tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117107282024-03-07T17:20:22.275-06:00The EDGE: Dirt from the Yurt and other Chatter from the Edge of the Boundary WatersThe Edge is a free and open forum of events and happenings as viewed from the northern edge of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA)- the Gunflint Trail. Published by Boundary Country Trekking and edited by Ted Young, The Edge offers you an opportunity to write about your experiences and interests in this wonderful part of the planet. Let your imagination run wild as the wilderness that embraces the Gunflint Trail.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-90765870358092570372015-11-24T09:45:00.001-06:002015-11-24T09:45:18.860-06:00Opening the Banadad Ski Trail<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Maintenance crews have been working hard to get the Banadad
Ski Trails’ twenty-six miles open for skiing. This past weekend fifteen
volunteers from the Minnehaha Academy Nordic Ski Team widen and cleared the center
brush along the first two miles of the trail’s west end. While all the trees
that had fallen on this section of the trail were cleared previously by the
North Star Ski Turing Club on November 30, the ski team still had to clear
several new down trees. That same day Andy Jenks, president of the Banadad
Trail Association (BTA) and his wife Julie worked on the east end starting at
the Meads Lake Portage the pair were able travel about one and three-quarter of
mile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also had to remove some
thirty newly fallen down trees from this section of trail. This section of the
trail was completely cleared during the BTA’s Work Weekend on November 24. Both
trail sections were in the BWCA. Volunteers also worked on several trail
sections outside the BWCA.</div>
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The newly down trees, the volunteers found, likely had came
down due to the soaking rain, wind and heavy wet snow that occure just after
the earlier crews were on the trail. </div>
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Volunteers, since September, have now but in 277.5 hours
clearing some sixteen mile of the twenty- six mile of the Banadad Trails. However
it clear a lot of work remains before the Banadad can open for skiing. This
remaining clearing will be taken-on be Boundary Country Trekking’s trail crews
with some help by additional volunteers. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-23633629034664425482014-07-06T07:15:00.002-05:002014-07-06T07:15:40.540-05:00<h2 class="content-title" style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources conducting lake assessments</h2>
<h2 class="content-title" style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
</h2>
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<div class="meta">
<span class="submitted">Submitted by star on Fri, 07/04/2014 -
6:17pm</span>
<div class="terms terms-inline" style="display: inline;">
<ul class="links inline" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="taxonomy_term_3 first last" style="display: inline; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.5em; padding-right: 0.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.boreal.org/drupal/news_articles/around_cook_county" rel="tag" style="color: #2f692e; text-decoration: none;" title="News and other information from Cook County">Around Cook County</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="content">
Fisheries staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Grand Marais area office will conduct surveys and assessments on several area
lakes and streams during the next few months.<br />
Waters scheduled for surveys or assessments (by week) include:<br />
* July 7 - Otter Lake, Crescent Lake, Bouder Lake<br />
* July 14 - Crescent Lake, Binagami Lake, Crooked Lake<br />
* July 21 - Caribou Lake (near Lutsen), Clearwater Lake, Devil Track Lake
(walleye reproduction check), Mud Creek<br />
* July 28 - Clearwater Lake, Sundling Creek, Sawbill Creek, Swanson Creek<br />
* Aug. 4 - Sundling Creek, Irish creek, Junco Creek, Saganaga Lake, Flute
Reed River, Kadunce Creek<br />
* Aug. 11 - Onion River, Cascade River, Kimball Creek, Devil Track River,
Saganaga Lake<br />
* Aug. 18 - Saganaga Lake, Swan Lake<br />
* Aug. 25 - Saganaga Lake, Swamp River, Loft Lake (habitat survey)<br />
* Sept. 1 - Prune Lake, Echo Lake<br />
* Sept. 8 - Moose lake, Loft Lake (fish population assessment)<br />
* Sept. 15 - Kraut Lake, Trip Lake, Squash Lake<br />
* Sept. 22 - Chester Lake, Trout Lake (yellow perch assessment), Unnamed
Lake<br />
* Sept. 29 - Thrush Lake (brook trout special assessment)<br />
* Oct. 6 - North Shady Lake<br />
* Oct. 13 - Greenwood Lake (lake trout special assessment)<br />
* Oct. 20 - Trout Lake (lake trout special assessment)<br />
In addition, several lakes may be added as time and funding allow. Those
lakes include North Cone, Crocodile, Horseshoe, Hub, Long, Powell, Stump,
Vernon, Fern, West Fern, North Fowl, South Fowl, Boys, Swamper, Gillis, and
Tuscarora.<br />
These survey plans are tentative. Lakes and streams may be added or dropped
and timing may change. Questions about these surveys can be addressed to the
DNR’s Grand Marais Area Fisheries at 1356 Highway 61 E., Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Questions also can be submitted by calling 218-387-3056.<br />
Fisheries surveys and assessments are done on a regular basis to monitor
changes in fish populations and to determine if management strategies have been
effective. Survey frequency varies on each lake and stream based on ongoing
management evaluations and angler use. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed
more frequently than small, remote lakes. Lakes stocked regularly are also
sampled more frequently to assess stocking
success.<br />
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-45557136336789620802013-07-28T07:52:00.000-05:002013-07-28T07:52:15.072-05:00New Rock Dam at inlet Blocking Canoe Traffic <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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On July 8, 2013
Ted Young was informed by Doug Graham that someone had re-damned up the inlet
between Poplar and Little Ollie Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
work was done on or about July 6. According to Doug the person that put-in the
new dam had been give permission to do so from Cliff Bentley Minnesota DNR Hydrologist
