Cell Phones, Mining and Weeds Oh My

Thursday, April 28, 2011 by Sue prom

     What do cell phones, mining and weeds have in common? They are three things threatening the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
     The Court dispute regarding a cell phone tower near Ely, Minnesota continues. The Friends of the Boundary Waters are among the fight against putting up a cell phone tower that could be seen from lakes within the BWCA.
     Mining near Ely, Minnesota is also being challenged by the Friends of the Boundary Waters and other groups interested in protecting the environment. The effects of mining could be long lasting and detrimental to the water quality in and around the BWCA as well as a threat to other natural resources.
     Weeds are perhaps the newest threat to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The USFS is accepting comments on their Non-Native Invasive Plant Management Project. They hope to control or eradicate the 13 acres of NNIP in the BWCA by treating or pulling plants at the over 1000 sites within the canoe country.  Read more about it online at my Examiner site.
     Soon the lakes of the Boundary Waters will be fluid once again. Guess we better enjoy them as much as we can.

BWCA Entry Point

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 by Sue prom

     How do you choose your BWCA entry point if you've never been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area before? How do you plan your BWCA entry point if you have been to the BWCA before? Do you take a stick pin and spin yourself blindfolded and stick the pin into the map and wherever it lands you go?

     It can be a difficult decision to determine where you want to enter the Boundary Waters. There are entry points throughout the wilderness from as far west as Crane Lake to as far East as the Arrowhead Trail. You can even enter the BWCA from the Sawbill Trail or near Isabella, Minnesota. There are so many different entry points it's hard to know just where to begin.

     Even though we are BWCA outfitters at the end of the Gunflint Trail we have paddled all over the canoe country wilderness entering through Crane, Brule, Moose and many other Boundary Waters entry points. While each area is beautiful we are obviously partial to the entry points on the Gunflint Trail.

     We have deeper lakes, higher cliffs and of course we can outfit you if you choose to enter on the Gunflint Trail. That alone should help you narrow it down to the Gunflint Trail. Once you've determined that you can think about the type of trip you want to take and how much you want to paddle, portage and fish.

     If you're fishing for a particular species then you can narrow the options down even further because not every lake has every species of fish. If you don't want to have to portage at all then you can eliminate quite a few of the BWCA entry points. If you want to hike on a hiking trail while out canoe camping then your options are really limited. How can you find all of this out without spending days reading guide books?

     Voyageur has a great trip route finder that will help you pick an entry point into the BWCA. You can enter criteria into the program and it will provide you with trip route options as well as maps. After you narrow it down that way then give us a call or drop us an email so we can talk about your routes. We've paddled the routes and can help you find one that may be more suitable than had you played pin the pin on the BWCA map.

     Check out the route planner today! http://owl.boreal.org/canoeit.com/route-search/

How Far Can You Paddle In a Day?

Monday, March 21, 2011 by Sue prom

     A question we are asked frequently as Boundary Waters Canoe Area outfitters is, "How far can we paddle in a day?" Unfortunately this question is not an easy one to answer. Unfortunately there are many variables that factor into how far and how fast one can travel by canoe during a day. Among these factors are type of canoe, experience of paddlers, amount of gear/weight, how the canoe is loaded, weather conditions, wind, waves and type of water you're paddling. There are rivers with fast currents, lakes with no current and portages to consider as well.

     Our Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition Crew must factor in all of these variables and then some in order to complete their voyage from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay this summer. This trip won't take a few days or weeks but a few months to complete. A shorter BWCA wilderness canoe trip route is a little easier to figure out.

     The average paddlers travel about three miles per hour in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  This isn't paddling at a race pace or running across wilderness portages but it is a normal leisurely pace for the BWCA. When you're on a canoe camping trip you may find yourself not paddling continuously because you want to take a swim break, cast a line or stop to take pictures of the BWCA wildlife. All of these things take time as does setting up and breaking down camp.

     If you don't want to be setting up or breaking down camp in the dark then you'll need to keep in mind how many hours of daylight you have. In the middle of the summer when there are 16 hours of daylight in the canoe country wilderness a person can cover quite a few miles in a day. But in the early spring or fall the same Boundary Waters canoe route may take more days.  You'll need to know how many hours and days of travel you want to do in order to determine how far you want to go.

     A 50 mile Boundary Waters canoe trip could look quite different depending upon who is paddling it. One group of people may paddle 5 hours every day for 10 days, 10 hours each day for 5 days or 20 on Day 1, rest on Day 2 and Day 3, paddle 10 on Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6. It really just depends upon what the group wants to do. It's best to determine this before you're out in the wilderness.

