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Kekekabic Trail Adventure

May 17th – 22nd, 2009

The Intrepid Group of 7

• Hikers (and their trail name aliases): – Carter “Doc” “Camera Shy” Hedeen – Park Rapids, MN– Florence “Ma” Hedeen – Park Rapids, MN– Bruce “Pace Car” Johnson – Park Rapids, MN– Ken “Union Steward” Zimmer – Grand Rapids– Harlan “Gentle Giant” “Man of Few Words” Liljequist –

Plymouth, MN– Brian “Now, where’d I put that? It’s in the bottom of your pack!”

Pavek – Maple Grove, MN– Matthew “Tucker llman” Davis – Detroit Lakes, MN

A little about the• 38 mi. wilderness footpath in Northeastern Minn.

from Snowbank Lake Rd. to the Gunflint Trail• Its western 1/3 goes through intact forest, its middle

1/3 goes through remnants of the ’99 blowdown, and the eastern 1/3 goes through sections of the blowdown that burned in 2006 and 2008.

• Maintained by volunteers of the Kekekabic Trail Club and other groups

Sunday, May 17th• Carpool of Carter & Florence

Hedeen, Bruce Johnson, and Matthew Davis left Park Rapids at 8:30am for Grand Rapids where we joined Ken Zimmer and then departed for Ely by 10:30

• Carpool of Brian Pavek & Harlan Liljequist leaves the Twin Cities for Ely

• After an early afternoon arrival, we did some last-minute and pleasure shopping in Ely

• Florence, Carter, Harlan, and Brian enjoyed a tour of the Dorothy Molter Museum

• We picked up our BWCAW permit from the Superior National Forest office

• We enjoyed a great dinner at Sir G’s Italian Restaurant

• Visited the Kawishiwi Falls on the way out of town (pic below)

• Stayed at the Superior National Forest’s Fall Lake Campground

Fall Lake Campground - Ely Monday, May 18th

• We hiked from western trailhead to Medas Lake Campsite (11 mi.)

• Departed from the Fall Lake Camp-ground for the Kekekabic Trail trailhead on Snowbank Lake Rd.

• We were on trail by 8:30am

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The first 3 miles are pretty easy walking as the trail is well marked and maintained

There were rocky stretches, overlooks, and room for views

Video clip 4306

Florence:

“Incredible beauty, vibrant forest life, signs of wolf, moose, birds, grouse, bear. Many plants are just coming up.”

Harlan:

“Walk in the woods in the sunshine, great smells, sounds of loonsand peepers. Long day was caused because we stopped so much to clear trail.”

Sometimes, the trail tread was, well, rather non-traditional

The Kek enters “Ambush Alley” Video clip 4317

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The forest environment was full of beauty Yet, sometimes it wasn’t so beautiful

Hey, does this remindanyone of the PaulBunyan State Forest?

Carter inspects the beaver dam built right on the trail

Permits?Notice the water level!

Nice work!

We did some trailwork along the way

Matt saw a black bear from across the clearcut Who said there’d be high water?

Wow, these yellow Marlinslet me walk on water!

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The union steward declared that “It’s break time!”

BREAK!

What’s down there?

Approaching the Parent Lake Trail Junction Another magical BWCAW scene

Brian’s heatin’ up! Most of the time it was easy goin’

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But, sometimes it wasn’t So, we worked a little

Video clip 4327 Day one sweep and candy wrapper pickerupperextraordinaire: Bruce Johnson

I know I’m thebest dressed hiker out here!

At the turnoff for the Drumstick Lake Campsite

Hey, I thought we were supposed to pack out what we pack in?

View of Medas Lake

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View from Moiyaka Lake Campsite End of Day #1: Medas Lake Campsite

• Carter & Florence tasting the appetizer

• Bruce & Ken on water duty

• Bruce on “looking dapper duty”

• Blueberries!

Man, I’m sure glad Kenbrought his filter!

Camp scenes from Medas Lake Pack it in…pack it out! Well, not everything!

Day #2 – Tuesday, May 19th

• Hiked from Medas Lake Campsite to Strup Lake Campsite (6 mi.)

• Cool morning• We were on

the trail by 8:00am

Getting going in the cool morning

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Nothing like a beaver dam crossing in the morning!

Matt & Bruce tackle the Thomas Lake ford

Florence’s turn Ken’s turn

Don’t fall Brian! Next comes Harlan

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Finally, Carter Might as well get some water!

The scenic falls below the ford Comparing a portage trail (l) with the Kek (r)

Do you see the trail up ahead? Video clip 4373Ken:

“We can make 11 miles if you don't cut 32 cords of wood along the way!”

Harlan:

“A stream crossing with water above the knees was an experience. Thomas Lake waterfalls were beautiful. Didn't clear much trail, but still couldn't make 11 miles!”