stationed in Duluth.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkokmzTcuzn3CcioNh8t-JGZdk4qr-M-PdkAXVaL56GAFNktprPI6MIE-h4jOaSBGx0vAZm0gGeyM5BiBUyCwf9Km3ukZCSqUHxMwifl39wbBQT4HVQYc-nR4si0270kYjZCvTdg/s1600/rock+dam+2013-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkokmzTcuzn3CcioNh8t-JGZdk4qr-M-PdkAXVaL56GAFNktprPI6MIE-h4jOaSBGx0vAZm0gGeyM5BiBUyCwf9Km3ukZCSqUHxMwifl39wbBQT4HVQYc-nR4si0270kYjZCvTdg/s320/rock+dam+2013-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Measuring inlet's depth</div>
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Jim Ross, his son-in-law and Ted inspected the new rock dam
the next day and noted that it appears to be higher then set by the DNR and re-
agreed upon following the remove of the illegal dam constructed across the inlets in 2006. It was also clear that this new dam was a barrier to
navigation between the two lakes.</div>
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Next Ted called Bentley to inform him of the new rock dam. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In response Bentley state that no one had
talked to him recently about adding more rocks to the inlet and if rocks were
added it was not authorized and those rocks could be removed. </div>
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Ted and Bob Peterson were contacted by Bentley that he would
meet with representatives of both lakes at the inlet at 11:00 am on July 19. Bentley also noted that he thought
that Bob was involved in the construction of this new dam. </div>
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Attending this meeting with Bentley from Little Ollie Lake
was: Ted Young, Steve and Joanne Nickols; and from Poplar
Lake were Bob Peterson, Jim Kloek
and Doug Herron, along with several other public employees. At the meeting
Bentley recalled that Bob Peterson did call about a year ago and was given
permission to replace some rocks. </div>
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The water depth over the newly constructed rock dam at the
inlet was measured, by a USFS employee, at one foot intervals from one side
to the other. The only section that was within the previously agreed upon <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lake level was the a few feet on the south side
of the inlet where Ted had two days earlier removed rocks from the dam to
create <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a navigation channel. </div>
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It was agree by all attending the meeting and approved by
Bentley that a navigation channel could be maintained on the south side of the
inlet. The size of this navigation channel beginning at the south shore of
the inlet could not exceed six (6) feet on the top slopping down to four feet
at the bottom. The bottom of this navigation channel was not to exceed the
previously agreed upon level. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
further agreed that before anyone from Poplar
Lake added any rocks to the inlet
someone from Little Ollie Lake would be notified. </div>
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During the meeting Bentley displayed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a lake level chart for Poplar Lake showing
the annual water level fluctuation and he stated that the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>water level of Poplar Lake normal fluctuation
was between one and two feet annual. </div>
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The ordinary high water level for Poplar
Lake set by the Minnesota DNR is 1854.2
feet above sea level. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poplar
Lake’s lowest recorded level was
reached in September of 1998 at 1851.42. (see <a href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showlevel.html?id=16023900">http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showlevel.html?id=16023900</a>)
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Poplar Lake
water level monitoring station was first maintained by Fred Dell on Voyager
Point beginning in August of 1968. The monitor station is now maintained at
Rockwood Lodge. </div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-35524047521469044912012-09-14T06:23:00.000-05:002012-09-14T06:23:15.101-05:00Wildfires Continue in BWCA forces Closurs<i>Duluth News Tribune</i>: Persistent but small fires in the northern part of the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have forced the closure of some new areas.The
U.S. Forest Service reported Thursday that two wildfires detected
Wednesday — the Parley Lake fire and the Hoist Lake fire — prompted many
of the new closures.<br />
<br />
The Parley Lake fire, estimated at 75
acres, is burning about 20 miles north of Ely east of the Beartrap River
and north of Sunday Lake. Aircraft continued to drop water on the fire
Thursday, and a ground crew was on the scene. The Hoist Bay fire, near Basswood Lake about 12 miles northeast of Ely, is estimated at 2½ acres and was attacked from the air. Because
of those fires and one more on the Canadian side of the border —
estimated at 300 acres, between Knife and Emerald lakes — the Forest
Service announced the closing of the following lakes, portages and
campsites:<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> HOIST BAY FIRE AREA</b><br />
Four Mile portage;
Ella Hall, Mud lakes; Slumber, and Muskeg lakes and campsites; the
waters and campsites of Hoist and Back Bays of Basswood Lake; the
portages from Pipestone to Back Bay, Back Bay toward Half Dog Island
(Frog portage), and from Hoist Bay to Good Lake.<br />
<br />
<b>PARLEY LAKE FIRE AREA </b><br />
Sunday
and Saturday Bay campsites in Crooked Lake; zones 5, 1, and 2 of the
Sundial Primitive Management Area and all the lakes and waterways within
that area including: the Beartrap River from Beartrap Lake north to
Iron Lake, Parley, Sunday, Sundial, Bunggee, Sinneeg, and Ritual lakes;
travel will be allowed through the bays of Crooked Lake but camping will
not be allowed on Sunday and Saturday bays; travel will not be allowed
on the Beartrap River.<br />
<br />
<b>EMERALD LAKE FIRE (ON CANADA SIDE OF BORDER) </b><br />
From
the border on Knife Lake to the end of Ottertrack Lake, south arm of
Knife Lake, Little Knife Lake, Amoeber Lake, Topaz Lake, Cherry Lake,
Hanson Lake, Lunar Lake, Lake of the Clouds, Rivalry Lake, Gijikiki
Lake, Ester Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Rabbit Lake, Ashdick Lake. This
includes area from the border heading south along the section lines of T
65 N, R 7 W, sections 21 and 28, including all campsites on islands and
peninsula on adjacent lands, the following lakes, portages, and
campsites.<br />
<br />
<b>OLDER CLOSURES </b><br />
The Forest Service reported
Thursday that closures previously in effect for the Ensign Lake area
have been lifted because the fire that prompted them has been
extinguished.<br />
Closures are subject to change as conditions change.
