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.

Used Canoes, Kayaks & SUP Board Sale - October 2015

End of the season used kevlar canoe, kayak 

and Stand Up Paddle Board sale

Spirit of the Wilderness has a number of Wenonah and Bell Northstar kevlar reconditioned canoes as well as Current Design kayaks for sale. 

Each canoe has been properly prepared and coated with the correct resin...the type the canoes are made of!  Not a spar varnish that will peel and flake off within 1-2 years. 

Using the correct resin ensures longevity of the canoe and provides a protective coat over scratches that occurred when the canoes were used for rental. Our reconditioning will last the average paddler 5 - 8 years. Whereas a spar varnish will last 1-2 years, at best.

Wenonah canoes:

• Minnesota IIs, 
• Spirit IIs, 
• Boundary Waters
• Champlains
• Solo canoes; Prism and Encounter
• 3-seated Senecas and Minnesota 3

Bell Northstar canoes:

• Northwind 17
• Magic

Current Design kayaks:

• Kestral 120
• Kestral 140 w/rudder

Call Spirit of the Wilderness today at 800-950-2709 for pricing and 

reserve your kevlar canoe or kayak today

Flexible payment plans available

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards are also available for sale. Used 1 or 2 seasons, lengths include:
10 ft 6 inch, 11 ft 6 inch, 12 ft 6 inch. Styles include RAVE Sport Lake Cruiser and RAVE Sport Touring  models. Priced well under suggested retail.

Call Spirit of the Wilderness today at 

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

October hours: 8 am - 5 pm daily

Superior National Forest Prescribed Burn - October 5, 2015

The Superior National Forest West Zone Fire Organization anticipates a window for prescribed burns next week. 

Project Names: River Point and River Point Unit 5

Location and project size:

This project consists of two burn units south of Ely, MN just off Highway 1.

• An 18 acre unit north of the highway will be referred to as River Point Unit 5 (Unit 5): Township (T) 62 North, Range (R) 11 West, Section (S) 30.
• The 111 acre unit south of Highway 1 runs along the road into River Point Resort: T62NR11WS31.

Purpose: The Superior National Forest is planning to conduct two prescribed burns south of Ely along the Kawishiwi River to reduce hazardous fuels and wildfire threat to private lands and residences. These burns are the next step in an ongoing effort to reduce hazardous fuels. Balsam fir are highly flammable with low hanging branches—creating ladders which fire climbs up into the crowns of trees.
Historically, periodic fires kept the rate of balsam growth in the forest at a much lower percentage, but fire suppression during the last 100 years has allowed balsam fir to become much more prevalent in the understory. In these units, balsam and other fuels were harvested or crushed with machinery but burning is necessary to kill balsam seedlings and sprouts, giving pine and other native plants sunlight and room to grow. Slash was pulled back from the trunks of large pines to protect them from the understory fire. Mature white and red pine trees have thicker bark which resists fire damage.

Today’s message: Exactly when the burns will be accomplished will be dependent on weather. Shorter days and increased moisture in fine fuels make finding weather windows for fall burns challenging. The smaller burn may be ignited as early as Monday, October 5, 2015. The larger unit may be done later in the week. Aerial resources including a helicopter may be used for ignition (on the larger unit) and for monitoring fire behavior. Another notice will be sent out the day ignition is most likely.

Caution for Travel on Highway 1: During ignition of the southern unit, be especially cautious exiting the Kawishiwi River Bridge. Please slow down and be prepared for heavy smoke, fire fighters, and fire engines on Highway 1 between the Ely Airport and the South Kawishiwi Campground.

This information is supplied by the USFS Kawishiwi Ranger District, October 3, 2015

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. 

Echo Trail Detour Starting August 27, 2015

The latest information from St. Louis County on their project to replace the bridge over the Moose River on the Echo Trail is that the contractor will start work Thursday August 27^th and complete the project in late October or early November. 

They will be using FR 464 (Moose Loop) as a detour route which will add approximately 5 miles to a trip across on the Echo Trail.  Moose Loop is about 30 miles northwest from Ely with entry point # 8, Moose River South. Be sure to give yourself extra time when traveling to entry point #14, Little Indian Sioux North. The bridge reconstruction is just past  #16, Moose River/Portage Rive North (Nina Moose).

Travel the Boundary Waters - Fall Special 3 days / 2 nights

The Boundary Waters is calling you!  

Fall is one of the best kept secrets for canoeing or hiking the BWCA of northern Minnesota;

• Warm days, cool nights
• Fewer people than mid-summer
• Good fishing
• Hear the call of loons, see wildlife
• And more…

The BWCA is one of the top 50 places in the world National Geographic recommends you visit in your lifetime.


Start your wilderness adventure in Ely MN, canoe capital of the upper Midwest . Easy access to a place where you can listen to the silence and slow down the pace of life.


Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitter/Outdoor Store is ready to outfit your needs and help you make lifetime memories.

Experience the wilderness for 3 days/2 nights with a complete outfitting package at a reduced rate. Spirit of the Wilderness is ready to serve you and help you make lifetime memories of a Boundary Waters adventure.

3 Days/ 2 Nights Complete Outfitted Canoe Trip

• $199.00 per person, minimum 2 people (regularly $285.00/person)

Includes:

• Kevlar canoe, life jackets, paddles, food (2 breakfast,3 lunch, 2 dinners), packs, tent, sleeping bags w/pads, cook kit w/utensils, stove w/fuel, matches, TP, water filter, detailed map and more.
• BWCA permit and usage fees not included
• Trip must start after August 16 and end by October 31, 2015
• No other discounts apply
• A $100.00 deposit per person required to confirm reservation
• Additional days available at discount rate

           

Call today and let Spirit of the Wilderness, Ely MN outfit you for a Fall canoe or hiking trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Ph: 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709

email: info@elycanoetrips.com

Bear Encounter Report - August 17, 2015

This report is furnished by the USFS, Kawishiwi Ranger Station, Ely MN

•       On 8/11 on Spoon Lake south side, first site to the right of the south portage. At 5:30 a.m. bear wandered into camp and was chased away. 10 minutes later bear was in food pack tree. Was chased out but stayed near campsite for some time.
• .       8/15 and 16: south shore of Vera, second site to the south: Large bear pulled group’s food pack down while they were out on a day trip. Group returned before bear got into their food and they retrieved the pack. Bear continued to circle camp, woofing, most of the day.
• .       8/14 Knife Lake site 16 south of Thunder Pt: Bear tore into hanging food pack while group was on a day trip, managed to reach into cooler inside pack and pull all the food out. Group was experienced but pulled pack high and the pack came close enough to the tree for the bear to reach it. Group did not see the bear

Bear Awareness

1. Keep your campsite clean. Never eat or store food in your tent.
2. Take all 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, lib balm, etc.)
3. Some bears overcome their fear of humans and approach campsites looking for food. This includes island campsites since bears are good swimmers.
4. If you do encounter a bear, most will be scared off if you make noise (shout, bang pots, or throw fist sized rocks at the bear, etc)
5. A very persistent bear may be discouraged by spraying pepper spray into its eyes.
6. When scouting out a campsite and you spot bear scat (poop) in the campsite, assume bear frequent the site and move to another campsite. If you do not know the difference between bear scat and wolf poop, assume it is bear scat and move to another campsite.

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Outdoor Store, Ely MN rents and sells bear resistant barrels and pack hanging systems. Give us a call at 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709 today and start planning your September BWCA adventure.

30 liter, 60 liter barrels w/harness

Kondos pack hanging system