8/20/21 – Official orders have come from the Forest Service expanding the closure within the BWCA in the Sawbill Area (see map below). Due to the high-traffic nature of the closed area, overnight paddle permits for the Sawbill Lake Entry Point (EP38) have been cancelled through August 23rd. If you had a permit for Sawbill Lake Entry Point (EP38) for August 21st, 22nd, or 23rd your permit has been cancelled and you will receive a refund directly from the Forest Service. It is possible that this closure will extend through the 26th. Stay tuned for that update should it happen.

What are your options? At this point, there are no overnight paddle permits available at the other entry points in our area for those dates. These entry points are not closed they are just sold out.

• Option 1 is to cancel your trip altogether. If you had a deposit for a canoe rental with us we will waive our usual cancellation policy and refund your deposit in full at your request.
• Option 2 is to come to Sawbill, camp in our 50 site campground on site here and take day trips into the BWCA. Day trips on Sawbill Lake are still allowed, as well as day trips north of Sawbill and east of Sawbill. Day tripping into Smoke and Burnt or up towards Cherokee, in other words, is still fine. Day use permits are free, self issued, and unlimited. At this time, the Sawbill campground has plenty of open campsites.
• Option 3 is to come pick up your rental canoe(s) and head to an area of the Superior National Forest outside of the BWCA. Canoe routes outside of the Wilderness, such as Timber Frear, Cascade Lake, Crescent Lake, and the like are all open and do not require a permit to access. You can call us or the Tofte Ranger Station to discuss these alternate route options.

It is my understanding that this closure was prompted by some growth on the Whelp Fire. It was around 15 acres at last report, but had grown by 10 more acres as of this morning so it is somewhere around 25-30 acres in size right now. With the hot, dry, windy days ahead the fire conditions are critical for the next 48-72 hours. The Forest Service is continuing to attack the fire from the air with water drops from planes and a helicopter. The fire is not currently burning any established routes or campsites. Again, safety of people is paramount, so the prudent thing to do is get the area clear of visitors so the firefighters can focus all their efforts on containing this fire without worrying about the potential for evacuations.

We so appreciate everyone’s flexibility and kindness. This is not an ideal situation for any of us. We regret the cancellations for those of you who have been planning and dreaming of your 2021 Boundary Waters trip. We hope we can help you salvage a vacation, or else catch you next year. Please accept our heartfelt thanks as well to everyone who has reached out to offer help, moral support, and who is sending us all the heavy rain vibes from afar. We can feel the love.

We will update as we know more, so keep your eyes on this space over the next few days.

– Clare and the Sawbill Crew

8/20/21 – Hi folks. We just got word that there will be more closures affecting Sawbill and the surrounding area due to increased activity with the Whelp Fire last night and this morning. We are waiting to hear the specifics of the closure and will be posting here as soon as we know. Please refrain from calling us at this point, we will post to this newsletter as soon as we know more.

Thank you!

Clare

8/17/21 – This evening, the US Forest Service issued an order closing a portion of the BWCA Wilderness in our vicinity. In this post I’ll share some information about why it’s closed, what area specifically is affected, how campers who are out there are being notified, and some tips for Boundary Waters tripping during this dry wildfire season.

Why is this area being closed? One of the main priorities of the Forest Service when dealing with wildfire management is safety of people. Primarily, fire fighters and the public. The Whelp Fire, which is 4 miles west/northwest of Sawbill, is in a remote part of the Wilderness. No fire-fighting cress have been sent in due to difficult access, limited aircraft resources, and safety concerns. The Louse River is a particular challenging route, with only one way in and one way out. Winds prevailing from the south have the potential to push the Whelp fire towards the Louse River. While the Louse River is not currently burning, it has the potential to, and an evacuation of that area would be particularly onerous. The area is, therefore, being closed out of an abundance of caution.

What area is closed exactly? The closure affects Hub Lake, Mesaba Lake, Dent Lake, Chaser Lake, Bug Lake, Louse Lake, Louse River, Poe Lake, Mug Lake, Wine Lake, Frederick Lake, Hug Lake, Duck Lake, Zenith Lake, Trail Lake, Boze Lake, Frond Lake, Lujenida Lake, and all other lands, waters, portages, and canoe routes within the Wilderness as shown in the map below.