For updates, visit the Superior National Forest website:
www.fs.usda.gov/superior<br />
Fire restrictions remain in place for the
BWCAW; campfires are allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight. Gas
stoves can be used at any time.<br />
Crews reported Thursday that the
line around the 50-acre Cummings Lake fire northwest of Ely, which
prompted some concerns earlier this month, is holding well, but the fire
cannot be extinguished without significant rain or snowfall.<br />
<div class="mediumtxt">
<strong><br /></strong><a href="http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/tag/tag/updates/" rel="tag"></a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-65069555344921136832011-09-14T06:34:00.000-05:002011-09-14T06:34:24.586-05:00Pagami Creek Fire Countines to BuildThe Paguami Creek fire was first discovered fourteen miles east of Ely on August 18. The cause of the fire appears to be a lighting strike. With extremely dry conditions in the area and buffed by high winds the fire has now grown to over 100,000 acres. According to the fire command website, yesterday the fire made an " <strong style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>unprecedented 16 mile run to the east, reaching the edge of Polly Lake. The fire became a plume-driven event." </strong></strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><br />
</strong></strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">USFS officials yesterday took the unprecedented action of closing most of the BWCA entry points west of the Gunflint Trail as a precautionary measure. Many entry points in the Ely area had previously been shut down. For the latest on this fire go t</span>o <a href="http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2534">http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2534 </a></strong></strong><strong><strong></strong></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-65741169869108058132011-09-11T11:55:00.000-05:002011-09-11T11:55:59.739-05:00Small Wildfire Confirmed West of Poplar LakeYesterday afternoon the USFS's Beaver airplane was spotted circling west of Poplar Lake. A check with the sheriff's office confirmed there was a small fire on Skipper Lake. Firefighters were on the scene. Stay tuned on this one!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-49714400654036958602011-08-10T16:02:00.002-05:002011-08-10T16:02:48.046-05:00Brule Lake Fire-2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Date of Detection:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Brule Lake Fire was discovered by visitors on Brule Lake on August 8, at approximately 2:30 PM.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Location:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T63N R2W Sect. 8 and 9; Very east side of Brule Lake on the north side of Brule Bay. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Fire appears to be human caused and located near the fire grate</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Current Size:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approximately ¼ acre, it is being suppressed</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Agency: USDA Forest Service Tofte Ranger District</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Status: Low activity smoldering in the duff.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Resources:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A two person wilderness crew and a two person fire crew are in the area at this time suppressing and mopping up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crews are staying through the evening for observation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Fire Information:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(218) 663-8060 Tofte Ranger District Office</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(218) 663-8063 Nichole Borson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-9201859761504296942011-08-10T06:26:00.000-05:002011-08-10T06:26:10.429-05:00Small Wildfire Reported on Brule Lake<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">August 8, 2011</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Date of Detection:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Brule Lake Fire was discovered by visitors on Brule Lake on August 8, at approximately 2:30 PM. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Fire Information:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(218) 663-8060 Tofte Ranger District Office</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(218) 663-8063 Nichole Borson</span></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-64523828068445887632011-07-14T11:02:00.000-05:002011-07-14T11:02:48.459-05:00Byway' Timber Management Plan from USFS<blockquote>Dennis Neitzke, Gunflint Ranger, layout a forest timber management plan for about six miles along the Gunflint Scenic Byways- from near the South Brule River to just below Swamper Lake. To view the Forest Services management plans go to <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=34282">http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=34282 </a>. </blockquote><br />
<blockquote>The following is a letter from Neitzke announcing the program-Date: July 11, 2011- </blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>Dear Interested Public:<br />
I am writing to let you know about an opportunity to comment on our proposal for forest<br />
vegetation management in the Lima Green Project Area and to invite anyone interested to attend a field trip to discuss the proposal. The location where these activities are proposed is about 12 miles north of Grand Marais, Minnesota and is displayed on the enclosed vicinity map. The proposed actions are intended to accomplish multiple objectives which are explained in the scoping report, but I’ll highlight a few of these objectives here.<br />
One of the objectives of this project is to improve moose habitat. The Lima Green Project Area has a relatively high population of moose, even though the moose population in northeastern Minnesota is declining. Although habitat alone is not likely limiting moose numbers, providing a constant supply of shrub and small tree forage near stands of conifer trees may encourage moose survival.<br />
Another objective of this project is to restore red and white pine. As red and white pines grow<br />
larger, they add scenic beauty to roads and trails, offer habitat for many wildlife species and<br />
provide timber products for the local economy. The Lima Green Project Area has some of the<br />
highest percentages of red and white pine forest types on the Gunflint District. However, young pine rarely becomes established in the understory of these stands therefore it is important we establish young pine regeneration.<br />
Enhancement of the long-term scenic quality of the Gunflint Trail is a third important objective of the project. Some of the tree species along the Gunflint Trail are short lived species and need some kind of disturbance to regenerate. District personnel have been working with the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee to develop actions that would improve the scenic quality, improve ecosystem health or reduce fuel hazards.<br />
To accomplish these and other objectives, proposed activities would include intermediate and regeneration harvests, reforestation activities, prescribed burning and understory fuels reduction. Additional proposed actions include constructing and obliterating temporary roads to access units and the decommissioning of roads no longer needed.<br />
All project objectives and proposed actions are explained in more detail in the Lima Green<br />
Scoping Report. The report includes: the purpose and need for the project, summaries of the<br />
proposed activities, a map of proposed activity locations, and other project information. The<br />
Lima Green Scoping Report can be found on the Superior National Forest website at<br />
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/projects or you may request a copy from the Gunflint Ranger<br />
District.I will be accepting your comments until August 12, 2011. You may submit your comments by writing, faxing, emailing, or calling. All comments received (including names and addresses) will become part of the project file and are public information. Please be sure to include your name, address, and the Lima Green Project name, regardless of how you submit comments. Written comments sent via mail, FAX (218-387-3246), or email must be addressed to:<br />
