This week we have some classic wilderness trips in motion! Each camper had the opportunity to choose which of the four trips they wanted to sign up for. The first trip left on Monday and the fourth trip left this morning (Wednesday). Everybody will return on Friday afternoon to share their tales from the trails but we won’t leave you hanging that long! Keep reading to discover which adventures our Birchwood boys have set out for this week.

Voyageur Highway 1 – 5-Day Trip

This trip is led by Birchwood counselors, Teddy aka Camilo (right) and Gohst aka Ian (left), with Senior Leadership Camper – Aidan (middle right).

This group was dropped off in Ely, MN with the task of paddling back to camp along the Canadian border! Roughly 50 miles, this route was a traditional trade route of the French-Canadian Voyageurs. This is a trip with two large lakes (Knife Lake and Saganaga) and many small intimate lakes strung together by small portages. The longest portage, Monument Portage (75 rods), is a great spot to take a photo with one foot on the US side of the border marker and one foot on the Canadian side.

Follow them on their adventure: https://share.garmin.com/N4V2F (Birchwood 1)

Rose Falls – 4-Day Trip

This trip is led by co-counselors Gatsby aka Dylan (right) and Buggs aka Nicolás (left), with Senior Leadership Camper – Lorenzo (front right).

Ahhh Rose Lake, perhaps *the* most coveted lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Perhaps it’s the Canadian bluffs along the northeastern shore or the Rat Lake Bluffs along the southwestern shore or the beautiful cedar trees blanketing campsites or the legendary Stairway Portage along Rose Falls that make Rose Lake so special…either way, our Birchwood boys are in for a treat!

This trip was dropped off at West Bearskin Lake with a short paddle into Duncan Lake and then Rose. Their plan is to spend ample time at Rose Lake and then keep paddling to Gunflint Lake where they’ll be picked up.

Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 3)

Superior Hiking – 4-Day Trip

This trip is led by co-counselors Nacho aka Jack (front center) and Voldy aka Noah (front left), with Senior Leadership Campers – Luke (back center) and Charlie (back left).

They are headed to the north shore of Lake Superior to begin hiking a portion of the Superior Hiking Trail, starting in the beautiful Grand Marais, MN!

Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 5)

Seagull Lake Rock Climbing – 4-Day Trip

This group is guided by Flash aka Dan (back left) and Wiki aka John (back center), with Senior Leadership Camper Dillon (front row, second from left).

The climbing group will be enjoying a scenic paddle deep into the infamous Seagull Lake to climb the Little Palisades. If you’ve never heard of the Little Palisades, take a look at the photo below! This photo was taken from the top of Little Palisades. This is a spot we frequently rock-climb, hike, and lunch with campers throughout the summer.

Follow them on their journey here: https://share.garmin.com/65CZR (Birchwood 2)

Morgan Lake Fishing Trip – 3-Day Trip

This group is guided by Nemo aka Sebastian (back center) and The Duke aka Wyatt (back right), with Senior Leadership Campers Donovan (far left) and Hugh (back row second from right).

These gents have fishing poles and tackle boxes at the ready for this 3-day fishing excursion! They’ll be dropped off at the Morgan Lake entry point with the aim to end at Poplar Lake, fishing all along the way!

Follow them on their journey here: https://share.garmin.com/65CZR (Birchwood 7)

Superior Hiking – 3-Day Trip

This group is guided by Kumu aka Robert (front right) and Danté aka Harlan (back right), with Senior Leadership Camper Nathan (center back row).

They are headed to the north shore of Lake Superior to begin hiking a portion of the Superior Hiking Trail! The section they’ll discover will begin near Gooseberry Falls and end at Split Rock Lighthouse!

Follow them on their journey here: https://share.garmin.com/65CZR (Birchwood 4)

As our campers set their sights on adventure, let’s wish them starry night skies and beautiful sunrises! May lifelong friendships be forged and a stronger sense of self be discovered!

Happy Trails,

Ashley, Director