My family entered out of Sawbill recently, how do I know if they are safe? Two Wilderness Ranger crews are currently paddling the entire closure area notifying campers. The Whelp fire is currently about 20 acres and burning deep in the forest, not along any easily accessible canoe routes or near any campsites. No one is going to happen across this fire as it is right now, unless they bushwack miles into the dense woods. The Louse River is a very challenging route, even more so due to the drought. We have sent very few groups that direction in recent days. Those who are affected by the closure are not in imminent danger, but are being asked to move out of the area to create a “people-free” buffer should the fire spread to the north, thus saving precious fire fighting resources from potentially complicated evacuations. To the extent anyone is having to exit the Wilderness at an unplanned entry point due to the closure, we are working with the Forest Service to identify those groups and planning to pick them up and get them safely transported back to Sawbill.

Is the smoke terrible up there right now? No. The smoke isn’t any worse, generally, than it has been this whole season. There’s almost always a slight haze way up in the atmosphere, and occasionally the winds will shift and we will smell smoke for several hours to a couple of days.

Do you anticipate any more closures of the Sawbill area or surrounding entry points? At this time, I don’t foresee any additional closures unless conditions change dramatically. If the winds were to shift and come from the West, we might see increased fire growth in our direction. We are in daily contact with the Forest Service and are hopeful that we will get as much notice as possible when and if there is any increased risk to our area.

If you are planning a Boundary Waters trip anytime between now and the end of the 2021 paddling season there a few things you can do to be better prepared given the dry conditions and heightened risks of wildfires.

1. Plan to cook over a pressurized fuel cookstove with an on/off switch. The current fire ban prohibits campfires, charcoal grills, twig stoves and most alcohol stoves. If you are a smoker or someone who enjoys a cigar while in the BWCA, be extremely cautious about where your ash falls and how you extinguish your smoke.
2. If you encounter an area that is burning, do not engage with it or try to extinguish it. Your best bet is to exit the area, travel away from the fire, and inform the Forest Service as quickly as possible as to the exact location. Fires can become volatile very quickly and your safety is paramount.
3. Bring maps that cover the area around your intended route. If you find yourself suddenly needing to reroute due to a closure, it’s helpful to have the correct maps on hand.
4. Leave a route description with someone back home or with your outfitter. Make sure someone knows where you are planning to enter and exit the Wilderness and give them as detailed description as you can of where you plan to travel during your trip.
5. Check in with an outfitter or a Ranger Station before you head in. We will be posting here with any updates relevant to the Sawbill area.

That’s the update for tonight, stay tuned to this page for further updates as we navigate the rest of this paddling season!

Clare

8/17/21 – Communications during wildfire season can be challenging. There are many stakeholders to inform, fires are dynamic, and the situation is always changing. We are very lucky here in Cook County to have good working relationships between agencies, and are additionally privileged to have an exceptional local radio station. WTIP (90.7) has been staying up to date on fire conditions in the area, with a number of key interviews providing insight.

This morning WTIP interviewed the Tofte District Ranger Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak. Click here to listen to her update on the fires in our area.

We are expecting to receive an order closing the Louse River route today. We will post details when we know what the exact boundaries of the closure are. It is important to note that these closures are done in an abundance of caution. The Louse River is not currently burning. Because of the difficulty of that route and the limited exit options, closing the area is the prudent thing to do. A Forest Service wilderness crew is currently sweeping the route to inform any campers in the area.

The Greenwood fire, near Isabella, continues to make headlines as it grows quickly. None of the closures or evacuations from this fire are in our immediate area.

I highly recommend listening to the WTIP story linked above. It is a succinct and clear description of the situation as it stands this morning. If you are so inclined, you can donate to our small local radio station here. This valuable local resource is certainly worth the support, in my opinion!

