Bears are active right now - Sept 17, 2015

Report from the USFS, Kawishiwi Ranger Station, Ely MN

Bears are really active right now—reports from the old Service Center on Central Avenue in Ely, to the Passi Road on Burntside, to the large island in the South Arm of Knife Lake and even Lakes One and Two.

Now is the time to put bird feeders away, stash any trash in secure buildings, and be extra mindful when camping in the BWCAW. Please remember, coolers are NOT bear resistant containers. Once a bear gets hold of food it will return many times to the same site looking for more food. Save a bear and be stingy with your left overs.

·        The report received from the large island in the South Arm of Knife included tents torn. This is likely a mother bear and cubs who have been pretty active in this area.

·        No specific details on the bear in Lake Two area. It may have damaged a tent.

·        A bear on Lake One got a group’s entire food bag. No information on which site.

Hang your food bag or use a bear resistant food barrel

·        The bear in the Service Center was easily scared away.   The bear on the Passi Road destroyed some bird feeders. 

RUMC Womens Canoe Trip, July 2013

Before leaving Spirit of the Wilderness

The Rosemount United Methodist Church, Rosemount MN women had a fabulous canoe trip this July. They entered at lake One and traveled out to Lake Three for a 4 day, 3 night adventure. For some it was their first BWCA trip. We are waiting for more photos to post documenting their high adventure.

Preparing for the sun

Do we have everything?

Getting a canoe ready

Waters are high in the BWCA

Lake One entry point water levels are up with the recent rains. When we picked up canoes yesterday it was clearly evident how high the water level was. Normally we would be seeing 2X the beach area.

Be prepared to use portages around any rapids as conditions may be hazardous. And always wear your life jacket whenever you are in your canoe, kayak or boat.

We always strongly recommend; do not run, shoot or go down any rapids with a kevlar or aluminum canoe. It's a bad way to buy a canoe if you damage one.

Lake One entry point - high water

Kawishiwi Ranger District update - June 25, 2013

      More campsites have been opened on Three, Horseshoe, Harbor, and the Wilders. This should be the last group of campsite openings for the Kawishiwi District.  116 campsites were affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire on the Kawishiwi and the Tofte Districts.  To date 18 sites remain closed in the Kawishiwi Ranger District.  These sites will remain closed for a rest period of 4-10 years.  

      

     The maps will be updated on the Superior National Forest web page;

      http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/home/?cid=stelprdb5341928#maps

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      Bear activity

      The USFS has received a few more bear reports:

o    S. Arm of Knife L (probably the same bear making its rounds). No aggressive action but quite persistent.

o   Basswood: especially around Washington Island. Also no aggressive action but very persistent.

Remember to keep your campsite clean, do not bring any food or toiletries into your tent, hang your food pack (12 feet up and at least 3 feet away from trunk of tree) away from your tent and main area of your campsite or use a bear resistant food container.

Entering & exiting the BWCA:

·         You are required to enter the BWCA on a specific date at a specific entry point as listed on your permit. Once you exit the wilderness your trip is done and you will need a new permit to re-enter. The USFS is hearing reports of people who camp on Disappointment or Lake One and other close-in lakes who are treating their sites like campgrounds—going into town or nearby resorts to shop or buy ice cream then paddling back out to their campsite. There are campgrounds and dispersed sites (Tofte, Snowbank, Triangle, Ojibway, Burntside, Bass L., etc.) if you are looking for that sort of experience. 

May 10, 2012 Ice Conditions

Superior National Forest Ice Update

    Friday, May 10, 2013
                                                                      
Today’s Safety Message:

·         Predictions for winds today include gusts up to 38 miles per hour.

o   Please wear a PFD if you venture out on the water.

o   Be careful with fire. Spring fuels dry out quickly.

o   Ice packs may shift dramatically.

·         Rivers may be dangerous.

o   High volumes of water are causing some dangerous landings at portages.

o   Currents are swift and unpredictable.

FS Pilot report (limited fire patrol flight this afternoon):

·         Fall Lake is mostly open. Newton is open. Pipestone is open up the middle almost to Caribou Point. The rest may open in a couple of days. Jackfish still has white ice.

·         The Nina Moose (Moose/Portage River North) is open and Nina Moose Lake is about 80% open. Agnes is only 40 % open.

·         Dumbell, Sawbill, and most lakes of any size on the east side are still frozen.

·         Moose Lake is mostly frozen.

Reports from people on the ground:

·         Farm Lake is frozen.

·         Sawbill still at 13 inches of ice.

·         Lake One appears to be open from the landing past Kawishiwi Lodge—how much farther is not known.

Pagami Creek Fire Restoration Work

The USFS has accomplished a lot of work after the Pagami Creek Fire: restoring campsites, portages, and portions of the Pow Wow Trail.  

• Currently, there are 26 campsites closed on the Kawishiwi District. 
• By June, 2013 an additional 8 sites will be re-opened.  19 sites will remain closed.   
• An environmental analysis will be completed to add two new sites on the north end of Lake One. 
• Due to the reduction in the number of sites available to campers, the Lake One Entry Point (#30) quota will be adjusted to a total of 14 per day:  7 quota will be entry point 30 with no camping restrictions and 7 will be entry point 30F restricting travelers from camping on the Kawishiwi River.  (30F will NOT include last season’s restriction for camping beyond Lake Three.)  This adjustment aims to spread the overnight use out and alleviate last year’s tremendous use on the Kawishiwi River.