Florence:

“The marsh marigolds are ready to burst into bloom. Ugly as a blow-down is, the forest of balsam, spruce, white and jack pines are coming in nicely. Trail crews have done a phenomenal amount of work to recover the Kekekabic Trail footpath, but there's much more to do.”

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Carter found beauty in the smallest things A nice, quiet little spot for a break

Wolf & Moose poop on the trail Bruce is settin’ the pace

Did anyone notice we’re now in the ’99 blowdown area? The ’99

Blowdown

• The Boundary Waters-Canadian Derecho, also commonly called the Boundary Waters Blowdown, occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of July 4 and the early morning hours of July 5, 1999. It traveled 1300 miles and lasted 22 hours.

• The Boundary Waters-Canadian Derecho is one of the farthest north "progressive" derechos to have ever been recorded. The derecho caused well over $100 million in damage, killed 4 persons and injured 70. Over 700,000 homes and businesses lost power from the event.

• Historical records going as far back as Fur Trade era of the 18th century, as well as modern forest surveys have shown no evidence of any previous storm of such force and scale, although much smaller, localized blowdown have occurred, most recently in September of 1992 and July of 1988.

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More trail work End of Day #2: Setting up camp at Strup Lake Campsite in a cold rain

Harlan & Brian cooking & Matt “doing dishes” Video Clip 4382

View looking West View looking East

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Sunset from the Strup Lake Campsite Day #3: Wednesday, May 20th

• Hiked from Strup Lake Campsite to Agamok Bridge Campsite (8 mi.)

• Temps ranged from 39 in the morning to ~90 mid afternoon

• Very breezy all day!• Bruce got us up early and

we were on the trail by 6:15am

Bruce rebuilt the campsite side trail cairn to stay warm

Morning camp duties Crossing the stream from Strup Lake to Whist Lake

Video clip 4391 A common Kek view

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Some trail markers remain to guide hikers Taking breaks during the day

That sure was a big one! Finally, Matt sees his 1st White Cedar

Carter weaving his way under blowdowns I told you that view was common!

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Carter worked for a better view The gang comes ‘round a switchback

Brian: “No matter how many days went by, I never left the sweep behind.” Some of the virgin pine remains

Here comes Florence Matt coming across a ledge

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Taking lunch at Harness Lake Campsite Climbing up to the 5 vista

Video clip 4411

Carter:

“The heat and sun in the afternoon made it feel like we were all marshmallows on sticks. Nice campsite at Strup Lake for our lunch break.”

Video clip 4412

Bruce:

“The over-look was beautiful! I don't know how hard the wind was blowing, but Matt saw a white pine blown in half. I asked Matt if a sound was made when no one was there to hear it.”

Ken:

“Great white pine stump told of past glory. Moose tracks followed the trail. It was getting brutal in the heat. The crystal clear creek crossings were beautiful.”

Here comes Ken! Relaxin’ in the breeze!

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This tree grew between a rock and, well, another rock…and blew over! Video clip 4412

Brian:

“The change of wind from ridge to ridge and extreme temperature variation was challenging. It was cold bathing in the water at the bridge.”

Video Clip 4418

Matt:

“The question that got answered by the passage of time was that we'd camp over-night at the Bridge. Carter took away my fun at suppertime by not letting me fry wood ticks. The windy view gave us pause to consider how fortunate we were to be able to experience it.”

Video clip 4419

Florence:

“Mile after mile of craggy walk through wetland, streams, up hills, down dales, all strewn with blow-downs from 1999 - this is hiking the Kek. New growth was everywhere. The moose love this trail!”

Harlan:

“It was 38 degrees in the morning, 85 degrees in the shade at 6:00 p.m. Lots of gullies and moose prints in the footpath were memorable.”

Looking back west towards Twin Peaks More downfalls

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Scenic trail pics And another

Views of the Agamok River valley A pretty little stream…a great place to cool off on a hot day

End of Day #3: the famous Agamok River bridge View downstream from the bridge

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View upstream from the bridge Bruce planning his kayak line

View of the scenic Agamok River rapids from camp Harlan videotaping the falls

Day #4: Thursday, May 21st

• Hiked from Agamok River Campsite to Bingshick Lake Campsite (9 mi.)

• Entered the burned area right away and hiked in it all day

• Bruce woke us early and we were on the trail by 6:15am in a light rain

The edge of the burn looking west towards the Agamok River valley

Florence:

“Bruce awoke us at 4:28 yelling out, "It's daylight in the swamp!" Most of us were across the bridge and ready to hike by 6:00 a.m. It started to rain as we finished up breakfast. Only a half hour later the rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun came out and we had a beautiful day for hiking!”

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Entering the Cavity Lake Fire area Cavity Lake FireThe Cavity Lake Fire was a large 31,830 acre forest fire in the Seagull Lake-Gabimichigami Lakearea in the east-central Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The fire was first spotted on July 14, 2006, and it quickly spread during a period of dry, warm weather and gusty winds. The fire was slowed and then stopped by rains in late July, which allowed fire fighters to construct fire breaks and put out hot spots. It was the largest fire in the BWCAW in over a century, and burned forests heavily damaged by the 1999 blowdown.

