Superior National Forest Update: October 9

Hi.  I’m Becky Bartol, environmental coordinator for the Tofte and Gunflint Districts, with this week’s edition of the National Forest Update  -  information on conditions affecting travel and recreation on the Tofte and Gunflint Districts of the Superior National Forest. For the week of October 9th, here’s what’s going on in the Forest.
Fall colors might be at their peak for the year along the shore, but inland they are starting to fall.  The rain on Wednesday night and Thursday brought some of the leaves down, but there are still plenty left to make this a good weekend to go for a drive and enjoy the scenery.  Some of the gravel roads have some heavy washboarding right now, so keep your speed down and your tires on the road.
The new bridge over the Temperance River on the 600 Road near the Sawbill Trail is almost done.  The iron pony truss bridge, known as the Pink Bridge, which is being replaced was originally built in 1913 as the bridge that spanned the Cross River at Schroeder and then moved to its current location.  It saw a lot of history over its 102 year life, but was no longer safe.  We hope the new bridge will be open in the next week or so.
While bridges may be opening soon, campgrounds are soon to be returning to their winter condition.  As temperatures lower, the water systems in campgrounds will be shut off to prevent freeze damage.  When the water is shut off, garbage pick up will also be discontinued, and you will no longer have to pay a camping fee.  The status of the campgrounds will be tracked on our website, so check it out before you head off on your next camping trip.
Along with this sign of impending winter will be the removal of docks from boat accesses.  This will be started in the next week or two, so if you are planning a fishing trip, you might be safest to assume that there won’t be a dock available.  The ramp, of course, will still be usable, as will the dock until removal.
There is a fair amount of timber activity right now.  Hauling on the Gunflint District is similar to last week and taking place on the Murmur Creek Road, the Caribou Trail, The Grade, the Bally Creek Road, the Greenwood road, the Firebox Road, the Shoe Lake Road, the Old Greenwood road, the South Brule River Road, the Lima Grade, and the Gunflint Trail.
In Tofte, anyone driving up the Sawbill Trail has probably seen the logging operation a mile or two beyond the Honeymoon Trail.  That will be active, and trucks will be hauling on the Sawbill, for the next couple weeks.  Otherwise there is logging activity in the vicinity of Jack Lake with hauling on FR 369 (Sawbill Landing Road or Trappers Lake Road) down to Hwy. 1 at Isabella.  Visitors may also see a few log trucks on The Grade.  The state also has some active logging operations which will have haul trucks as well.
When you’re out hiking, be sure to wear your orange since hunting is going on.  Keep an eye out for moose as well.  It is near the peak of rutting season for moose, and they are out and about.  They are also kind of ornery this time of year, and you should stay well away from any moose that you see.
Enjoy the beautiful fall, and get out in the woods!  Until next week, this has been Becky Bartol with the Superior National Forest Update.