7/27/16 Update on the BWCA after the July 20th, 2016 Storm

Date Issued: July 27, 2016

USFS Information: 218-365-7600

We (the USFS) will not be posting sites as closed to avoid implying that the other sites are safe. Hazard trees have not been removed yet. When choosing a campsite and tent pads, visitors are reminded to look up and all around. There are many leaning trees, broken tops, and hanging branches that may fall easily. Saturated soils make otherwise stable trees prone to falling over. Consider these hazards and prevailing winds when choosing a parking, picnic, camping site, or tent pad.

Some access roads have not been widened. Even where they have been widened debris in ditches and on shoulders increases danger. Power companies continue to repair lines and there are still some down. We’ve had reports of people driving the access roads too fast and this is endangering our crews and each other. Getting visitors INTO the wilderness is NOT an emergency.

We have not been able to assess everything within the impacted area yet due to the need to open portages. Traveling roughly clockwise, beginning at Snowbank, here are the conditions as we know them right now:

·         Snowbank Area: Portages from Snowbank into Disappointment, Disappointment to Parent, and Parent to Snowbank are now passable. The portage into Grub was not cleared yesterday (mistakenly reported as cleared). Portages have been cleared from Snowbank east to Thomas Lake. The condition of portages from Boot to Caddyman Lake and Gibson to Ensign Lake are unknown.

·         The Snowbank/Kekekabic Hiking Trail has not been worked. Much of the trail is believed to be impassible, especially around Disappointment Mountain and on into Thomas. Hiking may be hazardous and is not advised.

·         Lake One Area: Portages into Lake Two are passable. Conditions beyond are believed to be mostly passable.

·         N. Kawishiwi/Gabbro area: Portages through Ojibway, Triangle and down into the North Kawishiwi River are passable. Conditions are unknown on the North Kawishiwi River, into Clear and into Eskwagama. Portages have been made passable from Little Gabbro, Gabbro, Bald Eagle, and Turtle to Clearwater Lake. Portages south from Clearwater to Gull have not been worked. The portage from Little Gabbro to Bruin is now passable.

·         The access into Glacier Pond is passable.  

·         Farm Lake, Birch, and White Iron roads and campsites are south of the largest impacts but had scattered damage. Roads are mostly passable. The South Kawishiwi and Birch Lake Campgrounds had little damage and are open.

·         Mudro entry point: The North Grassy Road is mostly open shoulder to shoulder now but the road is narrow and shoulders are now lined with cut trees. Power is not yet restored on much of the Echo Trail so power company trucks and workers may be on the roads. Please drive slowly! Mudro to Lower Basswood Falls through Horse is passable. Horse to Fourtown is passable. Conditions on portages to the west and north of Fourtown are unknown.

·         The Fenske Lake Campground was impacted and remains open. Crews cleared the Fenske Campground Trail, Swimming Beach, Group Site, and the trail to the public landing. They also made the Fenske to Everett Lake Portage passable.

·         Portages on the Circle Route are clear into Grassy Lake. Camping is not recommended on Bass, High, Dry, and Low Lakes at this time. Hiking the Bass Lake Trail may be hazardous. The trail is passable from the parking lot into Dry Falls. The portage from Dry into High is passable. The Dry Lake Loop of the trail is very hard hit and has not been cleared. A crew will be working the trail again today—please give them room to work. The portage into Bass Lake is passable.

·         Burntside/Crab Lake: The Van Vac access was hard hit but is now passable. Downed power lines were repaired. The Passi Road was impacted but is now passable. The Crab Lake portage was made passable yesterday. Campers report portages to the west and to the north of Crab Lake as rough but passable. Slim and Little Rice Lakes were impacted. The North Arm and Slim Lake Access roads were impacted and are now passable. The portages into Slim, Rice, Hook, and Kenue Lakes are passable.   

·         Fall and west Basswood: Newton and Pipestone portages are passable. Campsites on the southeastern shore of Pipestone were especially hard hit. A few campsites on Jackfish and, Back Bays and Newton Lake were also hard hit. Campers must choose sites and tent pads carefully, looking for hazard trees. Back Bay to Frog Bay portage is passable. The Fourmile Portage is passable to Mud, Ella Hall, and the north end of Muskeg. Beyond Muskeg the Fourmile is impassible.  

