Date June 23, 2012Comments No Comments

Baby Loons, Summer Hikes, and Public Programming

We’re very happy to see some sunshine at the end of this rainy week. Saganaga Lake water levels are the highest they’ve ever been in Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center’s short history, which means a fair amount of our parking lot has disappeared under water. We may be a little soggy, but Chik-Wauk is open for business, as is the entire Gunflint Trail and Cook County. Come see us – there’s plenty going on!

Loon Family

The Chik-Wauk bay loon family had a successful hatching last week. The first chick likely popped out of its shell on Friday, June 15, with the second chick following suit on Saturday, June 16. The loon family were frequent visitors to the sheltered Chik-Wauk bay during this week’s windy, rainy weather.  While it’s commonly understood that loons desert their nests as soon as all chicks hatch, this week our family hopped back on the nest several times for some rest and shelter during stormy times. Apparently the new Biohaven floating island platform that we installed last year was just too comfy to leave behind. . . .


Summer Naturalist Programs and Special Events
Chik-Wauk’s summer programming is now in full swing. Click here –> 2012 Naturalist Schedule for a printable schedule of all events. All events are free, family friendly and open to the public.

Up next, outdoor educator Kati Kristenson will present “I’m ‘Lichen’ This Hike” on Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m. Join her for a lichen scavenger hunt on Chik-Wauk’s hiking trails and learn all about incredible, edible, invincible lichen.

Hiking Trail Update

With the unprecedented amount of rainfall we’ve had this spring, be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet on our hiking trails. There’s a small flooded, but passable, section on Amikwiish Way, Tamarack Alley is currently underwater, and you’ll notice a small detour on Moccasin Lane marked with pink flagging.  You can learn more about our hiking trails here. There is also now a printable map and guide to Blueberry Hill: Blueberry Hill Map.

Date June 9, 2012Comments No Comments

They’re Here!

We’ve had visitors asking since opening day whether the short films in our touch-screen kiosks profiling Gunflint Trail pioneers and businesses were available on DVD.  At long last, and thanks to funding from the MN Legacy Fund, we’re able to say “Yes!”

Over the winter, Applied Art and Technology in Des Moines, IA worked to convert our current films (produced by Lisa Wagner and narrated by Bud Beyer and Margy Nelson) into DVD format so you can indeed take a little bit of Chik-Wauk home with you.

We now offer the following DVDs in the Chik-Wauk gift shop:

Gunflint Trail Pioneers DVD: 1 disc, approximately 61 minutes running time, $12.95

Meet 20 pioneers and colorful characters who helped shape the history of the Gunflint Trail in northeastern Minnesota. On this DVD, you’ll find three-minute biographical films introducing you to a variety of characters including teachers, pilots, and artisans. You’ll meet Benny Ambrose, the woodsman who spent his life on Ottertrack Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; Justine Kerfoot, owner of Gunflint Lodge, author and jack of all trades; and Eve and Russell Blankenburg, entrepreneurs and founders of six Gunflint Trail businesses; and many more.

Full list of characters profiled on this DVD: Benny Ambrose, Russell and Eve Blankenburg, Grace Boissenin, Charlie and Petra Boostrom, Carl and Alis Brandt, Don Brazell, Dave and Ann Clark, Andrew Hedstrom, Charlie Johnson, Justine Kerfoot, Henry Mayhew, Emerson Morris, Billy Needham, The Plummer Family, The Powell Family, Bill Raff, Andrew Jackson Scott, Sam Seppala, Stanley and Grace Smith, and Cliff Waters.

Gunflint Trail Past and Current Businesses DVD: 2 disc set, approximately 171 minutes running time, $24.95

Since the early 20th century, the Gunflint Trail has hosted an eclectic mix of businesses. Regardless of whether they owned a resort, canoe outfitters, restaurant or sawmill, Gunflint Trail business owners soon found their business demanded long hours, a pioneering spirit, and an ability to withstand the hardships of remote living. Over time, some businesses have come and gone, but many remain to welcome visitors to this unique, wild place.

This two-disc set presents a collection of 52 three-minute films, each devoted to the history of a past or current Gunflint Trail business. In these films, you’ll meet the personalities behind the businesses and hear stories about everyday life on the Trail and what it means to call this special place home.

If you’re not sure you’ll be visiting the museum this year, you can use our DVD Mail Order Form to get your own personal set of DVDs. Just complete the form, submit with payment and we’ll get the DVDS in the mail to you in a jiffy.

We’re pleased to have met visitor demand and we hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy Gunflint Trail history in the comfort of your own home.

Date June 3, 2012Comments No Comments

Birds, butterflies, blueberries and more

You’ve heard us talking about it for a while, now we’re happy to announce the Blueberry Hill Trail is open to the public.  On May 30, a group of nearly 20 volunteers, including Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department members, U.S. Forest Service firefighters, and other local employees and homeowners come out to whip the Trail into shape. Thank you! We haven’t produced a map for the Trail yet, but you can stop in the museum to get information about the trail.

The Blueberry Hill Trail is located near the start of the Big Sag Trail. A sign is posted at the Trail’s start and you’ll be able to follow blue flagging all the way to the breathtaking view at the top of Blueberry Hill. As you hike, be sure to take in your surroundings. The area is covered with blueberry bushes sporting plenty of green berries and pink moccasin flowers can be seen right off the Trail. Yesterday, a group of hikers ran nose to nose into Mama moose and her little one on the Trail!

We welcomed 4th graders from Sawtooth Elementary School on Friday. They especially enjoyed lifting the voyageur bales in the museum and watching a small northern pike swimming in the Chik-Wauk bay. They also got to observe our loon on the nesting platform.

We had a great group of birders participate in our Boreal Birding Events on Saturday, June 2. The 7 a.m. birding group (pictured above) reported seeing and hearing many species during their hike on Chik-Wauk’s trails.

This morning, a retired biology professor who lives in the area stopped by to see if he could find a “mystery angle winged butterfly.” He didn’t find the insect he was looking for, but he said this is one of the best years for butterflies he’s ever seen.

Just a reminder, if you’re a member of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society Membership, June means it’s renewal time! Renewal notices will be going out soon, but if you want to get ahead of the curve, you can renew online anytime – or if you’re not a member, you can join – at www.gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org


Website by Katherine Hellner and Boreal Access