The very large tree just to the right of the over look to Rose Lake was blown down a few years ago. This overlook is just over the bridge at the falls and then down toward Rose. As you near the end of the open area.Take a right at a nondescript opening and walk a few feet toward a relatively small open space where you can sit or stand to view Rose Lake. The other viewing for the lake is up the trail in the other direction. Both are worth the time.

The crashing of the tree would have been thunderous at the least as it fell away from the direction of Rose. WERE YOU THERE when it went down?

Is this a metaphysical question? Ooohm...

Didn't witness that one but had a massive pine break off at its base and fall into Pine Lake just as I poked my head out of my tent wondering what rude person had come to my campsite and was breaking up firewood while I was trying to sleep in. Made a huge splash when it hit the water. BTW, totally calm morning.

Not that one either but did have a huge pine fall in the water on Camper Island on BIg Sag close by. At first Gunsmoke & I thought it was either a bear or moose crashing through the woods. It was weird as the wood was good and it happened early in the morning and there was nary a breeze at the time and was only about 50 yards from our tents. We were camping there during the Ham Lake fire.

Not there for that one.

However this past May SerenitySeeker and I were camped on Horse. On a calm day we heard a crack and a thump just outside the fire ring area. Looked around and didn't see anything.

A few minutes later I headed to the can and noticed a hanging tree right over the throne. I made SerenitySeeker come and keep an eye on the tree because I was certain it had not been there previously. I am pretty obsessive about checking for widow makers when I make camp.

Sure enough...no sooner had I finished the job and headed back out toward the fire area then that sucker came slamming down right in front of the throne.

Tree had broken off right at the base, likely cracked during the winds of the day before.

Not in the BWCA but in north eastern WI deer. Hunting late 90s early 00s, sitting in deer stand, not to far from me is one of the largest White Pines that I have ever see. We had a heavy snow fall over night and was still snowing in the morning when a branch broke off I'm assuming due to weight of snow. The crack sounded like a rifle shot. The limb that broke off was about 24" in dia. and larger than most of the tree trunks in the immediate area.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it still make a sound?
:)