The Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness is located in northeast Minnesota within
the
Superior National Forest. Nestled amongst the 1,000,000+ acres
of woods there are over 1,000 lakes and streams.
These areas not only provide phenomenal fishing but
also in excess of 1,500 miles of canoe routes and
portage
trails. This is the land that the French Canadian
Voyageurs utilized and the Native Americans once
called home. The BWCAW is an easel on which God has
created a true masterpiece. The star filled evening
sky with the occasional glimpse of the Aurora Borealis
will leave you speechless. Conifers, birch, aspen
trees dominate the forest. Enormous plump blueberries
are abundant in July. Moose roam freely throughout
the area, and gaze curiously at people passing by.
Bald Eagles glide through the sky and the Loons call
to one another on the water. The lakes are deep,
clear, and yet so blue. Fishing can be
extraordinary with a variety of species. There are
many waterfalls and scenic overlook areas to photograph
or simply admire. One smell of the fresh air will
leave you will leave you longing for more. It is
so pure, beautiful, and refreshing that despite the
challenges,
you will
come away with a true feeling of accomplishment and
peace.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has a
rich, interesting history. Including attempts to make the
area open to lodges, cabins, and extensive motorized travel.
One individual attempted to include dams in many areas of
the Wilderness many years ago. One of the BWCA's most controversial
times came in 1978, when the BWCA Wilderness Act was put
into force. Sigurd Olson, an environmental writer of the
time, wrote of the feeling of wilderness and its impact upon
others. Locals and other visitors were more interested in
maintaining the motorized travel and other amenities that
had been allowed in the BWCA. Since 1978, other acts have
been put into place and are under debate still today. Enjoy
the Boundary Waters, and learn more about its history!
In the late 70's and early 80's almost all of the
nature trails were abandoned by the United States Forest
Service (USFS) because of budget cutbacks.
The trails almost
receded back
into the boreal forest. In 1989 the Kekekabic Trail Club was formed
to reclaim some of these historic trails. In 1992 The Kekekabic
Trail Club together with the Minnesota Rovers, the Minnesota Parks
and Trails Council and the 3M Kekekabic Outdoor Club formed the
Minnesota Wilderness Trail Alliance. The MWTA was
formed to restore and maintain hiking trails in the Superior National
Forest, with
priority given to several threatened wilderness trails in the BWCAW.