As a result of a $10 million effort involving more than 400 firefighters, and repeated rainstorms in late July, the fire was 95% contained on August 8.

Already time to take off the jackets Bruce led through the burned area

And made some new “friends!”

These pictures were taken at two different places about 15 minutes apart

Past this neat burned snag

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We’re up here! Following the path wasn’t as hard as we expected!

There were only small pockets that didn’t burn

Ken on slope above Gabichimigami Lake

Ken walking along the lakeshore –a narrow strip that didn’t burn

Matt enjoying the Cedars at Gabichimigami Lake Campsite

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Brian trying to dry out his feet Gabichimigami Lake Campsite

Above Howard Lake Carter climbing

Approaching Howard Lake Campsite

View across Howard Lake from Campsite

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Florence was proudly wearing her NCTA shirt Harlan & Brian catch up and relax!

Another burned snag We meet up with Joan’s westbound group near Chip Lake

Florence:

“About noon we met Joan Young, Marie Altenau, Lyle Bialk, Kurt Paphe, and Ed Morse hiking to Ely. What serendipity! They liked what they'd already come through - a good omen for the day ahead for us.”

The trail enters the grassy area between Chip and Seahorse Lakes A beautiful narrow valley

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Harlan watching his footing Along Seahorse Lake

The Hedeens relaxing after the 1st Chub River crossing Between Seahorse and Warclub Lakes

Two views of Warclub Lake Ken using the “bridge” over the 2nd crossing of the Chub River

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Bruce climbing towards the Sleeping Indian’s face

Bruce

Sleeping Indian’s face

A new “puncheon” for crossing a wet area near Glee & Fay Lakes

Hill between Glee and Fay Lakes Live trees near west edge of Bingshick Lake

Video clip 4484

Matt:

About Howard Lake Campsite: “The campsite's kind of iffy, but the biffy is really spiffy!” Being able to see water features from the trail was really neat.”

Ken:

“I enjoyed seeing Joan Young and company on the trail. I admire Brian's perseverance in the face of adversity. Beautiful hiking weather!”

Bruce:

“I picked up an Australian Chocolate Raspberry Layered Cake on the trail. The saddest day of the trip, because it's the last. Wonderful group to hike with.”

Well maintained trail tread

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Descending to west Bingshick Lake Campsite through the Ham Lake fire area

View of the cow moose from Bingshick Lake Campsite

Two calves are not visible through the brush

Florence:

“As the sun was setting Ken spotted a cow moose and two calves grazing on the ridge across the lake. Had we gone the intended pace we'd have missed this highlight of the trip!”

The gang on our last night Florence’s evening debriefingQuestion:

After four days hiking on the Kek, what do you know for sure that you didn't know when you started?

Brian: “That the six people that I went with were the finest folks anyone could be out with.”

Harlan: “I never knew it could be so tiring to go so slow.”

Carter: “The tick season has begun in the Kek!”

Ken: “After hiking the Kek in four days, I'd never want to do it in three.”

Matt: “The Boundary Waters is a spectacular place to appreciate the quiet things in life.”

Bruce: “I'm capable of hiking the Kek.”

Florence: “I can do it!”

Day #5: Friday, May 22nd• Hiked from

Bingshick Lake Campsite to Gunflint Trail trailhead (3.5 mi.)

• We left camp at 6am

• Early morning sun over Mine Lake beaver dam

We leave the BWCAW!

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Video clip 4498

Harlan:

On the Paulson Mine - "My wife took the gold. I got the shaft." Easy day. Nice trail. Barb (Hestons Resort owner) had the kind of personality that would get along with everyone, person to person.”

Video Clip 4500

Video Clip 4501 View back towards Mine Lake

A little more green on the forest floor The group at Paulson Mine

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Near the trail to the old Gunflint Lookout Tower Live trees just above Gunflint Trail

Some of the last steps Video Clip 4517Ken:

“Fantastic campsite in the morning light! Heston's Resort, shower and Barb (third generation owner) was wonderful!”

Carter:

“The sounds on the way out - frogs, birds, and brooks from the long string of wetlands. Getting out of camp went very smoothly. Great shower and hospitality at Heston's.”

Matt:

“Great group! Really got cold over-night at 29 degrees. The stars were fantastic.”

Bruce:

“Oh me, oh my! Great cup of coffee at the Lodge. Leaving the BWCA sign. Magnificent sunrise - the lake was giving off its heat.”

Group at Gunflint Trailhead

Florence:

“Never did get to a railroad grade that was discernible! Magnificent morning to hike. Greeting at Heston's Lodge was like getting a sincere hug.”

The group after showering at Heston’s

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Wildlife sighting on the ride home Elevation profile for the Kek