     The Voyageur Hudson Bay Crew will no doubt be in better paddling condition a week or so into their trip. They will be stronger paddlers and once they are in a groove their portaging should be swifter too. The portions of the trip on rivers will find them covering alot of area quickly while paddling across Lake Winnipeg may be very time consuming.

     You'll be able to keep an eye on the progress of the Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition by checking out the website where we'll keep track of where they are at. We'll know how far and fast they can paddle in a day but we'll also know there's going to be alot of variables related to it.

Hudson Bay Paddler Writes about Capsizing

Saturday, March 19, 2011 by Sue prom

     This blog entry was written by Adam Maxwell and edited by me. He and three other young men are paddling from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay this summer.

     The most feared experience among people paddling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is the fear of capsizing. There aren't polar bears, grizzly bears, poisonous snakes or other deadly creatures to worry about in the BWCA but capsizing in the canoe country is a real risk, especially to those who paddle early in the spring or late in the fall.

     I experienced the fear of capsizing in the Boundary Waters in early May of 2009 while working at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.   I started my canoe camping trip the day before fishing opener for an early season, 8- day solo wilderness canoe trip. When I left American point there were still a few ice chunks floating on Saganaga Lake and plenty of snow hidden by the shade of the trees.   After months of winter this trip was just what I needed. The solitude of the woods and the lake trout crusing the shallow water were calling my name.

     On the fifth day of my Boundary Waters trip things took a turn for the worst. Just after leaving my BWCA campsite on Ogish I made the mistake of looking at my Boundary Waters map instead of the waves that were hitting my canoe. A gust of wind kicked up and the freezing cold water hit me like a brick. I was completely submerged in the water and at least 100 feet from shore. I could hear the last words Mike had said to me before I left, "Be careful, if you tip in this cold water you have about three minutes to get out of the lake."

     I realized I needed to leave my canoe and main pack to swim toward shore with the little dry bag I had strapped to the thwart of my canoe. The bag contained a few items of clothing and some matches. When I made it to shore I was completely exhausted and with my first step onto land I stumbled and hit the ground.  Struck with fear I retreated to the woods to escape the wind and put on what little dry clothing I had.

     About an hour later I saw a group of canoeists, the first I had seen in three days. I yelled to them and in no time they had retrieved both my canoe and my pack.   I knew I would make it through my worst moment in the BWCA.

     Looking back I’m glad I experienced what I did. Nothing helps a person become a better paddler faster than a life threatening experience.  The realization that a great day can turn deadly in a heartbeat has forced me to think through my actions better. It was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way, but a lesson I will never forget.   Adam Maxwell

This lesson will help the Hudson Bay Expedition Crew as they make their way from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay this summer.

Paddling Plans for the Summer

Sunday, February 27, 2011 by Sue prom

     We've heard from a number of canoe country enthusiasts who have planned their summer Boundary Waters Canoe Area or Quetico Park canoe trips at Voyageur already. It's exciting to think about canoe routes, fishing spots and wilderness campsites even while there is 3 feet of snow left on the ground.

     It's even more exciting to think about the long journey planned by some modern day Voyageurs. Three past Voyageur Crew members will be helping us celebrate Voyageur's 50th Anniversary by paddling from Lake Superior all of the way to Hudson Bay.

     In the days ahead you will hear lots more about this incredible journey but in the meantime, how about you make some paddling plans of your own for this summer?

Fresh Snow on the Gunflint Trail

Sunday, February 20, 2011 by Sue prom

    What makes an already fun place like the Gunflint Trail even more fun in the winter? Fresh snow! We were blessed with a few inches of the white stuff overnight and it looks like a winter wonderland on the Gunflint Trail once again.

     I'm hoping to take advantage of the new snow conditions and venture into the Boundary Waters for a day. The portages should be much easier to travel after last week's warmer temperatures. The wilderness lakes should be less covered in snow and slush and that should make for some faster traveling by snowshoe or cross-country skis.

     There are fish to be caught in the BWCA. Our guests who have been out have reported lots of success with the lake trout. Fourteen fish in one day sounds like a great day of Boundary Waters fishing to me.

     Come on up and visit us at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and see just how much more fun winter is up here.

Best Time for Bugs in the Boundary Waters

Friday, February 11, 2011 by Sue prom

     The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has gotten a bad rap for its bugs. I personally don't think the bugs are bad in the BWCA. I think there are plenty of mosquitoes, gnats and other nasty insects in abundance elsewhere but people just don't notice them because they don't spend any time outside. Our bugs in the Boundary Waters don't normally carry diseases, lethal bites or deadly stings, they just have a tendency to "bug" people who are outside 24-7 on a canoe camping trip.

