A little history ...

The Blowdown of the Century

Visitors driving up the Gunflint Trail are surprised to see all the logged over areas. These clearings were a result of cleanup from the Blowdown of July 4, 1999, when a straight-line wind with speeds in excess of 100 mph passed through the Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Everything started here about 1:00 p.m. when the wind quickly and drastically increased. Staff and guests rushed to the dock where boats and motors were wildly thrashing about. They worked to rope the dock to shore so it would not break loose. Swamped boats were floated in. After 20-30 minutes the wind died down as fast as it had come up. When those on the dock finished and turned around, they were amazed to see trees down everywhere. No one knew how widespread the damage was but it looked pretty bad at the lodge.

Two guides immediately went to help any swamped boaters. Other staff went out to see if nearby cabins needed help. Another group started clearing the road so the ambulance could respond if needed. All the staff and guests were accounted for, and no one was hurt. With no electricity, generators were powered up to give some light, and a fire pump was connected to the water line to provide running water.

Plans were made for the rest of the day. We expanded the Bar-B-Q dinner to include staff and any others who were stranded. We used the one non-electric telephone to check other resorts and to call in heavy equipment over the next few days. Guests made plans to checkout in the morning. We connected the computers to get names and phone numbers of incoming guests, and we called them all from the one spot on the Trail above Loon Lake where a cell phone worked.

Slowly a picture of widespread devastation emerged. Millions of trees were down across the Boundary Waters and surrounding area. Portages, hiking trails and campsites disappeared under downed trees. Luckily, very few people were hurt. Electric lines were hard hit. Huge crews worked over a month to restore everyone’s power. Most businesses closed for at least ten days. Driving the Trail today still shows many open spaces, but new growth is coming in quickly. So have some patience as Mother Nature rebuilds and enjoy the open vistas that will soon fill with new trees.