·         Moose Lake Road, eastern Basswood: The Moose Lake Road is passable. Power company trucks may be working on the road. Prairie Portage is passable. Portages into Sucker, Birch, and Ensign may be difficult but are passable. Portages farther east seem to have been less affected. Wind Lake portages are passable from Hoist Bay through to Moose Lake. 

·         Wood area: The Wood Lake area including Hula, Indiana, Good, and portages into Hoist Bay are passable.

If returning BWCAW visitors have updated information, please let us know.

 A note of caution:

·         Some branches and even whole trees are bent under pressure and may spring up suddenly if pressure is released so watch for spring poles if you are clearing blowdown.

 

 

What are the top 3 items you take into the BWCA?

What are the top items you always take into the BWCA and use around your campsite?

Yes, we take a canoe, paddles, life jackets, tents, sleeping bags w/pads and more.  I'm asking what special items do you take?

Couple of my favorites area pliers or multi-tool and Gerber 6 inch blade knife w/sheath that I received as a high school graduation gift. Oh has it been that long that I have owned it...since graduation? These must have items are great for cooking, repair of camping equipment, fishing, etc.

What items do you have to have available around your campsite?

• 2- 50 ft length of rope - use for hoisting food pack into trees or line for drying wet clothes

• Collapsible or Sven saw - many times I don't even use a saw as there is usually more than enough small pieces of wood gathered off the ground. No need to take an ax or hatchet. Most people fail to follow correct handling rules and risk a severe cut. Save your fingers by using a saw.

 

• One or two burner stove with fuel - size of the group will determine size of stove. 2-4 people a single burner stove will be adequate. 4+ people, go for the two - single burner or two burner stove.
• Strike anywhere stick matches in a water tight container. I also like to have a small lighter along as a back up and easy to carry in my pocket.

       

• Water bottle for each person. Keep hydrated and your trip will be more comfortable.
• Compass for orienting your map to north. I have my compass on a landyard around my neck for quick use.
• Map of the area you are traveling. Using a GPS is fine; but batteries wear out, devise may not pick up a signal, or you drop it in the water and now it really doesn't work.  We recommend having a set of maps for each canoe. Keeps peace in the group, allows others to know "where the heck are we?" and to compare locations

Visit Spirit of the Wilderness website at www.elycanoetrips.com or call us at 218-365-3149 and start planning your 2016 Boundary Waters or Quetico canoe trip.

The Happiness effect...spend time in the outdoors

Here is an easy and enjoyable way to increase your creativity; spend time outside in a green space!  

Nature nurtures us...helps us relieve stress and mental fatigue, boosts our mood, and more. People underestimate the "happiness effect" of being outdoors. We don't think of it as a way to increase happiness. We think other things will, like shopping or TV*.



Will you spend time outdoors soon? 

The Boundary Waters is calling you. Answer 
the call.

*National Geographic, January 2016. The Power of Parks.

Recharge Your Batteries...Travel a Wilderness Area this Summer

Traveling in a wilderness area, i.e. Boundary Waters Canoe Area, is more than canoeing, hiking, fishing, camping, swatting bugs, seeing spectacular sunrises or sunsets. 3 day or more in the wilderness is a "kind of cleaning of the mental windshield" as noted in National Geographic January 2016 article titled The Power of Parks. You recalibrate your senses, experience the moment, produces a difference in your thinking. 

Come get your batteries recharged...experience the BWCA once again this summer.

2016 BWCA Permit Lottery Dates

Are you ready to book your 2016 Canoe trip?  We are ready to take your reservations!

It's that time of year again.  We can start applying for your Moose Lake and Fall Lake Overnight Motor permits, Day Use Motor Permits and Overnight Paddling Permits.  Start planning your summer trip now.  This permit lottery deadline is for you if you want a Dy-Use Motor or Overnight Motor permit starting at Fall Lake or Moose lake.  All other paddle only entry points need not worry about this deadline.  Paddle only permits can start being reserved January 27th, 2016.