Dennis Neitzke, District Ranger<br />
ATTN: Lima Green Project<br />
Gunflint Ranger District<br />
2020 West Highway 61<br />
Grand Marais, MN 55604</blockquote></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-50709926741323789882011-06-15T10:12:00.002-05:002011-06-15T10:41:38.727-05:00Wildfire Reported on Gaskin Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycI-5ApvgUuLOmKMC9mvb6unyldpL1fFMj6HwsBzcRPHptscXTXJ_p8VSMANDBxKsE-TFszLWqpirKpiR4DX7uksx7dwGdZG0pAV1WM23sAE-r5npdr7ovCy6eW8jmDGOyZkIaA/s1600/gaskin_061411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycI-5ApvgUuLOmKMC9mvb6unyldpL1fFMj6HwsBzcRPHptscXTXJ_p8VSMANDBxKsE-TFszLWqpirKpiR4DX7uksx7dwGdZG0pAV1WM23sAE-r5npdr7ovCy6eW8jmDGOyZkIaA/s320/gaskin_061411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>BWCA</i> - It is believed that the fire started Monday, June 13 in the evening. It is located on the peninsula near the western end of Gaskin. There is a campsite on the south side of this peninsula. South Easterly wind of up to 15 mph have resulted in some "spotting" on the north westerly shoreline. From what I am hearing the fire has burnt about three acres. Currently the USFS is only monitoring the fire. The fire is locate 3 miles south and a bit west of the westend of Poplar Lake and just north of Winchell. For addition information go to <a href="http://http//www.wtip.org">WTIP radio</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-13204895477923686622011-05-11T13:43:00.000-05:002011-05-11T13:43:54.003-05:00Ice-out on Poplar LakeThe ice went-out on Poplar on Tuesday, May 10. Hungry Jack and must of the other Gunflint Trail mid size lakes were ice-free several days earlier. With the fishing opener scheduled for this weekend, an ice free lake is certainly welcome.<br />
<br />
Many of the Poplar Lake summer home people are up now opening their cabins.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-1150829208878277112011-04-17T09:58:00.000-05:002011-04-17T09:58:03.310-05:00Dead Beat Corporations<span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Editors Note - While this post goes again my mission to write exclusively about locate issues but after reading it, it made my blood boil and I had to post it. What do you think?</span></span></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A few weeks ago, Senator Bernie Sanders released a list of the 10 companies worst at paying their fair share in taxes. We liked it, and our designer Gabe quickly put it into chart form and put it up on our website.</span></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What happened next was exciting: Tens of thousands of people started sharing the chart on Facebook. Blogs started posting links to it. It began to really blow up—and that gave us an idea: <b>What if we could get this popular chart in front of millions of people this weekend as they're finishing their taxes?</b></span></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So here we go: We're going to try to <b>saturate Facebook with the chart below, so that everyone sees the shameful behavior of these 10 companies.</b> Can you join in? All you have to do is <b><a href="http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207866&id=26996-15428540-MMMl98x&t=1">click this button to share it:</a></b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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<br />
Opening of the trail this year was delayed do to a wind storm in October that drop many large trees into the trail and a November rain followed by snow that bent over the side brush into the trail. It took trail crews considerable more time then usual to clear the down trees and side brush.<br />
<br />
Most of the Banadad Trails are located within the BWCA and it is the BWCA longest track ski trail. The system is centrally located along the 200 kilometer<a href="http://www.gunflint-trail.com/things-to-do/winter/xc-skiing/"> Gunflint Nordic Trail</a> System. Maintenance and grooming of the Banadad System is provided by <a href="http://www.poplarcreekbb.com/">Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B</a> .<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-60649365725779389262010-12-21T06:13:00.000-06:002010-12-21T06:13:34.777-06:00Not Every Skier Loves a Sauna<div class="storycontent"> For many of us, following a ski, say along the Banadad, a good sauna is a must. But then again not everyone agrees including-<br />
"The Finn Who Would Not Take a Sauna" - by Garrison Keillor<br />
<blockquote>In northeast Minnesota , what they call the Iron Range , where a woman is a woman and some things never change, where winter lasts nine months a year, there is no spring or fall,<br />
where it gets so cold the mercury cannot be seen at all.<br />
and you and 1, we normal folk, would shiver, shake, and chatter,<br />
and if we used an outhouse, we would grow an extra bladder,<br />
but even when it's coldest, when our feet would have no feeling,<br />
those Iron Rangers get dressed up and go out snowmobiling.<br />
<br />
Out across the frozen land and make a couple stops<br />
at Gino's Lounge and Rudy's Bar for whiskey, beer, and schnapps<br />
and then they go into a shack that's filled with boiling rocks<br />
hot enough to sterilize an Iron Ranger's socks<br />
and sit there till they steam out every sin and every foible<br />
and then jump into a frozen lake and claim that it's enjoible.<br />
<br />
But there was one, a shy young man, and although he was Finnish,<br />
the joys of winter had, for him, long started to diminish.<br />
HE WAS A FINN, THE ONLY FINN,<br />
WHO WOULD NOT TAKE A SAUNA "<br />
It isn't that I can't," he said, "I simply do not wanna.<br />
To jump into a frozen lake is not my fondest wish,<br />
for just because I am a Finn don't mean that I'm a fish."<br />
<br />
His friends said, "Com on, Toivo! Let's go out to Sunfish Lake !<br />
A Finn who don't take saunas? Why, there must be some mistake."<br />
But Toivo said, "There's no mistake. I know that I would freeze<br />
In water colder than myself (98.6degrees')."<br />
And so he stayed close by a stove for nine months of the year<br />
because he was so sensitive to change of temperature.<br />
<br />
One night he went to Eveleth to attend the Miners' Ball.<br />
(If you have not danced in Eveleth, you've never danced at all.)<br />
He met a Finnish beauty there who turned his head around.<br />
She was broad of beam and when she danced she shook the frozen ground.<br />
She took that shy young man in hand and swept him off his feet<br />
and bounced him up and down until he learned the polka beat.<br />
She was fair as she was tall, as tall as she was wide,<br />
and when the dance was over, he asked her to be his bride.<br />
She looked him over carefully. She said, 'You're kinda thin.<br />
but you must have some courage if it's true you are a Finn.<br />
I ain't particular 'bout men. I am no prima donna.<br />
but I would never marry one who would not take a sauna."<br />
<br />
They got into her pickup, and down the road they drove,<br />
and fifteen minutes later they were stoking up the stove.<br />
She had a flask of whiskey. They took a couple toots<br />
and went into the shack and got into their birthday suits.<br />
She steamed him and she boiled him until his skin turned red;<br />
she poured it on until his brains were bubbling in his head.<br />
To improve his circulation and to soften up his hide,<br />
she took a couple birch boughs and beat him till he cried,<br />
"Oh, couldn't you just love me now? Oh, don't you think you can?"<br />
She said, "It's time to step outside and show you are a man."<br />
<br />
Straightway (because he loved her so, he thought his heart would break),<br />
he jumped right up and out the door and ran down to the lake,<br />
and though he paused a moment when he saw the lake was frozen<br />
and tried to think just which snowbank his love had put his clothes in –<br />
when he thought of Tina, Lord—that man did not think twice<br />
but just picked up his size 12 feet and loped across the ice —<br />
and coming to the hole that they had cut there with an ax —<br />
putting common sense aside, ignoring all the facts —<br />
he leaped! Oh, what a leap! And as he dove beneath the surface,<br />
it thrilled him to his very soul, and also made him surface!<br />
And it wasn't just the tingling he felt in every limb,<br />
he cried: "My love! I'm finished! I forgot! I cannot swim!"<br />
<br />
She fished him out and stood him up and gave him an embrace<br />
