Campfires allowed 7:00 PM to Midnight in BWCA

As of today, May 30th beginning at 7:00 PM, campfires are allowed in the BWCA from 7:00 PM to Midnight. During the other parts of the day, propane stoves can be used for cooking.

New Floor

This is a photo of Stephanie and Lynnette laying a new floor in the outside Sauna / Shower house. It has been so wonderful to have our crew of college students here this summer. Erik has returned from last year and knows exactly what needs done. Lynnette is blending in really well with the crew and Vince is doing a good job as breakfast cook. Ed, who was with us last summer, will be returning the first week of June. Along with Steph and Travis we have a very experienced group. I am looking forward to taking a few days off this summer.

Loons Nest Gift Shop

If you are looking for a hand made northwoods gift, stop at the Loons Next Gift Shop the next time you are up here. Loons Nest is at 7575 Gunflint Trail, right about the 30 mile mark and about 2 miles after Clearwater Road. They have lots of fun stuff, much of it hand made at their shop.

New Porch

We always have our building projects to tackle in the spring and this year is no different. In this picture, our summer staff Vince, Erik and Travis are building a new deck on the Annex. Mike is supervising! The Annex is the small building that houses staff and it is where Erik is living this summer. We also put a new deck on a screen house and are rebuilding the dock on Cabin 4.

Setting Up Camp

Alicia Trace and Adam Trace, two of Peggy and Mike's kids are up here for a week staying in a cabin. With friends, they went out on a short BWCA fishing and camping trip several days ago. Here is a picture of them setting up camp. You can tell Adam is in the military - he is directing the set up from his vantage point on the rock.

Buddy, our Clearwater Road Moose

We have had a lot of enjoyment the past weeks with one moose on Clearwater Road. He is usually in the middle of the road, frequently licking the road as in this picture. He isn't shy so he is not about to move off the road for any cars. Several times we have seen cars lined up in both directions waiting for him to meander off. We have nick named him Buddy.

Enjoying a Moment of Quiet

Robin and Kristi enjoying a moment of quiet before breakfast on the lodge porch.

Sunday May 20th

I will be traveling for the next couple of days so I will not be updating the blog.

All the news on the fire continues to be positive and homeowners are being let back into the evacuation areas.

We had snow last night! There is enough snow in the woods for a snowball fight. It will melt today but it was very surprising to look outside and see it snowing.

Lynn

Back to normal

As the fire containment percentage continues to increase, it is projected to be 100% by May 20th, we are starting to get back into our normal spring routine. Vince has joined us for the summer and before he could settle in Stephanie had the the spring cabin cleaning started and recruited him.

Travis and Erik are building a new rack for the tow boat to hold the canoes and Rick will be starting a new dock for cabin 4 in the next week or so. We got a new hot water heater for the bunkhouse and new shower is on order to arrive soon. Happy Sleeper will be delivering new mattresses on Monday and the new canoes are being registered.

I think it will take a few more days to get settled back into our normal routine but it is starting to feel like we are back on track.

Good News on the fire continues

This is the update from WTIP posted on www.boreal.org

The perimeter of the Ham Lake fire on the U.S. side continues to hold. Today crews are mopping up hot spots within 100 feet of containment lines, and within 300 feet of all structures. On the northwest flank, firefighters are patrolling the Saganaga Lake islands. Progress continues toward containment, with firefighters improving the line south of Rush Lake in anticipation of today’s warmer and drier weather forecast. Containment on the U.S. side of the fire is now estimated at 65%. Nearly 76,000 total acres have been burned, with about 36,000 acres in the U.S. and over 39,000 in Canada. The containment date remains Sunday, May 20. The total cost for fighting the fire at this time is estimated to be $7.3 million.
On the other side of the border, crews are making additional progress. In addition to the Ham Lake Fire, Canada has been tackling other large fires in the province. One fire, east of Thunder Bay, threatened the province’s main railroad line, the trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric utilities and the natural gas transmission corridor. At this time Ontario has an estimated 230 firefighters engaged on the Ham Lake Fire, including three American “Hot Shot” crews, two from Alaska and one from Arizona, and more Canadian resources are on the way. Ontario also has a fire ban in place.
As a result of decreased fire activity and successful suppression operations, the areas of Superior National Forest lands outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are now open to public use except the areas north and west of the Cross River roadblock on the Gunflint Trail. East Bearskin and Flour Lake Campgrounds are open. Reservations are now being accepted by ReserveAmerica for BWCAW trips starting May 20 into many of the BWCAW entry points. The Superior National Forrest anticipates that all BWCAW entry points will be opened by June 14 or earlier, depending on fire conditions. Access is now open to the Gunflint and Loon Lakes areas. Water access onto Gunflint Lake is prohibited due to aircraft traffic associated with suppression efforts.
The road block at the Poplar Lake Fire Hall was moved further up trail yesterday to where the Cross River intersects the Gunflint Trail. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for the Gunflint Trail beyond the Cross River roadblock. Property owners west of the roadblock will be allowed into the evacuation area today from noon to 4:00 p.m. Property owners entering the evacuated area were asked to attend the 10:00 a.m. information meeting held this morning at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. They were then issued an access pass and given further instructions and a safety briefing.