The deadline to get your Motor permit application in is 

 Tuesday, January 12, 2016.  

If you want a motor permit for this summer you need to enter the lottery now!

Do you just want to paddle in the BWCA this coming summer?  Then keep in mind that on January 27th, 2016 we can start booking your first come first reserved BWCA permit.  This date is when we want to book the entry points that are popular, but don't have many permits allowed each day.  This would be entry points such as Mudro Lake, Little Gabbro Lake, Moose River North, Little Indian Sioux.  

Do you have multiple groups going in on the same day?  Try to book early so you have more options available to pick from. 

Keep in mind you don't have to have your total group number when we reserve your permits.  We just need your exact travel dates and what entry point you would like to use.  We can adjust your group size once you arrive at Spirit of the Wilderness to have your permit issued.

Boundary Waters Permit information:

• 1 permit is good for up to 9 people and 4 watercraft
• You must pick a specific entry point and entry date
• Your exit date can change.
• Your group size can change up until the permit is issued.
• You can have your permit issued to you at Spirit of the Wilderness the day of or day before your travel dates.
• Only the names listed on the permit can pick up the permit.  You can have a group leader and up to 3 alternate leaders.

Start planning your 2016 BWCA & Quetico wilderness canoe adventure.  Start picking your travel dates and Spirit of the Wilderness can help you with your permit and outfitting reservations.

Spirit of the Wilderness can reserve your overnight paddling, day-use motor and overnight motor permits for. Call us at 800-950-2709 or 218-365-3149. Winter Hours: 8am - 8 pm daily.

Fishing Report - Saturday, July 18th

Walleye are being caught between 10-25 ft. You will want to drift along structures working from shallow to deep. The best result has been with leeches on Lindy rigs.

You will want to look for deep weed lines to bring in pike. Most are being caught when trolling shad raps or casting spinners and spoons.

Small mouth bass can be netted when using top water lures in the weeds, or if you are reef fishing use jigs and crawlers.

Crappies are the hardest to catch right now. They are traveling in smaller schools dispersed throughout the lakes. Most anglers are using crappie minnows at depths from 15-25 ft.

NEMO Bugout Screen Room Tarps for RENT

NEMO Bugout Screen Room Tarps

This unique tarp allows you to be sheltered from the rain with the added bonus of keeping the bugs out as well.

The canopy is made from 75D PU Polyester Ripstop (1500mm). The walls are made up of 15D no-see-um mesh. 

The Bugout comes in two different sizes; the 9x9 model which can fit 4 people comfortably, while the 12x12 will fit up to 6.

BUGOUT 9x9 Specs:

Trail Weight - 4 lbs, 12 oz 

Floor Dimensions - 108 x 108 in

Floor Area - 81 sq ft

Interior Height - 72 in

Number of Doors - 2

Packed Size 16 x 8 in dia

Shell Fabric 75D PU Polyester Ripstop (1500mm)

Canopy Fabric 15D No-see-um mesh

BUGOUT 12x12 Specs:

Trail Weight  7 lbs / 3.2 kg

Floor Dimensions 144 x 144 in

Floor Area 144 sq ft

Interior Height 84 in

Number of Doors 2

Packed Size 23 x 8.5 in dia

Shell Fabric 75D PU Polyester Ripstop (1500mm)

Canopy Fabric 15D No-see-um mesh

Spirit of the Wilderness customer review:

"The bugout room was awesome. I will definitely rent this again in the future. A tip to future renters remember to set up opposite corners first, and have a campsite with trees."  - Michael R. from Minneapolis, MN.

Rent one of these great screen rooms for only $12.00 a day.

 Click here to see our full list of outfitting gear, from only one item, or a full outfitting package.

Call us at 1-800-950-2709 or email us at info@elycanoetrips.com to reserve one or both of these fine products for your next Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness adventure.

NEW to rent: Helinox cots and chairs

HELINOX GEAR FOR RENT

The latest and greatest cots and chairs in the industry are now available to rent here at Spirit of the Wilderness. Helinox uses DAC's advanced alloy technology to make the lightest, strongest and most durable cots and chairs.