Clare

8/16/21 – It’s been some time since we had any fire news to report in this area, which was nice while it lasted. As of this morning, there are two fires now burning in the Tofte Ranger District (more details on those fires below). Of note, there are no closures in our area at this time, and there is no imminent threat to anyone canoe tripping in our area. It is hard to overstate how dry things are up here though, and the reality is that there is quite a bit of fire season still ahead of us this summer and fall. If you are in the BWCA and a closure is issued for the area you are in, Wilderness Rangers will paddle through and contact you.

At this time, we are recommending that folks avoid doing the Louse River route. The Whelp Fire (details below) has the potential to grow into that area, and given the low water conditions travel is very difficult along that route, making re-routes and possible evacuations difficult.

The following updates are from the Forest Service as of the evening of August 15th:

John Elk Fire: Detected late on August 14, the John Elk Fire was started with a lightning strike. It is in a remote area 2.5 miles south of Little Saganaga Lake in the Wilderness on the Tofte Ranger District. No fire-fighting crews have been sent in due to difficult access, limited helicopter resources and safety concerns. A helicopter with water drops is being used to knock down flames and limit the spread. It is currently two-acres. On August 15th, a 2 person wilderness ranger crew paddled in from Little Sag to make contact with BWCAW permittees to inform them on the Joh Elk Fire, and update them on fire conditions.

Whelp Fire: The Whelp Fire is another lightning-caused fire that was detected late on August 14th. It is four miles west/northwest of Sawbill Lake. Similar to the John Elk Fire, this fire is in a remote area of the Wilderness on the Tofte Ranger District. No fire-fighting crews have been sent in due to difficult access, limited helicopter resources and safety concerns. Aircraft will perform water drops to suppress this fire as we continue to gather information. On August 16th, a 2-person wilderness ranger crew will paddle the Louse River to contact permittees near the Whelp Fire. It is currently five-acres.

The other big fire making the news right now is, thankfully, further away from us. The Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15th near Greenwood Lake on the Laurentian Ranger District. It is approximately 15 miles SW of Isabella (the town.) The fire is moving very quickly due to strong gusts of wind and dry vegetation and is estimated to be several hundred acres. Fire crews are suppressing the fire on the ground and from the air. The McDougal Recreation Area is closed, including the McDougal Lake Campground.

We’ll keep you posted on any updates as we receive them.

-Clare

8/13/21 – Mid August is prime time for watching the night sky, with the Perseid meteor shower as the main attraction.  The past couple nights have been mostly clear leaving us no choice but to get out and take advantage of the light show.  According to NASA, these meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus in the north, although they actually originate from leftover debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in our atmosphere.  In fifteen minutes last night, we seen at least a handful of meteors (also known as shooting stars) making it well worth the late night out. -Jessica

Last year the Boundary Waters was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association. According to a 2016 National Geographic article, only 20% of Americans can now see the Milky Way as a result of light pollution.

8/11/21 – As late summer quickly approaches, many changes are happening with the flora around Sawbill. One of these changes is a shift in which wildflowers are blooming. Late spring and early summer bring spring ephemerals — small, delicate flowers that typically bloom close to the forest floor. As the summer progresses, taller flowers, ferns, and other undergrowth shade these small plants. Late summer wildflowers are typically taller and showier than early summer flowers. They often bloom on long, sturdy stalks, with a cluster of many flowers together on the same stem.

Even though the peak wildflower season (June to early July) has passed, there are still many flowers blooming around Sawbill and on the edges of the Sawbill trail. The most common bloom right now is the large leaf aster, which produces clusters of light purple flowers with yellow or brown centers. The large leaf aster is a common plant in Northern Minnesota, with large, fuzzy, heart shaped leaves carpeting the forest floor. Although many people are familiar with these common leaves, they often don’t realize that the lavender flowers come from the same plant.

Other common flowers around Sawbill are common yarrow (white flower clusters with feathery leaves), fireweed (tall spikes of pink flowers), goldenrod (fluffy spikes of yellow flowers), and creeping bellflower (many purple bell-shaped flowers on a tall stalk). Other blooms include black-eyed Susan, ox-eye daisies, and Joe Pye weed. While some plants are still blooming, others have already started producing fruits. These include bunchberries (a cluster of red berries in the middle of four to six leaves), raspberries and blueberries.

