Gunflint Trail

     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!

     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.

    

     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.

City:	LUTSEN
Address:	4921 WEST HIGHWAY 61
Zip:	55612
Phone:	218-663-0021
Hours:	M-F 8:00-4:00 Sat 8:00 - 12:00

 

 

 

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

Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowing shells (not rowboats) and paddleboats up to and including 19 feet (over 19 feet same as pleasure craft)

$10.50

$5.00

+ issuing fee*

 

    

     We knew there would be long lasting effects of the Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  No forest fire of that magnitude could not result in some campsite closures in the BWCA.  The USFS announced changes to BWCA entry point quotas and campsites in January 2012 for the upcoming paddling season.

     Not one of the 114 BWCA campsites affected by the Pagami Fire are in the vicinity of the Gunflint Trail.  Only 75 of those campsites have been closed and many will open up quickly once crews can get into the Boundary Waters Wilderness to cut down snags and other hazards near campsites.  Some campsites will remain closed longer due to lack of cover from the fire or the need for a new latrine to be brought in.  The USFS will work to get the campsites and portages cleaned up in a timely matter.

     As you'll see on the map below, the Gunflint Trail was not affected by the Pagami Fire.  None of the lakes in our District or BWCA entry points in our District have been closed due to the fire.  We're very lucky the fire remained closer to Ely's entry points and stayed far away from the Gunflint Trail. 

     For more information about the closures you can check out a previous blog entry of mine. 

 

     Every year we outfit a fair amount of Boy Scouts for their canoe trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  There is a Boy Scout Base over on Moose Lake outside of Ely, Minnesota but we have been told time after time that Scout Troops would rather outfit their BWCA trip with us. 

     We've heard from Boy Scout Troops who have outfitted with the Sommers Boy Scout Base and they have said our equipment is much nicer and the prices for outfitting with Voyageur are less expensive.  The quality of equipment is important when you're out in the wilderness and any little discount helps when it comes to how much a BWCA trip costs especially for Boy Scouts who often have to fundraise for all of their money.

     Another reason Boy Scout Troops like us is that we're located at the end of the Gunflint Trail.  Moose Lake where the Scout Base is located is quite busy and and our location is less hectic.  Scout Troops love to be made to feel special and at Voyageur we make them feel very special.  We provide each Scout with a map, t-shirt and patch when they choose the complete outfitting package.

     Unlike the Boy Scout Base or other Boy Scout destinations you don't need to reserve your space at Voyageur three years in advance of your trip.  You can reserve now for a trip this summer or you can even wait until April or May to let us know.  Chances are there will be plenty of permits available for your Scout Troop to camp in the Boundary Waters.

     We love to outfit all types of groups and individuals at Voyageur and we'd love to see you all this summer.  If you know of a Boy Scout Troop that might be interested in a BWCA canoe trip then be sure to tell them about Voyageur, we'll take great care of them.

     Every once in awhile we'll hear the question, "Why should I paddle with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters?"  Our first thought to this question is, "Because we're the best!"  And while this statement is true it might sound a bit like bragging so we usually tone it down a little bit.

     Our answer to why take your BWCA trip with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters goes something like this.  We've been year round residents at the end of the Gunflint Trail since 1993 and have been outfitting BWCA trips since then. 

     We're 56 miles from the nearest town of Grand Marais, MN and you are already in the wilderness when you begin your trip up the Trail.  Just by driving the Gunflint Trail and coming to Voyageur you're farther into the wilderness than some people get on their Boundary Waters canoe trips.

     We love what we do and where we live and this shows.  Our enthusiasm and love of the wilderness is evident and we want to share this love with as many people as we can.  We take pride in being the best there is in BWCA trip outfitting.  We're knowledgeable about the Boundary Waters, Quetico Park, wilderness fishing and camping and everything Gunflint Trail. 

      We have an excellent facility and incredible staff and we provide a one-of-a-kind outfitting experience.  We guarantee your satisfaction with Voyageur and the number of repeat customers we have speaks loudly.  

     There it is in a nutshell.  While it may be easier to just say we're the best it's probably better to give the lengthy explanation, even though we really are the best!

     If you have your Boundary Waters Canoe Trip for this summer all planned out then you can reserve your permit beginning January 25th, 2012.  If you don't have your plans determined then don't worry, there's plenty of time to make your plans especially if you're paddling out of the Gunflint Trail.  

     The Gunflint Trail side of the BWCA is not as heavily used as entry points into the BWCA near Ely, MN.  We'll often have Boundary Waters permits available up until the last minute.  However, if you want a particular entry point on a particular day then the sooner you reserve your permit the better.

     How do you reserve a BWCA Permit? You can give us a call with all of the information below and we'll do it for you or you can do it yourself.  It's quite easy and you can reserve your Boundary Waters permit online or by telephone(1-877-444-6777) When reserving a BWCA camping permit you'll need the following.

