This week we have four paddling trips spanning from the end of the Gunflint Trail all the way to the Tofte, MN area off the north shore of Lake Superior. Some groups are in search of the biggest fish while others are looking for rocks to climb and horizons to chase. All trips will be gifted a beautiful strawberry moon at night, along with the slight possibility of northern lights if the moon doesn’t outshine them!
The first trip left on Tuesday, 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.
Saganaga Expedition – 5-Day Trip
This trip is led by Birchwood counselors, Samba (third from left) and Hemi (right), with Senior Leadership campers, Teddy (left), Sam (second from left), Elliot (fourth from left) and Oliver (back row, second from right).
These ambitious outdoorsmen are headed into the mighty Lake Saganaga right from our docks after a weather delay caused them to stay in camp for the first day of their trip! Senior Leadership camper, Oliver, has taken the lead on planning this adventure, weather delay and all, in order to earn the top award in our wilderness skills program – The Voyageur.
They initially had their sights set on paddling into Lake of the Clouds, but have remained quite flexible regarding route due to the severe weather delaying their start. We’ll see where their paddles take them as the week goes by. Lake Saganaga alone boasts many bays and islands to explore!
Follow them on their adventure: https://share.garmin.com/XXT8Z (Birchwood 6)
Kawishiwi Lake to Camp – 4-Day Trip
This trip is led by counselors Yukon (left) and Puddin (back right), with Senior Leadership campers Ward (second from left), Jack (back row, third from left), and Matthew (back row, second from right)!
This group is beginning their trip from a lake Birchwood has not been to in recent memory – Kawishiwi Lake. On their first night, they’re aiming to camp on Malberg Lake. On night two, Little Saganaga Lake is where they hope to set up camp. And night three will hopefully end on Paulson Lake before paddling back to camp on Friday. This trip involves a significant amount of portaging! They’ll get to see many little lakes along the way and cover an ambitious chunk of land.
Follow them on their adventure here: https://share.garmin.com/E95B6 (Birchwood 7)
Granite River Paddle – 3-Day Trip
This group is guided by Perry (left) and Ryder (right), with Senior Leadership Camper Nolan (third from right).
These young men are in for an extra special trip that Birchwood has loved since 1968 – the Granite River Trip! This is a route along the US/Canadian border from Gunflint Lake into Lake Saganaga and back up the Seagull River to Birchwood. They will get to see some beautiful waterfalls and paddle narrow rivers, followed by big open lakes!
Follow them on their journey here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 2)
Seagull Lake Climbing – 3-Day Trip
This group is guided by our counselors, Frizzle (left) and Beagle (right), with Senior Leadership Camper, Banyan (third from left).
A classic Birchwood trip, these paddlers will get to experience the big and beautiful Seagull Lake! They’ll get to experience a little bit of a lot – like rock climbing, fishing, paddling, stargazing, and base camping. This is the perfect BWCA sampler trip with some of the best views the Boundary Waters has to offer!
Follow them on their journey here: https://share.garmin.com/GXMPD (Birchwood 1)
As our campers set their sights on adventure, let us wish them calm waters and clear trails! May the path of the paddle and the way of the trail lead them to self-discovery and shared purpose! In every walk or paddle with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.
Happy Trails,
Ashley, Director
