Superior National Forest Update: June 17

Hi.  I’m Becky Bartol, assistant ranger in planning, with the Superior National Forest Update - information on conditions affecting travel and recreation on the Tofte and Gunflint Districts of the Forest. For the week of June 17th, here’s what’s going on in the Forest.
With Grandma’s Marathon happening in Duluth, this may be the weekend for us who aren’t involved in the race to stay well north of Duluth.  Luckily, there are always lots of things for us to do in the Forest.  Wildflowers and birds are abundant right now, and it is a wonderful time to take a hike and enjoy this part of our late spring and early summer.  Pack a camera, or just bring your phone and try your hand and capturing some images of what you see.  The nice thing about flowers is that unlike animals, they do stand still for photographs.
If you plan on spending part of Father’s Day weekend fishing, keep an eye on the weather.  Possible thunderstorms are predicted for both Saturday and Sunday.  This past week, three fishermen were hospitalized in Minnesota due to a lightning strike, and no fish is worth that.  Boaters should be aware that most lightning occurs on the leading edge of a storm, often in front of the rain.  To be safe, you need to get off the water before the storm arrives.  You are within striking distance if you can hear thunder, and you need to seek shelter.
While driving out in the woods on the way to your hiking spot or fishing hole, you still may encounter some winter damage.  There are still sinkholes at some culverts in particular.  Many are marked by orange flags or flagging, but some are not.  Drive carefully.  Thanks to help from fire crews that were in the area during the last month, almost all of our high standard gravel roads are cleared from winter storm debris.  There is still clean up needed in a few places such as the Trappers Lake and Clara Lake roads.  Unlike the high standard roads, many of the low maintenance, high clearance roads still have trees or brush blocking them.  Some may not be cleared until there is activity in the area, such as timber harvest or fire access.  Roads which double as winter snowmobile trails have mostly been cleared.  Grading operations have also started for the summer, so keep your eyes open for slow moving graders and loose gravel in those areas, as well as for washboarding in areas which need grading.
There is some timber traffic to contend with out there as well.  Expect logging trucks on the Trappers Lake Road from operations near Sawbill Landing.  There will also be traffic on the Wanless Road, the Cramer Road, the Sawbill Trail, and The Grade.  In the Gunflint District, expect trucks on the Greenwood Lake Road, Gunflint Trail, Cook County 27, and Cook County 8.
All that makes it sound like it may be hard to get out in the Forest, but in reality, the roads are good shape, and travel should be easy if you pay attention to road conditions.  Enjoy the weekend, and until next week, this has been Becky Bartol with the National Forest Update.