On a recent Quetico trip we witnessed a pine pollen explosion. After several days of relatively calm winds, a gust front came through with 20mph winds and the pollen from the white pines was released in fury. On this otherwise clear day, the visibility went from 10+ miles to less than 1/4 mile in seconds. We were no longer able to see the opposite shore which was just 1/8 mile away. Just this green haze filling the air. It lasted for at least 20 minutes and EVERYTHING was covered in bright lime green powder. After 35+ years of wilderness tripping, I've seen the occasional white pine release it's puffy cloud of pollen, but I've never witnessed a white pine pollen Super Storm. It was quite amazing.

That sounds really cool. I've seen the water and woods after the pollen has been released, but nothing like what you describe. The woods are so fascinating...

Mike

MikeinMpls: "That sounds really cool. I've seen the water and woods after the pollen has been released, but nothing like what you describe. The woods are so fascinating...


Mike"

Yes it would have been cool to see but for me I would only be able to tolerate a video of it. Seasonal allergies to tree pollen in the spring and ragweed in late summer make me glad I have never encountered a pollen storm.

MikeinMpls: "That sounds really cool. I've seen the water and woods after the pollen has been released, but nothing like what you describe. The woods are so fascinating...


Mike"

Yes it would have been cool to see but for me I would only be able to tolerate a video of it. Seasonal allergies to tree pollen in the spring and ragweed in late summer make me glad I have never encountered a pollen storm.

Fascinating experience. I've never experienced anything that extreme.

deerfoot: "

MikeinMpls: "That sounds really cool. I've seen the water and woods after the pollen has been released, but nothing like what you describe. The woods are so fascinating...



Mike"

Yes it would have been cool to see but for me I would only be able to tolerate a video of it. Seasonal allergies to tree pollen in the spring and ragweed in late summer make me glad I have never encountered a pollen storm."

Me, too. That sounds miserable!

Mike

I can only imagine how quickly the gravity filters plug up.

I too have seen the water covered in tree pollen and would go out into the lake to try to get to cleaner water. Before using a gravity filter even the old Mini Works ceramic filters clogged quickly requiring frequent cleaning. I always enjoyed spring and fall trips but I tend to favor fall trips now - no bugs, cooler temps and no pollen.

Used to be a nearly annual experience for me in the White Mountains and central NH. Looks like green smoke until you figure it out.