Tag Archives: MN North: Gunflint Trail

Milky Way over the Cross River (Gunflint Trail)

Year 7
Last night the smoke from western wildfires cleared out of the area. I took this image of the Milky Way where the Cross River flows into Gunflint Lake. The reeds were illuminated by about 1/2 second of light painting (i.e. I shined my flashlight on the scene so very quickly). Camera settings were: Sony A6300, Rokinon wide angle manual lens, ISO = 3,200, Aperture = 2.0, Exposure = 25 seconds.
 
This photograph demonstrates why last week the International Dark Sky Association named the BWCA the 13th dark sky gem in North America. The night sky where I took this photograph is rated a “one”, the best score possible in terms of darkness.
 
While I was on location last night for 45 minutes, the temperature fell from 42F to 37F. By 7 am this morning the temperature was 26F near Seagull Lake (low boggy area).
 
This image is so much better than the photograph I took a few nights ago. I finally had the clear skies I wanted … no moisture or forest fire smoke. Learn how I planned the shot.

Gunflint Trail Fall Colors

Year 7

The smoke from the western wildfires disappeared this morning, and the sun reappeared. Within 2 to 3 weeks most of the leaves will on the ground. Tonight’s overnight low will be about 30F. In short, it is a beautiful time to be at the end of the Gunflint Trail. While the foliage is not at its peak, and the number of maple trees are limited, this is truly beautiful wilderness. Last Fall when I visited this area during the first week of November (six weeks from now) there was significant snow on the ground. Winter comes on fast in the Northland. Here are a few images from today’s meanderings.

Ruffed Grouse

Gunflint Lake (looking at Canada)

Magnetic Rock (early morning hike)

My New Gravel Bike (Cross River BWCA Entry Point)

Notice the monopod strapped to my read bike bag! This gravel bike setup lets me explore back roads … carrying my a small bike repair kit, my camera and monopod, and a light jacket.

Canoeing in Canada … Oops! and an Owl Album

Year 7

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line! Molly and I started at the map marker in the lower right of this image … ended up in Canada for a short time while we worked out way into Magnetic Lake and beyond on the border lakes. Thankfully an international incident was avoided!

As an aside … while I would not use Google Maps for navigating canoe country, having downloaded maps for offline use comes in handy. While satellite view is not an option for offline use, I have learned that if I view in “satellite mode” while online, it caches that view as well for offline use … thus my screenshot images.

Photo ops are not real good right now due to the West Coast smoke that has worked its way to Minnesota’s skies. God Bless those poor folks near fires, and pray for the fire fighters. This screenshot of the smoke plume taken this morning at 9 am is remarkable in a not so great way.