HELINOX COT ONE

Stay comfortably off the ground with this light weight and super strong cot. Using the unique Helinox lever system this cot stays solid and is easy to assemble.

Specs:
74.8" L x 26.8" W
6.3" Ground clearance
Weights 5 lbs
Weight capacity 320 lbs

Rent a great cot for only $6.00 a day.

HELINOX CHAIR ONE

This super strong and light camp chair is made similar to modern tents with the "hub" design versus that of a traditional folding chair.

25.6" H x 20.5" W x 19.7" D
13.5" Ground clearance
Weights 2 lbs
Weight capacity 320 lbs

Rent a great chair for only $4.00 a day.

 Click here to see our full list of outfitting gear, from only one item, or a full outfitting package.

Call us at 1-800-950-2709 or email us at info@elycanoetrips.com to reserve one or both of these fine products for your next Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness adventure.

Geocaching at Spirit of the Wilderness

Spirit of the Wilderness has joined the world of Geocaching. "Geo-what-ing?" you ask.

Geocaching.com defines geocaching as a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at the location.

What is Geocaching? Video:

Now you are probably asking how Spirit of the Wilderness has joined the community of over 5 million geocachers? Well it's simple, we have hidden a cache on our premises. That cache is one of the over 2 million hidden worldwide. We even have a few employees who are geocachers themselves.

The cache A Paddler's Paradise was hidden only a week ago and it's already accumulated over a dozen finds. 

A recent log posted on the cache page.
Click on the image to enlarge.

We are offering Geocaching clinics this summer. If you would like to book one for your next adventure in or near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contact us at 1-800-950-2709 or email: info@elycanoetrips.com.

Prescribe burn update - September 27, 2014

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Yesterday, fire fighters successfully ignited a prescribed burn of the Bear Island Island Unit. A holding crew is already on site this morning to monitor its progress. Gustier winds are anticipated for today helping to consume pockets of unburned hazards on the island.

A small burn on Coo Lake North was extinguished due to the winds expected today. The Pine Ridge and Kangas Units are also being prepared. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds are predicted for tomorrow. The likelihood of one quarter to one half an inch of rain falling in the afternoon is another factor being considered. To allow for the most accurate weather prediction, fire managers will determine which of the three remaining units to focus on on the day of ignition (possibly tomorrow).

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.

·         Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake.

·         Kangas Burn Unit, T61N, R12W, S14, 99 acres, is south of the Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) at the end of U5192AA south of Little Lake.

·         Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake.

Please leave fire fighters space to do their work. Be mindful of aircraft. They may need to scoop water from the lake. Please don’t park fire engines in—they may need to respond to other fires or re-position to support the prescribed burn.

All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points and Superior National Forest Trails are expected to remain open. People may see and smell smoke. As always, the safety of fire fighters, residents, and visitors is the first priority in using fire to reduce hazardous fuels. There will be increased traffic on roads and the lake due to fire operations. Aerial resources may be used for safety, communications, additional control, and monitoring.  For maps and more information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/superior or call 218-365-7600. (Not all of the units shown on the maps are scheduled to be burned at this time.) 

Loons flying over Ely

Woke this morning hearing loons calling out as they flew over Ely. You don't hear or see these wonderful birds in the Twin Cities, Chicago or Detroit. One more reminder why we like this area and the wilderness.

Come join us this summer. There still are permits available to travel the Boundary Waters. Mid-August into September is one of the most enjoyable times in the BWCA...limited bugs, less people, warm days, cool nights, and so much more.

 Call us at 800-950-2709 or email  at info@elycanoetrips.com.

Disappointment Lake - Island Fire, July 1, 2014

Disappointment Island Fire

Fact Sheet July 1, 2014

Introduction:  On June 30, 2014, a fire was reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) east of Ely on an island in Disappointment Lake (Township 64N Range 8W Section 33—see map). A Forest Service helicopter pilot reported stiff winds had carried a spot fire from the island to the mainland near a designated campsite.  Fire crews were dispatched to the scene. Size was estimated to be one acre on the island and one tenth of an acre on the eastern shore of Disappointment Lake.

Strategies: Fire managers are using confine and contain suppression tactics on the fire. Crews may use some hand ignition to confine the fire to the island. Fire crews will be in the area. Current conditions are damp but a drying trend is expected within the next few days.