     If you're looking to avoid bugs in the Boundary Waters altogether then I like to suggest visiting us from November to April. These six months you'll rarely see a bug. Of course you won't be able to paddle the canoe country during these months either.

     The next best time to avoid bugs in the canoe country is as soon as the ice goes off of the lakes. The ice usually leaves the lakes of the Boundary Waters during the last week of April or first week of May depending upon the size of the lake and the thickness of its ice. This isn't a guaranteed bug free time in the BWCA but there should be a an open window for bug free paddling especially if you're trying to avoid mosquitoes.

     There are over 50 species of mosquitoes in Minnesota and just a little over half of them bite. Not all of them bite humans and each have their own unique life cycle. Some species need specific conditions such as length of daylight or water temperature and these conditions usually can't be met immediately after ice out.

     The first mosquitoes to arrive in the BWCA are usually the big, slow ones that don't bite.   It usually isn't until the end of May when the biting mosquitoes arrive in numbers.  Mosquitoes continue to hatch throughout the summer until we get a good frost but the numbers dwindle quickly and considerably by the end of June. Each month after there are fewer and fewer mosquitoes in the BWCA to contend with and with a little common sense and preparation you'll barely be bugged by them.

     Although mosquitoes fly about during the day they most actively feed at dusk.  If you can be in your tent before that then you can listen in comfort to their buzz as they descend to the forest floor. If you do happen to be outside then you'll want to protect yourself with clothing, a headnet and some type of mosquito repellent. If you are outside then they will find you because they detect their meal of blood by the carbon dioxide we exhale and the heat we give off. Unless you are better than I am at not breathing and altering my body temperature they are going to find you in a hurry.

     Compared to the mosquito the other bugs of the BWCA don't receive much attention. Some folks are worried about the biting flies and I'm never even sure what they mean because I am rarely bitten by a fly. The first biting flies on the scene are what I usually call gnats because they are so small. They sometimes arrive earlier than the mosquitoes because they lay their eggs in moving water that thaws before calm water ice. They peak in the early part of June and since they only produce one generation a year they are almost obsolete after that. A sheet of bounce in a cap, wearing light colored clothing and only going outside at night will keep you safe from these daytime swarming insects.

      There are so few biting flies in the BWCA that are out for such a short time most people don't even know about them in spite of their existence. Size and speed at which they fly help distinguish a Horse Fly from a Deer Fly. I can always tell when a Horse fly is attacking my paddling partner in the Boundary Waters. Since they like water, legs and wet skin I'll feel the canoe shift abruptly from movement before I hear the sound of a hand slapping skin. Horse flies fly faster than Deer flies and normally escape the palm of my partner's hand.

     Deer flies are more annoying than anything as they buzz around and around your head until you grab them from the air. I can usually pluck them out of the sky, throw them to the ground and stomp on them before they have time to react. Both the Horse and Deer flies appear around July, only produce one generation and are only out during the daytime.

     The stable fly is a biter that produces more than one generation and both the male and female bite so they are more abundant than the other types of flies. They too are more of an annoyance(just ask Rugby) and we refer to these flies as ankle biters because that's where they tend to get you when you're trying to set up your tent. As with all bugs they tend to prefer some people over others and luckily for me they don't like me as much as the rest of my family.

     The last Boundary Waters bug of any concern is what we call "Jaws." The real name is the No See Um and when I first saw this in print on a product that had "no see um netting" I thought it was a joke but they really do exist. If you've ever been bitten by one then you won't deny their existence because for such a little insect it packs a good sized hurt. It maybe isn't so much of a hurt as it is a shock that you are feeling pain yet you can't see anything. They are so tiny they are difficult to see and the slightest breeze will carry them away so most people don't get to experience them. They are usually around for parts of June and July and only come out on calm nights.

     There you have it, the best time for bugs in the Boundary Waters. By the end of July the bugs are barely an issue in the BWCA and in August and September you probably won't know there are any at all. So if you're wondering when a good time to visit the Boundary Waters is when there aren't any bugs now you know. But if you ask me when the fishing is good then that's a different story altogether.