1. Name, address and telephone number of the party leader.
2. Name of up to 3 alternate party leaders
3. Number of watercraft(estimated & can be changed) up to 4/permit
4. Number of adults & children(17 & under) estimated & can be changed upon arrival at your permit pick-up location.
5. Entry point & Entry Date(these are set in stone)
6. Exit Point(is not set in stone)
7. Permit Pick Up Location(Choose us, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters if you're outfitting with us or entering at an entry point near us).  By default the permit will be sent to the USFS Ranger Station closest to your BWCA entry point. 
8. Submit payment with a credit card($6 Reservation Fee, $16/adult, $8/youth)

     That's all there is to reserving a Boundary Waters canoe trip permit.  If you need help determining an entry point or route then feel free to give us a call.  We love to talk about canoeing in the BWCA.  1-888-CANOEIT

     Yesterday we received a letter from the USFS outlining changes made to Boundary Waters entry point quotas and campsites.  According to the Forest Service 114 campsites were affected by the fire.  Not all of those received equal fire damage and out of those only 75 campsites will be closed at the beginning of the 2012 season. 

     The Forest service will open the BWCAW campsites when the sites are safe and rehabilitated.  Some campsites just need some snags removed while others need attention to prevent erosion.  The USFS said, "Forest Service crews will be opening most campsites early in the 2012 season."

     The were 23 lakes with campsites that were affected and of course none of these were near the Gunflint Trail.  The lakes included are, One, Two, Three, Four, Hudson, Insula, Horseshoe, Brewis, North Wilder, South Wilder, Harbor, Clearwater, Gull, Pietro, Hudson Pond, Baskatong, Bog, Isabella Lake, Isabella River, Kawashong, Quadga and Rice.  The reductions range from 1 campsite removed up to 13 on Insula. 

     In order to prevent crowding in this area of the Boundary Waters the USFS has reduced quotas for entry point lakes.  According to their document there will be no quota for Little Isabella River, Bog Lake or Island River and the Pow Wow Hiking Trail is closed until further notice.   Isabella Lake will have 1 permit a day as will Snake River.  All of these areas have restrictions regarding day use and directions which one may go so be sure to check with an outfitter or the USFS before traveling.  Lake One lost 4 permits a day but gained 2 permits called Lake One Restricted. 

     The Lake One Restricted will be in place until the other four permits are added to the regular Lake One quota.  Folks entering the BWCA with the restricted permit will not be allowed to camp on Lake One, Two, Three, Four or Hudson at any time.  This isn't a problem for people who want to travel on the fist and last day of their canoe trip.

     On the Gunflint Trail we're thankful to have all of our entry point permit quotas in place and campsites ready for use.  We can start reserving BWCA permits on January 25th so give us a call 1-888-CANOEIT or send us an email to get yours reserved.

     There are so many reasons to visit the Gunflint Trail in the winter.  There are groomed cross-country ski trails, lakes to ice fish on, forests to snowshoe in, endless opportunties for snowmobiling, stars to gaze at and wildlife to watch.

     To see wildlife on the Gunflint Trail you don't even have to get out of your vehicle.  Just head up the hill out of Grand Marais and keep your eyes open.  Before long you'll most likely see a moose or three.  Thirteen moose from Grand Marais to the end of the Gunflint Trail in one drive is our record.  This year a friend of ours saw seven before making it half-way up the Trail.  

     Snowshoe hare, fox, pine marten, deer and wolves can often be seen while driving the Gunflint Trail as well.  If you want a closer look at deer then head up to Gunflint Lake where residents and resorters feed the deer sometimes from their hands.  Where there are deer there are sure to be wolves so the Gunflint Lake area is great for seeing and hearing wolves. 

     While out on a snowshoe trek the other day I saw an otter slide in the snow.  I haven't seen an otter yet this winter but they are around any open or moving water and are fun to watch.   

      Canadian Lynx are even spotted on the Gunflint Trail and side roads.   The Gunflint Trail is a winter wonderland where there's wonderful wildlife to watch.  Come see for yourself and visit us at Voyageur. 

     If there's one New Year's Resolution that should be easy to stick to it is to Visit Voyageur Canoe Outfitters in 2012.  Whether it is for a Boundary Waters Canoe trip or a stay at the end of the Gunflint Trail you must include a trip North on your 2012 Bucket List.

     The lakes are frozen but will be liquid once again before we know it.  We can reserve your BWCA canoe camping permit beginning January 25th but there's no need to worry if you don't have your canoe trip dates determined at that time.  There will still be plenty of permits available throughout the entire summer.

     Our cabins are booking up quite nicely for the summer of 2012.  There are still plenty of weeks open for you and your family to enjoy time at the edge of the Boundary Waters at the end of the Gunflint Trail.  Call today to reserve your place in the woods.

     We're wishing you the best in 2012 and we're hoping you'll include us in your New Year's Resolutions.

     It's a white winter wonderland at  Voyageur and we couldn't be happier with our snow.  The Gunflint Trail is a beautiful place to spend Christmas or any time of the year.  The BWCA is blanketed in snow and the lakes are almost all frozen.

     We're wishing you and your family the happiest holidays ever from our neck of the woods to yours.

     With the exception of a few of the big parts of the big lakes the Boundary Waters on the Gunflint Trail are frozen.  Saganaga and Gunflint Lake still have some open water due to windy, warmer weather but they too will freeze over completely very soon.

