Hello!

I am trying to design a study for an ecology class and need some info on the 2010 fire in the BWCA. I'm hoping to find a lake close to an established trail (hiking) that has a portion burned in 2010 and a portion untouched to test the species richness and diversity effects of the fire.

I have been using the following image to try and find such a lake, but am not as proficient at understanding maps as I'd hoped. All my experience in the BWCA has been over by Snowbank and Disappointment, so I know very little about the Gunflint Ranger area.

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2017/mar-apr/img//dendrochronology/BWCAW-fire-history-map.jpg

There is a lake right by entry point 58 that seems to fit what I'm looking for (image link below with circled lake). Based on cross-referencing maps, I believe (but am very unsure) it's South Lake.

https://photos.bwca.com/r/RAILEN-110219-223806.JPG

For those who've been in the area or know more about BWCA history, has South Lake been partially affected by the 2010 fire? How difficult/long is it to hike around? Any other helpful information would be welcome!

If you go under search on this site you’ll find plenty of past post. I put in bwca 2010 fire came up with a lot of posts and maps. I hope this helps you with your study.

This query screams for the use of a GIS to solve the problem. If you have a colleague adept at that, contact the US Forest Service in Duluth and ask for access to their data files on fires and trails.

Failing that, here’s a better map for your purpose. I got this at the Tofte District office; other USFS locations may have it.

BTW, what 2010 fire are you referring to? I’m not familiar with anything that year near South Lake.

gravelroad: "BTW, what 2010 fire are you referring to? I’m not familiar with anything that year near South Lake."

Looks like they're referring on their map and yours of the prescribed burns called Saucer Lake 2005. It looks like Meeds was another prescribed burn in 2010 in that area south of the Gunflint.

To the OP, yes that's south lake in your circle but from the paper map posted it looks like that's a 2005 burn if that matters for your study. 2010 is only the area south of the road.

Here are the pictures side by side


OP circled lake.



Map from gravelroad

Thanks, that map is exactly what I needed! I didn't know the one I had included prescribed burns.

It looks like you've got a ton of options as far as fire and lakes and dates go. What specifically do you need as most important? Burned area next to a lake? Burned area near hiking trail? I understand you're wanting burn next to untouched so you can compare the two ecosystems....but are you needing a 2010 fire specifically? Need it along a lake shore?

What comes to my mind as even easier is where the Ham Lake fire ('07) crosses the Gunflint Trail road. As far as who owns that ground since it's not in the BW I'm not sure. But that would be incredibly easy access to both burned and non from the road.

I don't think there are any hiking trails through your burned area west of South Lake. There are portages between the lakes which are marked on the maps, but not really a hiking trail that just goes forever somewhere.

Here's a screenshot from another mapping site's maps that shows the area you're talking about and I'm mentioning. The orange shading is the Ham Lake Fire from '07 and where it crossed the road. Your prescribed burn is not displayed on this map but would be between the Ham Lake shading and South Lake it appears (my attempt in paint in green). No real hiking trail to get to it, but you could paddle in the BW and get there

I labeled the road, the burn area, and my green hatched is a sad attempt in paint at the 2005 prescribed burn from gravelroad's map. It looks like if you can get onto Mayhew lake you'd have shoreline access to both burned areas and non-burned. (the lake between Topper and the road)

I'm mostly looking for a lake with the following specifications: partially burned from a forest fire from the past 20 years, small enough to walk around the circumference within two days, fairly close in proximity to a hiking trailhead.

I have been looking mostly at the Border Route Trail since it has a lot of entry and exit points accessible via car. The trip will have to take place in March, so I'm assuming canoeing and kayaking are out of the question due to ice-outs being later in the season. Based on Border Route Trail maps, there are a few campsites and entry/exit points right by Loon and Gunflint Lake like you suggested. I could potentially take observations from the northern side of Gunflint for the burned area and southern for unburned. I would take the southeastern part of gunflint, but I'd be worried about running into prescribed burns by accident. While there are no designated hiking trails directly around Gunflint, hugging the shoreline should work fine.

If you're going in March, the way this winter is going you'll be able to walk on the ice and maybe still need snowshoes...

After some map gazing...I came across this one. I didn't even know Bog Lake was an entry point (67) which probably means it's also maybe not plowed all the way to the parking area. Looks like a 3/4 mile hike in from said parking area on the portage trail and then a lake that's not huge and about half burnt and half not. One real campsite and the others were in the burn area from Pagami Creek (2011) It's kind of in the middle of nowhere as far as towns and the rest of the park goes....it says no routes to any other lakes from this one as far as paddling trips.

south lake suffered in a big wind storm back in 2015 or 2016. there would be no option of walking around the lake.
also, many lines near the border route trail could also be hiking trails, which, of course, you couldn't drive on, or portages.

you might try talking to Mark Jirsa or Paul Weiblen, listed in the article below. yes, it's geology, but there is much ecology intermingled... :)

ham lake fire and meteorite ejecta discovery

Mocha: "south lake suffered in a big wind storm back in 2015 or 2016. there would be no option of walking around the lake.
also, many lines near the border route trail could also be hiking trails, which, of course, you couldn't drive on, or portages. you might try talking to Mark Jirsa or Paul Weiblen, listed in the article below. yes, it's geology, but there is much ecology intermingled... :)
ham lake fire and meteorite ejecta discovery "

Mocha, your familiarity with that area is valuable. Thanks for sharing.

Railen, You might try doing a google search for "bwca map sites" there are a couple of good sites that will show you the landings, portages, and fire area.

cyclones30: "If you're going in March, the way this winter is going you'll be able to walk on the ice and maybe still need snowshoes...


After some map gazing...I came across this one. I didn't even know Bog Lake was an entry point (67) which probably means it's also maybe not plowed all the way to the parking area. Looks like a 3/4 mile hike in from said parking area on the portage trail and then a lake that's not huge and about half burnt and half not. One real campsite and the others were in the burn area from Pagami Creek (2011) It's kind of in the middle of nowhere as far as towns and the rest of the park goes....it says no routes to any other lakes from this one as far as paddling trips.


"

Yeah I'd second Bog Lake as long as there is reasonable vehicle access in March. Looks like it checks every box. Call the Tofte Ranger district and see what they can tell you about traveling there that time of year.

cyclones30: "If you're going in March, the way this winter is going you'll be able to walk on the ice and maybe still need snowshoes...


After some map gazing...I came across this one. I didn't even know Bog Lake was an entry point (67) which probably means it's also maybe not plowed all the way to the parking area. Looks like a 3/4 mile hike in from said parking area on the portage trail and then a lake that's not huge and about half burnt and half not. One real campsite and the others were in the burn area from Pagami Creek (2011) It's kind of in the middle of nowhere as far as towns and the rest of the park goes....it says no routes to any other lakes from this one as far as paddling trips.


"

I have my own interest in monitoring access via Tomahawk Road to the vicinity of Bog Lake (well, beyond). I will be pleasantly shocked if anybody is able to get there in March except the wolves and red squirrels, unless you get dropped at the EP by snowmobile. There was logging that kept the road passable into December, but just barely.

Railen,

Have you looked at this link?

I fought the 2011 Pagami Fire, Bog Lake was in my Division. I also worked for the Superior NF for three years on a fire engine.

Fire Effects Information System