Winter is Thriving on the Gunflint Trail

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 by Sue prom

     There's still snow stuck in the branches of the trees and this morning's temperature was thirteen below. That's two signs that remind us winter is still here and thriving on the Gunflint Trail.
     There is a good three feet of snow in the woods providing plenty of recreational opportunities both inside the BWCA and outside of the BWCA. Motors aren't allowed in the Boundary Waters during the winter so if you want to explore the wilderness you must do so by snowshoe or cross-country skis. Canoe country portages look a little bit different when they are covered in snow.
     Voyageur Canoe Outfitters also looks different in the winter. Picnic tables that weren't tipped over for winter make perfect snow forts. Snow clings to the rooftops of the bunkhouses and you need snowshoes just to get to them. We invite you to come see for yourself this weekend.
     It's the Volksski 400 and although I personally can't participate I want Voyageur to be represented. On February 12, 2011 we're attempting to ski every kilometer of the over 400 kilometers of ski trail in Cook County. You can sign up for different sections and be a part of this awesome event. I'm willing to almost give the lodging away if you're willing to ski.
     Here's the deal. For every unique kilometer of ski trail you sign up for and ski on February 12th we'll give you that percentage off of our normal lodging rates. Say you ski 10 unique kilometers and your freind signs up and skis 20 unique kilometers you would get 30 percent off of your lodging. If you have four people and you all ski 20 kilometers of unique trail then you would get 80 percent off! There's over 70 kilometers within ten miles of Voyageur and they are ready and waiting for you. I'm hoping someone will take me up on this great offer so Voyageur can be a part of history.
     Come see how winter is thriving on the Gunflint Trail.

Boundary Waters Routes

Friday, February 4, 2011 by Sue prom

     Just like all of the different shapes and sizes a snowflake can fall to the earth as Boundary Waters routes come in all shapes and sizes. There are so many lakes and portages in the 1.3 million acre Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness they say there are over 1200 routes to choose from. I would guess there are even more routes than that since the park stretches over 150 miles in some places. No wonder folks have a difficult time determining what Boundary Waters Route they should travel with the over 2000 wilderness campsites to choose from who would know exactly where to go?

     The first place I reccommend asking about canoe routes is a BWCA canoe trip outfitter. As an outfitter and an avid paddler I have paddled in most of the lakes in the Gunflint Ranger District and many of them out of the Ely District. Not all outfitters paddle the lakes of the canoe country but most of them have at one time or another. Regardless most BWCA outfitters have a vast knowledge of the lakes and portages in their area.

     A wilderness canoe camping trip is normally a great experience but I've heard people tell horror stories about BWCA lakes and portages. When I've inquired asking for further detail and to show me on the map they'll point to some route that isn't even maintained as a route anymore or they'll describe where it was and I'll know from previous experience that's where a moose path is, not a portage. If they would have checked with an outfitter first then most likely they would not have spent an afternoon bushwhacking through shoulder high brush or dragging their canoe through a dried up beaver pond.

     Most outfitters are willing to give you a little advice even if you aren't outfitting with them. We charge for a full map routing session but if it's just a question or two then we're more than happy to answer the questions. We want people to have a good BWCA experience so they will return again and bring their friends or their kids or their friend's kids.

     Deciding your canoe route is an important decision you should think about carefully. We have a trip route planner on our website as well as maps to go along with it. If you have questions then feel free to give us a call or drop us an email. We can even send you maps of the area so you can plan and dream in the comfort of your own home.

     While you're at it, keep an eye on the snowflakes and remember the BWCA has endless route possibilities just like the shape of a snowflake.

In my Backyard the Boundary Waters Wait

Sunday, January 30, 2011 by Sue prom

     It's quite wonderful to live at the end of the Gunflint Trail surrounded by the canoe country wilderness. I can leave my house on snowshoes and be in the Boundary Waters in a twenty minute trek. Our property across the river at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters leads right up to the BWCA. I could go snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the Boundary Waters any day I want. It's right there, outside my door waiting for me to come explore.
     The Boundary Waters is right outside in the summertime too. A short ten minute paddle and I could be at a BWCAW campsite on Saganaga Lake or Seagull Lake. How awesome is it to be this close to the wilderness?
     Pretty awesome except for the fact I have a hard time working when the wilderness is constantly calling for me. There are lots of lakes to explore, trails to hike and fish to be caught in my backyard where the Boundary Waters wait.

Canoe Trip Planning and Preparation

Monday, January 17, 2011 by Sue prom

Wilderness canoe camping trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Park can be a bit physically challenging. Paddling for miles and portaging across rugged terrain can get your heart pumping as do other types of exercise. I usually say it's difficult to get into "shape" for the rigors of a canoe trip unless you want to walk around your neighborhood carrying packs and a canoe. I'm not sure if these folks have outfitted with us but they are taking my advice and taking great care to be in shape for their next wilderness canoe camping adventure.

