanging in the hammock keep an eye on the sky for the Perseid Meteor Shower.   Perseid meteors can often be seen as early as July 23, when one meteor every hour or so could be visible.  It is possible to see up to five per hour at the beginning of August and when they peak around the 12^th of August you could see as many as 50-80 per hour.  After the peak the number slowly declines but they offer sky watchers a real treat for the first half of the month.  There’s no better place to watch the Perseid meteor shower than in the dark skies of the BWCA.

The light of the moon reflecting off of the lake is another beautiful sight.  The month of August is known in Ojibway as the Blueberry Moon.  Sometimes blueberries will ripen before August but we’ll almost always have blueberries in the Boundary Waters to pick in August.  Along with the blueberries are raspberries, thimbleberries, bunchberries, cranberries and rose hips to pick and enjoy.  There’s even some flowers still blooming and they are primarily purple towards the end of the season.  Purple Knapweed, Purple Loosestrife and Fireweed are seen in August as are Black-Eyed Susans, Goldenrod and water lilies. 

The fishing in the Boundary Waters during August is good.  While lake trout go deep the smallmouth bass and northern pike are ready and willing to bite.  Walleye can be a little difficult to find but once you find them you’ll catch lots of them. 

As if the above reasons weren’t enough to want to visit the Boundary Waters there are other things happening in August such as Monarchs emerging from cocoons, mushrooms ripening, wild rice getting ready to harvest and hummingbirds preparing to migrate.  August is indeed a wonderful time to be in the BWCA.