     Visitors to the BWCA must now use methods other than paddling to travel the wilderness area.  Snowshoes are a popular choice as are cross-country skis depending upon the terrain.  Travel by dogsled allows you to cover alot of territory and no matter how you get around it's a wonderful time to explore the BWCA.

     Here's hoping you'll discover the frozen lakes of the Boundary Waters this winter.

     The 2012 Boundary Waters Permit Reservation process begins online on January 25th, 2012.  We can take your reservation any time prior to the BWCA permit season opening, just get us your information and we'll take care of it.

     There will be no lottery for BWCA entry point permits on the Gunflint Trail this year so we'll make all permit reservations on the 25th of January.  If you know your entry date and entry point then we can process your reservation now.  The number of people in the group, the exit date and exit point are all estimated so we just need the basic information to take care of your reservation for a Boundary Waters permit.

     We're looking forward to being a part of your BWCA canoe camping trip so give us a call today. 1-888-CANOEIT or visit http://www.canoeit.com

     I'm not a big fan of the short days during winter but there is an advantage to more hours of darkness.  When the sky is dark for so many hours it provides more time to view the northern lights.

     In the summer we're busy at Voyageur and often go to sleep early.  When the sun doesn't set until 9:30pm and the sky isn't actually dark until much later it's not very likely we will see the northern lights.

     The first five years we owned Voyageur we didn't have indoor plumbing and used an outhouse.  During this time is when I saw the northern lights most frequently.  We didn't have aurora alerts back then but it didn't matter because if they were out, then I would see them.

     There was some solar activity during the night and the aurora borealis are expected to be in the sky this evening.  The Gunflint Trail is a great place to view them and with a little luck the sky will be clear and I'll get to see the northern lights dancing in the night sky tonight.

     A forecast for sunshine and 50's for Thanksgiving Day on the Gunflint Trail.  With the snow melting and warm temperatures it feels more like Easter than Thanksgiving.  The temperatures will cool off soon so we'll just enjoy the nice weather while it's here.

     Thanksgiving is a reminder for us to be thankful for everything we have.  We at Voyageur are very thankful for all of our past guests and readers of our blogs.  We thoroughly enjoy outfitting canoe groups into the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park.  We love to introduce people to the wilderness waters and share our love of the Gunflint Trail.  We are thankful for your support that allows us to live year round in this magical place next to the BWCA.

     We hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Thanks to you, we'll be enjoying ours at the end of the Gunflint Trail.

     The snow buntings are experiencing a nice long stay on the Gunlfint Trail this year.  Without snow on the ground they have plenty of food to eat and no reason to leave.  I sometimes wonder if some of the birds dislike their time on the Gunflint Trail and want it over sooner rather than later?

     One could come to this conclusion when driving the Gunflint Trail during the daytime.  The flocks of birds scatter themselves on the road and wait until the last possible moment to fly away.  Every so often one waits until just after that last possible moment and ends up as part of a vehicle's grill.

     Was this snow bunting tired of spending time on the Gunflint Trail?  I can't imagine any bird, animal or person wanting to leave the Gunflint Trail so I'll have to blame it on the snow buntings family or age.  They are either young and fearless or related to the chicken.  Either would explain their desire to play "chicken" on the road. 

     Just when we thought we had seen the last canoe camping guests of the season another one decides to come.  We usually don't have people paddling and camping in the BWCA in November but with the forecast for the next couple of days I can't say I blame him.
     The Boundary Waters doesn't get much quieter than it is in November.  What a nice time to visit if the forecast is good and the forecast is good.  Temperatures are predicted to be up into the 50's with nightly lows right around freezing.  The bays won't freeze overnight and with a nice sleeping bag and sleeping pad neither will the campers.
     I'm sure they will be extra careful while paddling the BWCA as water temperatures are cold.  Hypothermia is a real threat this time of the year especially when both water temperatures and air temperatures are cold.  As long as they stay dry they will be fine.
     It's a wonderful time to be in the BWCA or at the end of the Gunflint Trail.  Wildlife is moving about and there is abundant peace and quiet to enjoy.

     Our canoe camping guests at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters are loving the fall colors and solitude of the BWCA.  "This is my favorite time of the year to paddle!" exclaims one of our campers.  Of course, there's plenty of reasons to love a fall canoe trip into the BWCAW and one of them is because it's even more of a wilderness with far fewer people out enjoying it.

     I love being the only person on a lake and not seeing anyone else for days.  It's the time of the year when I go out to do a solo trip because I really enjoy the solitude.  I like to swing in my hammock and sit by the lake without any bugs buzzing around.  It's a great time to gaze at stars and sleep beneath them.  Some people get lonely or don't like being in the woods alone but I crave it.   And as I write about it I get even more anxious to get out canoe camping in the Boundary Waters.

     I suggest you come up and enjoy a fall canoe trip with Voyageur.  It doesn't have to be solo and I guess you could come and enjoy the BWCA on day trips and stay in a cabin.  Whatever you do, just don't miss this awesome time of the year in the Boundary Waters or Gunflint Trail.