They can tote a boat - canoe? Pair practice portage

First, a little context: They met in 1995. They were both new teachers at Germantown Friends School. Taia Harlos was coaching the powerlifting girls. Jeff Fetterman was coaching the wrestling team. She used to stop by his practices to tease the grapplers, and to flirt.

On their first "date," Jeff goaded Taia into trying single-leg takedowns. During one attempt, she injured her foot, and he loaded her into his VW bus and took her to the hospital, where they spent six hours getting acquainted in the waiting room.

Taia, 41, a nice Polish girl from Buffalo, and Jeff, 44, a nice German boy from Haddon Township, have been married 14 years. They live in a cozy post-and-beam house in Germantown heated by a woodstove. The walls are decorated with moose antlers, snowshoes, bows and arrows, paddles, axes, and banjos.

Taia teaches music to students from kindergarten to sixth grade and directs the lower-school orchestra. She can play many instruments, but her favorite is the violin. Jeff teaches sixth grade and coaches the middle-school wrestling team. He is a mountain biker and snowboarder and is restoring a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser.

Taia is an avid snowboarder as well, and they both love the outdoors. They have hiked and backpacked and rock-climbed. They have made several cross-country camping trips. Every summer for the last 11 years, they have taken groups of GFS students on canoe expeditions in the Lake Temagami region of Ontario. The more advanced trips require 20 to 25 portages.

All of which helps explain, I hope, the spectacle that occurred in Germantown's Cloverly Park the other night. As snow fell steadily, Taia was carrying a red 17-foot canoe, while Jeff was walking Otter, their German wirehaired pointer. As is their custom, they would later switch.

Taia calls it "portaging for fun." Jeff calls it "a workout with a purpose." I call it functional fitness with a ridiculous and imaginative twist. However you describe it, the Canoe Couple have been performing this unusual ritual every evening since Thanksgiving, causing plenty of bemusement and bewilderment on the avenues and byways of Germantown and East Falls.

"It's a terrific whole-body workout," Jeff says, especially effective for strengthening the core.

"It's great for warding off the muffin top," says Taia, referring to the bulge of fat around the top of pants and skirts that often materializes in winter.

The canoe weighs north of 85 pounds. In the middle of the canoe there's a contoured piece of wood called a yoke that spans its width. When portaging, after flipping the canoe overhead, you support the yoke on the back of your neck and shoulders. You balance and stabilize the canoe with your arms, which are extended up and forward, your hands gripping another wooden crosspiece called a thwart where it meets the gunwales.

The Canoe Couple usually portage between 8 and 11 p.m. when the neighborhood is quiet, the sidewalks deserted. Their short walk is about a mile and takes about 20 minutes. Their long walk is about two miles and takes about 50 minutes. Needless to say, they attract lots of amazed looks and stares. Some people smile and give the thumbs up. Motorists often toot their horns. Wiseacres sometimes shout, "When's the flood?" and "The river is thataway." Jeff thinks they must look like trash pickers.

The other night, after crossing the park, Taia carried the canoe down School House Lane. This stretch can sometimes turn into a wind tunnel, and holding the canoe steady can require a battalion of stabilizing muscles. "It gets the heart rate up," Taia said. To heighten the exertion, the Canoe Couple sometimes jog while portaging. At a fire hydrant at the end of Oak Road, which borders the campus of William Penn Charter School, the Canoe Couple switched places, with Jeff hefting the canoe, Taia taking the leash.

Jeff calls street portaging a "getting to the point" workout. The point is preparing for the rigors of summer canoe expeditions. Some of the wilderness portages are as short as 50 meters, others as long as three miles. But the shorter portages are not necessarily easier. They often involve steep and treacherous terrain, and traversing waist-deep marshes and pools of mud and moose muck.

"The thing that's hardest on the trips is carrying the canoes," Jeff says. "As guides, we have to be at least one step ahead of the strongest participant."

Taia calls street portaging "a more natural way to work out."

"We get great exercise, Otter gets a great walk, and we talk a lot," she said. "It's a wonderful way to unwind and reconnect."

On Midvale Avenue, a jogger passed and acknowledged the sight with an amused smile. To him, Jeff and Taia seemed to be transporting a canoe; in truth, the canoe was transporting them - to recollections of sylvan splendor, solitude, and tranquillity.

Contact columnist Art Carey at 215-854-5606 or acarey@phillynews.com.
Canoe country camping

How Young is Too Young to Visit the Boundary Waters?

