New rangers wrap up their first season at entrance to Quetico from the end of the Gunflint Trail

There are new rangers at the Cache Bay Ranger Station in Quetico Provincial Park.

For the first time since the passing of Janice Matichuk, the new rangers could become something of a fixture on what is known as Her Island. Matichuk, who many in the WTIP listening area considered part of the local community, died in August 2020 from glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. She is the longest serving ranger in the history of Quetico.

The new rangers are Peter Kranenburg and Stacey Hofer. Both in their late 30s, the young couple celebrated their first year at Cache Bay this summer. In addition to a career milestone, they also got married in July.

The Cache Bay Ranger Station closes for the season Sunday, Sept. 10. Kranenburg and Hofer say their plan, if park officials invite them back, is to return to Cache Bay for years to come.

The WTIP Boundary Waters podcast duo, Matthew Baxley and Joe Friedrichs, visited the Cache Bay Ranger Station in August 2023. They share a full report in this episode.

Joe Friedrichs September 3, 2023