Trail's End of the BWCAW

We continued on our way to the very end of the Gunflint Trail yesterday, after walking the moose viewing trail - with no luck in spotting that elusive animal - we stopped along the way to take pictures of this and that.  Very little traffic on the road, however we did see signs that there was a fishing tournament going on, over 12,000 rods (fishing rods) were in the water.  Where are they?? Another stop we had to wait for a group of older men and their motorcycles to get out of the way - they were blocking the entire parking area.  I remarked to Dave that yes, I could see why bikers travel this road - it's beautiful.

Stopped at the Laurentian Divide where the waters separate to go northward into the Hudson Bay watershed or eastward to the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Not to Lake Superior - interesting.  Continued on, open spaces revealing lakes or ponds, lots of wetness, and lots of greenery.  Our destination was the Chik-Wauk Museum and hiking trails.  This is one of the original lodges from the 1930's, now a museum to provide information about the history, people, environment, flora and fauna, things to see in the area.  Learned about the 3 fires, the largest being the Ham Lake fire of 2007.  Also of a blow-down 1999 where 100 mile an hour wind came through and sheared off the tops of trees - wind came in from North Dakota and continued on into the Hudson Bay.  Now I understood why so many trees in the area have their tops sheared off.

Chik-Wauk Museum

That big lake is Saganaga - one of the largest in the area.  Museum
was on the south shore of it.  Canada's border runs through middle of lake.

Very informative museum

Everyone's current history speaks of the Ham Lake Fire - was a biggum!

Found the museum and nature center, had a great conversation with a staff member - she and her husband moved to the Boundary Waters, Gunflint Lake, 5 years ago.  It was their dream to live up in the Boundary Waters area after retirement.  She said it has gotten to 40 below for weeks one winter, and another winter mild (0 degrees).  Some winters heavy snow, some not.  She said their community on the lake supports each other if there was a problem.  They drive into town (Grand Marais) once a week to shop but pretty much stay home in the winter and just watch the winter go by.  Would I do that?  Yes.  I would love to experience a year living in the Boundary Waters.  A new bucket list item!

Quite extremes.

Well, we have had rain every day and night - so not sure about this.

The end of the trail

Satellite picture showing all the lakes 

One way to get to your lodge or home

Hiking trails around Chik-Wauk museum

 Rated difficult??

Yes, can barely see the trail to follow, lots of stones and boulders

Wild primroses blooming everywhere 

Got a bit more crazy as we went on, saw evidence of Ham Fire

Climbed enough to start to see lakes in the distance, can see fire
damage and also where tree tops were sheared off.

Lakes, stubby trees, granite, burned trees, and mosquitos

There is a trail there, just have to look hard

We took the high road, not a smart choice.

Zoomed in to see lakes in the distance

At the nature center we were told about a couple of hikes to do, some very sedate, 2 rated difficult.  We chose the one where you could hike to the top of Blueberry Hill and gaze out and see Sea Gull Lake, Saganaka Lake, Gunflint Lake and a few others.  Only .9 of a mile long, we could do it.  Donned the bug spray - put on ALOT of it! - put on hiking boots, packed snacks and water and off we went.  They were not kidding about difficult.  Was not much elevation change, just very rocky and footing at times was tricky.  Glad we had on bug spray - ended up putting on more!  Near top of the trail we had a choice - high road or low.  We chose high - got our selves pooped out.  But we did enough and turned around and headed back.  In all, we hiked over 3 miles that day.

Oh yeah, I could live there.

Always looking for moose 

Drove around campground - all sites primitive (no water, toilet, electricity)

At the Gunflint Lodge, looking out over the water

Serenity

Very peaceful

A group of people getting outfitted (you can rent the gear instead)

2 girls heading out on kayaks

And then we heard loons calling!  Magnificent!  Just stood for a long
time and listened.  Wonderful.

Gunflint Lodge.  I could also do this!

After coming back to car and hitting the road to get back, we stopped at the Gunflint Lodge.  I wanted to see how folks survive when they come to a lodge for vacation.  Yes, I could do that!  That is when we heard loons calling across the lake.  A sound that once you hear it, you will never forget.  Wonderful day in the 'wild'.