Visitor Impacts: Visitors may see and smell smoke on the eastern portion of Disappointment Lake during the next few days. One campsite (#10—the eastern most site) on Disappointment Lake is closed at this time. All BWCAW entry points, portages, travel routes, and hiking trails remain open.

Don't miss the BWCA this Fall

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is ablaze with Fall colors right now.  We drove the Echo Trail on a guided day trip to Hegman Lake and then east on the Fernberg Road to deliver canoes and kayaks this past weekend. The tree colors were fabulous with the contrast between the conifers, maples, birch, aspen and oaks.

Near the pictographs on Hegman we stopped to see pitcher plants, insect eating plants that look like water pitchers, growing in a bog. We were the only canoe on the lake...what a joy that was. My guest from Phoenix AZ commented that our day trip was the highlight of his visit. And no BUGS!

Spend time in and around the BWCA this time of year. You will not be disappointed.

Hegman Lake pictograph rock face

Early morning on South Hegman

Swimming with turtles in the BWCA

Paul T and nephews Matt and Spencer are long time customers of ours. Each year they travel the Boundary Waters with their family and friends. Each year they return with wonderful stories of their adventures. This year they swam with turtles.

/youtu.be/YEZeW26muwA

2013 BWCA Swimming with a snapping turtle near Thunder Point on Knife Lake. The turtle came onto shore as they were eating lunch and Paul, Matt and Spencer joined it in the water. The turtle shell was about 2 feet in length - this was an old guy.

Thanks Paul and Matt for sharing your video.

Bear Visit, August 2013

One of our guests Donn R. provided this YouTube video of a black bear encounter on Lincoln Island, on Basswood Lake in the BWCA. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-7DyPxydX0

Thanks Donn, we will be sending you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt for your contribution.

Get a t-shirt
Email Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters your photos/video and BWCA story to info@elycanoetrips.com. If we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt as a thank you.  Be sure to include your mailing address and shirt size.

BWCA Bear report - Basswood lake area

Are you traveling the Basswood lake area soon? We received a bear encounter report from a guest staying on Lincoln Island. The bear came into their campsite but was scared away...nothing taken. This might be the same bear that has recently been visiting Washington Island. Take precautions when visiting this area.

Bear awareness 

• Keep a clean campsite. Never eat or store food in your tent
• Take precautions to discourage bears from visiting your site, including hanging your food pack or using a bear-resistant container, as well as garbage and anything that has a strong or sweet odor (soap, toothpaste etc.)
• Some bears overcome their fear of humans and approach campsites looking for food. This includes island sites since bears are good swimmers.
• If you do encounter a bear, most will be scared off if you make noice (shout, bang pots, or throw fist-sized rocks at the bear, etc).
• A very persistant bear may be discouraged by spraying pepper into its eyes
• If you visit a campsite with bear skat...do not camp there. Find another site
• If you can't tell the difference between bear skat and other feces, assume it is bear skat and move to another campsite.

Taken from USFS Boundary Waters Canoe Area Trip Planning Guide

Fishing report - July 21, 2013

South Kawishiwi River:
Crappies are biting on the Kawishiwi River! Use a blue & white Rapala #6 or #7 size tossing into 3-4 feet of water along the mud banks. A 2/5 oz 5 of diamonds spoon has also been working well.

Gabbro/Bald Eagle Lakes
Walleyes have been hitting on leeches in Gabbro in 18-20 feet of water using a spinner with a hammered nickle spinner ro a 1/4 oz jig working right off the bottom.

Spirit of the Wilderness is your one-stop BWCA outfitter and bait shop located on East Sheridan Street Ely, MN. Open 6 am - 9 pm daily. Yes...we have leeches!

Turtles are laying eggs

One of our guests reported painted turtles and snapping turtles are laying their eggs. A bit later than normal.
The painted turtles moved onto sandy/gravel shore, laid their eggs and then a snapper moved in; trashed the painted turtle's nests and laid her own eggs over the top.  Sounds like a bully momma to me.

Painted turtles sunning themselves

Snapping turtle laying her eggs