to warm a Viking's heart and make the blood rush to his face.<br />
"I love you, darling dear!" she cried. "I love you with all my might!"<br />
and she drove him to Biwabik and married him that night<br />
and took him down the road to Carl's Tourist Cabins<br />
and spent a sleepless night and in the morning, as it happens,<br />
though it was only April, it was absolutely spring,<br />
birds, flowers, people put away their parkas and everything.<br />
They bought a couple acres around Hibbing , up near Chisholm,<br />
and began a life of gardening and love and Lutheranism.<br />
<br />
And they live happily to this day, although they sometimes quarrel.<br />
and there, I guess, the story ends, except for this, the moral.<br />
Marriage, friends, is a lifelong feast, love is no light lunch.<br />
You cannot dabble round the edge, but each must take the plunch.<br />
And though marriage, like that frozen lake, may sometimes make us colder,<br />
it has its pleasures, too, as you may find out when you're older. </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Note- You will find saunas awaiting you after your ski at both the <a href="http://http//www.poplarcreekbb.com">Little Ollie Cabin and the Tall Pines Yurt.</a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-21409909603458000032010-11-06T14:36:00.000-05:002010-11-06T14:36:37.988-05:00BCT to Attend Winter Expo in Minneapolis<div class="storycontent"> If you are looking forward to winter and live in the Twin Cities area you should plan to attend Midwest Mountaineering's annual <a href="http://www.midwestmtn.com/">Winter Expo</a> . This event is scheduled for Friday, November 19 through Sunday, November 21 at Midwest Mountaineering's Store located at 309 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, and in large tents erected behind the store. We at Boundary Country Trekking (BCT) will have a booth at the show and will be providing information about our winter Nordic Skiing program- including, ski and snowshoe vacations at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and Ski-in Cabins, Yurt to Yurt and lodge to Lodge Skiing, and of course skiing the BWCA's longest tracked trail the Banadad.<br />
<br />
As for the Banadad- this year the <a href="http://www.banadad.org/">Banadad Trail Association</a> with the assistances of volunteers from the Minnesota Conservation Corp (YCC), North Star Ski Touring Club and local skiers has spent a lot of time clearing the Banadad. The trail is perhaps in the best pre-season condition that it has been in years. We now are ready for snow. Let it come!<br />
<br />
Attending the show for BCT will be Ted Young and his daughter Karla Miller. They would love to have you attend the show and stop at BCT's booth to say hi!<br />
<br />
This announcement is brought to you by Boundary Country Trekking providing secluded lodging and Adventure Vacations on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail, BWCA, the Iron Range and Lake Superior's North Shore. For additional information go to <a href="http://www.boundarycountry.com/">Boundary Country</a> or call 800-322-8327.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-49415720302213369822010-10-27T11:23:00.002-05:002010-10-27T11:27:09.312-05:00Banadad Ski Trail Survives Forest Service Burn<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></h1><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Banadad Ski Trail Survives Forest Service Burns</h1><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"> </h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Gunflint Trail</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> – During the week of October 17<sup>th</sup> the Gunflint District, U.S. Forest Services ignited the 1626 acres Meads and the 1963 acres Dawkins Lakes prescribed burns within the BWCA. Seven miles of the twenty-mile Banadad Ski Trail pass through these burns. </span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Following the burns Banadad Trail Association members and volunteers were out in force clearing the Banadad Trail. Twenty-five volunteers, worked 250 hours, clearing over thirteen miles of trails, including the portion of the trail that ran through the Forest Service’s burn areas. Trail clearing work was coordinated with the Forest Service. Volunteers report only a one-third mile section along the trail suffered any major fire damage. On the remainder of the trail, only a few scattered small spot burns were found. According to the trail crews most of the trail was found to be in excellent shape. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"></span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFME1r7OWa7LatSnTvUlkbs8bK3c7WVm3VMIfPTNaypDWnvDOaKYQcnrWzpGE8j9i68Y_b3sbRlrBpRCVlT8WIpHraVKb4buhMfQn3kMjwuIiOjbm7G0oNFWkmoYjzwSu5SpVkqg/s1600/Old+grown+cedars+burned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFME1r7OWa7LatSnTvUlkbs8bK3c7WVm3VMIfPTNaypDWnvDOaKYQcnrWzpGE8j9i68Y_b3sbRlrBpRCVlT8WIpHraVKb4buhMfQn3kMjwuIiOjbm7G0oNFWkmoYjzwSu5SpVkqg/s320/Old+grown+cedars+burned.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><b> Old Growth Cedars Burned by Forest Service in Mead Burn </b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">However, one crew did report that along side the trail a large beautiful area of old growth cedar just north of the 2000-foot burned-over area was destroyed by the fire. </span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">In addition to the Banadad Trail Association members, work crews included members of the Twin Cities North Star Ski Touring Club; North Star has helped maintain the trail for many years. Joining the volunteers on Saturday were two Forest Service crews charged with the responsibility of removing the down trees across the trail within the burn areas. Ten miles of the Banadad, the one-mile Tall Pines Trail and most of the three-mile Lace Lake Trail were cleared and pronounced ready for skiing.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Banadad Trail Association's Second Annual Meeting was held at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B in conjunction with the trail clearing. Officers elected at the Annual Meeting were Linda Bosma, Minneapolis, President, Andrew Jenks, Stillwater, Vice President, Kate Kelnburger, West Bearskin Lake, Treasurer, and Barbara Bottger, Hungry Jack Lake, Secretary. Rounding out this year’s Board as At-Large members are: John Bottger, Hungry Jack Lake; Wayne Monsen, Stillwater; Chris Matter, Hudson, Wisconsin; Peter Spink, Poplar Lake; Tom Rice, Minneapolis, Anne Rykken, St. Paul and Karla Miller, Duluth. Association members thanked Karen Monsen, the Association’s first president, for leading the organization through its initial two years. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As part of the Annual Meeting’s program the Association’s web manager, Tom Rice, treated those presented to a slide show on the weekend’s trail clearing. Ending the meeting was an outrageously hilarious skit entitled “the Loony Divas” staged by two members of the Association. Following the meeting a potluck dinner was held. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The Banadad Trail Association formed two years ago to preserve, maintain, and protect the Banadad Ski Trail, the longest tracked ski trail in the Boundary Waters. The Association’s growing membership is made up of skiers, businesses, and individuals who want to ensure that the Trail continues to be a resource for skiers into the future. According to Bosma, the Association’s new president, “I look forward to working with all our neighbors and partners in the coming year to implement the Banadad's Trail Plan, increase our membership, and continue the work of the Association. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who worked on the Trail this weekend. The Banadad is in great shape! We are ready for the snow and this year’s ski season.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For additional information about Banadad Trail Association and the Trail go to <a href="http://www.banadad.org/">www.banadad.org</a>. