Trail Time – The First Days of Winter
It was 4 below on our morning walk today, but the sun was shining and the snow was sparkling. It’s a wonderful day to be on the Gunflint Trail. Last night was the first clear sky we’ve seen in a while. The full moon illuminated the night — the shadows of the trees striped the snow. My dog Ursa and I went for a walk in the woods around and through a pretty stand of aspens. The night was so bright and the snow sparkled in the moonlight as we walked along — well, I walked; Ursa ran circles around me and dove headfirst into the snow hunting small animals. The forecast calls for warmer weather this weekend, with some sun peeking through on Friday and possible snow on Saturday.
It’s quiet on the Trail right now. Trail Center, Poplar Haus and Hungry Jack Lodge are still closed, but will reopen later this month. Big Bear Lodge is serving pizza of all kinds most weekdays until 6 and stays open later on weekends. Skyport Lodge and Raven Rock Grill were due to reopen last weekend. And as usual, Gunflint Lodge and Justine’s restaurant are open all year except for Christmas Day.
Snowmobile season has not started yet but will soon. Conditions on the lakes are iffy right now — there’s not much thick ice yet. As of today, Gunflint Lake still is open water except for a small amount of ice on the shore. Magnetic Lake has been iced over for a while; the same with Poplar and Tucker. As for some larger lakes: Loon still has big open areas of water, as does the East side of Seagull.
Dogsled season starts in January with the Gunflint Mail Run Sled dog Race, based at Trail Center Lodge. This year’s race will feature two classes, a 65-mile 8-dog race, and a 100-mile 12-dog race. The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will start January 29 in Duluth and ends at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Conditions look good for excellent snow base this year. Dog Days of Winter at Trail Center will be held March 13. This is an especially fun event with lots of younger mushers. If you’ve never seen a sled dog race, you are really in for a treat. They are so happy-making! The dogs love their work and the excitement is infectious.
This winter feels especially lovely for some reason, quite possibly due to the easing of Covid restrictions. What an absolute joy it is to be with family and friends again! And in the spirit of the season, I offer you this old song with new lyrics. I call it “The first days of winter.” I’ll just sing the first verse and the last one. You can do the rest.
The first days of winter
On the first day of winter
the forest gave to me
A ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the second day of winter the forest gave to me
Fog over water and a
ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the third day of winter the forest gave to me
Wind through the pine trees
Fog over water and a
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the fourth day of winter the forest gave to me
Ice-covered branches
Wind through the pine trees
Fog over water and a
ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the fifth day of winter the forest gave to me
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake and a
ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the sixth day of winter the forest gave to me
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the seventh day of winter the forest gave to me
Fox in the woodshed
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the eighth day of winter the forest gave to me
Two feet of snow
Fox in the woodshed
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the ninth day of winter the forest gave to me
Stars and moon a-shining
Two feet of snow
Fox in the woodshed
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
On the tenth day of winter the forest gave to me
Ice on the water
Stars and moon a-shining
Two feet of snow
Fox in the woodshed
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
Five chickadees
Ice-covered trees
Wind through the pines
Fog over lake
and a ruffed grouse in a birch tree
This is Marcia Roepke, singing on the Gunflint Trail