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Sue prom

     We get asked this question by quite a few BWCA families who want to bring their kids to the woods. I say you are never too old or too young to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The challenge with canoe camping in the BWCA with small children is getting them to keep their life vest on. If a child doesn't fuss when they are wearing a PFD then by all means bring them to the Boundary Waters.
     We made our kids wear their lifevests almost constantly when they were little. I still worry sometimes when they are out on the dock without them on. There's no need to take it off even around camp or when swimming.  Having your child wear their lifevest at all times takes a little bit of the worry away when camping in the BWCA.
     No one wants to harm their child so common sense is key when bringing your children to the wilderness canoe country. The sun's glare can be extremely harsh so lathering tons of sunscreen on your child, having them wear a wide brimmed hat and keeping them out of the direct sunlight is very important.
     You'll want to protect your child from other elements of the BWCA as well. If a child is not paddling then they can get pretty cold in the middle of a canoe especially if it is raining. A good set of rain gear, an umbrella, a tarp or other protection from the rain is needed. Bug bites can affect children's sensitive skin so dressing them appropriately, using bug deterrents and having bug screen along can help keep them safe. Remember to bring along some sort of itch cream in case the bugs do reach your child.
     The attention span of all individuals is different. There are some two-year-olds who will refuse to sit in a canoe for 8 hours just as there are adults who will refuse to do the same.  Knowing how much paddling to do and more importantly, when to stop will make life much more pleasurable while camping with your family.
     Some people need to be entertained or they will get bored from doing the same thing over and over. Paddling the wilderness lakes of the Boundary Waters may not seem repetitive to you but to others it might. Tie toys to the inside of the canoe for tots to play with, play I Spy, sing songs, tell stories, read a book, take pictures, use binoculars and think of a number of other creative ways to pass time while in the canoe.
     Plan the BWCA trip according to your group's abilities. A trip with alot of long portages isn't going to be easy with some small children. One hike from an entry point parking lot into a wilderness campsite might be just perfect. That way you're always within a short distance if you need to cut your trip short.
     If you're really worried you or your child won't do well while camping in the Boundary Waters then plan to stay in a cabin near the BWCA. That way you can take day trips to introduce your child to the wilderness lakes and islands. Enjoy swimming, picknicking and paddling during the day and return to a cozy cabin at night. If everyone does good then make the step up to a wilderness canoe camping trip in the BWCA.

Boundary Waters Fishing- Winter Style

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 by Sue prom

     It always amazes me how people can catch fish through a hole in the ice.  Ice fishing in the Boundary Waters requires a little more work than fishing from a canoe in the BWCA during the summertime. It also requires patience and a little luck to get a fish to pass beneath your hole and get interested enough in your bait to bite it.
     Snowmobiles and power augers are not allowed in the canoe country of the BWCAW. This means you need to snowshoe or cross-country ski into your wilderness lake destination. Once you're there you still need to figure out where on the vast BWCA lake you'll drill your hole. It isn't like trolling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the summer because it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to drill a hole through the foot or more of ice to get to the water. Once you finish drilling a hole drilling another one doesn't sound like much fun. You hope you've found a spot where the fish will bite and your effort will produce results.
     Boundary Waters fishing in the winter isn't necessarily all about the catch. But then again, it rarely is. It's about the wilderness experience, the solitude, fresh air and maybe just a little bit about the possibility of action on the line.

Winter Trails on the Gunflint Trail

Monday, January 10, 2011 by Sue prom

     We're sorry you missed celebrating the 16th Annual Winter Trails Day at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters this year. There are so many great trails to explore on the Gunflint Trail we wished you could have been here on January 8, 2011. The good news is the trails are still here for you to enjoy and explore and we'd love for you to come and check them out.
     I've been visiting a few of the cross-country ski trails in an attempt to ski my 200 kilometers of different trails for the Volkski. This weekend Sheri Prom and I skied the famous Banadad Trail so I was able to mark another 28 kilometers of ski trails off of my list. It wouldn't take me long to ski all 400 if I could spend every weekend skiing.
     There are other trails I like to frequent in the winter and they aren't all cross-country ski trails. Snowshoeing is just as fun as cross-country skiing and sometimes even more so because you can go wherever your shoes will take you. Tomorrow my snowshoes will make some tracks behind the school as I help take Josh's class snowshoeing in the woods.
     It's probably a good thing I take a few days off of cross-country skiing. My feet put up a little bit of resistance and I have a couple of blisters to show for it. There are plenty of trails inside and outside of the BWCA for you to enjoy so give us a call and we'll point you in the right direction.