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-78767186128180729012010-09-24T10:52:00.003-05:002010-09-24T11:04:12.178-05:00Gunflint Trail History Buffs<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Cook County's radio station, WTIP aired a great show that if you are interested in Gunflint History you should listen to.. The tape mainly focuses on the Paulson Iron ore mine near Gunflint Lake. To view the images that go along with the audio tap click on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.wtip.org/drupal/content/history-speaks-rails-mines-madams-and-crooks">http://www.wtip.org/drupal/content/history-speaks-rails-mines-madams-and-crooks</a> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">then go to the audio and sit back and enjoy. </span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-26399647789753210862010-09-23T08:22:00.001-05:002010-09-23T08:24:36.019-05:00Gunflinlt Trail Plein Air Fall Celebration<h4 style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gunflint Trail Fall</span></b> </h4><h1 align="center" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Plein Air Celebration</b></i></span></h1><h2 align="center">Sunday, October 3</h2><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">11 am to 4 pm</span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vnRaCe4_wCPsIPwljHJqwMx_cwS8HeLZhMFkQ8zFAPKURmzYTBFNFW05k54Tx4zdNhQzuiZN4rGf0jl7_7SPZJRg2Bvs-FlsVW-K7Lf1Bd-hzBKtJy6m4_kd3gtx7hBHR6bFw/s1600/plein+aire+2010-+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vnRaCe4_wCPsIPwljHJqwMx_cwS8HeLZhMFkQ8zFAPKURmzYTBFNFW05k54Tx4zdNhQzuiZN4rGf0jl7_7SPZJRg2Bvs-FlsVW-K7Lf1Bd-hzBKtJy6m4_kd3gtx7hBHR6bFw/s320/plein+aire+2010-+2.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;"></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">View Gunflint art work, meet the artists and enjoy Taste of Fall at participating Lodges. Taste treats include- Walleye chowder, glazed ham, bread pudding, squash pie, salsa pickles, wine and cheese, and more! Each participating lodge will be</span> displaying art work and serving their own special recipe for you to enjoyment</div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<h3></h3><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Art work is for sale. The event is free.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-66785840820465181372010-08-30T11:09:00.000-05:002010-08-30T11:09:10.192-05:00Fire on Lizard Lake- Update 2The following information on the Lizard Lake fire was posted by the Forest Service this morning:<br />
<br />
<strong>NEWS RELEASE </strong><br />
Superior National Forest<br />
August 30, 2010, 8:00 am<br />
Lizard Lake Fire - Gunflint Ranger District<br />
<strong>Situation Update – Monday, August 30, 2010</strong><br />
The weather Sunday was a mirror image of conditions on Saturday. The winds were strong 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts to 25 miles per hour, temperatures were warm, and relative humidity was low. Despite this, the fire perimeter remained relatively the same. The overall fire size increased about 6 acres and the total fire area is estimated at 51 acres. The fire is very patchy with islands of unburned vegetation interspersed within the burn. Large water dropping aircraft, CL215s worked the north and east perimeters of the fire again on Sunday and were very effective in containing the spread of the fire in those directions. Weather conditions for Monday are expected to be similar as to what the fire has experienced over the past several days but the relative humidity is expected to be a little higher and there is an increasing chance of precipitation on Monday and Tuesday. The fire did receive some moisture overnight about 0.17 inches, the relative humidity is about 97 percent and winds are light.<br />
Water dropping aircraft will be used again on Monday to cool the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire in preparation for another day of hot, windy weather.<br />
<strong>Nature and Cause of Incident</strong>Smoke was spotted on 8/26/10 by USFS fire personnel traveling on the Gunflint Trail. The origin of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike from a thunderstorm 7 – 10 days ago.<br />
<strong>Location – Size - Fuels</strong><br />
The fire is in the BWCAW approximately 1 ½ miles north of Long Island Lake; 1 mile south of Dawkins Lake. The size is estimated at 45 acres at this time. Fuels in the vicinity include lowland conifers, tamarack and white spruce.<br />
The fire is not near canoe travel routes and is not a threat to visitor safety or structures. The closest portages are: the Rib Lake to Lower George Lake Portage which is approximately ¾ mile to the west; and the Lower George to Karl Lake Portage which is approximately 1.5 miles to the SW. There are no closures or restrictions in the BWCAW as a result of this fire and none are anticipated.<br />
<strong>Management Strategy</strong><br />
Vegetation in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is part of a fire adapted ecosystem. This fire is being managed to allow fire to play its natural role in the wilderness.<br />
<strong>Contact Information</strong><br />
For current conditions:<br />
check the Superior National Forest (SNF) web site, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/superior">www.fs.usda.gov/superior</a>;<br />
SNF Information on Boreal News at: <a href="http://www.boreal.org/">www.boreal.org</a>.;<br />
or call the Gunflint Office at 218-387-1750.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-69341922228448384782010-08-29T08:46:00.003-05:002010-08-29T09:02:14.312-05:00Aw Wilderness- What Good are Wilderness Trails if they are Not Maintained?<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 9" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 9" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Barbara/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
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<h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">An Op Ed article in yesterday’s New York Times by Ted Stroll, a San Jose, Californian lawyer, caught my eye. Stroll argues in the article, “<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/opinion/27stroll.html?_r=2&th&emc=th">Aw Wilderness</a>” that “despite millions of people who have visited the country’s national parks, forests and wildernesses this summer, the Forest Service has become increasingly strict in its enforcement of the Wilderness Act. The result may be more pristine lands, but the agency’s zealous enforcement has also heightened safety risks and limited access to America’s wilderness areas.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">In the article Stroll reminds us of the death of skier in 1970 who became lost on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness’ (BWCA) Kek Trail. As a result the Forest Service put up signage to help mark the trail but then removed their signs claiming their interpretation of the Wilderness and BWCA Acts prohibited signs in the BWCA. The result as Stroll reminds us- last year two experience hikers became lost on the same trail. <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">However while Stroll argues they became lost do to the lack of trail signs, I believe that in this case it was not only the lack of signage along the trail but also, and perhaps more importantly, due to the Forest Services’ failure to maintain the trail. Luckily the lost hikers were located but only after an extensive and, I might add, a very expensive search operation conducted by the Forest Service and local law enforcement.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Over the years maintenance of the trails within the BWCA has been sadly neglected. The Forest Service, who is charged with the responsibility, tells you they do not have the resources to get the job done. Current Forest Service interprets of Wilderness legislation prohibit the use of any power equipment for maintenance within Wilderness areas. I would argue that, given the limited availability of Funds it is hard to understand how the Forest Service can come up with sufficient resources if all their wilderness maintenance must be done using only non-mechanical equipment. <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">A case in point- most of the 21 miles Banadad Ski Trail is located within the BWCA where maintenance most be done using hand tools and travel to remote work sites must be done on foot. As a result the cost/mile to maintain most of the Banadad is about $2000/mile. This cost if power equipment were allowed would easily be cut in half and the work could be done in November when no one is using the Boundary Waters.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">To me it makes more sense to allow the use power equipment for maintenance within the wilderness areas i.e., BWCA, when appropriate, and where this use would reduce the maintenance cost. If such equipment were allowed the Forest Service could reduce their maintenance cost, and provide the public with safer and more usable trails.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6><h6><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></h6>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-38625142995280561012010-08-27T14:36:00.000-05:002010-08-27T14:36:14.567-05:00Fire on Lizard Lake- 1/2 Mile South West of Banadad Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_BqupuLxq_roalmZRkUjfN3ckQMsj8npvhaS_pTFnjP4plwyqlbGMCyqS4Wxlv2Sp4hinPHubQnhWtI5RHjxjh4hbUi7IEzsFqJ-Z12dn7JBYwKFQDqQVfGkV3Hv3uMHA8neVA/s1600/Lizard+Fire+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_BqupuLxq_roalmZRkUjfN3ckQMsj8npvhaS_pTFnjP4plwyqlbGMCyqS4Wxlv2Sp4hinPHubQnhWtI5RHjxjh4hbUi7IEzsFqJ-Z12dn7JBYwKFQDqQVfGkV3Hv3uMHA8neVA/s320/Lizard+Fire+2010.JPG" /></a></div>Smoke was spotted on Aug. 26 by United States Forest Service (USFS) fire personnel traveling on the Gunflint Trail. The origin of the fire is believed to be a lighting strike from a thunderstorm 7 to 10 days ago.<br />
