2/29/12 - The Forest Service has released maps of entry points and campsites that are closed due to last fall's Pagami Creek fire. Very few campsites that are normally used by Sawbill paddlers are closed. Below is the map that shows the few sites that are closed on the lakes just north of Kawishiwi Lake.

The map is a little crude. Polly has no burned areas that are easily visible from the lake. Square Lake is less than half burned. Baskatong, Kawasachong and Townline lakes are completely burned.

The snow depth has been pretty good as compared to the rest of Minnesota here at Sawbill. After the last couple of days it's starting to look downright normal around here. - Bill

Anyone up for a picnic? You may not recognize the old BWCA Wilderness picnic table that sits in front of the Sawbill Store.

2/27/12 - Here is Carl during his two and a half hour snowmobile ride at the head of the American Birkebeiner. He reports that the whole experience was fun, but tiring. - Bill

Filmmaker Carl Hansen at work.

2/25/12 - Carl Hansen is filming the American Birkebeiner this morning. He is working for the official film crew on America's biggest cross country ski race. Carl's assignment is to ride the snowmobile that precedes the race leaders for the duration of the marathon. I'll post pictures and links to video as soon as it's available.

Here is this week's Cook County West End News from WTIP North Shore Community Radio. - Bill

2/20/12 - Sawbill's own Carl Hansen was home for a visit over the President's weekend. There was good northern lights display on Saturday night. Carl, a Twin Cities based independent film maker, stayed up half the night to make this spectacular time-lapse film.

Looking north from Sawbill Lake, just off the canoe landing.

There were many campers and skiers here over the weekend. We have the best snow in Minnesota, so our little ski trail was getting heavy public use. The University of Minnesota, Duluth Outdoor Program brought up a bus load of students. They were actually scheduled to go elsewhere, but came here because of the snow. They were treated to two beautiful, warm, sunny days along with a below zero night filled with stars and northern lights. - Bill

2/15/12 - It's a beautiful, sunny day here at Sawbill. Due to the wide temperature swings that we are seeing now-a-days, the trees are covered with heavy frost every morning. When the sun hits them and the morning breeze stirs, the frost falls like shining diamonds from a clear blue sky. - Bill

Morning frost on aspens.

Morning frost on white pine.

Roy inspects the Sawbill ski trail, maintained mainly for our personal use, but getting a lot of public use in this low snow year.

2/14/12 - Here is a good Valentine's Day song from our friend, Jerry Vandiver. - Bill

You can follow this link for more information on Jerry's "Paddlesongs" project.

Here is last week's Cook County West End News from WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

2/9/12 - There are a number of new mining projects proposed near the BWCA Wilderness. In the past, mining has caused serious pollution problems and the companies have faded away, leaving the mess for the locals to live with. This has become a big issue around here. The Friends of the Boundary Waters, the long time wilderness advocacy group, has a lot of information on their website. In the interest of fairness, here is a link to Polymet, the company that is farthest along in it's effort to begin a new type of mining in Minnesota.

Former Sawbill crew, Dave and Amy Freeman, are teaming up with former state legislator and Grand Marais-area dogsled racer Frank Moe for an epic trip from Northern Minnesota to the State Capitol in St. Paul in early March. They are calling for the protection of the region's natural heritage, including clean water and wilderness. Dave and Amy will be delivering petitions from Ely to Finland, Minnesota by dogsled. Frank will continue with those petitions and many more on to the State Capitol.

You have seen the lakes, rivers, and forests of Northern Minnesota first hand and understand how special this area is. Please join Dave, Amy, Frank, and thousands of others by signing the petition that will be delivered to the State Capitol by dogsled.

Please, watch the videos below to learn more about the Sulfide Mining that is proposed near Ely and sign the petition below.