What BWCA outfitters look like in the winter

Make Tracks to the Gunflint Trail this Winter

Monday, January 3, 2011 by Sue prom

     The new year is here and it's time to make tracks to the Gunflint Trail. The annual Winter Tracks Festival is right around the corner in February. There are lots of exciting events happening during the festival so book a room at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and come stay and play.

     If you enjoy cross-country skiing then you won't want to miss out on the Volks Ski 400. Anyone can participate by logging their kilometers skiied in the county throughout the winter. On February 12th we hope to have every inch of all of the trails in Cook County skiied on just that one day. Come be a part of a fun and record setting event on the Gunflint Trail.

     Did anyone get outside and create any unique zoo snow sculptures like I suggested in a recent blog? If you're interested in creating snow sculptures then there's a unique opportunity for you to participate during Winter Tracks.

     There are plenty of other activities to enjoy during the winter in Cook County. Snowmobiling, dog sled rides, sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowshoeing and more can be found on the Gunflint Trail during Winter Tracks and throughout the winter season. Come make some tracks of your own on the Gunflint Trail this winter.

Need Not Be Brave for the BWCA

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 by Sue prom

     One thing I love about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is when it is compared to other outdoor recreation opportunities a person doesn't have to be overly brave or experienced to enjoy it. There are some very beautiful places to visit around the world but many of them aren't forgiving when it comes to human error or the wrath of Mother Nature.
     Take for example a local from Grand Marais who is planning a trip to Mt. McKinley. His outdoor adventure will find him attempting to summit during the winter when there's only four hours of daylight and possibly minus fifty degree weather. Only sixteen people have summited in the winter and six have died trying.
     Dangers exist around every corner in some forms of outdoor recreation. Avalanches, falling in an ice crevasse, slipping off a mountain into oblivion, freezing to death in a winter storm, skiing at a high speed into a tree are all ways to end a vacation quickly.
     Even in places where one would think they were relatively safe there exists the possibility of becoming the next meal for an animal.  Specifically a polar bear or grizzly bear that likes the taste of human and may roam a regular campground next to a highway. Our black bears in Minnesota are like big raccoons that get into our food or garbage but don't prey on humans.
     While some folks may think weather in the BWCA can be questionable the temperatures really don't vary much during the summer paddling months. It may get down into the 50's at night and up into the 90's during the daytime but generally the temperatures are in the 60's and 70's and it's quite pleasant.
     Then there are the dangers that lurk beneath the canoe. Luckily in the canoe country of Minnesota we don't have hippos, piranhas, sharks or other people eating animals to worry about if we capsize. Sadly for a 35-year old kayaking the Lukuga River in the Congo he didn't even capsize but was still plucked from his kayak by a crocodile never to be seen again. I like knowing what's beneath me when I'm canoeing isn't going to come up and eat me. I might be surprised to see an otter, beaver, loon or snapping turtle but I can't picture any of them pulling me into the water to eat me.
     Bugs are a big concern for many Boundary Waters canoe campers. While we do have mosquitos and black flies I don't think they are that bad. I've been to the Everglades when my arm turned instantly black with mosquitos the second I got out of my car. I've been to places where upon returning to the US they won't let you give blood because you've visited that country in the past year. We've never had a case of Malaria or West Nile Virus in the BWCA.
     While no outdoor recreational activity is considered safe and there's risk involved in everything we do I like to think the Boundary Waters is a better option than other wilderness trips. You won't find poisonous snakes or spiders, petty thieves hiding in the bushes or the need for expert wilderness skills. A little common sense, a focus on safety and wearing a lifevest makes the BWCA a good bet for a safe return.  I think I'll keep paddling the canoe country of Minnesota and if I'm feeling brave enough to paddle in the Congo or summit Mt. McKinley in the winter then I'll make sure my funeral plans are arranged.
was recently plucked from his kayak in the Lukuga River in Congo by a crocodile. don't leave much for error

