Superior National Forest Update: October 16

Hi.  I’m Cathy Peterson, administrative assistant for the Tofte Ranger District, 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 16th, here’s what’s going on in the Forest.
Fall colors are falling down, and our peak season is definitely over.  It still is pretty nice weather for hiking or hunting, and there are enough leaves to make it colorful.  When you are out, watch out for the remaining fall color enthusiasts parked on the roads, and if you are parking yourself for hunting or photography, make sure to do it in a safe location.  In addition to the leaves, the Fall Color Tour signs will be coming down this week, a sure indication of the end of fall and the beginning of winter.
Also happening this week is the annual removal of docks from area lake accesses, and the shutting down of the water systems at campgrounds.  Once the water is off at a campground, there will be no further garbage pick up, and no fees or reservations.  Campers are still welcome to camp, but you will have to bring your own water in, and take your garbage back out with you.  Remember that it is not legal, or a good idea for that matter, to burn your garbage in the fire rings or anywhere on the Forest.
There is some intentional burning going on in the Forest though.  Fire crews will be burning some piles in various areas where they have cut undergrowth to reduce the danger of wildfire.  You may have seen these piles in the woods, often topped with pieces of cardboard.  The cardboard can look somewhat silly, but it keeps a small area dry enough for good ignition, and after that the fire will dry itself.
The new bridge over the Temperance River is very very close to being open, but as of October 15, it isn’t officially open yet.  There is still work being done on the approaches to the bridge.  Please obey the barricades that are in place, it will simply slow the process if people drive on the incomplete approaches.
Also in road news, 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, there will be trucks will be hauling on the Sawbill Trail for the next couple weeks, as well as an active logging operation next to the road which might include machinery on the road.  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.
Logging trucks are large, but we are also sharing our roads this time of year with some very small forest visitors.  There are flocks of juncos foraging on roadways all over the Forest.  These small birds are a slaty gray color with white outer tail feathers.  They are working their down from the north, wintering usually around the Twin Cities and further south.  They can be in large numbers on the road, and are very easily hit by cars.  Slowing down where it is safe and you see a large flock at a distance is a good idea, but emergency braking and swerving to avoid birds can be dangerous. 
Enjoy the end of our fall, and get out in the woods before winter sets in!  Until next week, this has been Cathy Peterson with the Superior National Forest Update.