Tag Archives: MN North: Gunflint Trail

Gunflint Trail Fall Colors

Year 7

The smoke from the western wildfires disappeared this morning, and the sun reappeared. Within 2 to 3 weeks most of the leaves will on the ground. Tonight’s overnight low will be about 30F. In short, it is a beautiful time to be at the end of the Gunflint Trail. While the foliage is not at its peak, and the number of maple trees are limited, this is truly beautiful wilderness. Last Fall when I visited this area during the first week of November (six weeks from now) there was significant snow on the ground. Winter comes on fast in the Northland. Here are a few images from today’s meanderings.

Ruffed Grouse

Gunflint Lake (looking at Canada)

Magnetic Rock (early morning hike)

My New Gravel Bike (Cross River BWCA Entry Point)

Notice the monopod strapped to my read bike bag! This gravel bike setup lets me explore back roads … carrying my a small bike repair kit, my camera and monopod, and a light jacket.

Canoeing in Canada … Oops! and an Owl Album

Year 7

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line! Molly and I started at the map marker in the lower right of this image … ended up in Canada for a short time while we worked out way into Magnetic Lake and beyond on the border lakes. Thankfully an international incident was avoided!

As an aside … while I would not use Google Maps for navigating canoe country, having downloaded maps for offline use comes in handy. While satellite view is not an option for offline use, I have learned that if I view in “satellite mode” while online, it caches that view as well for offline use … thus my screenshot images.

Photo ops are not real good right now due to the West Coast smoke that has worked its way to Minnesota’s skies. God Bless those poor folks near fires, and pray for the fire fighters. This screenshot of the smoke plume taken this morning at 9 am is remarkable in a not so great way.

 

Milky Way Photoshoot Results

Background, Year 7

And the envelope please …

If you remember, in yesterday’s post I talked about my advanced planning process (and tools) which goes into a photoshoot. I promised today I would post the results of that planning and last night’s photos. Before revealing the images, let me comment that it is EXTREMELY rare that I go somewhere at night where I have never been to that location during the daytime. Quite frankly, it is not a good idea to stumble around in the dark at a spot you have never seen during the day. However, Google Maps Satellite View indicated both a boat launch and a bridge at my desired location … plus no hiking in the woods was required. I was comfortable with my unusual decision.

I had hoped to photograph the Milky Way around 10:15 pm, but clouds prevented that action. Skies cleared by 12:30 am, and it was still before moonrise. My only unforeseen issue was the cold air temperature (41F) resulted in fog and mist starting to form. By morning we would be socked in with fog, but at 12:30 am the skies were clear. Fog was already forming over the Cross River as I took my photographs. I expect by 1:30 am my desired photographs would have been impossible.

Milky Way over the Cross River (I light painted the scene / river with my small flashlight for about 1 second)

Post update … three nights later the air cleared … no moisture or forest fire smoke. This image resulted!!!

Northern Lights (very mild) over Gunflint Lake (I literally just turned around in place from where I was photographing the Milky Way! The Big Dipper may be seen just above the horizon and Aurora)

I was pleasantly surprised when I got up this morning to learn / read that the magazine Outdoor Photographer has a large article in the current issue speaking to the exact same planning process. I actually read this magazine (downloaded copy) via my local public library. They send me an email when the current virtual copy is available. Thus, even though I am only a mile south of the Canadian border in deep wilderness, I visited my public library this morning. You can use the same digital tools!

Here are three screenshots from Outdoor Photographer … specifically the cover, navigation, and the first page of the article on this blog post’s topic (Visualize, Plan, Shoot).