This Sentinel Weekly satellite capture from December 6, 2025 shows how the largest, deepest lakes will typically ice over last. Gabimichigami is the deepest lake entirely in the BWCA, and was just under 50 percent ice covered.

Winter in the BWCA. Such an amazing time. Here's a couple shots from a trip last winter near Brant Lake. Cold outside, but cozy in a hot tent w/ wood stove.

Beautiful monarch on joe-pyeweed (Eutrochium maculatum) back in August on the trail from Gabimichgami to Howard Lake. It took us two hours to find our way into remote Howard, but this was a great sight along the way. We wonder if this monarch migrated south before cold weather arrived.

At Headwaters Project we're creating the first long term, multi-season, multi-year record of temperature and oxygen in Minnesota's Lake Trout lakes, partially to see if phenological extremes jeopardize reproduction, as observed in walleye. aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Such a beautiful fungus in BWCA last month. So delicate looking.

We think it is a coral fungi, specifically upright coral. Its scientific name, Ramaria stricta, means “possessing many upright branches,”. Upright coral fungus is inedible, and some of its lookalikes are even poisonous.

Bug group of common mergansers on Jenny Lake a few weeks ago. Not the greatest video, but it captures the vibe.

Bashitanagueh Lake from the 1900 Geology of Minnesota, Volume IV. Now known as Gillis Lake, and a cold, clean trout lake that is a Minnesota Heritage Trout Lake.

Tufted loosestrife on the portage between French and Fern lakes. Headwaters research trips focus on monitoring lake trout habitat, but we love seeing all the wildflowers through the seasons. Late June photo.

A beautiful, misty morning heading to Bat Lake to take TDO readings.

Sunset on Gabimichigami Lake.

Our travels sent us through Roe Lake last week, on our way to Raven. A beautiful pair of Trumpeter Swans have nested on Roe this year, and hundreds of downy swan feathers were floating on among the lily pads. So magical. Maybe from a molt or from nest lining?

This is is the exceptional Research Team 25-1 as they cross into the the BWCA from Round Lake to Missing Link Lake. Undergraduates from the University of Minnesota Duluth and Twin Cities, they're ready for the paddling and portaging ahead, including the 428 rod Tuscarora portage a lake away.

The green alder are flowering in the BWCA, this one on May 23rd between Rattle and Little Saganaga lakes. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, in clusters called catkins. These are the male flowers. Check out Sawbill Outfitters for more: sawbill.com/2023/08/11/b...

Plotting out the route for a day of oxygen and temperature reading on Minnesota's incredible Heritage Lake Trout lakes. Also loading up on some snacks to fuel us on the pending portages.

Measuring dissolved oxygen and temperature in West Fern Lake of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, one of Minnesota's incredible Heritage Lake Trout lakes.