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