Open Entry Points

The forest service announced that the entry points not effected by the fire will re-open on May 20th.

38 Sawbill Lake No travel restrictions
39 Baker Lake No travel restrictions
40 Homer Lake No travel restrictions
41 Brule Lake No travel restrictions
41A Brule Lake Only No travel restrictions
43 Bower Trout Lake No travel restrictions
44 Ram Lake No travel restrictions
45 Morgan Lake No travel restrictions
47 Lizz and Swamp Lakes No camping on Rush Lake
48 Meeds Lake No camping on Rush Lake
60 Duncan Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
61 Daniels Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
62 Clearwater Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
64 East Bearskin No travel west of Rat Lake
66 Crocodile River No travel west of Rat Lake
68 Pine Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
69 John Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
70 North Fowl No travel west of Rat Lake
78 Brule Lake Trail No travel restrictions
79 Eagle Mountain Trail No travel restrictions

Day Use Motor
L Clearwater Lake
M East Bearskin Lake

The goal is to have the remaining closed entry points open by June 14 or earlier based upon the Sheriff’s closure order or restoration needs. Some entry points may have a reduced quota or remain closed until rehabilitation is completed or due to proximity to fire.

Wednesday May 16

I am sitting here this morning and I thought 'I have nothing to post regarding the fire'. Then I thought ' wow, that is great news, I HAVE NOTHING TO POST ABOUT THE FIRE'. Per the forest service at the meeting last night, containment is looking good. We are meeting with the forest service later this afternoon regarding the re-opening of the entry points. Hopefully we will have some good news on that tomorrow.

On lodge news our summer staff has been showing up in the midst of all this. Lynnette is joining us for the summer from Concordia. Erik and Ed are returning and Erik came Saturday night while Ed comes in June. Ed and Erik have convinced a friend, Vince, to come for the summer and he arrives today. Lynnette's parents had to pass a road block to drop her off. I think we are all lucky that she did not turn around and go home!

As usual, Stephanie and Travis are invaluable and have been working non stop during this time to get everyone organized, cabins opened, boats launched and everything else you have to do in the spring to open a resort.

Lynn

Ham Lake Fire

The news continues to be positive with the fire. The 6:00 AM update this morning showed the Canadian containment portion at 20% and the US at 50%. Projected containment is May 20th. That is all good news.

The fire has burned 74,000 acres, which is only 2% of the BWCA. There are 38,000 acres in Canada and 36,000 in the US.

Homeowners in certain areas are being allowed back in to the evacuated area for several hours today.

Lynn

More Rain

We are having a gentle but steady rain this morning so that is really good news for the fire fighters fighting the Ham lake fire. Although a rain will not put out a forest fire it will cool the edges so that the fire fighters have more control over containing it.

By Thursday we hope to have some information about re-opening the closed entry points to the BWCA uneffected by the fire. Right now all the entry points remain closed and permits through May 19th have been canceled with a full refund.

You can see the more detailed fire update on www.boreal.org.

Lynn

Rain

We will know the impact of the rain we had last night at the fire meeting this morning but we did have two hours of steady rain.

Lynn

Sunday May 13

No significant changes on the fire situation. The forest service and fire fighting crews are working on preventative measures between Gunflint Lake and Loon Lake. We continue to be uneffected by any fire or smoke.

