Hungry Jack Road In Winter
We hope everyone is enjoying the New Year. This winter’s weather isn’t usually expected. Most of the state is without snow and has very warm temperatures. I do not remember a January on the North Shore with this little snow for winter recreation.
One place that has snow is the Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We spent the afternoon enjoying that snow on New Year’s Day. Karla and I drove up the Gunflint looking for moose. In Grand Marais the big lake was open with the waves lapping the shore. As soon as we crested the hill above town the landscape exploded in white. Due to the warm temperatures on New Year’s Eve, the snow clung to every branch. Not only the snow but the earlier rain froze on the branches leaving small little icicles on the tips of each branch that glistened in the sun.
As we turned each corner we were graced with one scene after another that reminded us of what winter in the northland should look like. At mid trail we took some of the side roads to Hungry Jack and Clearwater Lakes. Climbing to the top of Honeymoon Bluff we could look over the winter landscape and into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It was the most peaceful scene. Ridge after ridge of snow covered trees. I was just getting ready to leave when I heard what sounded like dog teams below the high rocky outcropping on which I was standing. Three five dog teams were crossing snow covered Hungry Jack Lake. The pace of the dogs seemed effortless as they flew across one bay after another. I have never experienced dog sledding but it looks like a lot of fun. You could hear the dogs’ excitement as they were doing what they love, running.
As we worked our way back to Grand Marais we stopped many times to take in the scenery and capture pictures of some of the best scenes. The lake photo attached was taken at 1:30 PM. Notice at how long the shadows are. The sun never gets very high this time of year.
We saw tracks but never saw the moose we were hoping to see. Neither of us complained. Not when we got to see the fabulous winter scenery that the Superior National Forest had to offer.