<br />
The fire is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness approximately 1.5 miles north of Long Island Lake and 1 mile south of Dawkins Lake. The fire is less than a quarter acre in size and is currently smoldering on the ground with no open flames. Fuels in the vicinity include lowland conifers, tamarack and white spruce.<br />
<br />
According to the USFS the fire is not near canoe travel routes and is not a threat to public safety or structures. The closest portages are Rib Lake to Lower George Lake which is approximately three-quarters of a mile to the west; and Lower George to Karl Lake Portage which is approximately 1.5 miles to the southwest.<br />
<br />
The USFS says its current management strategy is to monitor the fire by air over the next several days. <script src="http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=bdc07e61-c8d1-4ffa-b69d-b9099bc9552e&type=website&embeds=true" type="text/javascript">
</script><span id="sharethis_0"><a class="stbutton stico_default" href="javascript:void(0)" st_page="home" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc."><span class="stbuttontext" st_page="home">ShareThis</span></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-21823720120571266322010-07-17T07:40:00.001-05:002010-07-20T11:29:49.353-05:00Only in Nordern Minnesnowta - Photo is Fake<div><br />
<div class="ecxecxecxecxMsoNormal">Photo of Moose in harness according to Snope is fake- go to <a href="http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/workmoose.asp" mce_href="http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/workmoose.asp">http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/workmoose.asp</a> for additional information<br />
</div><div class="ecxecxecxecxMsoNormal"> </div><br />
<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div class="ecxecxecxecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">MINNESOTA</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"> CLYDESDALE</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"> </span><img align="absmiddle" alt="Minnesota Moose Used for Logging" height="133" src="http://www.boundarycountry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Minnesota%20Clydesdale.thumbnail.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="ecxecxecxecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"></span></b></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>Believe it or Not! This logger raised this abandoned moose calf with his horses and trained it to haul logs. With a ton of muscles and splayed , gripping hooves, the logger claims this moose is the best work animal he has. The secret to keeping the moose around is a sweet salt lick. However, during the rot the moose does tent to disappear for a few weeks but he always comes how. <br />
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</span></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-65708208280533896412010-07-02T06:54:00.002-05:002010-07-02T06:54:54.641-05:00Grand Opening Gunflint Trail's Chick-Wauk Museum and Nature Center<div class="storycontent"> Grand Opening Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center July 4, 2010 - Allow driving, parking, and shuttle time of 2 or more hours from Grand Marais. (Gates open at 11 AM) - Car-pooling is strongly recommended. Parking Flaggers in orange vests will be stationed at County Rd 81 (Moose Pond Drive), County Rd 11 (Sag Lake Trail) and Trail’s End Campground, giving instructions for parking and shuttles. - Drivers should watch for ‘Flagger Ahead’ signs, slow down, stop, listen to and carefully follow directions. - Each parking area will be filled completely in a pre-determined order. - Shuttle vans and buses will move people from the parking areas to the special event tent at Chik-Wauk. Special accommodation is provided for anyone with a disability or impaired mobility. Please ask a flagger for instructions. July 4 Schedule - 11 AM Gates open - attendees will be assigned a "tour number" - To avoid traffic we suggest you arrive early and & bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables are available. - 1 PM Ceremony begins “under the big top” - Key note speaker: Jim Sanders, Superior National Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service - Ribbon-Cutting - Museum tours in small groups - Cake & beverages - Hike the trails Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center 28 Moose Pond - 57 miles “Up the Gunflint Trail” from Grand Marais, MN 55604 218-388-9915 info@chikwauk.com <br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-28120835530238587062010-06-24T12:21:00.000-05:002010-06-24T12:21:57.479-05:00Artist Wanted for the Gunflint Trail Plein Air Summer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h3 {margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:3; font-size:13.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.MsoTitle, li.MsoTitle, div.MsoTitle {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.uiprofileboxtitle {mso-style-name:uiprofilebox_title;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:293753994; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:321716132 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} @list l1 {mso-list-id:424227849; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-270221718 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l1:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> <br />
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margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.uiprofileboxtitle {mso-style-name:uiprofilebox_title;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:293753994; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:321716132 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} @list l1 {mso-list-id:424227849; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-270221718 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l1:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --></div><h3 align="left"> <span class="uiprofileboxtitle">Sign-up Anytime- </span></h3><h3><span class="uiprofileboxtitle"> From: Tuesday June 15, 2010 at 12 Noon</span></h3><h3><span class="uiprofileboxtitle"> Until: Friday, October 15, 2010 at 11:30 PM. </span></h3><h3 align="left"><img align="top" alt="Plein Air Summer" height="96" mce_src="http://www.boundarycountry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/27520_129277897091173_5569_n.thumbnail.jpg" src="http://www.boundarycountry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/27520_129277897091173_5569_n.thumbnail.jpg" width="128" /></h3><h3 align="left"><span>The Gunflint Trail’s Plein Air Summer <span> </span>is open to all artist (painters) who want to participate.- Sign in at anytime during the event at Trail Center Lodge 8am-9pm Mon-Sun. Artist participants will be given a small packet with an ID card, list of incentives from businesses along the trail and information about the event and show.<br />
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Art works categories:<br />
1) Water- Rain, Falls, River, Lakes<br />
2) Landscape<br />
3) Wildlife<br />
4) Buildings<br />
5) People</span><img alt=" " mce_src="/wp-content/uploads/events/27520_129277897091173_5569_n.jpg" src="http://www.boundarycountry.com/wp-content/uploads/events/27520_129277897091173_5569_n.jpg" /></h3><div align="left">Artist may enter one painting from each category. <br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal"> A show/sale of your work will be held on the Gunflint in October 2010. Participating artist will receive complementary wine and food during the October Show/Sale<br />