All BWCA entry points remain closed.

The Gunflint Trail remains open to a short distance past Poplar Lake.

Lynn

Saturday May 12th

Hi All,

It was a very positive update last night and this morning on the fire situation. In fact, the cautionary evacuation for us has been lifted and the mandatory evacuation was lifted for Poplar Lake and Hungry Jack Lake.

The fire fighters are doing controlled burns and ditch digging to prevent the fire from spreading to Gunflint Lake.

Entry points are still closed but we expect the ones not impacted to fire to open soon. We will keep you updated.

You can see current updates at www.boreal.org but this is what was posted this morning.

Effective at 12:00 PM on 5/12/07, the cautionary evacuation area between Poplar Lake Fire Hall and Swamper Lake is being lifted. Also, the Mandatory/Imminent Evacuation area between the Poplar Lake Fire Hall and Voyageur Point (County Road 85) is being lifted.
Areas now accessible include the Hungry Jack Lake and Poplar Lake areas.

Fire Update Friday May 11th

So sorry about not updating the blog yesterday but it has been a crazy 24 hours. For now, we are still in the lodge and watching the fire situation closely. The Gunflint Trail is closed and evacuated from the Poplar Lake Fire House to the end of the Trail. If you know the Gunflint Trail, the Poplar Lake Fire House a little before Trail Center Restaurant and has the large Smoky the Bear sign on the left.

We are on a cautionary evacatuation status, meaning watch closely and listen to the radio. It all depends upon the weather now. Not to minimize the fantastic fire fighting crews up here - they are great and everyone from around the country, county, city and wilderness has responded to the call for help to fight this fire.

All BWCA Entry points are closed for now. Even the areas not effected by the fire on the Sawbill Trail, Gunflint Trail and Arrowhead trail are closed. We will keep you updated as things change.

Thanks for all the concern expressed!

Ham Lake Fire

From a brief update this morning, we are hearing that the fire did not grow any yesterday or last night and remains at 16,500 acres. As usual, we will attend the forest service fire meeting this morning and I will post any new information that I get.

Ham Lake Fire

According to the forest service, the Ham Lake fire contiued to burn overnight but not as actively as Sunday night due to the increase in humidity and decrease in wind. Currently the fire is estimated at 16,266 acres. The Gunflint Trail remains closed from the Cross River Crossing to the end of the Trail. 7 miles of the Trail at the very top of the Trail is closed.

On a different note, we are continuing our spring cleaning to upen up this weekend. The weather, while not good for the fire, has been great for opening the cabins, hooking the water lines up and spring cleaning. Our first guests arrive on Friday for both lodge and cabin stays and canoe trips.

Ham Lake Fire

There is a wildfire on the Gunflint Trail which is being called the Ham Lake Fire. It is about 35 miles north of us on the Trail so we are uneffected other than the obvious concern over our friends at the north of the trail. The Gunflint Trail from the Cross River north has been closed and evacuated. The fire as of today is 16,500 acres and fire fighters are working on it. There have been some structures lost but no injuries.

Entry points including Cross Bay and north are closed for the time being until the fire is out and they can be assessed. If you have a permit for Cross, Missing Link, Magnetic Lake, Sag or Seagull in the near future and we obtained your permit, we will be calling you to find an alternate entry point. If you obtained your own permit, you sould contract the DNR Reservation system at 877-550-6777 to research alternate entry points or just give us a call.

Currently there is a fire complete fire restriction in place - no campfires even for cooking.

Firewood

The DNR is cautioning everyone to only use native fire wood in your campfires. Do not bring fire wood from your home when you come to the BWCA. This restriction prevents potentially infested firewood from causing problems with our MN trees.

May Day

In the past May Day was a celebration of the renewal of spring. A dance around the May Pole and a hope of fair weather and good crops.

May 1st means something a little different to us at the lodge. It means the summer season is almost here and the work begins. Fishing opener, and our opening, is May 12th. This is a time that the staff starts arriving for the summer and the spring repairs are being reviewed. Luckily it has been nice weather these past few days and it has made it pleasant to work outside. Within a week or so we will have the water systems up and running and will start the major effort of opening all the cabins for the summer, cleaning out the gear room and opening the laundry building.