-Robin

8/9/21 – Although the low water in the Boundary Waters can make canoeing rivers and streams difficult, it’s not the only hinderance. Beaver dams also pose a significant challenge. However, they are a crucial part of the ecosystem, and, although difficult to get over, they raise the water level of the stream to a canoeable level. Without them, many streams would be impassable. Damaged beaver dams can contribute to low water levels above the beaver dam, exacerbating the already low water due to the current drought in Northern Minnesota. There are many natural factors that contribute to dam breakage and failure, but there are a couple tips and tricks we can follow to minimize our impact.

Beaver dams fail when too much water runs over them. This is often caused when the rim of the dam is broken or pushed down, causing water to flow at a higher rate through one point instead of evenly along the rim. The prevent this, avoid the temptation to cross the dam at a point that is already low. Instead, try to either to over a higher place with a substantial amount of plant matter, as the root masses bind the sticks and mud together. If the dam doesn’t have an area like this, you can place a large stick or log parallel to the rim of the dam to step on and move the canoe over. This evenly distributes weight over a greater area of the dam.

You can then pull the canoe over the dam, usually with a person standing on either side of the gunwales and moving the canoe across. Often, it’s possible to leave gear in the boat while moving it over the dam. However, you don’t want too much weight in the canoe. Therefore, everyone should step out of the canoe at the dam. It’s often most stable to step above the dam, though avoid stepping on the rim and causing a low spot where water can flow through.

Lastly, if planning a trip in an area with many dams and/or low water, try to pack lightly and wear proper footwear. Good footwear often includes close toed shoes that drain easily and you’re okay with getting muddy. This could include close-toed sandals such as keens, water shoes, or an old pair of tennis shoes. Overall, embrace the challenge, and try to appreciate the beaver dams for what they do — raise the water level up high enough so that our beloved streams are navigable.

-Robin

8/6/2021- Jerry Vandiver, an award-winning songwriter, musician, and longtime Sawbill enthusiast from Nashville, Tennessee, is up visiting Sawbill and the surrounding area. On August 4th, he played a small concert for the Sawbill crew — practicing his lineup of north country songs that he will be playing for our local radio station, WTIP on August 13 at 5:30 pm (tune in at wtip.org!) Due to the fire ban, the crew gathered around LED lights and battery-operated candles, and although it wasn’t the same as a real campfire, it had the same feel as a campfire gathering — with the added bonus of not having to constantly shift to avoid the smoke! Some of the crew’s favorite songs were “Too Many Boats” and “Not Enough to Bail.” Like many songwriters and artists, Jerry told the stories behind his songs, and it was enlightening for the crew to hear some of the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry. The stories were followed by questions and laughs, leading to an overall fun night.

However, Jerry isn’t just here in Minnesota to entertain the Sawbill crew. Throughout August, during the times when he’s not playing music, Jerry will be taking trips throughout the BWCA. He has already completed the Cherokee Loop, and like many others, has reported the low water level in Cherokee Creek. He left again today for the wilderness, so if you see a solo paddler somewhere in the Sawbill region, singing and pretending to strum a guitar, you may have met the award-winning musician Jerry Vandiver.

-Robin

8/2/21 Heyo!

Today two groups from Northwaters and Langskid canoe camp (NWL camp for short), located in Temagami, Ontario came into Sawbill. They were on day 10 of a 20 day excursion into the BWCA. Between the two groups, there were 2 leaders and 15 kids ranging from ages 14-19. The two leaders, Garret (21) and Takoma (24) have both gone on many trips into the BWCA but many of the younger campers were fairly new to the experience. The campers came from all over the US, ranging from California to Tennessee! They all got into the NWL wilderness program through family and friends recommending the summer camp. Both groups started at Seagull lake and made their way down to Sawbill. The first portage that the groups did was the 500 rod portage from Seagull to Paulsen, and for many of the members, this was their first portage ever! The group leaders said that the kids are all doing fantastic out there in the wild, and overcoming all sorts of physical and mental challenges involved with camping. The groups are splitting up today, with Garret’s group heading towards Fowl lake and Takoma’s group heading towards Mcfarland lake. With high spirits and big smiles, the group set off from Sawbill to head back towards home at around noon today!

-Ben