Gunflint Trail Sideroad

Last week’s wet heavy snow froze to the tree branches along the Gunflint Trail and it still looks like a winter wonderland. Even the high winds haven’t been able to knock the snow off the branches. It is a very beautiful drive right now.

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I took a hike to Honeymoon Bluff and the hanging branches along the trail are laden with snow.

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The top of this tree looks like the face of a snowman.

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The moon was setting in the western sky when I photographed it next to the top of this snow-covered white pine.

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The view from the top of Honeymoon Bluff was awesome. Snow sculptures were everywhere, including this one that resembles the head of a frog looking up from the cliff.

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Squint Lake

Morning or evening is the best time to take photos as the shadows are longer and the light in less intense. During a Minnesota winter the sun never gets very high. This noon photo of Squint Lake had shadows going completely across the bay.

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Swamper Lake

The area around Swamper Lake is where many people have been seeing moose.

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Just after I passed the lake, a cow moose stepped out onto the road.

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Road salt brings moose to the Gunflint Trail during the winter months. In the last few weeks Gunflint Trail visitors are regularly seeing moose. Cars have hit three cow moose recently so please remember to drive at a slow speed when visiting the Gunflint area. You never know when they will step out in front of you.

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This cow returned to the road four times while I watched from a side road. Every time a car approached she stepped back into the woods. After the car left she would come right back to the road. Moose are always fun too see in any season.

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