Cross Country Skiing on the Gunflint Trail

Sunday, December 26, 2010 by Sue prom

     Canoes dot the wilderness lakes of the Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters during the summer but when the lakes freeze other modes of transportation become necessary. Snowmobiles aren't allowed in the BWCA but dogsleds, snowshoes and cross country skis are.  The woods and lakes of this region provide the perfect place for cross-country skiing adventures.
     There are many groomed trails to ski on the Gunflint Trail including the 17.4 mile long Banadad Trail that passes through the Boundary Waters.  While this ski trail can be enjoyed during a one day excursion it is best enjoyed with an overnight stop at Boundary Country Trekking's yurt located about 8 miles from the Banadad's Western trailhead.
     The Croft Yurt is a comfortable place to rest and recharge when skiing the Gunflint Trail's Banadad Trail. A kitchen allows guests to cook a meal while a wood stove keeps them warm. The nights are quiet as there is no hum from electrical appliances. A trip to the bathroom provides the ideal opportunity for star gazing from the outhouse.
     After a good night's rest skiers make their way to the Eastern trailhead at Boundary Country Trekkings doorstep. It's a 12 mile trek that passes near Boundary Waters lakes and across wilderness portages.
     The Banadad Trail provides the cross country skier the equivalent of a BWCA wilderness canoe camping adventure. It's a great way to experience the vast outdoors of the Gunflint Trail when snow and ice cover the lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Still Paddling the Boundary Waters

Monday, November 1, 2010 by Sue prom

     Our Voyageur crew member Andrew went out paddling and camping in the Boundary Waters this past weekend. On Saturday morning he woke up to a blanket of snow covering his campsite and canoe. It takes a hearty soul to canoe camp in the BWCA at the end of October and that's what Andrew is.
     We don't recommend just anyone goes out into the canoe country wilderness in the fall. It's best to have previous experience, common sense and a bit of caution when the weather turns cold. Cold water temperature combined with cold air temperatures can make hypothermia a real possibility in the event of capsizing.
     With five years of experience at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and multiple trips into the wilderness Andrew had a great weekend in the Boundary Waters. I'm taking bets on whether or not we'll see Andrew one more time before the lakes turn solid. We know we'll see him when winter comes to the BWCA.

I'm in Love with the Boundary Waters

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 by Sue prom

     I must confess, I am in love with the BWCA. I'm filled with happiness when I'm canoeing or camping in the Boundary Waters and I miss it desperately when I'm not. It refreshes me and cleanses my soul giving me a more optimistic view on life. This can only be described as love.
     I was able to take a solo canoe trip into the Boundary Waters over the weekend and what a weekend it was. Who would have thought a weekend in October in the BWCAW could be so wonderful? The temperatures were perfect for wilderness camping with daytime highs up into the 70's. Sunshine filled the daytime sky and the wind was practically non-existent. None of bugs of the Boundary Waters were out and with just a few other folks out paddling the canoe country it was beyond peaceful.
     One of my favorite things about camping in the Boundary Waters is looking at the night sky. The night sky was filled with twinkling stars and their reflection could be seen on the calm surface of the wilderness lake. You feel as if you're floating in space amongst the stars as you gaze up into the sky from your Boundary Waters campsite.
     Fishing in the BWCA was as fun as ever but unfortunately the catching wasn't so good. I didn't put too much time into trolling as I wasn't planning to eat or keep any fish anyway. Good thing since I didn't get a bite.
     I did miss swimming in the refreshing lakes of the Boundary Waters especially after my long portage. I waded in to cool off but it didn't take me long to head back to shore and out of the frigid water. I really like to swim in the wilderness lakes but I'll have to wait until next summer until I can do that again.

Oh yes, I love the Boundary Waters and can't wait to spend time there once again.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness campsite

Camping in the canoe country wilderness of the BWCA

Boundary Waters Maps

Friday, October 1, 2010 by Sue prom

     If there is one essential item for a canoe trip in the wilderness then it's a Boundary Waters Map. Well, I suppose you would need a canoe and paddle too, but I wouldn't leave a BWCA entry point without a good Boundary Waters map. There are all kinds of maps out there but I would only rely on a few Boundary Waters maps to navigate with in the canoe country.
    The two most popular Boundary Water maps are Fisher and McKenzie.  Both companies have been around for quite awhile and offer waterproof, tearproof, detailed BWCA maps. Fisher maps are recognized by their yellow and blue colors while McKenzie are white and blue.
     Newer to the BWCA map market are the Voyageur Map series and National Geographic maps. The Voyageur map series are fine for navigating while the National Geographic maps should not be used for navigational purposes. There are two BWCA maps by National Geographic one for the Eastern side of the BWCA and one for the West. Both provide a great overview of the area complete with campsites but not enough detail to navigate the canoe country.
     We sell a great overview map of our area at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. It's a multi-purpose map as it is printed on a bandana.  Our guests have loved these and you will too. We also sell all of the other Boundary Waters maps online so check them out and don't leave a BWCA entry point without a map or two. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially in the Boundary Waters.

Canoe Country