This week we have some classic wilderness trips in motion! Each camper had the opportunity to chose which of the six trips he 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, Casio aka Jacob (right) and Divo aka Kiyan (second from left), with Senior Leadership Camper – Grant (second from 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. This group is interested in veering off at Knife Lake to make a detour in search of the famous Eddie Falls.
Follow them on their adventure: https://share.garmin.com/N4V2F (Birchwood 1)
Voyageur Highway 1 – 5 Day Trip
This trip is led by Birchwood counselors, Gatsby aka Dylan (back center) and Buggs aka Nicolás (left), with Senior Leadership Camper – Ryan aka Puddin’ (back row, second from left).
This group was also 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 2)
Eddie Falls – 5 Day Trip
This trip is led by co-counselors Nacho aka Jack (back left) and The Duke aka Wyatt (back right).
This group paddled off into the morning sun for an out-and-back paddling adventure to the scenic Eddie Falls! This chain of waterfalls is perfect for scrambling along the rocks in search of the perfect waterfall to receive a back massage from!
Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/XXT8Z (Birchwood 3)
Rose Lake – 4 Day Trip
This trip is led by co-counselors Teddy aka Camilo (third from left) and Scooby aka Angel (fourth from right), with Senior Leadership Camper – Lance (right, underneath Ward).
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 will be picked up on Friday!
Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 5)
Seagull Climbing – 4 Day Trip
This trip is led by co-counselors Ghost aka Ian (back left) and Flash aka Dan (second from right), with Senior Leadership Camper – Roman (middle).
These gents have a short paddle with one portage into Seagull Lake where they will shop around for the perfect campsite to call home! From there, they will have a chance to climb their hearts out at the Little Palisades. They also plan to do some climbing at another local spot that we call Little Shavers if they can squeeze it into their busy schedule, which boasts excellent beginner climbs, one advanced climb, shallow waters to swim in, fabulous hammocking forests, and nice fishing opportunities.
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. Imagine repelling right off the edge!
Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 7)
Superior Hiking – 3 Day Trip
This group is guided by Nemo aka Sebastian (left) and Wiki aka John (back right), with Senior Leadership Camper – Forest (back left).
They are headed to the north shore of Lake Superior to begin hiking a portion of the Superior Hiking Trail! They have their sights set on a 36-mile stretch of the trail beginning at the beautiful Tettegouche State Park! From their departure point, they will see some of the most dramatic cliffside views on Superior.
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 clear skies and calm waters! May lifelong friendships be forged and a stronger sense of self be discovered!
Happy Trails,
Ashley, Director
