May 7, 2014 Ice Out Report

Superior National Forest Ice Update

                                                                        May 7, 2014 PM report

                                                                       

Current Ice Conditions: Conditions are changing quickly. Rains, warmth, and wind could give fisherman much more open water by the weekend.

From Forest Service pilots today:  

·        -  Newton (between Fall L and Pipestone) is open.

·         - Pipestone is 60% open.

·         -  Jackfish is still frozen.

·         - Mud is 50%, Rice is 80%, and Ella Hall is 20% open.

·        -  Garden is 75% open.

·         - Kempton is open.

·        -  Pickerel is 50%.

·         - Wood is starting to open.

·       -   Fall—there is ice on the west end and by the 4 Mile Portage.

·         - Most of Basswood is tightly frozen but Back Bay is 50%. Hoist Bay is frozen.

·        -  Lakes 1 thru 4—shorelines are open but still 75% ice. May see some changes in the next few days.

·         - Kawishiwi R. and west bound there is some open water and may open by the weekend. Gabbro and Bald Eagle (southern end) are 25%. Three Mile is 60%.

·         - Snowbank and going east most of the lakes are frozen tight to the shore.

Reports from others:

·        -  The road into Mudro Lake is in very bad condition. Low clearance vehicles and two wheel drive vehicles will probably not make it.

Road Reports from Gunflint (Grand Marais) Engineer:

·         The Grade:  (170) is snow free, but really rough – even “rutty”.

·         You can’t get into Wilson Lake Campground and probably won’t be able to for at least a few more days, probably not by this weekend.

·         From Lake County 7, going on FR 166 (600 Road) to the 342 Road, (Two Island River Road) there is about 1-2” of snow at the intersection of 166/342, so no travel down on the 342 road for several days.

·         From Lake County Road 7 to Richey Lake Road it is still snow covered, but passable by pickup or four wheel drive, car travel would not be advised.

·         Temperance River Road (343) you could drive up the first four miles but lots of trees were down.  There is still snow on the road, probably only advisable with a pick-up truck.

Ice Out conditions 2014

Superior National Forest Ice Update

 May 6, 2014 PM report

  

Current Ice Conditions: Remember, ice is never completely safe and now is a particularly dangerous time. 

Also, ice packs shift with winds so the exact location of an ice pack may change quickly. 

From Forest Service pilots--a seeding mission was flown today and this is the pilot’s report: 

· There is very little open water right now. 

· If we get a break in the weather, conditions may change very quickly—even as soon as this weekend. 

· Where there is current, ice is breaking up. 

· Much of Fall Lake is open and some portions of Pipestone Bay are open. 

· Smaller lakes and ponds are dark and are starting to break up. 

· Portions of Birch Lake are beginning to open up. 

· Most lakes east of Insula are pretty solidly ice-covered still. 

· The Little Indian Sioux and Nina Moose (aka Moose/Portage Rivers) Rivers are open but the lakes are mostly still frozen. 

Reports from others: 

· Much of the eastern end of Fall Lake is open. 

· The southern tip of Pipestone Bay was open to just north of Wegens Point two days ago. 

· The road into Mudro Lake is in very bad condition. Low clearance vehicles and two wheel drive 

vehicles will probably not make it. 

We are sending warm thoughts toward opening of fishing. 

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2014

Happy New Year!  We are looking forward to a great canoe season in 2014.  We hope the ice comes off the lakes a little earlier then this last spring.  It made for a late start to the canoe season.

 

We hope your holiday season was good for you and your families.  We look forward to talking to you about your upcoming 2014 summer canoe adventure into the BWCA or Quetico.

 

Upcoming Dates & Events

January 14, 2014 - Last day (by 9pm central) that we can submit for Moose Lake and Fall Lake day-use motor and overnight motor permits in the lottery. This includes Fall Lake only, Fall Lake to Pipestone Bay, Moose Lake chain, and Moose Lake and beyond (over to Basswood via Prairie Portage). This is your best chance at getting a motor permit!

January 29, 2014 - First day we can begin reserving overnight paddling permits on-demand. This is when we can get your permits for all entry points. It is a great time to reserve your permits for some of the harder to get and more popular entry points such as; Mudro, Portage River/Moose River North (Nina Moose), Little Indian Sioux North, Little Gabbro, North Kawishiwi entry points.

March 1, 2014 - Quiet Water Symposium in Lansing, MI

- Come visit our booth and talk about your trip.

March 7-9, 2014 - Canoecopia Paddle Sport Show in Madison, WI

-We will have a booth & ready to book your BWCA & Quetico adventures for the summer.

- Steve will be giving a seminar "Unique BWCA Sites You Should Visit & Planning Your BWCA Adventure"

March 26-30, 2014 - Northwest Sport Show in Minneapolis, MN

-Stop by the booth for great early BWCA trip booking deals.

- Steve will again be presenting a seminar about your BWCA trip.

April 25-27, 2014 - Midwest Outdoor Expo - Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, MN

- Steve will have a few seminars again this year "Unique BWCA Sites You Should Visit Part 1", "Unique BWCA Sites Your Should Visit Part 2" and "Fishing the BWCA"

May 11, 2014 - Minnesota Fishing Opener

May - October 15, 2014 - Do you have your BWCA canoe trip planned? It's time to get one scheduled.

Mid-october in the BWCA...don't miss it!

Spent a few hours on Bass lake to Low lake yesterday and the leaf colors were still good, the waters were smooth as glass. I was the only one on the lake except for 2 young loons. They flapped their wings as I got close to them and wailed a bit as if to say "we're here for a few more days and then flying south."

The portage from the Echo Trail to Bass lake is about 270 rods, wide and easy to walk. Took about 15 minutes as I needed to stop to enjoy the colors and smell the Fall leaves.Used a Wenonah Canak. You should try this boat sometime. Easy to carry with a pedestal yoke, weighs 42 lbs, center sliding seat and has excellent glide. I used a kayak paddle. The Canak tracks fairly straight, easy to maneuver.

Have you canoed, kayaked or hike the BWCA this time of the year? There are less people, no bugs, the crisp air is so refreshing, the juncos (birds) will be skittering along the shoreline guiding you as you move, eagles and loons are still here. One does have to come prepared for a change in the weather. Bring hats, gloves, warm socks, jacket, and step gingerly at the portages trying to keep your feet dry.

Canak - not a canoe/not a kayak

Bass lake

Dry Falls

October 2013 Store Hours

It's that time of year again when we start to think about closing for the season.  We have had a great summer and enjoyed meeting new customers and seeing previous customers.  We will be around for the month of October, but will have shorter hours.

If you are interested in an October 2013 trip please call and schedule your trip with us.  We would be happy to be around for when you need us.  We answer the phone and emails year round.

October 2013 Store Hours

Oct. 7-15, 2013 - 8 AM - 5 PM (unless by appointment)

Oct. 16 to end of the month - By Appointment ONLY

To make an appointment please call 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709

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

BWCA still open, October 2, 2013

Due to the lapse in federal government funding, the U.S. Forest, as with other federal agencies, is closed with the exception of certain essential services.  

For general information on Forest Service shutdown procedures, please visit their website:  www.fs.usda.gov

According to the hosts at Fall Lake campground, and the concessionaire at Fenske Lake, Birch Lake, and South Kawishiwi River campgrounds, those facilities remain open at this time, but may be given a 48 hour notice to close as well.

For information about available government services, visit usa.gov

To view U.S. Department of Agriculture Agency Contingency plans, visit: http://www.whitehouse