Winter’s Last Hurrah!

Year 6

Winter is broken! Yesterday when I started birding in Sax-Zim Bog the temperature was -5F, but by the time I go home at 1pm the sun was high in the sky and the temperature had soared to 29F. Thus, I took a bicycle ride along the frozen shores of Lake Superior (my first of 2019). Today it was 10F when I left to watch a Snowy Owl at sunrise, and by this afternoon the mercury will rise to 40F. Let a slop begin. The snow pack is incredible, and with the forecast for heavy rain on Wednesday, there are already flood warnings. Thankfully, Molly and I will be getting out of Dodge. Thursday we head for points south with our bicycles. For approximately a month we will hang out in the Texas Hill Country, Big Bend National Park, and Tucson taking lots of a day rides!

However, back to birding. Yesterday was a beautiful day to be in the Bog. While I still needed my long underwear and heavy jacket, the lack of wind and clear skies were a birder’s / hiker’s delight. I found three different couples who appear to be setting up a house in the Bog. Here are some of my images. Both the White-Winged Crossbills, and the Gray Jays could nest within the next week. The Black-Backed Woodpecker family will wait till later in the Spring, but the two birds I found were definitely a couple.

Sunrise in the Bog … Hoar Frost at -5F

White-Winged Crossbills near the South Logging Road Trail

Gray Jays near the South Logging Road Trail

Black-Backed Woodpecker in the Warren Nelson Bog

Finally, if you are wondering why Molly and I are only taking day rides this Spring, have no fear. We have two bicycle tours planned for this summer and fall. Here is a quick map I annotated which shows where we have toured (over 10,000 miles by bike). I used both blue and red because some routes are near one another … easier to differentiate.

Gunflint Trail Car Wash: Moose Owned & Operated!

Year 6

If all the melting snow and slop has you in need of a car wash, just drive to the end of the Gunflint Trail near the Canadian border in the BWCA wilderness and park your car on the side of the road in the burned out region between Gunflint and Saganaga Lake. The moose will be with you shortly … however it is important to have salt on your car as the moose do not accept cash for payment.

Just after dark Saturday evening while picking up my boys at Saganaga Lake after their winter trek from Moose Lake near Ely to the Gunflint, three cars in succession got the “lick treatment” from two different moose!

I kind of feel like I should feature my boys. Skiing / snowshoeing 40 miles through the BWCA is a big deal. On the portages even with snowshoes the snow was up to their hips. Uff dah! When we had our celebratory dinner at Trail Center Lodge, the owners were so impressed with Carl and Erik, they offered to formally sponsor them for their next trek into the wilderness!

Dad (i.e. me) made certain I had two beers waiting for the boys when they finished! One quick aside, the Garmin InReach satellite communicators worked like a charm. Carl and Erik check in each evening and let us know all was fine. During the final day’s trek, they kept us updated on estimated time to the boat landing. This allowed Molly and me to be waiting when they finished.

BWCA Boundary Waters Winter Camping Trek

Background, Year 6

Yesterday morning I ferried my two sons up to Moose Lake near Ely, Minnesota for the start of their boundary waters trek. Over the course of three days they are skiing and snowshoeing 40 miles through the BWCA. No motorized travel is allowed in this wilderness area, and there are no roads. Saturday afternoon I will pick them up at the end of the Gunflint Trail. The only other mode of transportation used in the winter in the BWCA is travel by dog sled teams.

While both boys are experienced outdoorsmen, northern Minnesota is an extreme environment in the dead of winter. I insisted that if the bus would run for their trip (i.e. me) for their trip, a satellite radio was a required addition to their kit. Thankfully, a family friend who has trekked in the Arctic and canoed twice to Hudson Bay had such a device that could be borrowed (thanks Bob!).

Ultimately our family will evaluate the satellite radio / beacon at the end of the trip, but I am quite convinced I will purchase the Garmin InReach Mini in the near future. The device costs $350 at present on Amazon, and communicates via the iridium satellite network. In addition a monthly communications contract is required. For approximately $15 per month, one has access to a SOS satellite beacon, the ability to send an unlimited number of 3 pre-defined texts, and free form texts (max ten per month, then a nominal charge applies). Last night we received a text with location information from the boys. They were safe and snug in their winter camp (i.e. tent).

If you wish to learn more about the Garmin InReach system (three models), The Hiking Guy has published some fantastic and detailed reviews. My own research indicates the Garmin devices are more reliable than the leading competitor which is named SPOT, but check for yourself. All my serious outdoor friends who have trekked in the Arctic or tundra regions of Canada have the Garmin devices. Given how often I am off the grid either birding in northern Minnesota, or when bicycle touring throughout North American, I am thinking this may be a wise purchase. Here are the reviews from HikingGuy.com. (edit: if you are interested in these devices, make certain you read this post’s comments … good discussion and additional linked reviews)

I had warned the boys that during the drive up, we would be driving through prime Spruce Grouse habitat, and I reserved the right to make quick stops if a photo opp arose. Well, shortly after sunrise a pair of Spruce Grouse were planted right in the middle of the road. Carl and Erik commented that these birds must not be too smart given their perching location. I responded that a prime predator for Spruce Grouse were in fact logging trucks!

Here are the two Spruce Grouse … the temperature was -15F

Finally, here are a few pics and videos from the boys starting out on Moose Lake. In case you are wondering, even though I put these boys on their first skies when they were just toddlers, at two weeks shy of my 63rd birthday, I had no desire to join them in this trek!  LOL.

Starting Out at Moose Lake Landing

Entering the BWCA