The Gunflint Trail lakes are still on the rise and the Seagull River is flowing a lot harder after the recent rainfall we have received. The fire danger is high right now, due to the low relative humidity, and burning permits are no longer being issued until the conditions are greener. With a little luck it will continue to rain—minus the lightning— and we can have a stress-free summer for a change.
This will be a busy weekend for the Trail with the annual Ham Run Half Marathon happening on Sunday, May 6. Every year this event attracts more participants and is a lot of fun. For race registration and details you can go to www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com. If you are interested in volunteering, you can contact them from this same website or contact Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. There are a lot of events these days on the Gunflint Trail and each of them requires many “volunteers” to run smoothly. From setting up the tent to printing T-shirts and everything in between, it would not happen without major planning and volunteer labor to help out each year.
The Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department plays a major role in most events on the Trail and it is a win/win situation for all parties involved. The department receives invaluable training with traffic control, radio communications, and potential medical aid while simultaneously bringing people up the Trail and helping tourism. We live in such a unique place that I applaud any event that helps to showcase our little piece of paradise.
I made the mistake of volunteering for the sweep-vehicle position a couple of years back on the 5K race. Don’t get me wrong, I would do it again if asked but the sweep vehicle must follow the last racers to the finish line. The fire truck that I was driving would not physically idle slow enough, so I was forced to drive a few hundred feet then wait.
Really it was fine, but the experience reminded me of one of my favorite jokes, “What did the snail say when it rode on the turtle’s back?
“Wheeeeee!”
I considered asking the few racers who were slowly walking the course in front of me if they wanted to jump in the truck since we could no longer see the rest of the racers, but I refrained. They made it to the finish line without breaking a sweat and everyone had a great time.
Mother’s Day weekend will be even busier with the fishing opener and the Gunflint Green Up coinciding, which is being hosted by Gunflint Lodge this year. The weather has been great and the bugs are tolerable so pick an event and get on up here.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218-388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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