More info soon, place of show will depend on number of paintings entered.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>There are no fees involved for the Artists. Any sales that take place will go directly through the artist and buyer.</b></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal">You will be welcome to showcase your work at several different Lodges during the summer. For sale or not. Casual Artist meet up - every Friday and Sunday morning. 8 am -10 am at Trail Center Lodge. Catch up with old friends and make new!<br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal">This is a very casual event. Please come paint the beautiful Gunflint Trail and enjoy a free show of your work at the end of the summer season.<br />
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<b>INCENTIVES FOR PARTICIPATING ARISTS ONLY!-</b>Contact each resort for details <!--[endif]--></div><div align="left"> <ul><li>Trail Center 1-218-388-2214<br />
free restaurant beverages,display and or sell work</li>
<li>Bearskin Lodge 1-218-388-2292<br />
discounted lodging,display and or sell work, discounted boat rentals and free beverages for painters</li>
<li>Cross River/Moosehorn Lodge 1-218-388-2233<br />
35% discount on Lodging,snacks and drinks available for Artists at no charge</li>
<li>Clearwater Lodge<br />
welcome to paint on property, free coffee and hot chocolate</li>
<li>Golden Eagle Lodge 1-800-346-2203<br />
free coffee and a homemade cookie</li>
<li>Windigo Lodge 1-218-388-2222<br />
15% discount for lodging, 10% discount on food in restaurant/bar</li>
<li><a href="http://www.poplarcreekbb.com/" mce_href="http://www.poplarcreekbb.com">Poplar Creek Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast</a><br />
is offering to artist participating in the Gunflint Trail's Plein Air- 20% off lodging with scrumptious breakfasts, at our Bed and Breakfast. Two nights minimum stay.</li>
<li>Old Northwoods Lodge 1-218-388-9464<br />
Stop in for a friendly hello and a free cup of coffee<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></li>
</ul></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal"> Additional Information Contact- Sarah Hamilton, <a href="mailto:trailctr@boreal.org" mce_href="mailto:trailctr@boreal.org">Trail Center Lodge</a>, Gunflint Trail- 218-388-2214<br />
<span> </span>trailctr@boreal.org<br />
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</div><div align="left"> </div><h3 align="left"> </h3><div align="left" class="MsoNormal"><!--[endif]--></div><!--[endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11710728.post-7909737187974045382010-06-14T14:31:00.000-05:002010-06-14T14:31:42.981-05:00Loons and the Oil Spill<div class="author"><i>By Marshall Helmberger-Timberjay Newspapaer Tower MN</i>- The unprecedented oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may seem a long way from the lakes of northern Minnesota. Yet the effects of that extraordinary environmental disaster will find their way to the region, and the impacts could be apparent as early as next spring.</div><div class="author"></div><div class="story_content">Residents of northern Minnesota’s lake country could well find their lakes considerably quieter than usual next year, fallout from the dramatic loss of bird life that is inevitable in the wake of the largest oil spill in the nation’s history. Among the most vulnerable species is the one most identified with northern Minnesota, the common loon.<br />
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Minnesota is home to by far the largest population of common loons in the lower 48 states, with an estimated 12,000 adults in the state during the summer months. And while Minnesota’s loon habitat remains intact and healthy, the state’s loon population could be especially vulnerable to the effects of the oil spill. That’s because a large percentage of Minnesota’s loons winter on the Gulf Coast. <br />
According to Pam Perry, a loon expert with the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program, the bulk of the state’s loons are believed to winter in the Gulf, along the coast of Florida. While Florida beaches have yet to see any major impact from the spill, the expanding spill is already encroaching on near-shore areas in and along the Florida panhandle.<br />
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Recent history has demonstrated that loons are extremely vulnerable to the effects of oil spills. An estimated 400 loon deaths were documented in 1996 as a result of an 828,000 gallon oil spill off the coast of Rhode Island. A 2003 oil spill in Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts, was estimated to have killed 200 loons. The Exxon Valdez spill killed an estimated 375,000 seabirds and other waterfowl and according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, loon populations in that area had yet to recover from the effects of the spill as much as 15 years later.<br />
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Yet even the Exxon Valdez spill is likely to be dwarfed in comparison to the ongoing spill in the Gulf. The blown- out British Petroleum well is believed to be emitting between 750,000-1 million gallons of oil per day. That spill is now in its seventh week, and given the failure of recent containment efforts, it could well be months before the leak can be plugged. BP is now indicating it may have a relief well completed by August. That well should relieve the pressure at the existing one long enough to allow the company to plug the hole created during the April 20 explosion aboard the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon<br />
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The Gulf spill is already estimated to be nearly four times as large as the 11 million gallon Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989, which had been the largest on record in the U.S. prior to this year. If the well continues to discharge oil until August, the BP spill could surpass 100 million gallons and create an unprecedented environmental crisis just as hundreds of thousands of North American waterfowl, including loons, terns, white pelicans, cormorants and numerous species of ducks and geese are descending on the Gulf for the winter. <br />
“We really don’t what the impact will be,” said Perry. “This is going to be a huge disaster for a long time, but right now, we’re in a wait and see mode.”<br />
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Spill could take biggest toll on immature loons.<br />
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While Minnesotans focus their attention on the impact to loons currently residing in the state, a future generation of Minnesota’s loons is most at risk, and has likely already been harmed by the spill. That’s because, unlike many birds, loons don’t reach maturity until age three or four. Until that point, many don’t return to northern lakes, remaining, instead, in the Gulf region year-round. Exactly where Minnesota loons spend their time isn’t entirely clear, said Perry. “No one studies them down there. Pretty much all they do is bob out in the waves and eat fish.”<br />
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That is behavior that has already put many two and three-year old loons at risk from the oil spill and its effects. And Perry worries that oil isn’t the only threat to loons. She said she is especially concerned about the effects of BP’s widespread use of dispersant chemicals, which emulsify the oil and make it more likely to enter the food chain. Once that happens, the concentrations of the toxic chemicals will be amplified as they accumulate up the food chain, much as happens with mercury, DDT, and other environmental toxins. <br />
Recovery could be slow<br />
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While many species of birds and other wildlife can respond quickly to population declines, some species, like loons, have shown they can be slow to recover from decreases in their numbers. That’s true, in part, because loons are slow to mature and because they rarely raise more than one or two chicks per year. Loons can live about thirty years in the wild, and such longevity allows loons to maintain their populations even with a slow rate of reproduction. But when an environmental disaster wipes out a significant number of loons, a slow breeding strategy means recovery can take a long time.<br />
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